What is the course about?

This course is dedicated to creating large-scale watercolor paintings on a marine theme. I have long and unconditionally loved the sea, so most of my subjects are dedicated to this element.

In the course, I will teach you how to use masking fluid (mask), which allows you to preserve the whiteness of the paper without adding white paint. Marine scenes often feature a lot of white foam, and such an amount of white paint would look out of place and heavy. We will discuss in detail how to properly use the masking fluid, remove it, process it, and finish the work with glazing.

We will paint all the subjects on gauze in two stages. First, we will work in wet-on-wet technique, creating smooth gradients and dynamic effects. Then we will elaborate the details. The first part of the course will be related to yachts and their reflections in the water. In the second part, we will get to know the role of lighting in the landscape in more detail and try to "turn on the sun" in photos with cloudy weather.

The course is structured in such a way that you can break down the work on each painting into stages (2-3 days). To complete the course, you will need only 6 paints.

Who will benefit from the course?

The course is designed as the second level of difficulty after my course "The Sea Trip". It is designed for intermediate and advanced levels, i.e. suitable for those who have already mastered basic watercolor techniques.

If you, like me, are in love with the sea and want to capture its beauty on paper, this course will help you bring your ideas to life in watercolor.

Course program

Section 1. Theory

In this section, you will get acquainted with the theory that will be useful to you during the course and after it. You will meet the teacher, prepare the necessary materials, master the principle of the golden ratio, and understand how to photograph your works correctly.

Acquaintance with the teacher

I will tell you a little about myself and give basic information about the course.

Materials.

In the lesson you'll:

  • learn about the differences in watercolor paper;
  • you will understand the types of brushes and will be able to choose them correctly depending on the purpose when working;
  • prepare the necessary palette for the course.

The Golden Ratio in Painting

In the lesson you'll:

  • understand why the golden ratio is used in painting;
  • how to calculate the golden ratio division for any sheet?

Course tips: How to take a picture of your work

I will tell you about the basic rules of shooting so that the photos of your works were suitable for examining on this course, for social networks, and for creating your own portfolio.

Section 2. «Missing the Sea»

In this section, we will paint the first subject of the course. First, we will create a sketch, and then we will start creating deep and soft water surfaces, complex reflections, and studying the color scheme.

Lesson duration ~ 3 h 15 m

Pencil sketch

In the lesson you'll:

  • figure out the reference;
  • draw a boat and its details;
  • use a modular approach to check the formations of complex objects;
  • create a reflection in the water.

Mask

In this lesson, you will selectively apply the masking fluid using the quill.

Color scheme

Let's analyze the color scheme for this subject.

Watercolor part

In this lesson you will learn to:

  • paint the sky using complex gray colors;
  • transmit deep 'oily' water;
  • the technique of creating complex color reflections in wet-on-dry technique.

Section 3. «Towards the Sun»

We are sailing towards new creative peaks. Learning to create lively, dynamic reflections and convey the brilliance of the sun in watercolor to fill your seascapes with light and energy.

Lesson duration ~ 3 h 20 m

Pencil sketch

In the lesson you'll:

  • figure out the reference;
  • learn to optimally place a composition with a sailboat on the sheet, maintaining proportions;
  • select from the photo reference what is important when working with the background.

Mask

In this lesson, you will apply masking fluid to the selected flecks and as a stop line when working wet-on-wet.

Color scheme

In this lesson, we will change the color scheme a bit.

Watercolor part

In this lesson you will learn to:

  • correctly convey the state of the sky near the sun;
  • work with different materials for scrubbing;
  • fix the work with moisture to achieve dark tones.

Section 4. «Back to the Sea»

Watching the departing yacht, we will discuss how to breathe life into our drawing. Learn to harness the power of the elements in our work. Study the dynamics of the open sea by creating living waves, a complex sky, and a moving yacht.

The duration of the broadcast is 3 h

Pencil sketch

In the lesson you'll:

  • Build a yacht in dynamics;
  • Lay the bulk of the water and shadows;
  • Learn to pay attention to the waves and their movement to convey their dynamics on the sheet.

Mask

In this lesson, you will apply masking fluid to protect the light elements of the drawing and to the fragments of fine foam.

Color scheme

We'll analyze the reference by colors and determine which shades we need to get to create the painting. I recommend choosing 4 colors and making a color scheme with them. I will give recommendations on the choice of colors, which of them are suitable or not suitable if you use paints different from mine.

