Mastering Watercolours
Online Course with Jane Blundell
The cost is US$260 (before 1st October 2023), payable through Stripe (pay with your credit card), or request an invoice or instructions if you prefer to pay with PayPal. If you are in Australia and wish to pay via bank transfer, you can contact me and I will send you an invoice with bank details.
While you can register for this course and start at any time, working through at your own pace, I do a run-through of the full course each year. The 2022 run-through went from 9th March until 20th July. The next run-through was Travel Sketching, then Special Effects in Watercolour from February 2023. I'll run through Mastering Watercolours again from late August - 2023, but you don't need to wait - dive in and begin when you are ready.
While you can register for this course and start at any time, working through at your own pace, I do a run-through of the full course each year. The 2022 run-through went from 9th March until 20th July. The next run-through was Travel Sketching, then Special Effects in Watercolour from February 2023. I'll run through Mastering Watercolours again from late August - 2023, but you don't need to wait - dive in and begin when you are ready.
Mastering Watercolours is a detailed and comprehensive 13-lesson course (including a comprehensive introductory lesson) designed to build a solid foundation in this wonderful medium. Through the course, participants create colour wheels, mixing charts, technical studies, tonal exercises and a range of paintings of different subjects to build their understanding of the characteristics of various pigments, and their skills in working with them. Step by step instructions with over 10 hours of video and photos all along the way make it very easy to follow along.
It suitable for serious beginners and more experienced artists who want to really explore and understand this medium. Drawing skills, though important for watercolour, are not required for this course. (I cover drawing and sketching in my other course Travel Sketching.) I have created the lessons so you can download templates and outlines to trace if necessary. Each lesson has a number of parts to work through to build up this foundation. It will take a number of hours to get through the exercises in each lesson. There are further optional exercises for those who want to take it further. You can choose to spend one, two or even three weeks on each lesson to get through the material, depending on how much time you have available.
The course begins with an Introductory Lesson to help you set up your palette. Each step in the lesson has a key video or photo and written instructions and video captions make this course suitable for those for whom English is not their first language, or those who are hearing impaired.
It suitable for serious beginners and more experienced artists who want to really explore and understand this medium. Drawing skills, though important for watercolour, are not required for this course. (I cover drawing and sketching in my other course Travel Sketching.) I have created the lessons so you can download templates and outlines to trace if necessary. Each lesson has a number of parts to work through to build up this foundation. It will take a number of hours to get through the exercises in each lesson. There are further optional exercises for those who want to take it further. You can choose to spend one, two or even three weeks on each lesson to get through the material, depending on how much time you have available.
The course begins with an Introductory Lesson to help you set up your palette. Each step in the lesson has a key video or photo and written instructions and video captions make this course suitable for those for whom English is not their first language, or those who are hearing impaired.
The course is designed around my Ultimate Mixing Set of fifteen colours, available from Daniel Smith watercolours. Here is an affiliate link if you want to order this from Jackson's Art in the UK, though it is available pretty much world wide.
These colours can be purchased as tubes, sets or in some cases half pans or 5ml tubes to set up in a palette of your own. A perfect companion to the course is my book, The Ultimate Mixing Palette: a World of Colours, which is available as a hard or soft cover book or a digital eBook or PDF. There is a link to purchase the PDF within the course for those who would like this reference.
A new metal palette with 24 half pans has also been released by Daniel Smith. It has a fabulous range of 24 colours, including my 15 Ultimate Mixing Set colours and a wonderful range of extra mixes and earth pigments. You can see this palette here and there is a YouTube video to see it painted out.
I highly recommend that you work with the same pigments to create the same mixes. We will be creating a valuable reference collection of mixing charts and wheels and the pigments I have chosen all have a very specific purpose in this course. I have added a conversion chart below to show the same colours in other brands, where available.
This photo shows the format of the lessons. Many have a video as the key image, with all instructions and step-by-step photos included as well.
The right screen shows some of the many steps involved in this lesson. Videos can be watched ½ speed, normal speed and a range of faster speeds if desired.
The right screen shows some of the many steps involved in this lesson. Videos can be watched ½ speed, normal speed and a range of faster speeds if desired.
As you complete each step, you can mark it off as complete so you don't lose track of where you are up to.
Responsive & InteractiveI had set up a question section at the end of every lesson so you have an easy point of contact.
