Watercolour Painting Foundations: Level 1:

Watercolour Painting Foundations: Level 1:

6-Week Course for Beginners

Discover the beautiful, calming world of watercolour painting in this structured 6-week beginner course at The Art School, Chester.

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.

All materials and equipment are included.

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

What You’ll Learn Each 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.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is ideal 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

We keep class sizes small to ensure plenty of one-to-one guidance and a relaxed, supportive atmosphere.

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.

Duration: 6 weeks

Level: Complete beginners / Level 1

Materials: Included

Location: The Art School, Chester

Spaces: Limited places available to maintain quality tuition