Rocks, Sand & Sea Glass — 6-Week Interactive Watercolor Shoreline Adventure
Sept 16 - Oct 28
I’m always excited when we start this course—it’s pure fun, and the results are nothing short of amazing! Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned painter, you can succeed here. No advanced drawing skills are needed. You’ll learn simple, approachable techniques that allow you to create stunning coastal scenes, and you can easily combine all the elements into your own compositions—or just focus on one subject at a time.
This course is packed with step-by-step lessons, practical tips, and creative exercises to help you master each element of the shoreline. You’ll then bring everything together in five main projects, each one giving you the chance to apply your new skills and experiment with your own style. By the end, you’ll not only have learned how to paint these beautiful coastal elements—you’ll have a set of finished artworks that you’re proud of.
The bi-weekly live meetings offer additional guidance, personalized feedback, and a chance to connect with fellow artists—creating a sense of community and accountability as you deepen your skills and develop your artistic voice.
Meeting dates
- Sept. 16, 30
- Oct. 14, 28
Meeting time / bi-weekly every other Tuesday
- 3 PM - 4 PM / New York
- 2 PM - 3 PM / Chicago
- 1 PM - 2 PM / Denver
- 12 PM - 1 PM / San Francisco
We’ll explore how to:
Start with simple, approachable techniques designed to build your skills and confidence—drawing from some of my original lessons that I used to teach myself how to create natural-looking rocks and realistic sand. Along the way, you’ll explore a variety of methods and textures so you can find the techniques that give you the results you want.
- Paint realistic rocks—above and below the water’s surface.
- Capture the shifting textures and colors of sand.
- Bring sea glass to life so vividly, viewers might try to “brush the sand off.”
You’ll also discover the fascinating story behind these shoreline treasures. Sea glass—once discarded shards—spends decades tumbling in waves, transforming into smooth, frosted gems.
These techniques aren’t limited to the shoreline.
While we’ll focus on the beauty of rocks, sand, and sea glass, the skills you’ll learn here can be applied to countless other subjects. The granulation techniques you’ll use to mimic the texture of sand can add richness to everything from weathered walls to sunlit fields. The layering methods for painting rocks can be adapted to create mountain ranges, rustic architecture, or textured still lifes. Even the luminous effects of sea glass can inspire your approach to painting glassware, gemstones, or light-filled abstract work.
By learning how to control texture, granulation, and detail, you’ll gain versatile watercolor skills that will serve you in any painting—opening the door to more creativity and confidence, no matter your subject.
Beyond simply painting rocks, sand, and sea glass
Learn to infuse the subtle details to make your paintings feel alive. We’ll explore techniques for creating depth, capturing reflections, and using color to convey mood, so your paintings don’t just show a shoreline—they transport the viewer there.
From the gritty textures of sun-warmed sand to the glassy shimmer of water-worn treasures, you’ll discover how to make each element believable and beautiful. You’ll also learn how to adapt these skills to any shoreline—whether it’s a windswept beach, a quiet lake, a rushing river, or a gentle stream.
By the end of our time together, you’ll have your own collection of watercolor “shoreline treasures”—artworks that are ready to frame, gift, or simply keep as a reminder of the peaceful beauty you’ve created with your own hands.
Why Painting Sea Glass Feels Magical
There’s something almost meditative about painting sea glass. Each piece carries a history—once a discarded shard, now transformed by decades of tumbling in waves into a smooth, frosted gem. In watercolor, sea glass invites you to play with transparency, subtle color shifts, and the soft glow of reflected light. Learning to capture that luminous quality will sharpen your eye for detail and your ability to convey light in any subject—whether it’s a dewdrop on a leaf, a polished gemstone, or glassware in a still life.
Sea Glass vs. Beach Glass
While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there is a subtle difference. Sea glass comes from saltwater and has a distinctive frosted, pitted surface caused by a natural chemical process called hydration, which takes decades to develop. Beach glass, found in freshwater (like the Great Lakes), is smoothed and rounded in a similar way but tends to have a clearer, less frosted appearance. Both are beautiful—and both make wonderful subjects for practicing watercolor transparency and texture techniques.
Your instructor
Birgit O’Connor is a Master artist and a signature member of M-NWWS, (Northwest Watercolor Society) M-CWA, (California Watercolor Association) M-LWS (Louisiana Watercolor Society).
She is an award winning artist, judge, juror and author of the top-selling North Light books “ Watercolor in Motion”"Paint Watercolor Flowers" and “Watercolor Essentials” along with being included in three other titles. Known for her original paintings and inspirational teaching style.
Publications include Pratique des Arts, France, New York Times, SF Gate, Artist Magazine and Watercolor Artist Magazine INK in New Mexico, in the United States, Dobry Zank, (Poland) "L'Art de l'Aquarelle (France). Her memberships include Cambridge Who’s Who, Who's Who in America and Who's Who in American Women.
Testimonials
"This course has pushed my boundaries and definitely challenged me and I loved every minute of it! Living in the Yukon, I don't see a lot of ocean beaches ...although we do have a lot of rocks along with some colourful river rocks and lake glass...so visualizing sea shells, waves and foam really made me work my creative brain. Your teaching methods are so powerful, and your courses have enabled me to see almost everything is a very different way that I did "pre-Birgit"! Thank you so much for opening up my mind and helping me to make my paint brushes work for me in a way they never did before. I will definitely be taking advantage of learning more from you whenever I can." Thank you Gloria Andison, Canada
"Wow...this was mind-bending for me!! My first half sheet..Lots of head scratching but learned heaps as I always do with the exercises!! Waaaaay out of my comfort zone...but some how made it on the other side..😅 Merri Chester
"I cannot describe how much fun this was to do! :-) :-) I don't want this class to end! Thanks Birgit! " Gail Gabriel, CA
"Your course videos and instructions, handouts etc were absolutely perfect. You leave nothing out of the instructions, thank you so much" Kathryn Bevin
"I want you to know that this particular format with your personal reviews and critiques and the combination of website and class meetings are the best online course I have ever taken." Debra Prat, MX
"I love love love this course.. Thanks" Elaine Netland
"Thank you!!! I would never have thought I could paint like this. Amazing instruction and so easy to follow. You are an excellent teacher!! Kathleen Parker
" This was crazy fun!" Le'Ann Key
"This course is amazing! First art class I have taken, in person or any other way, with so much instructor input assistance and creative assignments! I’m overwhelmed at times because I’m just not used to the expert level of teaching and expectations of students but hanging in there and learning tons!!!! THANK YOU BIRGIT! ♥️♥️♥️
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