Watercolor part

In this lesson you will learn to:

  • paint the sky with complicated clouds alla prima;
  • plan the movement of water masses directly on the sheet;
  • learn how to refine small waves in wet-on-dry technique using brushes, erasers and glazing.

Section 5. «Golden Dawn»

The atmosphere of peace, sunrise and beauty of the autumn bay await you in the 5th lesson.

Lesson duration ~ 3 h 10 m

Pencil sketch

In the lesson you'll:

  • figure out the reference;
  • select important elements when working with the far background;
  • learn to give the landscape spatial depth.

Mask

Apply the mask to small parts and use masking fluid as a stop line.

Color scheme

Let's analyze how to convey the state of the rising sun using the color scheme we already know.

Watercolor part

In this lesson you will learn to:

  • draw the "golden hour";
  • to create paint mixes taking into account warm lighting;
  • fix the skill of drawing complex reflections with the infusion technique.

Section 6. «Summer Day»

We are starting to change the image of a cloudy scene to bright sunny weather, as well as master the technique of painting sea foam to create dynamics and freshness of the surf.

Lesson duration ~ 3 h 50 m

Theory

Studying the dependence of light and shadow of objects with changing lighting. In this lesson, you will learn to understand the difference between a sunny and a cloudy landscape and how to convey this in painting.

Sketch and mask

In the lesson you'll:

  • set the basic wave dynamics;
  • disassemble each stone on the plane, you will learn to think spatially;
  • work with a liner brush for directed splashing.

Color scheme

For bright and sunny paintings, a wider range of colors is usually used than we used before. In this lesson, we will use several colors from different groups to convey the mood of summer and sunlight.

Watercolor part

In this lesson you will learn to:

  • control contrasts, tone, and temperature;
  • give foam volume using color;
  • working with overtones and glazing.

Section 7. «Winter Coast»

We embark on a higher level of complexity and discover an exciting world of storms and opportunities. We create a work with the raging sea, drawing in limited color scheme and conveying the gloomy state of the subject.

Lesson duration ~ 3 h 05 m

Pencil sketch

In the lesson you'll:

  • learn to pay attention to the dynamics, shape, and movement of each wave so that the work in color turned out correct later;
  • use basic composition skills to create a sketch of stones.

Mask

In this lesson, you will choose for yourself: either to work with a minimal amount of masking fluid, or without it (for the brave).

Color scheme

To create a stormy subject, we will use three main paints from our course. However, during the lesson, I will also talk about possible replacements for these paints.

Watercolor part

In this lesson you will learn to:

  • draw the turbulent waves in the far background;
  • transmit the moisture of the stones in cloudy weather;
  • work in dry brush technique and with an office scalpel.

Section 8. Conclusion

We have written all the course papers, and now it is time for the final lessons and summing up.

About exhibitions

I will answer the main and important questions:

  • What are exhibitions for and when?
  • How not to be afraid to showcase your work and what to expect?

Conclusion

The course was fruitful and interesting, but our sea voyage has come to an end.

Let's summarize and consolidate everything you have learned.

Course instructor Natalia Nesterova

Course expert Natalia Nesterova

Honorary Artist of Europe, Corresponding Member of the International Academy of Modern Arts

Membership:
  • Union of Artists of Russia
  • Creative Union of Artists of Russia
  • Union of Watercolor Painters of Russia.
  • Professional Union of Artists
  • International Watercolor Federation
  • Eurasian Art Union

I am actively involved in competitions and exhibitions: prize-winner and participant of more than 90 exhibitions in Russia and abroad (Russia, England, France, Italy, China, South Korea, Vietnam, Turkey, Argentina, etc.)

13 solo exhibitions (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sevastopol, Simferopol, Krasnodar)

My works are held in private collections in Russia and abroad, in A.N. Beketov Memorial House (Alushta), Simferopol Art Museum

I have been teaching watercolor since 2020

The teacher's works

The teacher's works

Materials.