I have also set up many points where you can share your charts, wheels, paintings and comments with the other course participants, building an international inline community. |
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I am sometimes asked for a list of what is covered in each lesson. It is not easy to provide that - the lessons cover a range of topics, gradually adding more information and building up the references of triads, charts and watercolour techniques. Some lessons are very large and complex, some are more straightforward. We don't have a lesson purely on colour mixing, a lesson just on tone and so on - it's a very organic course. During the course, you will create an amazing reference book of colour wheels, colour charts and detailed notes on techniques along with a number of completed larger paintings.
In general terms,
In general terms,
- The Introduction (11 parts) covers all you need to know about setting up your palette, painting out the colours and getting prepared for the course.
- Lesson 1 (11 parts - see the screenshot below) introduces the first triad, exploring how to mix the colours together and creating the reference wheel;
- Lesson 2 (10 parts) introduces the first colour mixes, introduces the next colours and proposes the first challenges;
- Lesson 3 (10 parts) begins a painting and introduces more colours to the charts.
- Lesson 4 (8 parts) introduces the next colour, gives information about painting hard and soft edges, mixing opposites, and the next stage of the first painting;
- Lesson 5 (13 parts) is a huge lesson about mixing neutrals and creating shadow colours;
- Lesson 6 (14 parts) introduces the next triad, explores dark neutrals and tonal landscape techniques;
- Lesson 7 (12 parts) introduces the third triad, builds more colour charts and we work on a wonderful floral study;
- Lesson 8 (20 parts - you can see some in the screenshot above) is another huge lesson introducing the earth pigments and a new earth triad. We also explore washes in detail.
- Lesson 9 (16 parts - you can see some in the screenshot above) is an intense lesson with many new techniques culminating in a wonderful pear study;
- Lesson 10 (11 parts) introduces the 5th main triad (though many others are suggested) and explores the skills required to paint fabric and shadows;
- Lesson 11 puts our 5 triads to use exploring a familiar subject;
- Lesson 12 (15 parts) completes the charts and leads to a gorgeous multi-glazed floral study.
Here is the link for the PDF of my suggested materials list.
| mastering_watercolours_–_materials_list.pdf |
This course opened for registration on July 8th 2020.
Testimonials
"...I (previously) shared my background with you about having earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts. I took several painting classes during my tenure at college. I never received this much rich information or hands-on instruction on how to mix and use watercolor in any of them!
I am learning more than I ever imagined and every weeks' lesson is more comprehensive than the last. I do not recall what rabbit trail brought me to your web site but I am very grateful and feeling very blessed it was discovered.
I am sincerely grateful to you for taking the time to make the videos too. I am going to echo what many of the students in our class have already said which is the videos are enormously helpful to understanding color mixing, techniques and tricks. Another aspect has been watching you use your brush, dipping the brush into paint and water, applying the paint, holding the brush, etc. It is another level of learning that has made the videos invaluable.
I am actually feeling more confident about watercolor painting than I have ever before! That in itself is huge!! It is reassuring to know we’ll have access to the class exercises for several months beyond July 1st." Peggy, June 2020 (after completing lesson 7)
"Jane’s online “Mastering Watercolours Course” has taught me more than I could ever have imagined or asked for. I’ve learned so much about watercolours and painting techniques and oh so much about colour mixing! The lessons and instructional videos are very detailed and she explains everything so clearly. With her support, feedback and tips, my knowledge and painting skills have greatly improved, and the Q & A section of each lesson, Jane answers any watercolour question you can think of! I’m up to Lesson 9 and have completed each lesson in a sketchbook which has become the most wonderful reference for when I paint. It’s been great to be able to work through the lessons at my own pace and connect with like-minded people from all around the world. I have thoroughly enjoyed Jane’s course and I highly recommend it! Thank you, Jane, for sharing your wealth of watercolour knowledge with me and I’m looking forward to more online classes with you." Andrea, June 2020
"Jane is an excellent teacher. She takes the time answer all questions asked or acknowledge all comments and work posted. She imparts all her knowledge in watercolour in an easily digestible format. Her videos are short and impactful. I credit doing her PDF course with improving my watercolour skills in a short space of time and now working through a second round with her action-packed video course. If you’re just starting out with watercolours or what to get back to basics, this is the course for you. You will learn everything you need to produce harmonious paintings and build “brush miles” as she always tells us." Candace, July 2020
"Jane thank you so much for creating this awesome class. I really appreciate you sharing your techniques and talent. I know I will use my journal as a reference. I already do!" Anna, December 2020
