Mastering Watercolour Course

Dive into the beautiful world of watercolour part of our painting courses in Sydney!

Explore the beauty, versatility and delicate nature of watercolour painting in this welcoming masterclass, suitable for beginners and intermediate students. Develop your skills and confidence as you practise essential watercolour techniques and apply them to a range of subjects.

Through smaller exercises and progressively more complex compositions, you will explore proportional sketching, perspective, light and tone to create depth in your paintings. Subjects may include still life, portraits and landscapes, with the aim of completing at least four finished artworks by the end of the course.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• Apply fundamental watercolour techniques and principles.
• Sketch subjects with greater attention to proportion and perspective.
• Use light, tone and detail to create depth in watercolour paintings.
• Plan compositions and develop paintings from simple exercises to more complex subjects.
• Approach still life, portrait and landscape painting with greater confidence.

Course content

Main principles of watercolour application and theory

• Sketching proportionately
• Exercises and techniques for creating depth in an object or composition
• Using light, tone and detail in watercolour painting
• Fundamentals of watercolour painting and perspective
• Principles of composition and proportion in art
• Practical painting exercises exploring still life, portraits and landscapes

Intended audience

Who is this course for?

This course is suitable for beginners and intermediate students who would like to explore watercolour painting or build on their existing skills.

Materials 

Please bring the following materials to class:

• Sketching materials: A4 sketching pad; 2H and HB pencils; plastic ruler; eraser.

• Paper: A4 watercolour paper, Arches or equivalent brand, 300 gsm, smooth finish (required).

• Brushes: Good-quality round watercolour brushes, sizes 1, 4 and 6.

• Paints: Artist-quality watercolour paints in the colours listed below. Winsor & Newton and Schmincke options are provided; other artist-quality brands are acceptable.

• Orange red: Winsor & Newton: Bright Red or Cadmium Red; Schmincke: Cadmium Red Light.

• Violet red: Winsor & Newton: Permanent Rose; Schmincke: Magenta.

• Orange yellow: Winsor & Newton: Winsor Yellow or Cadmium Yellow Light; Schmincke: Cadmium Yellow Light.

• Green yellow: Winsor & Newton: Winsor Lemon; Schmincke: Lemon Yellow.

• Green blue: Winsor & Newton: Winsor Blue (Green Shade); Schmincke: Phthalo Blue.

• Violet blue: Winsor & Newton: French Ultramarine; Schmincke: Ultramarine Finest.

• Payne’s grey: Winsor & Newton or Schmincke Payne’s Grey.

  Purchase the materials specified on this list, even if an art store recommends alternatives. Click Here

Optional:

Palette: White mixing tray or white china plate. Alternatively, you may use the palettes provided in SCC's art studio.

Other essentials: Water jars available for use in the studio. 

Handouts will be provided by the tutor.

Suggested art supply stores

• Art Scene — West Ryde
• Eckersley's — Sydney CBD
• Parkers — The Rocks
• Art Smart — Seaforth
• Warehouse of Art Supplies — Hornsby

Additional information

Note for students

Students will work through smaller exercises before progressing to larger, more complex compositions. The course aims to support each participant in producing at least four finished artworks; the number completed may vary according to individual pace.