What’s this course about

This course is all about watercolor illustration. We’ll learn how to create a fairy-tale character using details from different eras. Our works will be a mix of animal art and illustration, because we’ll be giving our geese some ‘human’ features — clothes, hats, top hats, and accessories.

In this course, we’ll practice working with tiny details, and I’ll show you how to paint with a light and delicate touch. We’ll also work on wet-on-wet techniques for the backgrounds, master smooth watercolor transitions, and learn how to build a harmonious composition and sketch with a pencil.

I’ll show you how to paint the look of gold, skin, fabric, wood, and lace with watercolor, and how to use recognizable characters to create a goose’s personality and portrait.

Who this course is
good for

This course is perfect for anyone who’s already tried watercolor: intermediate and continuing students, and also for those who just recently started painting with watercolor.

The lessons are fun and varied, because every time we’ll be working with a new personality and character.

Of course, this course is mainly for those who are interested in watercolor or book illustration, and want to try out this wonderful fairy-tale genre!

Course program:

Lesson 1

Introduction

Welcome to the first lesson of the watercolor course! I will tell you a little about myself and share the main recommendations for taking the course.

Lesson 2

List and overview of materials for the course

In this lesson, we will get acquainted with the materials that we will need during the course.

Lesson 3

«Goose-Poet»

Duration - 2 hours

This illustration started the entire fairytale series with geese! We will paint the Goose-Poet in the style of the Golden Age of Literature — the 19th century. We will try to convey the atmosphere of this era and talk about the illustrative approach to creating a character image.

In this lesson we will learn:

  • Proper composition building of a drawing;
  • Watercolor techniques for conveying light and shadow;
  • Creating interesting shades to depict the color white;
  • Wet-on-wet technique while painting a dark green background around the goose.

Lesson 4

«Goose-King»

Duration - 1 hour 55 minutes

We will paint an illustration of the Goose-King! In this lesson, we will create the image of an English king from the 18th–19th century in the guise of a goose. We will try to convey the attributes and atmosphere of that era and make the image concise yet recognizable.

In this lesson we will learn:

  • Proper composition building of a pencil drawing;
  • Watercolor techniques for smooth color transitions and conveying light and shadow;
  • Depicting the texture of gold, fur, fabric, and wood;
  • Wet-on-wet technique: moistening the paper on both sides while painting the background.

Lesson 5

«Goose-Gentleman»

Duration - 2 hours 20 minutes

In this lesson, we’ll talk about creating a character image based on a movie hero (from the film «The Gentlemen» by Guy Ritchie). We’ll try to convey the attributes and atmosphere of aristocratic England in our illustration and make the image concise yet recognizable.

In this lesson we will learn:

  • Proper composition building of a pencil drawing;
  • Creating beautiful color combinations when painting the white body of the goose;
  • Depicting the texture of gold, leather, fabric, and wood;
  • Wet-on-wet technique, moistening the sheet on both sides.

Lesson 6

«Goose Lady»

Duration - 3 hours 05 minutes

We will draw a goose lady in the image of an aristocratic English lady, hurrying to a tea party with the queen! We’ll choose clothing and accessories: a playful umbrella, a lace fan, and a basket of flowers to make the image detailed and interesting to explore.

In this lesson we will learn:

  • Selecting color tones and creating palette mixes for the plot;
  • Depicting the texture of skin, fabric, and lace;
  • Adding floral compositions to the character’s image;
  • Conveying volume and folds in clothing.

Lesson 7

Conclusion

Our course has come to an end. Let’s summarize and listen to some parting words for your further creative growth!

Course instructor Elena Vavilina

Artist and illustrator

Graduated from TSU, Faculty of Fine and Decorative Arts

I’ve been drawing since I was a kid

Since 2015, I’ve been teaching painting and running workshops

I love watercolor and my favorite subject is flowers

I create my own compositions: bouquets come to me the way poems come to poets

Instructor’s works

Expert’s works

Materials for the course:

A4 paper 8"х12", 280–300 g/m² cotton (cellulose is also acceptable). The instructor uses Baohong, 300 g/m² cotton, medium grain.