  1. Paper 100% cotton (of the available types in Russia, I can recommend Baohong paper, it is optimal to take the course on Saunders Waterford or Arches paper)
  2. Paints
    view

    To complete the course, just 6-7 paints are enough (be guided by the names, but check the pigments):

    • lemon PY3 (can be benzimidazolone yellow or aureolin or any coldest yellow, NOT cadmiums!);
    • isoindoline yellow PY110 or hansa yellow dark PY65 (DanielSmith);
    • pyrrole orange PO73 (DanielSmith);
    • blue PB15 (Belye Nochi) or phtaloblue with pigments PB15 or PB15:1 or PB15:6 (different manufacturers);
    • azure blue or turquoise (not cobalts and without white pigments - without pigments PW4 or PW6);
    • ultramarine PB29 (deep blue, dark, !NOT violet) from any manufacturer;
    • sepia (optional).
  3. Brushes  
    view
    • flat paint brush from goat (stitched Malevich, Herend) size 60 mm;
    • large brushes for pouring the sky (you can use synthetic, French binding, or calligraphy);
    • brushes for sfumato (Gamma, Roubloff);
    • synthetic brushes larger and smaller (5, 8, 10 mm in diameter at the base);
    • brushes made of natural squirrel (cat's tongue and/or round squirrel Roubloff sizes 3-5);
    • Herend mini or Malevich eraser brushes;
    • brush liners for masking work (synthetic, thin, inexpensive). The optimal choice is Malevich;
    • brushes for details (the main quality for them is a sharp tip and controllability);
    • brushes for grass and fur texture (small shaggy brushes, optional).
  4. Two water containers (preferably at least 1 liter each)
  5. Masking fluid Sennelier (or another, sufficiently liquid for applying thin lines)
  6. Gauze (2 layers the size of the drawing pad)
  1. Drawing pad made of plexiglass (minimum thickness 3 mm, optimal 4-6 mm)
  2. Pencil simple HB, H
  3. Кneaded eraser, eraser, ruler
  4. Painter's tape (preferably 15-17 mm)
  5. Quill for applying the mask ("asterisk", flat with a width of 0.5-0.7 mm)
  6. Natural sea sponges (1-2 optional)
  7. Stationery knife-scalpel
  8. Paper towels

Tariffs

«I Draw It Myself»
  • 6 large-scale marine paintings
  • 8 lessons: theory + practice + artistic life hacks
  • NEW! Machine translated subtitles: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Polish, Portuguese, Hungarian, Chinese, Indonesian
  • "Unfreezing the course" — opportunity to start training at a convenient time
  • An opportunity to watch the analysis of other participants' paintings.
  • Lifetime access to course materials
  • Analysis of your drawings for 60 days.
  • Chat with unlimited access with participants and the teacher
  • Face-to-face one-hour online consultation with a course expert
200 $
$ €
SIGN UP!
«With Support»
  • 6 large-scale marine paintings
  • 8 lessons: theory + practice + artistic life hacks
  • NEW! Machine translated subtitles: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Polish, Portuguese, Hungarian, Chinese, Indonesian
  • "Unfreezing the course" — opportunity to start training at a convenient time
  • An opportunity to watch the analysis of other participants' paintings.
  • Lifetime access to course materials
  • Analysis of your drawings for 60 days.
  • Chat with unlimited access with participants and the teacher
  • Face-to-face one-hour online consultation with a course expert
250 $
$ €
SIGN UP!
«VIP»
  • 6 large-scale marine paintings
  • 8 lessons: theory + practice + artistic life hacks
  • NEW! Machine translated subtitles: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Polish, Portuguese, Hungarian, Chinese, Indonesian
  • "Unfreezing the course" — opportunity to start training at a convenient time
  • An opportunity to watch the analysis of other participants' paintings.
  • Lifetime access to course materials
  • Analysis of your drawings for 60 days.
  • Chat with unlimited access with participants and the teacher
  • Face-to-face one-hour online consultation with a course expert
500 $
$ €
SIGN UP!

Frequently Asked Questions

How will the feedback on my drawings be arranged?

At the end of the lesson, you'll post a photo of your work. The teacher will have an opportunity to leave a text, video, and audio comment on your work.

At the bottom of each lesson, there will be a comment section, where you can ask any questions about learning.

If you have a no-feedback plan, it will all depend on your personal pace at which you take the lessons.

On feedback tariffs, we are actively engaged in lessons during two months from the moment you "unfreeze" the course.

In general, I recommend taking the course slowly. Enjoy the process more.

The course is designed as the second level of difficulty after my course "The Sea Trip".

It may not be clear to beginners right away, so I recommend first going through "The Sea Trip", and then continuing to explore the sea in watercolor here.

It's never too late to learn how to draw. In our school, 30% of students are over 50 years old. And they are happy to draw, develop their skills, creative thinking and rejuvenate their soul and mind!

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