"I've just completed your Mastering Watercolours course and absolutely loved it, I think it is the best watercolour course I have ever done." "...the lessons kept me motivated right up until the very end... so often in the past I have started off with great enthusiasm and then not completed for one reason or another." Anne, March 2021
"I'm feeling a bit of sadness coming to an end of this course. It's been incredible: how much I learned, how far I've come, how much I've enjoyed seeing everyone's work and being able to comment and receive comments. But most of all - this is the most well designed course I could ever imagine. So many skills, techniques, information packed into these lessons. And always with opportunity and encouragement to expand to our own style and subjects. I never felt "left out on a limb", but nor did I ever feel confined by Jane's teaching style. She held our hands and then knew when to let go. Just right! I've worked at this for almost 4 1/2 months. I fully intend to go through it again, and probably again still. I will be signing up for the Travel Sketching course soon! You have gotten me through so much of this horrible Covid time. It's been a life saver! Thank you, Jane." Gail, March 2021
"I'm preparing to graduate from a certificate program in Botanical Art and Illustration. While I've studied with many instructors and have learned so much over the years, the mastery of color in my paintings remained elusive until I found Jane Blundell's online Mastering Watercolor course. During this course I began the process of really understanding color and how to use it effectively. When planning a botanical illustration, I now begin the color matching process by using the charts I made in Jane's class to narrow down my choices ( I have many, many tubes of paint that I accumulated over the years!). Then I experiment until I find the right triad and the most appropriate convenience colors. By the time I do my color matching charts for specific subjects, I nail the color combinations every time and have the "right" limited palette to work with. Understanding how to use color gives me peace of mind and adds harmony to my paintings. Without a real understanding of color, the results can lead to such disappointment that all the brush skills in the world can't fix.
As an instructor I have found Jane Blundell to be clear and concise. Her courses are packed with information and her presentations are logical and focused. Her demonstrations are informative and her written guidance is easy to follow. I like her approach that encourages students to work at their own pace and to repeat courses as often as they feel helpful. Another point Jane makes clearly is that a student will not likely master everything she addresses in any course by working through it once. This sets realistic expectations and by providing lifelong access to the course, Jane allows the student to focus on the skills they deem important to them. By structuring her classes the way she has, she has successfully built an international art community where support is given and friendships are made. I highly recommend Jane's courses to anyone interested in achieving total mastery color, watercolor techniques, travel sketching or just to improve overall art skills. I thank Jane for giving me the tools to conduct my own color explorations and for improving my art skills overall." Susan, North Carolina, USA. September 2021.
I am learning more than I ever imagined and every weeks' lesson is more comprehensive than the last. I do not recall what rabbit trail brought me to your web site but I am very grateful and feeling very blessed it was discovered.
I am sincerely grateful to you for taking the time to make the videos too. I am going to echo what many of the students in our class have already said which is the videos are enormously helpful to understanding color mixing, techniques and tricks. Another aspect has been watching you use your brush, dipping the brush into paint and water, applying the paint, holding the brush, etc. It is another level of learning that has made the videos invaluable.
I am actually feeling more confident about watercolor painting than I have ever before! That in itself is huge!! It is reassuring to know we’ll have access to the class exercises for several months beyond July 1st." Peggy, June 2020 (after completing lesson 7)
"Jane’s online “Mastering Watercolours Course” has taught me more than I could ever have imagined or asked for. I’ve learned so much about watercolours and painting techniques and oh so much about colour mixing! The lessons and instructional videos are very detailed and she explains everything so clearly. With her support, feedback and tips, my knowledge and painting skills have greatly improved, and the Q & A section of each lesson, Jane answers any watercolour question you can think of! I’m up to Lesson 9 and have completed each lesson in a sketchbook which has become the most wonderful reference for when I paint. It’s been great to be able to work through the lessons at my own pace and connect with like-minded people from all around the world. I have thoroughly enjoyed Jane’s course and I highly recommend it! Thank you, Jane, for sharing your wealth of watercolour knowledge with me and I’m looking forward to more online classes with you." Andrea, June 2020
"Jane is an excellent teacher. She takes the time answer all questions asked or acknowledge all comments and work posted. She imparts all her knowledge in watercolour in an easily digestible format. Her videos are short and impactful. I credit doing her PDF course with improving my watercolour skills in a short space of time and now working through a second round with her action-packed video course. If you’re just starting out with watercolours or what to get back to basics, this is the course for you. You will learn everything you need to produce harmonious paintings and build “brush miles” as she always tells us." Candace, July 2020
