Discover how preserving the white of the paper transforms your watercolor paintings with greater luminosity, atmosphere, depth, and beautiful light. Includes the live workshop, lifetime replay access, downloadable workbook, reference materials, and line drawing.
The Power of White - Live Online Sept. 19
In this live workshop, you'll learn why watercolor's brightest highlights aren't painted—they're thoughtfully preserved from the very first wash.
Rather than chasing details, you'll learn to recognize where light belongs, simplify what you see, and allow the white paper to do much of the work for you.
The project has been intentionally simplified so you can focus on understanding light, transparency, and the white of the paper. As your confidence grows, these same principles can be applied to more detailed botanical paintings.
Why This Workshop Is Different
Most watercolor classes teach you what colors to mix.
This workshop teaches you how to see.
You'll learn to recognize light before you ever touch your brush.
Preserve the white of the paper, and use value and shadow to create paintings that feel luminous and full of life.
These are skills you'll use in every watercolor you paint.
In This Workshop You'll Learn
By the end of this workshop you'll understand how to:
✔ Preserve brilliant whites without masking fluid
✔ Recognize the shapes of light
✔ Paint believable glass and transparency
✔ Use cast shadows to make light appear brighter
✔ Control soft and hard edges
Paint a Luminous Protea
In this workshop, we'll paint an elegant protea arranged in a simple glass vase. More importantly, you'll learn the principles behind preserving light, painting transparent glass, and creating believable shadows—skills you can apply to roses, lilies, wildflowers, and virtually any floral subject.
You'll leave with a deeper understanding of how light transforms every watercolor you create.
Watercolor Isn't About Painting Everything
Some of the most beautiful parts of a watercolor are the areas we choose not to paint.
Throughout this workshop, you'll learn how to slow down, observe carefully, and trust the white of the paper to become an active part of your painting.
Instead of adding more detail, you'll discover how thoughtful choices create paintings that feel luminous, fresh, and full of life.
These same principles can be applied to more complex paintings. Once you understand how to see and preserve light, every subject becomes easier to paint.
Included
✔ Live online workshop
✔ Lifetime replay access
✔ Downloadable workshop guide
✔ Reference photographs
Workshop Details
Live Workshop (Pacific Time): 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM PT
Other time zones:
- 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET
- 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM CT
- 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM MT
Approximately 3 hours
Replay included
Project: Elegant Protea with Glass Vase
Is This Workshop Right for You?
Perfect For
✔ Beginning watercolor artists wanting greater confidence
✔ Intermediate painters looking for cleaner, more luminous paintings
✔ Floral and botanical painters
✔ Artists who struggle with muddy colors or overworked paintings
✔ Anyone wanting to better understand light, values, and transparency
Continue Painting at Your Own Pace
If you can't finish during the live session, don't worry.
You'll receive lifetime access to the replay so you can revisit each demonstration, pause when needed, and paint at your own pace.
My Teaching Philosophy
Understanding the "Why"
In every workshop I teach, my goal is to help you understand why watercolor behaves the way it does—not simply how to copy a finished painting.
When you understand moisture, timing, values, and the role of the white paper, you'll gain the confidence to apply these ideas to any subject you choose.
These ideas are at the heart of my teaching and the foundation of every workshop I create.
Meet Your Instructor
For over 30 years, I've had the privilege of teaching watercolor artists around the world through workshops, online courses, and international art events. My passion has always been helping artists move beyond simply copying a reference photo to truly understanding light, design, and the expressive qualities of watercolor.
As a faculty member for Watercolor Live and a former juror for the Transparent Watercolor Society of America, I've had the opportunity to work with thousands of artists at every stage of their creative journey. One lesson has remained constant: stronger paintings don't come from painting more details—they come from learning to see differently.
My teaching emphasizes observation, simplification, confident brushwork, and understanding why watercolor behaves the way it does. Rather than striving for perfection, I encourage students to recognize the larger shapes, preserve the light, and enjoy the unique beauty that watercolor offers.
Whether you're just beginning or have been painting for years, my goal is to help you build confidence, strengthen your skills, and create paintings that feel fresh, expressive, and uniquely your own.
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.