What’s this course about?

This brand new BIG course from Ilya Ibryaev is the perfect chance for anyone who wants to take their paintings to the next level, especially when it comes to capturing light, and to master even more subtle details.

It’ll help you shake off all those fears — like «I can’t do it», «I’m scared to paint», or «I don’t have enough practice». You’ll get to dive deep into all the little details of painting light, and you’ll learn how to create your own unique artwork by trusting your feelings instead of just copying references.

With the alla prima technique, you'll gain confidence, decisiveness, and a pro mindset. It’ll give your watercolor journey a real boost!

You'll learn how to capture different moods in your paintings, both technically and expressively, and really experience those moments in nature as you paint them.

Who is this course for?

This course is great for beginners who want to get to know watercolor and try out different techniques, and for pros who want to work boldly and freely in the alla prima style.

Course Program

Lesson 1

Greeting

General info about the course and a quick intro to your teacher.

Lesson 2

Materials

We will talk about the materials needed for the course.

Lesson 3

Five watercolor techniques: wash, sponge, splatter, rubbing, touching

We will explore the basic watercolor techniques and practice them.

Lesson 4

«From Darkness to Light, from Light to Form»

Lesson duration: 2 hours 10 minutes

Immerse yourself in the magic of light and discover the secrets of its appearance through two unique compositions.

You will learn to:

  • Approach work consciously, going beyond simple copying of what you see
  • See light as a phenomenon, not just illumination of objects
  • Ask questions about how and why light interacts with forms and space
  • Analyze the surrounding world more deeply, reflecting on its structure and laws
  • Combine observation, inner feeling, and artistic expression
  • Perceive watercolor not only as a technique, but as a way of thinking

Lesson 5

«Warm and Cool»

Lesson duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

In this lesson, we will learn how warm and cool shades create atmosphere and volume in painting and create two artworks.

You will learn to:

  • Create a color palette depending on warm and cool light
  • Convey opposite light flows
  • Build strong object contrasts in backlighting
  • Use warm and cool tones to create mood and atmosphere
  • Balance warm and cool shades within a composition

Lesson 6

«Point Glow and Soft Haze»

Lesson duration: 2 hours 45 minutes

In this lesson, we will learn to recognize and depict spot and diffused light and paint two landscapes.

You will learn to:

  • See and depict a broad stream of diffused light covering the whole painting
  • Work with wet and dry paper surfaces, choosing the right brush for sun rays
  • Paint street architecture and cars in the context of lighting
  • Convey spot lighting moments, such as sun glimpses through foliage
  • Use brushstroke and semi-dry brush techniques for large washes and small details
  • Create bright and harmonious lights in the composition, conveying atmosphere and volume

Lesson 7

«Touch of Light»

Lesson duration: 1 hour 20 min

Today we travel to Venice to catch the fleeting sun rays slipping through narrow streets. You will learn how to depict those magical moments when light gently touches ancient buildings, filling the space with warmth and inspiration.

You will learn to:

  • Convey narrow, tangential light illuminating street architecture
  • Capture moments when light touches the edge of a building and creates a bright accent
  • Work with soft light flows and subtle light touches in the scene
  • Convey the atmosphere of morning awakening and light mood
  • Create expressive compositions emphasizing important light accents and details

Lesson 8

«Reflections and Highlights»

Lesson duration: 1 hour 10 min

Today we dive into the world of soft sunlight: we will learn to depict rays passing through foliage and their reflections on the water surface. Prepare for an inspiring process where we will work with atmosphere, light, and subtle details.

You will learn to:

  • Control paper moisture in different areas of the painting
  • Highlight sun rays with a brush, considering the structure of the foliage
  • Delicately integrate graphic elements into the watercolor base
  • Add meaning and information to the scene without overloading it
  • Maintain the transparency and freshness of watercolor

Lesson 9

«Ray and Flow»

Lesson duration: 3 hours

In this lesson, we focus on two types of light: a narrow ray and a broad flow, and create two landscapes.

You will learn to:

  • Depict two types of light manifestation: a concentrated ray and a broad flow of light
  • See and convey a light beam passing through architectural elements (for example, columns)
  • Work with atmospheric interior light and architectural details of a Roman basilica
  • Paint a forest landscape conveying a powerful stream of light pouring through the trees
  • Use large washes and wet-on-wet techniques to create a luminous atmosphere
  • Emphasize contrasts and backlighting in a natural environment

Lesson 10

Artist’s Works Overview

Today we will have an inspiring meeting with the artist, who will share their watercolor works and talk about the process, ideas, and explorations behind them.

