Who this course is for:

• Those who want to learn line and wash painting
• Those who want to learn urban landscape sketching and watercolor painting
• Those who want to improve their pen drawings

What you’ll learn: 

• Essential line and wash techniques
• How to plan and compose an original painting from a reference photo or scene
• How to choose suitable colors
• Create more depth in your paintings through the use of values
• Essential watercolor techniques and when to use them
• Essential drawing skills to create convincing sketches and paintings

Requirements: 

• No prior knowledge is required to take this course

Join me in this Line and Wash Essentials: Planning and Composing Your Painting course. This course goes into the fundamental elements that form the backbone of a captivating artwork. Mastering the art of design and planning is crucial; it’s like navigating without a map. I’ll guide you through various techniques and help you understand when and how to apply them effectively.

This course includes an additional BONUS sketching workshop with two extra projects! Italy and Japan Line and Wash.

Grasping the steps and procedures necessary for creating a painting is essential. Surprisingly, painting commences even before your brush touches the canvas! 

Through a range of exercises, you’ll gain confidence in selecting colors and employing techniques at the right moments. I’ll outline my 7-step process, guaranteeing that you achieve a painting you can truly take pride in.

The course summary:

• A scene of your choice or reference photo
• Identify the light and dark areas – Squint!
• Select the compositional and design elements you wish to incorporate or leave out. Consider perspective as well. You might need to adjust the lighting and shadows, or tweak the colors. This stage can be challenging, and we’ll delve deeper into it as we work on our projects together. I’ve gained insights from experimentation and studying theory, such as the rule of thirds and the use of odd-numbered subjects.
• Sketch in pen or pencil
• Paint the light
• Paint the shadows
• Paint the darkest areas and highlights
• Other topics covered in this course include:
• Water consistency/Colour mixing
• Understanding values and color
• Brush control
• Techniques: the 2 essential techniques to know in order to layer effectively
• One Point Perspective crash course
• Composition
• Building confidence
• Handling mistakes, Self-limiting thoughts
• Building resilience, persistence
• 7-step Unique watercolor painting process
• Putting everything together to complete a painting

I’m excited to get started, so let’s get painting!

Assignment:

Your assignment for the course is to sketch and paint a captivating scene of Venice! You can either recreate the scene showcased in the final course project video or select one from your own collection of photographs or memories.

Attached are scanned drawing and painting templates for your reference. I encourage you to sketch each scene by hand. Drawing plays a vital role in honing your painting abilities, allowing you to compose and plan your artwork effectively. 

Once you’ve completed the drawing, follow the watercolor techniques and steps outlined in the course to bring your painting to life. Don’t forget to upload your project once it’s finished!

Materials:

Use any normal or mechanical pencil/pen, watercolor paper, and available brushes. I recommend:

• Mechanical pencil (0.5mm)
• Permanent liquid ink pen (0.5-0.7mm nib) or pigment liners
• Student or artist-grade watercolor paint (only primary colors required + white gouache)
• 100% cotton watercolor paper or sketchbook
• Watercolor Brushes – mop brush and a variety of round and flat brushes

Getting Started:

Thoroughly review the course demonstrations covering color theory, techniques, and drawing exercises. It’s essential to complete the practice exercises and sketches beforehand, as they are tailored to acquaint you with my process prior to tackling the final project. Additionally, you have the option to download tracing templates to assist in transferring your drawing.

As an extra challenge, explore free reference photo websites and select a photo you’d like to paint. Utilize the steps and processes provided in this course to craft your own distinctive line and wash painting.

Hello, I’m Darren Yeo, a watercolour artist and teacher based in Melbourne, Australia. I am the founder of one of the largest watercolour learning communities, “Watercolour Mentor”. My work features predominantly natural landscapes, urban streetscapes, and portraiture in watercolor medium. Check out more of my courses to get inspiration on your artwork.

Our Promise to You

By the end of this course, you will have learned how to plan and compose your painting.

10 Day Money Back Guarantee. If you are unsatisfied for any reason, simply contact us and we’ll give you a full refund. No questions asked.

Get started today!