Mastering Color Harmony and Drama in Watercolor Painting
In this immersive watercolor course, you'll explore the dynamic interplay of color to create stunning, harmonious compositions while learning how to leverage complementary colors for maximum impact. Through two carefully guided projects, you'll delve into the art of color theory, focusing on creating depth, contrast, and drama within your paintings.
Layers of Delicate Petals
In the first project, we’ll focus on understanding color harmony, using analogous colors and subtle transitions to create a sense of unity in your artwork. You'll learn to blend colors seamlessly to evoke a soothing or balanced atmosphere while honing your skill in mixing watercolor to produce smooth gradients and natural transitions.
Make Your Painting Unique
The second project introduces the concept of complementary colors. You'll create bold compositions that contrast vibrant, opposite hues to generate striking visual tension and drama. As you work with these colors, you’ll explore techniques for layering and controlling your paint to produce intense contrasts and dynamic effects that draw the viewer’s eye.
View the Curriculum
- Reference Photo
- Reference Photo - Finished painting
- 15x22 Line Sketch (Colorized option)
- 15x22 Line Sketch (BW option)
- Worksheet
- 1. Getting started (3:47)
- 2. Choosing your colors (5:57)
- Practice first (12:47)
- 3. The underpainting (7:50)
- 4. Layering (4:52)
- 5. Negative painting and building color (5:26)
- 6. Smaller petals (6:44)
- 7. Most dominate petals and highlights (5:04)
- 8. Building depth (10:46)
- 9. The center of the flower (3:29)
- 10. Background and final details (3:07)
- Reference Photos
- 22x15 Line Sketch
- Questions?
- 1. Choosing the composition and colors (3:49)
- 1 a. Practice first (15:56)
- 2. Getting started and reserving highlights (7:03)
- 3. Working the petals (6:06)
- 4. Layering (4:13)
- 5. Pulling the pieces together (6:03)
- 6. Shadows (5:28)
- 7. Adding the greens (8:36)
- 8. Smaller details (8:35)
- 9. Push & pull (7:38)
- 10. Final details (13:06)
About Birgit O'Connor
Status of the (NWWS) NorthWest Watercolor Society, (LWS) Lousiana Watercolor Society, (CWA) California Watercolor Society.
Top-selling books include “Watercolor in Motion,” “Paint Watercolor Flowers,” and “Watercolor Essentials.” she has also been published in over 60 other national and international publications, such as Splash, Watercolor Magazine, American Watercolor Magazine, International Artist Magazine, Australian Artist Magazine, the New York Times, SF Gate, Watercolor Magazine, Dobry Zank (Poland), and L’Art de aquarelle (France).
A featured instructor with many Art Centers and Watercolor Societies throughout the United States and Canada, and faculty member of Watercolor Live 2020, 2021, 2023. Additionally, her work has been juried into several national and international exhibitions. She has also served as a judge and juror for numerous shows, including the Transparent Watercolor Society of America. Her memberships include Cambridge Who’s Who, Who's Who in America, and Who’s Who in American Women.