"Jane thank you so much for creating this awesome class. I really appreciate you sharing your techniques and talent. I know I will use my journal as a reference. I already do!" Anna, December 2020
"I've just completed your Mastering Watercolours course and absolutely loved it, I think it is the best watercolour course I have ever done." "...the lessons kept me motivated right up until the very end... so often in the past I have started off with great enthusiasm and then not completed for one reason or another." Anne, March 2021
"I'm feeling a bit of sadness coming to an end of this course. It's been incredible: how much I learned, how far I've come, how much I've enjoyed seeing everyone's work and being able to comment and receive comments. But most of all - this is the most well designed course I could ever imagine. So many skills, techniques, information packed into these lessons. And always with opportunity and encouragement to expand to our own style and subjects. I never felt "left out on a limb", but nor did I ever feel confined by Jane's teaching style. She held our hands and then knew when to let go. Just right! I've worked at this for almost 4 1/2 months. I fully intend to go through it again, and probably again still. I will be signing up for the Travel Sketching course soon! You have gotten me through so much of this horrible Covid time. It's been a life saver! Thank you, Jane." Gail, March 2021
"I'm preparing to graduate from a certificate program in Botanical Art and Illustration. While I've studied with many instructors and have learned so much over the years, the mastery of color in my paintings remained elusive until I found Jane Blundell's online Mastering Watercolor course. During this course I began the process of really understanding color and how to use it effectively. When planning a botanical illustration, I now begin the color matching process by using the charts I made in Jane's class to narrow down my choices ( I have many, many tubes of paint that I accumulated over the years!). Then I experiment until I find the right triad and the most appropriate convenience colors. By the time I do my color matching charts for specific subjects, I nail the color combinations every time and have the "right" limited palette to work with. Understanding how to use color gives me peace of mind and adds harmony to my paintings. Without a real understanding of color, the results can lead to such disappointment that all the brush skills in the world can't fix.
As an instructor I have found Jane Blundell to be clear and concise. Her courses are packed with information and her presentations are logical and focused. Her demonstrations are informative and her written guidance is easy to follow. I like her approach that encourages students to work at their own pace and to repeat courses as often as they feel helpful. Another point Jane makes clearly is that a student will not likely master everything she addresses in any course by working through it once. This sets realistic expectations and by providing lifelong access to the course, Jane allows the student to focus on the skills they deem important to them. By structuring her classes the way she has, she has successfully built an international art community where support is given and friendships are made. I highly recommend Jane's courses to anyone interested in achieving total mastery color, watercolor techniques, travel sketching or just to improve overall art skills. I thank Jane for giving me the tools to conduct my own color explorations and for improving my art skills overall." Susan, North Carolina, USA. September 2021.
FAQ |
Q - I wondered how long each of the videos will be each week, and if you will be demonstrating?
A - Each lesson is in many parts. I demonstrate each step with a video wherever it is necessary. I am trying to keep each video at about 5 -10 minutes long - speeding up parts to keep under that time rather than cutting parts out - so there are no missed steps. Where an activity is repeated, I just show a photo of the next stage. So it is as much video as is needed but not more just for the sake of it.
Q - Do you have a sample of a section of a lesson you could send so I could see what it is like?
A - At this stage I don’t have a sample lesson, but if you watch my YouTube videos you’ll see the view I am using for the filming - though my eyes. In the course, most of the videos have commentary as well as a few titles on the screen, and all instructions are also written out to help the hearing impaired or those for whom English is a second language.
Q - I wondered about your refund policy.
A - No. As the full course is available to view with the purchase of this course, I can't easily give a refund.
Q - Do we get to keep the lessons or does each week have a time limit for use?
A - You get unlimited access to the course material - there is no expiry date. However, I highly recommend you complete the course within a six month to one year period to get the accumulated benefit of the lessons.
A - Each lesson is in many parts. I demonstrate each step with a video wherever it is necessary. I am trying to keep each video at about 5 -10 minutes long - speeding up parts to keep under that time rather than cutting parts out - so there are no missed steps. Where an activity is repeated, I just show a photo of the next stage. So it is as much video as is needed but not more just for the sake of it.
Q - Do you have a sample of a section of a lesson you could send so I could see what it is like?
A - At this stage I don’t have a sample lesson, but if you watch my YouTube videos you’ll see the view I am using for the filming - though my eyes. In the course, most of the videos have commentary as well as a few titles on the screen, and all instructions are also written out to help the hearing impaired or those for whom English is a second language.
