Sky Colors with Alexandra Podushkina

In this lesson I'll tell you a bit about myself, my journey with watercolor, why the sky means so much to me, and what we'll be painting and exploring together on this course.

Duration ~ 55 minutes

We're diving into a calm, peaceful atmosphere. In this lesson you'll master glazing techniques, learn to work with a limited palette, and convey depth using aerial perspective. Minimal color — maximum mood.

In this lesson we will:

• use the glazing technique to create soft transitions and depth;
• work on watercolor tonality and transparency;
• construct the composition taking atmospheric perspective into account;
• create an early-morning atmosphere using a limited palette.

Duration ~ 35 minutes

In this lesson we'll paint a warm, uneasy evening right before a storm. We'll sink into the mood of fading light and gathering clouds.

In this lesson we will:

• create a twilight mood through color and tone;
• work with mixes based on Ultramarine;
• convey contrasts between cool and warm lighting;
• use soft transitions to convey the sky and clouds.

Duration — about 55 minutes

On this lesson we'll paint a dramatic, high-contrast scene: rain moving across a field beneath a heavy sky. We'll create a composite image with shifting light, beams piercing through clouds, and mirror-smooth water.

In this lesson we will:

• look at how to convey the drama of the sky using smooth glazes and soft gradients;
• learn how to paint sunbeams in an overcast scene;
• work on reflections in the water and the rhythm of the trees;
• play with the contrast between a warm field and a cool sky.

Duration ~ 1 hour

In this lesson we'll create a painterly forest landscape with a sunset sky. We'll focus mainly on gradients, learning how to blend colors cleanly without muddiness or awkward transitions. Silhouetted trees and a light mist will complete the composition, giving it depth and atmosphere.

In this lesson we will:

• practice watercolor gradient technique for the sky;
• learn to mix warm and cool shades while keeping the color clean;
• work with the shape of fir trees and layers of mist;
• paint a sunset sky using a bold yet harmonious color palette.

Duration ~ 35 minutes

In this lesson we'll talk about how to capture the atmosphere of dawn without too much contrast. We'll also discuss why phone photos and seeing the scene in person are two different realities.

In this lesson we will:

• create soft gradients and a glow in the sky;
• convey mist and depth through color;
• work carefully with saturation, avoiding excessive contrast;
• use natural hues for a more "alive" painting.

Duration ~ 37 minutes

In this lesson we'll paint an atmospheric winter landscape in a round format — with a bright sunset sun sinking below the horizon.

In this lesson we will:

• make a smooth gradient wash that shifts from warm to cool;
• paint the sun without using masking fluid — the napkin trick;
• develop the snowy field and bushes using delicate dry-on-dry work;
• add tree silhouettes and the atmosphere of a winter evening.

Duration ~ 35 minutes

In this lesson we'll create an atmospheric night scene without using pure black. We'll work on the subtle tones of the night sky, reflections on the water, and the foreground without overdoing the details.

In this lesson we will:

• paint a night landscape without using black paint;
• deepen the scene using cool color layers and tonal gradations;
• work on atmosphere: from subtle mist to highlights and starry sparkle.

Let's wrap up the course — we'll look back and see the progress we've made together.