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Program of the marathon

We're going on a sea adventure! You will enjoy 5 creative broadcasts, a cozy atmosphere, communication with like-minded people and interesting watercolor techniques from Natalia Nesterova. The broadcast records will be available in your personal account!

Day 1

We are drawing a starfish

  • You'll learn how to draw realistic watercolor sea paintings from the scratch and what materials to choose;
  • You'll create the light effects (glare of the sea) with simple water (displacement technique);
  • You'll make the starfish voluminous and immerse it in water using the overtones.
  • You'll draw the whole picture using only 3 watercolors paints.
Day 2

We are drawing the texture stones on the seashore.

  • You'll familiarize yourself with the basics of composition – looking for the location of objects on the picture;
  • You'll paint the coastal water with reflections;
  • You'll create the realistic stone texture with salt;
  • You'll paint the calm smooth surface of the water using the "cat's tongue" brushes.
Day 3

We are drawing the wave of raging sea

  • You'll draw a spectacular wave using just two watercolor paints;
  • You'll create a torn foam effect with salt;
  • You'll try the scrubbing technique to convey the wave motion;
  • You'll learn how easy it is to convey foam volumes with a plain paper towel.
Day 4

We are drawing a beautiful sunset at the seafront

  • We explore the sunset sky. We create smooth gradients and clouds in wet-on-wet technique;
  • Reverse atmospheric perspective – or why is everything the opposite during the sunset?
  • You'll paint the ripples of water in the far background with a dry brush.
  • You'll paint fine detailing for realistic effect with gouache.
Day 5

We are drawing a landscape with a view of the city and advancing clouds

  • We are drawing light clouds using the technique of protecting white areas with paper towels;
  • You'll easily represent the ripples in the far background with a dry brush;
  • You'll easily picture a town with many houses using the masking fluid.

Take part in all five broadcasts to get a bonus lesson «Sailboat» as a gift!

  • You'll paint a spectacular seascape featuring a sailboat with watercolor;
  • You'll learn to convey the sea space using gradients on the water;
  • You'll paint the far background in wet-on-wet technique;
  • You'll perform the entire work with just three watercolor paints.

The marathon is hosted by Natalia Nesterova

  • Watercolor marine artist
  • Honorary member of the International Academy of Contemporary Arts
  • Participant and prizewinner of sea than 50 art exhibitions and competitions in Russia and the rest of the world, including 9 solo exhibitions
  • Teaches watercolour since 2020

Watercolour works by Natalia

Works of the marathon participants

Materials for the course:

Tools
 

BRUSHES:

Required: a flat brush (preferably natural), synthetic brushes 5-8-12 mm with a pointed tip, a small natural or semi-natural detail brush, synthetic liners for masking, a cat’s tongue brush. Optional but recommended: eraser brush (Herend) and a soft synthetic fan brush (Pinax) for corrections.

MASKING FLUID:
ONLY THIS BRAND! Others (except Schmincke) are too thick and won’t work for the required technique. Watercolor masking fluid Sennelier 75 ml.

BOARD:
For wet techniques, use a plexiglass board. Thickness – at least 3 mm, ideally 6 mm so it doesn’t bend. You can order at advertising companies or buy on marketplaces.

PALETTE:
You can use a regular white plastic palette or a plain white plate.

Paints
 

1. Blue (PB15, No.513 White Nights)

2. Ultramarine blue / dark / French (any professional brand)

3. Any dark blue: indigo / indanthrone / Payne’s gray, etc.

4. Optional: Bright blue (PB15:3, No.509 White Nights)

5. Isoindoline yellow (PY110 – Pinax Extra)

6. Pyrrole red (PR254 – Daniel Smith) or pyrrole scarlet (PR255 – Pinax Extra)

7. Pyrrole orange (PO73 – Pinax Extra)

8. Phthalo turquoise (PB15:3, PG7, No.519 White Nights or another turquoise – make sure there’s no white pigment PW6 or PW4)

9. Burnt sienna (Schmincke or any other brand; if unavailable, use a warm brown that mixes with ultramarine into gray)

10. Benzimidazolone yellow (PY154 – Pinax Extra, Yellow No.211 White Nights – check pigment! Any transparent cool yellow, but NOT cadmium)

11. Emerald green (PG7, White Nights or another brand with the same pigment)

12. Carmine (White Nights or another brand)

13. Burnt umber (White Nights or another brand)

14. Sepia (White Nights or another brand)

Paper
 

Only 100% cotton paper is required, as it can handle multiple washes. Recommended: Saunders Waterford, 300gsm, cold press (NOT grainy).

For dry techniques: you may use Baohong, ideally Baohong S8.

For wet techniques: use 100% cotton Saunders Waterford, Lana, or Arches.

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  • Number of marathons: 43
  • Number of paintings: 183
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Annual payment 119.88 $

  • 3 video lessons of the marathon;
  • bonus lesson «Sailboat» for attentive viewers;
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