In this workshop, we'll use the bold, overlapping forms of an agave to explore a different way of approaching watercolor—simplifying the structure first, then allowing water, pigment, and value to flow within those shapes.

Rather than carefully painting every leaf and detail, you'll learn how to identify the larger shapes, connect areas of similar value, preserve important lights, and decide where the composition needs separation—and where it can simply flow together.

The result is watercolor that feels fresh, expressive, and intentional.

Strong shapes give watercolor the freedom to flow.

The project has been intentionally simplified so you can focus on shape, water, value, and the white of the paper. As your confidence grows, these same principles can be applied to more detailed and complex subjects.

What You'll Learn

By the end of this workshop, you'll understand how to:

✓ Break a complicated subject into larger, manageable shapes
✓ Consolidate smaller shapes rather than painting every detail
✓ Work confidently with generous amounts of water
✓ Flow color and value naturally within a shape
✓ Connect shadows and darker values
✓ Use hard, soft, lost, and found edges intentionally
✓ Decide what to include—and what to leave out

Why This Workshop Is Different

It's easy to look at a complicated subject and think you need to paint everything you see.

You don't.

In this workshop, we'll slow down before we ever pick up the brush and ask:

What are the shapes that really matter?

You'll learn how I look at a complex reference and decide what to combine, what to simplify, where to preserve the paper, and where to allow shapes and values to connect.

Once that underlying structure is established, we can give watercolor room to do what it does best—move, mingle, soften, and surprise us.

During the Workshop We'll

Observe Before We Paint

Before beginning, we'll look beyond the agave itself and identify:

• The largest shapes
• The dominant direction of the composition
• Light, middle, and dark value families
• Connected shapes and shadows
• Important negative spaces
• Areas we can simplify or eliminate

The goal is to see the design first and the subject second.

Simplify & Consolidate

We'll begin with a simple exercise using just a few large shapes.

You'll learn how combining smaller areas into larger masses can make a complicated subject much easier to paint—and often creates a stronger composition.

Let the Water Flow

Now we'll introduce generous amounts of water.

You'll practice allowing colors to mingle directly on the paper, creating subtle shifts of color and value without overmixing or overworking.

We'll explore when to guide the water, when to intervene, and when to simply let it move.

Build Value & Shadow

We'll use darker values and connected shadow shapes to create structure, depth, and contrast.

Rather than outlining every form, we'll allow changes in value and edge to separate one shape from another.

Bring It All Together

Finally, we'll apply these ideas to our agave painting.

The finished piece may look complex, but you'll discover that underneath it is a carefully organized arrangement of shape, value, light, and flowing watercolor.

It's Not Really About Painting an Agave

The agave gives us wonderful overlapping forms to work with, but the techniques you'll learn go far beyond this particular subject.

You'll be able to apply these ideas to:

✓ Flowers and foliage
✓ Landscapes
✓ Still life
✓ Abstract subjects
✓ Almost any complicated reference you'd like to simplify

This workshop is about developing a way of seeing and organizing a painting that you can use again and again.

Included

✓ Live online workshop
✓ Lifetime replay access
✓ Downloadable workshop workbook
✓ Reference photograph
✓ Line drawing
✓ Technique exercises
✓ Opportunity to ask questions during the live workshop

Perfect For

This workshop is especially suited to watercolor painters who:

✓ Feel overwhelmed by complicated reference photographs
✓ Tend to paint every shape and detail they see
✓ Want to loosen up without losing structure
✓ Want more confidence working with larger amounts of water
✓ Struggle to keep color fresh while building darker values
✓ Tend to paint every shape and detail they see
✓ Are ready to let watercolor do more of the work

No botanical painting experience is necessary.

The Skills You'll Take With You

This isn't a technique you'll use only for an agave painting.

See the large shapes.
Simplify the structure.
Connect the values.
Preserve the light.
Let the watercolor flow.

These are skills you can bring to every painting you create.

Materials

Keep your materials simple. We'll work with watercolor paper, a few good brushes, and a limited selection of colors. A complete materials list will be available after registration.

Workshop Details

Live Workshop (Pacific Time): 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM PT

Other time zones:

• 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET
• 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM CT
• 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM MT

A 4-Hour Live Watercolor Workshop

Replay included

Project: Agave — Simplifying Shape & Flow

Meet Your Instructor

For more than 30 years, I've taught watercolor artists through workshops, online courses, and international art events.

My teaching focuses on helping artists move beyond simply copying a reference photograph to understanding water, light, value, shape, and design.

Rather than focusing on perfection, I encourage students to observe, simplify, experiment, and allow the unique qualities of watercolor to become part of the painting.

I look forward to painting with you!

Birgit O'Connor



Former Juror, Transparent Watercolor Society of America

Watercolor is one of the most rewarding and forgiving mediums you'll ever paint with. I hope you'll join me as we explore its beauty together.

Continue Your Watercolor Journey

If you enjoyed this workshop and would like to continue exploring watercolor, I invite you to browse my collection of books, workbooks, and practice guides designed to help you build confidence and continue your creative journey.

Explore the Collection