2. Portraits and Figures Part 2, Paint at your own pace

Capture the essence of the experience, and add more to the story of a painting

Portraits in Watercolor

Different than many traditional portrait painting courses, learn to use a looser painting style, to create expression and personality.

Work with skin tones, brushstrokes and eliminate excessive details and build skill to confidently paint your own portraits.

Focus on skill building, skin tone, eyes, mouth, lips, and personality

Includes, three in depth lessons

Go through the entire process step-by-step, along with worksheets, reference photos, and scale line drawing.

Part 2

Continue the story with more skill building

Trumpet player

  • Focus on darker skin tones, hands, shadows, instrument and background

Family Portrait

  • Change and work on shadows, create a different mood than what you see, learn where to draw attention and keep the focus.

Sunshine & Eggs

  • Our focus is to work with the hands and face and action of a task, and in the background create soft yet still dramatic light.


Your Instructor


Birgit O'Connor
Birgit O'Connor

About your instructor,

Birgit O'Connor

Master artist Birgit O’Connor is an internationally known award-winning artist, judge, juror and, author, known for her original paintings and inspirational teaching style. She is signature member of M-NWWS, M-CWA, M-LWS. Her memberships include Cambridge Who’s Who, Who's who in America and Who's who in American women.

Her books “Watercolor in Motion”, “Paint Watercolor Flowers” and “Watercolor Essentials” are top selling titles in her field, along with being included in over 60 national and international publications such as the New York Times, SF Gate, Watercolor Magazine, Dobry Zank, (Poland) "L'Art de l'Aquarelle (France).


Course Curriculum



Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

What Students say

"Every course is so rich in learning experiences as well as being just so much fun to see what a brush and paint can do in my hands. :-) ;-) " Gail Gabriel


"This is my 6th course with Birgit in 6 months. What does that say about her instruction? Incredible, as I have been painting for only 14 months and she has brought me so far in just 6." Tina Mewhinney TX


"Your classes are addicting!! LOL" Gay Weston San Diego CA


"The way you teach, I feel I can paint anything...thank you" Gudrun Johnson

Get started now!