Q - I wondered about your refund policy.
A - No. As the full course is available to view with the purchase of this course, I can't easily give a refund.
Q - Do we get to keep the lessons or does each week have a time limit for use?
A - You get unlimited access to the course material - there is no expiry date. However, I highly recommend you complete the course within a six month to one year period to get the accumulated benefit of the lessons.
Q - Is it OK to use another brand of watercolour, apart from your recommended Daniel Smith Ultimate Mixing Set?
A - yes it is totally fine to use any artist quality brand of watercolour. However to get the colour mixes I will demonstrate and the results you will see, you need to have the same pigments or colours in the brand or brands you use. Alternative colours to my Ultimate Mixing Set are shown here.
This table may also help you to find the best match. The Daniel Smith colours are down the left. Those in bold are the most suitable. Buff Titanium is optional, Goethite is unique. Jane's Grey can be created from tube colours if you have Ultramarine and Burnt Sienna, though it works best with the DS versions. In Schminncke use French Ultramarine and Maroon Brown (which is a burnt sienna). I avoid mixing Daniel Smith and Winsor & Newton paints in the same palette as some colours react with each other.
A - yes it is totally fine to use any artist quality brand of watercolour. However to get the colour mixes I will demonstrate and the results you will see, you need to have the same pigments or colours in the brand or brands you use. Alternative colours to my Ultimate Mixing Set are shown here.
This table may also help you to find the best match. The Daniel Smith colours are down the left. Those in bold are the most suitable. Buff Titanium is optional, Goethite is unique. Jane's Grey can be created from tube colours if you have Ultramarine and Burnt Sienna, though it works best with the DS versions. In Schminncke use French Ultramarine and Maroon Brown (which is a burnt sienna). I avoid mixing Daniel Smith and Winsor & Newton paints in the same palette as some colours react with each other.
| ums_pigment_comparison.pdf |
Q - Does the introductory lesson provide a list of supplies needed?
A - Yes, and this list is also available here. Here is the link for the PDF
A - Yes, and this list is also available here. Here is the link for the PDF
Q - How do you provide instruction - is each lesson posted with a video?
A - Every lesson is broken up into a number of steps. Each step has a key photo or video, and step-by step instruction. Each lesson will look much like the screenshot shown here, though some will have more steps and others less, depending on the complexity of the lesson. This is lesson 1
The videos have a few helpful titles and most have commentary, but I have also provided full written instructions for every step, as some of my students are hard-of-hearing or deaf, and many speak English as a second or third language. I want the content to be as accessible as possible.
You can mark each section complete as you finish it so you know exactly where you are up to. Every lesson has a question section at the end and there are many options to share your progress.
Q - Is it obligatory to post work online?
A - No. You certainly don't have to post work online, but if you do, it is only within the Ruzuku platform, and only visible to your fellow students in this run-through of the course.
Q - Do we get feedback?
A - Some, though mostly from your fellow students. I am available to ask questions if something is not clear. While a do read every comment and see every post, it is not practical to comment on every piece of work as this is a self-directed course. I minitor the question section and answer them regularly. From mid November I'll be doing a supported runthrough so will be working through a lesson each week, actively commenting on what is posted. This will happen once or twice a year.
A - Every lesson is broken up into a number of steps. Each step has a key photo or video, and step-by step instruction. Each lesson will look much like the screenshot shown here, though some will have more steps and others less, depending on the complexity of the lesson. This is lesson 1
The videos have a few helpful titles and most have commentary, but I have also provided full written instructions for every step, as some of my students are hard-of-hearing or deaf, and many speak English as a second or third language. I want the content to be as accessible as possible.
You can mark each section complete as you finish it so you know exactly where you are up to. Every lesson has a question section at the end and there are many options to share your progress.
Q - Is it obligatory to post work online?
A - No. You certainly don't have to post work online, but if you do, it is only within the Ruzuku platform, and only visible to your fellow students in this run-through of the course.
Q - Do we get feedback?
A - Some, though mostly from your fellow students. I am available to ask questions if something is not clear. While a do read every comment and see every post, it is not practical to comment on every piece of work as this is a self-directed course. I minitor the question section and answer them regularly. From mid November I'll be doing a supported runthrough so will be working through a lesson each week, actively commenting on what is posted. This will happen once or twice a year.
This page was last updated in January 2023