Backgrounds & Shadows

April 22 - June 3

6-week course

Immediate access

Artists often find themselves stuck, questioning how to approach the background. Should it be a solid color, or should it reflect the complexity of the scene? How do you make the background interesting without overshadowing the main subject? These are crucial considerations that can make or break a piece of art.

In this 6-week course, we will explore various options, tips, and techniques to tackle backgrounds and shadows with confidence. We’ll keep things simple and easy to follow, so you can apply what you’ve learned and take your watercolor skills to the next level. You'll also have the opportunity to create two beautiful paintings that will help reinforce the concepts discussed, and I believe you'll truly enjoy the process!

In this immersive watercolor course, you'll learn how to capture the delicate beauty of shadows and develop interesting backgrounds. 

Why a 6-week course?

If you're looking for the quickest way to improve your painting skills, be inspired to grow as an artist, and be accountable, this is for you.

Over the span of six weeks, you’ll have the flexibility to work through the curriculum at your own pace, while also having access to personalized support. You can ask questions at any time, submit your paintings for feedback and reviews, and participate in optional bi-weekly interactive one-hour meetings. These live sessions include Q&A and painting reviews, where we’ll address common challenges and provide practical solutions to help you overcome them.

Everyone paints at a different pace, and with that in mind, the schedule below will be our meeting goals

Meetings are scheduled every other week to allow you time to work on your projects with meetings that last 1 hr to review paintings Q&A, and problem solve.

• 12 PM - 1 PM / New York
• 11 AM - 12 PM / Chicago
• 10 AM - 11 PM / Denver
•  9 AM - 10 AM / San Francisco

Introduction - Getting Started

Backgrounds and exercise reviews

Painting review: Apple Blossom

Painting review: Quince

Paintings chosen for meetings best represent common issues that are helpful to the entire community.

Included in the 6-week course

This structured approach offers the perfect balance of independence, expert guidance, and community interaction to foster your skill development and artistic confidence.

Student paintings

Here are just a few of the student paintings from this very popular course.

What students say

" Just wanted to say WOAW !!! your way of approaching a painting is very different (yes I do start with the background first) and sometimes I'm doubting the process .... but then I follow through and ... WOAW ... it all comes together. I simply do NOT understand how you can foresee the end result of a painting without the background - I am blown away by the process. " A Chapis

"Love the bonus material. What a bonus :)" Loree Landry

"The format is perfect for me, I love your classes as it gives me lots of time to work on the paintings. The interactive online sessions are fantastic!" Lynn

"Thank you for the brilliant lessons. You are easy to listen to and you are so thorough with your explanations. Your approach is so rewarding. Thank you so much." Wendy McLennan

"You are an excellent instructor organized, informative and thorough with your presentations. You have created a supportive course that helps to make ne feel successful." Trish Kuncewicz

I never had the courage to put such a background on a painting before taking your lessons, I can see how much of an improvement it makes". Jeanne Hall

"A DREAM come true, YOU make learning fun, accessible! Your instruction makes it possible, Frances Gill-Turano

“My confidence has been boosted. The lessons are so easy to follow. Thank you so much for putting together these courses." Barbara Nelson

 "I love the feedback you give, it's way more than I have received before. I find it so valuable. I look forward to doing more. Jann Clare