Discover the joy of watercolour painting in this 8-week beginner-friendly course designed to help you build both skills and confidence. Step by step, you’ll explore the essentials—colour theory, blending, layering, and texture—while learning how to create balanced compositions and strong focal points. Along the way, you’ll see how colour choices can shape mood and atmosphere, guiding you toward more expressive artwork.

Each session builds on the last, giving you plenty of time to practice and grow at your own pace. One session may even be held outdoors (location to be confirmed in class), offering inspiration directly from nature. Whether you’re picking up a brush for the first time or seeking a relaxing creative outlet, this course will open the door to the beauty and magic of watercolour painting.

Course Outline:

• Introduction to Watercolors: Understanding tools, materials, and basic techniques
• Colour Theory and Mixing: Exploring primary, secondary, and complementary colors; creating custom palettes
• Brush Techniques and Textures: Mastering brush control, washes, dry brush, and creating effective textures
• Layering and Transparency: Building depth and dimension through controlled layering
• Composition and Balance: Understanding elements of composition and creating visually pleasing artworks
• Light, Shadows, and Contrast: Techniques for adding mood and focus using light and dark values
• Creating a Focal Point: Designing centre-of-interest areas to guide the viewer’s eye
• Final Project and Feedback: Completing a painting project and receiving constructive critiques

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, students should be able to:
1. Develop a foundational understanding of watercolour tools, materials, and basic techniques.
2. Master the principles of colour theory, blending, and creating harmonious palettes.
3. Gain proficiency in layering, brush control, and creating textures to add depth and dimension.
4. Apply composition, balance, and focal point techniques to create visually engaging artwork.
5. Build confidence in completing watercolour projects and expressing creativity through personal artistic style.

What to bring:

Colour
Watercolour pans or individual tubes (recommended colours): Cadmium Red; Chrome Yellow; Lemon Yellow; Ultramarine Blue; Burnt Sienna; Black/Gray; Green (Recommended brands: Winsor & Newton, Daniel Smith)
Brush

• Size 4 Watercolour Brush- Round brush
• Size 10 Watercolour-Traditional Mop Brush
• Watercolour Flat Brush – 25mm brush
• Napkins or paper towels

Paper

• A3-size sketchbook, 300gsm (Recommended brands: (Baohong, Fabriano, Saunders, Arches) - if using loose watercolour sheets, please bring a headboard or drawing board for support
• Cold-pressed, medium-texture paper is highly suggested.

Extra Material

• Water Pot
• Small spray bottle (available at most art supply stores like Eckersley’s or Came Art)
• Masking Tap – 18 X 55 mm

Art Supplies Discount:

As a bonus for learning Art with SGSCC, all enrolled students are entitled to a generous 10% discount off the purchase of art supplies when they shop in-store at Eckersley’s Art & Craft, Taren Point!
View Eckersley's Website for product ideas.

About the Tutor:

Arafat Hosen is an international artist and educator with over fifteen years of teaching experience in the Department of Fine Art and Graphic Design at Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh. He has presented four major solo exhibitions in Dhaka and Thimphu, Bhutan, and has conducted workshops and demonstrations across art communities in South Asia and Australia. His practice centres on watercolour as a meditative process of self-inquiry, where fluid interactions of colour and form reveal layered visual and psychological narratives. Arafat’s teaching is informed by his commitment to dialogue, cultural exchange, and mindful observation. His work bridges traditional and contemporary approaches, integrating technical discipline with philosophical reflection. Through both his artistic practice and pedagogy, he explores the relationship between memory, perception, and material process, fostering deeper engagement with art as a meaningful human experience.

Please visit his website and social media to view his artworks and activities, reflecting his commitment to inspiring creativity and enriching society.

Website: www.arafathosen.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arafatgdm

Other Information:

• To ensure resources are ready for you at the start of your course, we ask you ideally enrol at least one week before the course commences.
• All courses need a minimum number of students to run ("we try our hardest to get those") . If your course does not have enough students it will be cancelled before the commencement and you will be informed.