Paint Watercolor Botanicals – with a Modern Twist!

In this class, you’ll create four distinct watercolor paintings!

During each project, you’ll learn techniques to help you fine-tune your painting skills and learn what makes watercolor such a unique medium.

Skill Level Required:

All levels

Number of Students:

8,235

Class Length:

2 hours 5 mins

One-Time Purchase:

Get lifetime access to this course with the one-time purchase option. No subscription fees. 100% self-paced, so you can watch the pre-recorded videos on your own schedule.

$45

Enroll through Skillshare:

With a membership to Skillshare, you’ll get access to my entire class catalog, including this class. New members can unlock a free one-month trial.

$168 / year. (Price varies per region.)

Painting #1: Monstera Leaf

For our first painting, you’ll learn a step-by-step approach: we’ll start with the thumbnail sketch, with our photo reference to guide us. Each section of the leaf will get broken down into simple shapes. Then, we’ll fill in each segment of the monstera leaf. This is a great opportunity to loosen up, explore paint blending, and fine-tune your brush control techniques.

Painting #2: Sunflower

Not only are sunflowers massively on-trend, but they’re pretty fun to paint as well! This lesson focuses on brush control and layering– when the first section of petals are dry, we paint a second layer to overlap the first. Since watercolor is a transparent medium, this creates some pretty cool effects!

Painting #3: Tropical Hibiscus

Now, we’re getting into more complexities. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to infuse depth into your paintings using ombré gradients and color blooming on the hibiscus petals. We’ll also explore fine details (the signature pistil of the hibiscus) and broader, more expansive segments (the petals themselves).

Painting #4: Rosette Succulent

Our final painting incorporates all the techniques you learned during the class: thumbnail sketching, color blending on page, brush control, the wet-on-dry technique, and painting with whitespace in mind. The final result with be a rosette succulent bursting with vibrant colors!

As we paint, you’ll learn:

• Supply recommendations

• Simple sketching tips

• Freehand painting techniques

• Brush control tips

• Color mixing on palettes + paper

• Attributes of modern watercolors

This class is for all levels:

• Beginners: with step-by-step instructions, you’ll be able to follow along with each painting

• Advanced artists: you’ll learn techniques to infuse modern practices into your paintings

“Cat is such a great teacher! i just love ALL of her classes! She speaks very clearly, she's organized, engaging, fun, and such a pleasant person to listen to and learn from. This class helped me to realize that I could watercolor! Her style makes it so easy!”

- Irene G.

“This was the best watercolor class I ever took, very engaging, easy to follow and super fun. Big fan of the instructor and her unique way of bringing modernism into watercolor.”

- Ray R.

“These techniques were so much fun to play with. I loved working through these exercises, nothing seemed overwhelming and the results were cool. I can't wait to try some of my own projects with this great style.”

- Jenny W.

“This class was excellent, truly teaches brush control and guides you away from photographic realism. Highly recommend to any watercolor artist!”

- Patricia N.

“The class was so much fun. For a complete beginner to watercolours it was so easy to follow with very clear instructions and tips.”

- Kate P.

“I've taken several of Cat's classes and they are clear, concise, and most of all, inspiring. She breaks everything down and shows each step with such clarity that it is easy to produce artwork you can be proud of. Her teaching style is a wonderful combination of casual and professional.”

- Lori P.

When I was sixteen, I received my first palette of Winsor & Newton watercolors. I was hooked. In the twenty years since, watercolors have remained my favorite artistic medium.

I want to show you how to channel your creativity through this delicious medium. Personally, I find painting with watercolors to be a relaxing ritual. So gather your supplies, put on a good playlist, and let’s paint some gorgeous, modern botanicals together!

–Cat Coquillette

One-Time Purchase:

Get lifetime access to this course with the one-time purchase option. No subscription fees. 100% self-paced, so you can watch the pre-recorded videos on your own schedule.

$45

Enroll through Skillshare:

With a membership to Skillshare, you’ll get access to my entire class catalog, including this class. New members can unlock a free one-month trial.

$168 / year. (Price varies per region.)

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