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Watercolour Painting Foundations: Level 1 (Thu afternoon, Jan 2027)
£150
Booking is through our sister studio, The Art School Chester. Pick your date when you book.
This course is designed for complete beginners, nervous beginners, or those returning to art who want to learn watercolour properly from the beginning. You’ll be guided step-by-step through the essential techniques needed to paint with more confidence, control and enjoyment.
Watercolour can feel unpredictable at first, but with the right guidance it becomes a wonderfully expressive and relaxing medium. Across the course, you’ll learn how to control water, mix colours, create washes, build layers, and develop simple studies into finished paintings.
Each session includes clear tutor demonstrations, guided exercises and individual support, allowing you to learn at your own pace in a calm and friendly studio environment.
What you’ll learn
How to use watercolour paints, brushes and paper correctly
Understanding water control and paint consistency
Creating flat washes, graded washes and wet-on-wet effects
Colour mixing and creating simple palettes
Layering watercolour without overworking your painting
Using tone, light and shadow to create depth
Painting simple natural forms, still life and landscape-inspired studies
Building confidence towards a finished watercolour painting
Week by week
Week 1
Introduction to Watercolour
Get to know your materials and learn how watercolour behaves. Explore water control, brush handling, paint consistency and simple mark-making exercises.
Week 2
Washes & Water Control
Learn essential wash techniques including flat washes, graded washes and wet-on-wet effects. Discover how to create soft transitions and fresh, flowing colour.
Week 3
Colour Mixing & Simple Palettes
Explore how to mix colours confidently, create harmonious palettes and avoid muddy colours. You’ll learn how to use colour to create mood and atmosphere.
Week 4
Layering, Tone & Depth
Learn how to build up transparent layers, create darker tones and add depth while keeping your painting fresh and light.
Week 5
Painting from Observation & Reference
Use your new techniques to create simple studies inspired by flowers, natural forms, still life or landscape references. Focus on composition, colour and gentle detail.
Week 6
Final Watercolour Painting
Bring everything together in a finished watercolour artwork, with support on planning, colour choices, layering and final details.
Thursday afternoons with Ruth: week by week
A gentle, friendly introduction to watercolour for complete beginners or anyone wanting to brush up. Ruth will guide you step by step through the essentials, so you build real confidence and finish with paintings you're proud of. All materials included.
Week 1
Getting started
Brushes, paper, colour mixing and your first washes.
Week 2
Wet in wet
Soft skies, blends and happy accidents.
Week 3
Wet on dry
Control, crisp edges and layering.
Week 4
Colour and light
Mixing natural colours and leaving white paper for highlights.
Week 5
Painting nature
Trees, flowers and simple botanicals.
Week 6
A finished landscape
Put every technique together in one painting.
Who is it for?
Complete beginners
Adults who have always wanted to try watercolour
Nervous beginners who want step-by-step guidance
Those returning to art after a break
Students who want to build confidence before joining an ongoing art class
Anyone looking for a calm, creative weekly escape
What’s included
All materials and equipment provided
Step-by-step tutor demonstrations
Guided watercolour exercises
Individual feedback and support
Small group teaching
Watercolour studies and a finished artwork to take home
By the end of the course, you’ll understand the foundations of watercolour painting and feel more confident using washes, colour, layering and brush techniques in your own artwork.