Stop painting every leaf • Start painting light

Learn how changing light—not more detail—can transform your watercolor landscapes.

Using one simple composition, you'll create a series of light studies that explore how changing color, value, and brushwork can completely transform the mood of the same landscape.

Have you ever noticed how the same group of trees can look completely different depending on the time of day?

Soft morning light.
Golden afternoon sunshine.
A misty coastal morning.
The warm glow of sunset.

The trees haven't changed...

Only the light has.

In this inspiring watercolor workshop, you'll discover how changing light, value, and color can completely transform the mood of a landscape.

Rather than focusing on tiny details, you'll learn how to simplify shapes, create expressive brushstrokes, and paint with greater confidence.

This Workshop Is Perfect If You Want To...

✔ Paint trees without getting lost in every leaf and branch.

✔ Learn how light creates atmosphere.

✔ Loosen up your brushwork.

✔ Paint more expressive landscapes.

✔ Develop confidence painting trees.

✔ Understand how a few simple changes can completely transform a painting.

What You'll Learn

During this workshop you'll learn how to:

• Simplify complex tree shapes into easy-to-paint masses.

• Use light and shadow to create depth.

• Paint expressive trees using confident brushstrokes.

• Vary brush pressure for natural-looking foliage.

• Create atmosphere with value, color, and edges.

• Paint the same composition under different lighting conditions.

• Let go of unnecessary detail while creating stronger paintings.

A Different Way to Learn

This isn't a paint-along where every student creates the exact same picture.

Instead, you'll learn a process you can apply to your own landscapes long after the workshop is over.

We'll explore how changing light transforms the same composition into entirely different paintings while developing the confidence to make creative decisions along the way.

Because when you understand light...

you can paint almost anything.

Included With Your Workshop

✔ Live online workshop (or replay)

✔ Downloadable workbook

✔ Printable line drawings

✔ Step-by-step demonstrations

✔ Lifetime access to the replay

Workshop Details

Live Online Workshop (Pacific Time): 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM PT

Other time zones:

• 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET
• 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM CT
• 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM MT

Workshop Project

Through a series of light studies, you'll discover how changing color, value, and brushwork can completely transform the mood of the same landscape.

Using one simple composition, we'll create several studies exploring different lighting conditions.

You'll discover how just a few changes in color, value, and brushwork can create entirely different moods—from bright morning light to dramatic evening shadows.

By the end of the workshop, you'll have a collection of studies that become valuable references for future paintings.

My Teaching Philosophy

I believe watercolor becomes much easier when you stop trying to paint every detail.

My goal is to help you see the larger shapes, understand the light, and develop expressive brushwork that allows your paintings to feel fresh and alive.

Remember...

We're not painting a particular place—we're learning how to paint light.

Join Me

Whether you're just beginning your watercolor journey or looking to loosen your style, this workshop will help you see landscapes in a whole new way.

I look forward to painting with you.

Birgit O'Connor

Meet Your Instructor

Birgit O'Connor is an internationally recognized watercolor artist and instructor known for making watercolor approachable, enjoyable, and inspiring.

For more than 30 years, she has taught thousands of artists how to simplify their subjects, understand light, and paint with greater confidence. Her students appreciate her clear demonstrations, encouraging teaching style, and ability to make even complex techniques easy to understand.

Birgit has taught workshops throughout the United States and Canada, served as faculty for Watercolor Live, and has been a juror for the Transparent Watercolor Society of America. Through her online workshops, books, and videos, she continues to help artists around the world discover a more expressive approach to watercolor.

Her philosophy is simple:
"Don't paint every detail. Learn to see the light, simplify the shapes, and let your brushwork tell the story."