Watercolour Painting: From Fundamentals to Express

Watercolour Painting: From Fundamentals to Expression

8-Session Guided Watercolour Course — In Person

Start Date: Flexible — Start Anytime
Schedule: Saturdays, 12:00–2:00 PM
Duration: 8 Sessions (2 Hours Each)
Age: 14+
Location: 596 Mt Pleasant Rd, Toronto
Course Fee: $375 per participant
Materials: Not included
Experience Level: Beginner to advanced; no previous watercolour experience required

Course Description

Discover the beauty and versatility of watercolour in a supportive and inspiring learning environment. Whether you are completely new to watercolour or looking to strengthen your existing skills, this eight-session course is designed to help you develop confidence, creativity, and a deeper understanding of the medium.

Through demonstrations, guided exercises, and personalized instruction, you will learn to observe still lifes, landscapes, and everyday objects through shape, value, colour, light, and visual relationships—and translate what you see into expressive watercolour paintings. Beginners will receive step-by-step guidance, while more experienced students will have opportunities to refine their techniques and further develop their individual artistic style.

Flexible Start Date — Join Anytime!

Students can begin the course at any time and complete their eight sessions over eight weeks from their chosen start date.

What Is Covered

• Essential watercolour techniques

• Brush control and water-to-paint ratios

• Colour theory, colour mixing, and values

• Transparent washes and layering

• Wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry techniques

• Shape, light, shadow, and visual relationships

• Composition, balance, depth, and focal points

• Still-life and landscape painting

• Developing an individual approach and artistic voice

• Personalized feedback and independent decision-making

8-Session Curriculum

Session 1 — Introduction to Watercolour
Become familiar with watercolour materials, brushes, paper, paint consistency, and the distinctive qualities of the medium.

Session 2 — Brushwork and Water Control
Practise brush control, water-to-paint ratios, flat and graded washes, and wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry techniques.

Session 3 — Colour Mixing and Values
Explore colour relationships, mixing techniques, transparency, and the use of value to create light, contrast, and dimension.

Session 4 — Learning to See Like an Artist
Learn to identify shapes, colours, values, light, and visual relationships within a still life or everyday subject.

Session 5 — Composition and Visual Balance
Explore composition, focal points, depth, negative space, and ways to create harmony and movement within a painting.

Session 6 — Painting from Observation
Apply the techniques you have learned to create an expressive watercolour painting based on a still life or natural subject.

Session 7 — Developing Your Personal Painting
Plan and begin an individual painting while making independent choices about subject, colour, technique, and composition.

Session 8 — Refinement and Creative Expression
Complete and refine your final painting with personalized guidance and constructive feedback.

Who Is This Course For?

• Complete beginners interested in learning watercolour

• Intermediate and advanced students wishing to strengthen their skills

• Artists interested in improving their observation and composition

• Anyone who wants to develop confidence and an individual painting style

• No previous watercolour experience is required

By the End of the Course, You Will:

• Understand essential watercolour materials and techniques

• Control water, paint, and brushwork with greater confidence

• Mix colours and use value to create depth and atmosphere

• Observe subjects through shape, colour, light, and visual relationships

• Make stronger decisions about composition and technique

• Create expressive paintings based on observation

• Work more independently and begin developing your artistic voice

Required Materials

• Watercolour paint set: St. Petersburg watercolours are recommended, but any watercolour brand may be used

• Watercolour paper: 140 lb cold-pressed paper; Baohong or Arches recommended

• Round watercolour brushes: Sizes 4, 8, and 10

Meet Your Instructor

Maryam Hoseini is a Toronto-based watercolour artist and experienced art instructor with eight years of teaching experience, both online and in person. She has helped students of various skill levels develop their watercolour techniques, build confidence, and discover their individual artistic styles.

Maryam’s work has been featured in numerous group exhibitions, including exhibitions with the Toronto Watercolour Society and international watercolour masters’ exhibitions. Her paintings have also been selected for publication in Splash: The Best of Watercolor, a renowned international watercolour art publication.

Attendance and Refund Policy

Course fees are non-refundable once registration is confirmed. Please review all class details and ensure you are available before registering.