6-week Interactive Course
July 16 - August 27
Includes live Zoom meeting!
How to create vibrancy in your paintings.
Do you have problems getting the results you want?
Then let's work on the water-to-color ratio, brushstrokes, and how you hold the paper and brushstrokes.
This 6-week interactive online course will help you be inspired and gain new skills quickly. With the step-by-step lessons, paint at your own pace, day or night. Ask questions anytime, then join the optional live meetings for painting critiques and problem-solving. Focus on the main projects, then incorporate what you have learned into your own paintings. Excellent for all skill levels.
Meeting Dates
- July 16 - Introduction
- July 30 - Review paintings
- August 13 - Review paintings
- August 27 - Review paintings
Meeting time
- 2:00 PM / New York
- 1:00 PM / Chicago
- 12:00 PM / Denver
- 11:00 AM / San Francisco
- Time Zone Convertor.
Recordings will be posted within the course.
Start your painting journey now!
Traceable templates (No drawing skills required)
Have you previously enrolled, and are you looking to have your paintings reviewed? Click here
Use Your Brushstrokes
Learn to move your arm and identify where you are painting from in your body. Are you being creative or overthinking what you see?
Light and Shadow
Strategies to avoid muddy or dull colors: Transparent pigments tend to produce cleaner mixes. Consider using transparent or semi-transparent colors when mixing complementary hues.
Bonus Lesson
Continue working with your brushstroke to create a delicate iris. Add a background or leave it on white paper to create an elegant painting.
"I've watched a lot of videos over the last year and yours are by far the BEST!!!! Your presentation is clear, very informative, and beautiful." Carol Jakubow
Who This is For
Anyone who loves to paint in watercolor.
Perfect for self-paced painting and activities with friends.
It is fun for experts who want to unwind and anyone looking to dive into the wonderful world of watercolors!
Anyone who wants to improve their painting skills and become the artist they have always dreamed of.
Great for all levels.
Photo from one of my live in-person workshops at Pueblo, CO.
"I so enjoyed your course and I learned so much. I am still absorbing it all. I had painting dreams all night." Jan DeLano
View Curriculum
- Orange Cactus Flower 1 (3:16)
- Orange Cactus Flower 2 (8:56)
- Orange Cactus Flower 3 (5:53)
- Orange Cactus Flower 4 (7:29)
- Orange Cactus Flower 5 (6:41)
- Orange Cactus Flower 6 (10:10)
- Orange Cactus Flower 7 (11:42)
- Orange Cactus Flower 8 (5:40)
- Orange Cactus Flower 9 (14:00)
- Post your paintings / Orange cactus
- Copyrights
- How to change your profile information (0:55)
- How to download and Print a PDF (0:17)
- How to transfer the image to watercolor paper (4:29)
- How to make a quick line drawing or enlarge
- How to upload a painting
- Optional Facebook Groups you can join
- How to print the line drawing to size
- How to print the line drawing from a mobil device
- Not getting emails?
"I can't tell you how much I enjoy your courses, Birgit. You are a very generous and skilled teacher." LInda Read
Looking for the self-paced version?
About Birgit O'Connor
An internationally recognized artist whose work has been displayed in international galleries and the US. I am best known for my dynamic and bold floral paintings, figures, and landscapes.
A master of transparent watercolor and with Master Signature Status of the (NWWS) NorthWest Watercolor Society, (LWS) Lousiana Watercolor Society, (CWA) California Watercolor Society.
Author of the top-selling books “Watercolor in Motion,” “Paint Watercolor Flowers,” and “Watercolor Essentials.” She has 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).
Birgit is a featured instructor with many Art Centers and Watercolor Societies throughout the United States and Canada and a faculty member of Watercolor Live 2020, 2021, and 2023.
She is a known judge and juror of many exhibitions including the Transparent Watercolor Society of America. Additionally, her work has been juried into other national and international exhibitions. Her memberships include Cambridge Who’s Who, Who's Who in America, and Who’s Who in American Women.
Mary C.
Student Painting
"Thanks again for another fun but wonderfully challenging class!"
Jessica Shaffer
Student painting
“I am excited to incorporate what I have learned into my own paintings. Thank you!”
Sylvia Wise
Student Painting
I’ve been trying to be fearless with my composition, and you inspired me with this challenge!
Bettina Redway
Student Painting
“This was a great learning experience and MUCH more challenging than I expected. I definitely had several aha moments. I can’t wait and am looking forward to the next class!“
Vicki Marcinko
Student Painting
This was so much fun, and I really enjoyed working with the brushstrokes and exploring backgrounds.
Jan
Student Painting
This lesson brought me so much joy! Moving my arm and being more expressive, I really learned a lot about water and color.
Cindy Burlingam
Student Painting
I am loving learning more about the brushes and how to get consistent color in the background.
Vicki Smith
Student Painting
This is my first attempt at a large-format painting. I love the careful, precise instruction and the encouragement throughout. Birgit makes it look effortless.
Merrilyn
Through this course, I became much more confident. Thank you for all of your encouraging comments.