Lesson 11

«Overcast Day»

Lesson duration: 1 hour

Today we dive into the coolness of misty mountains, working with a cold palette to convey the atmosphere of overcast weather and silver haze.

You will learn to:

  • Depict a mountain landscape in overcast weather
  • Convey the mood of an overcast day using a cold color palette
  • Create a silver haze effect following the rules of aerial perspective
  • Use techniques for building a contrasting rocky foreground as a unified mass
  • Apply textural techniques: pigment splattering, scratching with a card, and adding graphic elements

Lesson 12

«Fog»

Lesson duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

In today’s lesson, we will immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of a quiet village morning wrapped in a soft mist of fog.

You will learn:

  • Convey the haze of fog in the background and middle planes
  • Work on a wet surface to create soft gradations
  • Paint the foreground boldly and broadly, enriching it with details
  • Use spattering and salt to create textures and interesting effects
  • Convey the atmosphere of early morning fog and a sense of depth in the landscape

Lesson 13

«Moonlight Temple»

Lesson duration: 1 hour 20 minutes

Today we will delve into the atmosphere of the night city, learning to depict a temple’s architecture illuminated by moonlight and city lights.

You will learn:

  • Build lighting contrasts in architecture
  • Convey the character of a religious structure
  • Work with moonlight and city lighting
  • Techniques of painting on wet and dry paper
  • Convey atmosphere and volume in architectural watercolor

Lesson 14

«Still Life in Living Light»

Lesson duration: 2 hours 10 minutes

This lesson will help you see familiar things anew and understand how light transforms simple forms.

You will learn:

  • Depict a still life in a rustic interior
  • Work with backlighting from a window
  • Work with watercolor step by step and confidently
  • The technique of rendering light rays on wet paper
  • Use imaginative thinking, relying on memory and imagination when depicting familiar objects

Lesson 15

«Radiance of the Face»

Lesson duration: 2 hours 20 minutes

Today we will dive into creating a portrait, focusing on strong contrasts and vivid imagery.

You will learn:

  • Construct and draw a portrait based on academic principles
  • Create striking light contrast using a dark background
  • Use large flat brushes to boldly flood broad areas
  • Focus on studying and rendering specific portrait details
  • Create an associative, expressive image without chasing exact likeness
  • Work confidently with light, shadow, and volume in portrait painting

Lesson 16

«All Facets of Glow»

Lesson duration: 1 hour 20 minutes

Today we will combine all the knowledge gained and create a cohesive watercolor piece. We will focus on composition, aerial perspective, and using a stream of light.

You will learn:

  • Combine all studied types of light flow in a single work
  • Build a coherent and expressive image with the compositional task in mind
  • Apply the rules of aerial perspective harmoniously
  • Paint a light stream on wet paper
  • Use delicate graphic techniques to develop the foreground and middle ground

Lesson 17

Conclusion

We will sum up the course—look back and see the path we have traveled together.

Course instructor Ilya Ibryaev

World-class artist

I finished art school, then went on to art college.

Graduate of the Moscow State Art Academy (formerly Stroganov Academy)

I'm a member of the Union of Artists of Russia and the International Watercolor Federation

Representative of IWS (International Watercolor Society) in Russia

Member of the International IMWA Alliance (China — Shanghai)

Chairman of the creative association «World of Modern Watercolor» (WMW)

Participant in many international biennales and art festivals

Awarded a gold medal (Biennale in Caudete — Spain — 2017)

Ilya’s Watercolor Paintings

Materials for the Course

Paper

Sanders, Arches, Lana, Baohong. 300 gsm, medium grain

«Nevskaya Palitra» pigments

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  • Ultramarine (a lot)
  • Cadmium Orange (a lot)
  • Cadmium Yellow Medium
  • Lemon Yellow
  • Light Ochre
  • Red Ochre
  • Raw Sienna
  • Burnt Sienna
  • Sepia
  • May Green
  • Grass Green
  • Emerald Green
  • Cadmium Red
  • Lavender
  • Black (any, except Payne’s Grey)

Brushespigments

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  • Flat Brush
  • Round brush
  • Calligraphy brush
  • Flat synthetic brush
  • Liner brush

Extra materialspigments

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  • Water container
  • Graphite pencil
  • Sea sponge
  • Paper towels