Watercolor paints (the instructor uses watercolors by «Nevskaya Palitra»)

Round synthetic brush with a sharp tip, medium size (sable or squirrel is also fine). The instructor uses Rublev synthetic, «aqua» series, size 6

Thin synthetic brush with a sharp tip for detailing.

Large brush for background washes (you can use a flat wash brush or any other large, soft brush)

Masking fluid

Paper or cloth tissues

Water container, pencil, eraser

Titanium white

Brushes
 
  • Flat wash brush (wide, flat), goat hair, 55 mm
  • Flat wash brush, goat hair, 30 mm
  • Flat oval goat-hair brush (e.g., Malevich N16)
  • Round squirrel brush, medium size (e.g., Rubloff NN8–12)
  • Flat squirrel brush, oval or petal (e.g., Herend N2)
  • Chinese calligraphy brush, goat or other, medium size
  • Round synthetic brush with a sharp tip (e.g., «Gamma» NN5–7)
  • Liner brush, synthetic with elongated bristles.
Paper
 

Brands suitable for this course:

  • Saunders Waterford
  • Palazzo Fine Art
  • Baohong
  • Lana Aquarelle
  • Fabriano Artistico

Parameters:

  • Composition — 100% cotton
  • Density 300 g/m²
  • Medium grain (Fin)
  • Cold press
Paints
 

Main palette

  • Violet NP No. 607
  • Violet Haze NP No. 630
  • Gray-Pink Haze NP No. 832
  • Indigo NP No. 516
  • Cobalt Blue NP No. 508
  • Cobalt Turquoise NP No. 531
  • Royal Blue NP No. 528
  • Yellow NP No. 211 (as an alternative you can use Aureolin NP No. 253 or Hansa Yellow from other manufacturers)
  • Naples Yellow NP No. 209
  • Peach NP No. 256
  • Neon Pink NP No. 368 (as an alternative I also use Opera Pink from other manufacturers)
  • Crimson Lake Light NP No. 313
  • Light Red Iron Oxide NP No. 321
  • Van Dyke Brown NP No. 401
  • Burnt Sienna NP No. 406
  • Umber NP No. 418
  • Shadow Green. NP doesn’t have this paint, but I love it. You can use, for example, ShinHan PWC — «Shadow Green 593»
  • Emerald Green NP No. 713
  • Olive NP No. 727
Tools
 

Additional materials:

  • masking fluid and a small synthetic brush for applying it
  • oil or dry pastel
  • white liner pen
  • plastic card
  • shaggy goat-hair brush (any old, fairly soft and shaggy brush) for
  • sprattering with water or paint.

Additional equipment:

  • A sketchbook of any paper quality (cotton or cellulose), but not too thin, for sketches and color tests
  • Graphite pencil. Choose one that is not too hard (scratches the surface) and not too soft (smudges). HB or B works best.
  • Soft eraser or kneaded eraser
  • Paper tape
  • Water container. For plein-air, a folding cup or small bucket is convenient.
  • Paper towel
  • Plastic card as an improvised tool for scratching
  • Spray bottle

Plans

I Draw It Myself
  • 4 watercolor illustrations
  • 7 lessons: theory + practice
  • Machine translated subtitles: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Polish, Portuguese, Hungarian, Chinese, Indonesian
  • Course Unfreeze — start learning whenever you want
  • Lifetime access to materials
  • No curator support
200 $
$ €
SIGN UP

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will the training take?

It all depends on your personal pace at which you go through the lessons.

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

It’s never too late to learn to draw. In our school, 30% of students are over 50 years old. They enjoy painting, developing their skills and creative thinking, and rejuvenate their mind and soul!

Didn’t find the answer to your question?

Contact us on Telegram

Telegram

Contact us on WhatsApp

WhatsApp