5 Best Online Watercolor Courses
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Our Top Pick
Watercolor College Core Course
The best online watercolor course that we could find is one of the most complete, and it will provide you with the skills and knowledge that you will need to become a successful watercolor artist.
You can try a sample pack of lessons for free to give you an idea of what it is all about, and after this, you can pay $25 a month to gain access to all of their online learning modules.
You will be provided with access to over 50 hours of watercolor lessons to work your way through, and you can watch each video as many times as you like.
This course is brought to you by Watercolor College, and there are four modules to progress through as your skill level increases.
Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life
Pablo Picasso
If you are a really creative person, then you might be looking for a form of art style that suits you, so that you can express yourself.
There are lots of different types of art and mediums, but if you are interested in using watercolor in your work, then you might be wondering how to do it.
One of the best ways to learn about your new chosen art form is to find an online course that is going to provide you with all the information you need to get started.
Depending on the course that you choose, you will be provided with lots of information at your fingertips to help you progress as an artist and improve your watercolor skills.
To save you some time, we are going to show you five of the best online watercolor courses to choose from, and you can see if any of them are what you are looking for.
The Best Online Watercolor Courses
There are lots of different online courses to choose from, which is why it can be difficult to find out which ones are the very best for you.
We have done lots of research to find this out for you, so you can choose from only the best online watercolor courses. We will leave the courses that we have found below for you to browse.
- Water College Core Course
- Tips and Tricks to Level Up Your Watercolors
- Beginners Watercolor: Get Clear On the Basics
- Paint Realistic Watercolor and Botanicals
- Experiment Watercolor Techniques for Beginners
Dive Deep Into Our Top Picks
Now that you know exactly what courses we have chosen, we are going to give you much more information about each one to give you an idea of what you can expect.
1. Watercolor College Core Course
Pros
- The overall cost is easier to manage with a subscription
- There are four modules that you can progress through with time
- There are over 50 hours of lessons for you to work through
Cons
- You only have access to the lessons for as long as your subscription is continued
This watercolor course will give you unlimited access to over 50 hours of watercolor lessons, and there are four modules included with your subscription.
You will be able to watch each lesson as many times as you like, as long as your subscription is still active. We will outline each of the four modules for you below.
The first module that is included in this course is the supplies and best practices module, which will teach you everything that you need to know about the watercolor supplies that you will be using and how to use them correctly.
You will also learn about how to prepare for watercolor painting, how to get started with watercolor, and so much more.
The second module is the beginner module, in which you will start to learn how you can create your own stunning watercolor paintings.
You will be able to follow logical processes and structured lessons that will build up your confidence as a beginner in the field.
As well as the video lessons that are included in this module, you will also be provided with step-by-step instructions and tips for most of the available lessons. You will be able to learn everything you need to become confident with watercolor.
The third module that is included with this course is intermediate, which is another step up in your progress. It will teach you how to take your skills one step further, and take your paintings to the next level.
You will be shown how to create full-sized pieces and you will learn new techniques and theories that will aid your progress.
You will also be shown lots of different tips and given plenty of advice that will help to make your painting easier and more enjoyable.
The final module in this course is the advanced module, which as you might expect, will teach you everything that you need to know to become a professional at using watercolors.
You will even learn how to take a photo and create a painting from it, using your own unique artistic vision.
You will move on to using advanced watercolor techniques and concepts that will help to turn you into a professional and round off all of the skills that you have picked up throughout this course.
2. Tips and Tricks to Level Up Your Watercolors
Pros
- The lessons are shorter and more to the point
- You will be able to learn how to progress as a watercolor artist
- You can get this subscription for free for 14 days
Cons
- You might need to take multiple classes to find what you are looking for, instead of everything being in one
If your progress with watercolor painting has slowed down, then you might be wondering how you will be able to get back on track.
This class will tell you exactly what you need to do to develop the necessary skills that you need to be successful with the watercolor medium.
You will also be able to learn how to work on these skills in order to improve and learn how to paint like a professional with confidence.
You will be provided with lots of different tips, tricks, and techniques along the way, and the teaching comes in the format of online instructional videos, so you will be shown exactly what you need to do.
This class will allow you to become more comfortable with watercolor painting so you can move on to the next level.
You will be able to learn about the importance of using high-quality materials, how to mix colors to create a natural effect, and how to choose the right composition for your piece.
You will also learn how to better your artistic skills, control the amount of water that you use, and how to make your work look more realistic.
By the end of this experience, you will be able to critically evaluate your own work to find out how you can improve it, and you will be on your way to becoming a professional watercolor artist in no time.
3. Beginners Watercolor: Get Clear On the Basics
Pros
- There are a variety of learning resources available, not just videos
- You will get full lifetime access to this course
- You will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course
Cons
- This course is not recommended for those looking for a formal structure and it is more focused on learning through doing
Throughout this course, you will be able to learn how watercolor paint works with the water, and how to use both together effectively.
You will also learn and understand what a color wash is, and how you can use layers of washes to create shapes and shading.
You will also learn how to use watercolors to be able to paint a three-dimensional object, and how to create highlights and shadows in your work.
