Watercolor Driftwood: Painting Realistic Layers - For All Skill Levels (Skillshare)

In this class you will learn how to build watercolor layers to add depth and rich texture to your paintings. I will guide you through a series of practice lessons to build your confidence in water control and fluency in transparencies, building a color chart, and layering techniques. We will also practice a variety of brushstrokes and texturing techniques so that you can create beautiful watercolors. You will learn how to successfully paint the wet-on-wet technique, wet-on-dry technique, texturing, blending, and shadows.

This class is for beginner watercolor artists as well as watercolor artists looking to add depth to their pieces.

The same layering techniques can be applied to any subject be it leaves, rocks, feathers, landscapes, etc.
All you will need is:

-Pencil & Eraser

-Paper Towels

-Watercolor Paints (Burnt Umber, Ultramarine Blue, and Yellow Ochre) or similar colors

-Watercolor Brushes (vary in size #1, # 4, #6) or varying sized brushes

-A cup of clean water

-Reference Material (Photo of Driftwood) Look in the "Project Resources" tab

-Watercolor Paper - (Arches #140 Cold Press)

*For my favorite Watercolor Supplies List check in the "Project Resources" tab.

For the Class Project you will be painting a driftwood composition. I chose driftwood as the subject for this class because I find driftwood beautiful and full of rich organic textures while having a simple color palette.

I will provide photographs of driftwood I have found on the beach for you to choose from to create a composition that fits your personal style. *These are available in the Projects/Resources Tab.

Once you select your reference photo for your composition, you will sketch it onto your prepared watercolor paper in pencil. Then I will walk you through the process of painting your composition using the techniques that you have learned in the practice lessons. With each layer you will gradually build your layers, textures, and shadows while maintaining highlights to create depth and realism.

For your finished project you will have a painted driftwood composition that you can hang in your home or share as a gift.
Get Started:

Watch the "Supplies" video and get your work area ready. Once you are set up, watch each video at your own pace. It can be helpful to watch each video first, then follow along with the lesson. Take your time and enjoy the process. Watercolor can be beautiful and relaxing with a little time, patience, and practice.
Share Your Artwork:

I am looking forward to seeing your driftwood compositions! Please share your "work in progress" paintings. It is so rewarding to see each step of the layering process. Also don’t forget to share your completed class project!

If you share your artwork on social media be sure to use the hashtag #watercolordriftwoodclass

Thank you so much for joining my first watercolor class! I'd like to invite you to ask me any questions you have about the class, techniques, class project, or general watercolor questions located here in the discussion thread.