Watercolour Floral Workshop: Beginners

Bring flowers to life with watercolour – a beginner's floral painting workshop, part of the painting short courses in Sydney.

Discover the beauty of floral watercolour painting in this relaxed, beginner-friendly workshop at Sydney Community College. This class is designed for those taking their first step into the expressive world of watercolour before committing to a full course.

Whether you are completely new to painting or simply curious about the medium, this workshop provides a welcoming introduction to the essentials. You will learn how to control your brush, understand paint consistency, explore different papers and brushes, and practise core techniques such as wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, and dry-brush methods.

In this hands-on session, you will experience how water and pigment interact while building confidence in creating simple botanical designs. The class will cover layering washes, shaping petals, and painting two simple floral studies that allow you to apply what you have learned. This workshop provides a supportive, enjoyable space to explore watercolour and decide whether you would like to continue into the full watercolour course at Sydney Community College.

Learning outcomes

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

• Understand the basic properties of watercolour, including paint consistency and water control
• Identify different types of watercolour paper and brushes, and how to use them
• Practise foundational techniques such as wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, and dry-brush
• Apply these techniques to create two simple floral watercolour studies
• Gain confidence in handling watercolour materials and tools

Course content

What will be covered in this beginner workshop?

• Introduction to watercolour materials and papers
• Brush control and mark making
• Wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, and dry-brush techniques
• Layering washes to build form
• Painting petals, leaves, and simple floral shapes
• Completing two small floral watercolour studies

Intended audience

Who is this painting course for?

This class is perfect for those who are brand new to watercolour painting and want to explore a new creative avenue.

Course venue

Rozelle Campus

2A Gordon Street, Rozelle NSW 2039 (corner of Gordon St & Victoria Rd on the grounds of St. Joseph's Church)

Course materials

Most materials are included 

If you already have your own watercolour materials, feel free to bring them along and use what you're comfortable with.

Additional information

Please note the following:

• Closed-in shoes required
• Please wear old clothes
• Long hair must be tied back