Through repetition, you will be able to build up your confidence along the way when using this medium, and it starts right at the beginning with the basics that you need to progress.
You will be provided with four hours of on-demand video, 11 articles to read, 32 additional downloadable resources, and full lifetime access to everything that you have learned.
You can access this course on both mobile and television if you want to, and you will receive a certificate upon completing the entire course.
To take part in this course, you will need the following:
- Black ink pen or felt tip, 2B pencil, eraser.
- A variety of watercolor paints
- Two containers to hold water. One for cleaning the brush and one for mixing colors.
- Some absorbent kitchen paper
- A round paintbrush, size between 7 to 10.
- Some watercolor paper as thick as you can afford. 300g or 140 lbs is the best.
- A clear or white wax candle or crayon.
- You will need an open mind and be able to trust yourself
4. Paint Realistic Watercolor and Botanicals
Pros
- You do not need any tools or equipment to take part in this course
- It is taught by a highly experienced and competent artist
- You will receive lifetime access to this course once you have paid for it
Cons
- This course might not be suitable for you if you have all of your equipment and are quite experienced
This course will be taught by an experienced and competent artist and will teach you lots of different things that will help you to grow as an artistic individual.
You will be provided with lots of advice and insight to help you along the way, and you will be able to learn everything from materials to use to important work practices.
The exercises in this course are specifically designed in a way that will help to familiarize you with some of the most common watercolor techniques that you will need to create realistic colors and botanicals.
This is a comprehensive set of lessons that will help you to start your watercolor journey off on the right foot, and it will encourage you to keep growing.
There are over 3 hours of knowledge-rich content to provide you with all of the key information that you need, and this is a great resource for you to utilize in order to gain insight into the world of watercolor painting.
This course is designed for anyone with an interest and passion for watercolor painting, and those that like to paint realistic subjects with a more natural-looking finish.
It would be really beneficial for anyone that isn’t quite sure where to start on their journey and those who have some experience but want to improve their creative ability.
5. Experimental Watercolor Techniques for Beginners
Pros
- You can take this course at your own pace, and complete it in your own time
- You will be able to learn about the different methods and techniques you can use
- There is a total of 16 lessons and an impressive 74 additional resources
Cons
- This is a course for beginners, and might not be suitable for those with more knowledge and experience surrounding watercolor painting
This course is aimed at anyone that wants to learn about watercolor painting, and it is suitable for beginners that want to start their journey.
You don’t need to know anything about watercolor painting before the course starts, as it will take off right from the beginning.
In terms of the materials that you will need to take part, you are going to need a basic set of watercolors, papers with different textures, a palette for mixing paint, a set of brushes, bodybuilder’s tape, ink, and a pencil.
You will start with an introduction to the subject where you will learn about color theory, what it entails, and how you can mix different colors together to achieve the results you were looking for.
You will also find out about the different watercolor techniques you can use, including dry stroke, wet stroke, and so much more. You will also learn how to be open to making mistakes, and how to learn from them.
The aim of this project is to provide you with all of the necessary skills and knowledge to create an animal house through a variety of mini-projects.
You will start with the basics and progress to more complex and experimental techniques. The final result will serve as an illustrated watercolor dictionary that you can refer to for guidance.
How to Choose the Best Online Watercolor Courses
Now that you know where to find some of the best online watercolor courses, you might be left wondering how to know which one you should choose.
There are a few things that you will need to consider, and we will talk about them in more detail below.
Skill Level
When it comes to choosing the best watercolor course for you, you should think about your current skill level, and whether or not the level of the class will be suitable for you.
Not all of the available classes will be able to help you if they are not designed with your skill level in mind.
For example, if you know nothing about watercolor painting and you are only just starting out, an advanced watercolor class might be too difficult to start with.
The same can be said for the other way around, as a beginner class might be too simple for someone with an advanced skill level. There are lots of courses available, so be sure to look at the ones that suit your needs the best.
Style of the Course
It might also be helpful to find out how the course is going to be taught. Is it a series of instructional videos? Or a long document for you to read through?
Everyone takes in information differently and has a different style of learning that works the best for them. Find out how you will be navigating the course to see if it will be suitable for you.
It might also be helpful to find out who is teaching the course, and what their credentials are to make sure that they are qualified for the job. Otherwise, you might be buying into something that isn’t worth your time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Watercolor Paints and Watercolor Pencils the Same?
These are two different mediums, and they are not the same as they are going to be applied differently.
The biggest difference between them is that watercolor pencils can be used for drawing and painting, whereas watercolor paints can only be used for painting.
The pencils will also require you to use harder brushes to move the pigment around the paper more efficiently.
With the pencils, you won’t need a mixing palette, as all the work is done on the paper. You won’t have to be as precise due to the fact that the color is going to move around a lot.
This means that pencil pieces do not require as much care as paintings, but you will need to have a plan of action before you begin. You will be able to create a similar result with both mediums, but they wouldn’t be exactly the same.
About the Author Jacob M.
Jacob has a background in finance and engineering. Outside of his day job, he is a lifelong learner, who enjoys reading, taking online courses, and writing about what he's learned.
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