Plans

«I Draw It Myself»
  • 16 next-level light scenes
  • 17 lessons: painting + artworks analysis + exercises from the artist
  • Machine translated subtitles: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Polish, Portuguese, Hungarian, Chinese, Indonesian
  • Course Unfreeze
  • Ability to view comments on students’ artworks
  • You get lifetime access to the course
  • Bonus 1. PDF Guide. Ilya Ibryaev. 3 Secrets That Make Your Paintings Look Professional
  • Bonus 2. Video lesson. Ilya Ibryaev. Light and Reflection: Creating Contrasting Landscapes
  • Bonus 3. Video lesson. Ilya Ibryaev. Light Through the Mist: Working with Backlight
  • Bonus 4. Video Lesson. Ilya Ibryaev. Contrasting Objects: Learning to Paint Front Lighting in Nature
  • Bonus 5. Video lesson. Ilya Ibryaev. Boats at Dawn
  • Bonus 6. Mini-course. Dmitry Gutov. Pick 1 mini-course in the lesson
  • Artworks analysis by the course curator for 60 days
  • Personal one-hour online consultation with the course expert
  • > +20 bonus dollars! Can be used when purchasing a course at the next marathon. Valid for 3 months
240 $
$ €
SIGN UP
«With Support»
  • 16 next-level light scenes
  • 17 lessons: painting + artworks analysis + exercises from the artist
  • Machine translated subtitles: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Polish, Portuguese, Hungarian, Chinese, Indonesian
  • Course Unfreeze
  • Ability to view comments on students’ artworks
  • You get lifetime access to the course
  • Bonus 1. PDF Guide. Ilya Ibryaev. 3 Secrets That Make Your Paintings Look Professional
  • Bonus 2. Video lesson. Ilya Ibryaev. Light and Reflection: Creating Contrasting Landscapes
  • Bonus 3. Video lesson. Ilya Ibryaev. Light Through the Mist: Working with Backlight
  • Bonus 4. Video Lesson. Ilya Ibryaev. Contrasting Objects: Learning to Paint Front Lighting in Nature
  • Bonus 5. Video lesson. Ilya Ibryaev. Boats at Dawn
  • Bonus 6. Mini-course. Dmitry Gutov. Pick 1 mini-course in the lesson
  • Artworks analysis by the course curator for 60 days
  • Personal one-hour online consultation with the course expert
  • > +20 bonus dollars! Can be used when purchasing a course at the next marathon. Valid for 3 months
290 $
$ €
SIGN UP
«VIP»
  • 16 next-level light scenes
  • 17 lessons: painting + artworks analysis + exercises from the artist
  • Machine translated subtitles: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Polish, Portuguese, Hungarian, Chinese, Indonesian
  • Course Unfreeze
  • Ability to view comments on students’ artworks
  • You get lifetime access to the course
  • Bonus 1. PDF Guide. Ilya Ibryaev. 3 Secrets That Make Your Paintings Look Professional
  • Bonus 2. Video lesson. Ilya Ibryaev. Light and Reflection: Creating Contrasting Landscapes
  • Bonus 3. Video lesson. Ilya Ibryaev. Light Through the Mist: Working with Backlight
  • Bonus 4. Video Lesson. Ilya Ibryaev. Contrasting Objects: Learning to Paint Front Lighting in Nature
  • Bonus 5. Video lesson. Ilya Ibryaev. Boats at Dawn
  • Bonus 6. Mini-course. Dmitry Gutov. Pick 1 mini-course in the lesson
  • Artworks analysis by the course curator for 60 days
  • Personal one-hour online consultation with the course expert
  • > +20 bonus dollars! Can be used when purchasing a course at the next marathon. Valid for 3 months
500 $
$ €
SIGN UP

Course curator ALENA KRUGLOVA

I’ve been painting since 2016

I’ve been teaching since 2020

director of ANO TO “World of Contemporary Watercolor”

graduate of the Moscow V.I. Surikov Art Institute

participant in more than twenty Russian and forty international exhibitions

winner of Russian and international awards

my works are in private collections both in Russia and abroad

Frequently Asked Questions

I have no drawing experience at all. Should I join the course?

Of course you should! The course is structured so that simple paintings come first and more complex ones later, allowing you to ease into the process and achieve great results!

Experienced artists will also benefit from the course. You will be able to refine your technique even further and expand your visual awareness.

At the end of the lesson, you will upload a photo of your work. The instructor will be able to leave text feedback, graphic notes directly on your drawing, and an audio comment.

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

If you have a plan without feedback, everything will depend on your personal pace at which you complete the lessons.

With feedback plans, we actively go through the lessons for two months from the moment you «unfreeze» the course.

Overall, I recommend taking the course slowly and enjoying the process.

It is never too late to learn to draw. In our school, 30% of students are over 50. They joyfully paint, develop their skills and creative thinking, and feel younger in spirit and mind!

Feedback

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