It might seem that professional artists just simply splash some paint all over the paper, make random brush strokes, and come up with amazing artwork. Without any effort at all! 😳
And then there's us - regular humans who adore the magic of watercolor and want to make it easy and spontaneous… but it's far from our expectations and we come up with an unpredictable result.
Watercolor obeys its own rules knowing which you will save years of learning and start having fun right during your first tries.
We have systemized core rules of watercolor and came up with 8 key elements of a successful painting. Will guide you through this journey in detail!
Can you relate to any of this? If yes, you may need some help with «fundamentals»
You don't know what to start with
Your result is unpredictable and lacks structure
You are not sure if the painting is complete or it needs more work
You feel stressed while painting, lack control over the process
Sometimes you do not know what next step to take
You want to have regular feedback on your paintings, progress, and areas for improvement
Learning Program
Module 1. Materials
we will learn everything we need to know about materials and organizing our workspace for the successful use of watercolors.
6 lessons, 1 h 32 min
All about materials
Learn about materials needed to paint with watercolor (paper, paints. brushes, board, paper tape, masking, etc.).
Paper is the key
Talk about different paper types and characteristics. Test paper to see when to apply which.
Types of brushes
Look at different types of brushes, their characteristics and «traces».
Minimum set of brushes
Learn and prove on an easy sketch that 4 brushes are enough to make a painting.
Watercolor paints
Talk about paints and rules of locating paints on the palette, paint our own palette.
Organization of a workplace
Learn to organize a workplace, see how Konstantin's workplace is organized.
Module 2. Techniques
We will apply different watercolor techniques and observe their differences. We will also learn to avoid dryness, make washes and strokes.
4 lessons, 1 h 19 min
Strokes and washes
Learn to make strokes and washes right, to make soft transitions, to avoid «cauliflowers», to make hitching, etc.
Basic techniques
Learn the difference and nuances of wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, dry-on-dry, dry-on-wet, wet-on-moist.
5 simple sketches
Learn to apply and combine basic techniques on 5 simple sketches.
Sky and a shore
Paint a landscape and combine the techniques learned. Learn to paint the sky, clouds, shore.
Module 3. Tonal values
We will see why tone is more important than color and we will learn to carry out tonal analysis of a color image.
2 lessons, 50 min
Tonal values
Talk about the gradation of the color, learn to make the tonal analysis of a colored image.
Italian landscape
Paint an Italian landscape with mountains, sea, rocks, and forest.
Module 4. Colors
We will understand the principles of color combinations and talk about color temperature. We will learn to mix colors to get different shades.
4 lessons, 64 min
Itten color wheel
We will talk about the Itten color wheel.
Mixing colors
We will learn how to mix primary colors to get all other shades.
Warm and cool color
Learn about cool and warm colors and make two sketches to practice.
Flower composition
Make a flower painting based on a complementary color relationship.
Module 5. Texture
We will learn to convey the texture (material) of subjects in a painting. We will practice various techniques here: splashing, granulation, masking, opaque, glazing, scratching, lifting, etc.
3 lessons, 56 min
A variety of textures
Immerse into the world of textures, learn how we can depict them.
4 easy sketches
Apply dry brush, lifting, splashing, granulation, masking, glazing in different motives.
Magical trees
Will use a few effective approaches to create a landscape with textures.
Module 6. Edges
We will learn about their important role in a painting. We will find and create soft and hard edges of the subjects in our painting
2 lessons, 33 min
Hard and soft edges
Learn about hard and soft edges, where we can find and how to obtain them.
Feather
Paint a magic feather using soft and hard edges in the wet-in-wet technique.
Module 7. Shape
We will practice creating a 3D effect in our paintings. We will learn how to transmit the volume of the objects.
3 lessons, 1 h 26 min
Shape theory
Will discover how to obtain a 3D effect in drawing and painting.
Shape exercise
Practice making different objects look three-dimensional.
Still life with garlic
Paint a still life with garlic and talk about the 3-D effect of garlic and textile.
Module 8. Perspective
We will learn how to create an aerial perspective in a painting. We will practice applying the effect of distance and a variety of tones.
2 lessons, 52 min
Rules of perspective
Learn about the essentials of aerial perspective and make 4 exercises.
Chinese landscape
Paint a mountain landscape with the effect of distance and a variety of tones.
Module 9. Composition
The most critical part for the success of a painting! We will study different types of composition in a painting. We will learn to position objects correctly.
4 lessons, 2 h 38 min
Application method
Learn about types of composition, use applications to balance the composition.
Types of composition
Practice different types of composition.
Red dress
Find the right placing of objects and paint a dynamic landscape.
Arch and figures
Practice a frame composition with a backlit architectural object and a figure in the center.
Module 10. Final artwork
We will create an effective painting «Blooming Sakura» using the knowledge and skills we got at the course.
2 lessons, 52 min
Making accents
Finalize the knowledge gained in the course and talk about accents.
Final task. Sakura
Learn to make strong accents of blooming sakura using most of the knowledge from this course.
Bonus: practices from Konstantin Sterkhov
Reflection
Konstantin will tell you how to cope with despair if you do not like your work again and again and how to achieve the desired result.
Meditation
«Free your mind» Konstantin will show you one of the best ways to relax and prepare your mind for the creative process.
Author's method
«My method is based on practice - it is like when you learn a foreign language, it is more effective when you start speaking straight away than when you learn first the rules and grammar. The same in painting.
In my courses, you start painting from the very beginning and learn the rules in parallel.
In my experience, this method brings results much faster and the student gets from point A to point B not noticing how it happened.»
What will we achieve during this learning program?
01
Get the right start in watercolor painting to build on
02
Understand the key rules and effective techniques in watercolor
03
Learn the step-by-step systematic approach
04
Apply acquired knowledge and create 10 paintings
05
Get into the truly active artistic community
06
Get the freedom to follow the learning program of any complexity
This learning program is more than a set of video lessons, it is about support and community
Live Zoom sessions with Konstantin
During the course, we will hold 5 live sessions with Konstantin where you will paint, correct mistakes, and discuss interesting topics together (you will select the topics yourself, by vote).
Individual feedback from the curator
Elisaveta Savina
For each of your paintings done during the learning program, you will get a detailed review from the curator highlighting key areas for improvement and providing recommendations! He won't leave you behind!
Live Zoom sessions with Konstantin
During the course, we will hold 5 live sessions with Konstantin where you will paint, correct mistakes, and discuss interesting topics together (you will select the topics yourself, by vote).
Individual feedback from curator
For each of your paintings done during the learning program, you will get a detailed review from the curator highlighting key areas for improvement and providing recommendations! He won't leave you behind!
Join our international artistic community!
Closed students’ chat
It exists for more than a year and we are proud of this Chat!
It is very active!
Like-minded people discuss various interesting topics there
They feel at home with their friends
They discuss the paintings of each other, various artists, inspire each other every day
The winner got more than 200 likes on her paintings
She got the winner certificate, a free course from Artefacto, and access to all the recordings of all our online workshops (more than 50h of video lessons)
All participants got valuable prizes
The painting by the winner of our last exhibition Yonca Salur
32 lessons in full HD from 2 camera angles (12h 30min)
Lessons’ write-ups and checklists to measure your progress
2 unique lessons from Konstantin ("Meditation", "Reflection")
24/7 access from any location at your own pace
Moderated students’ WhatsApp chat
Online exhibition with valuable prizes for course students
Bonus: 1-year access to lessons
Bonus: 120 ArtiCoins
Price: 240$ 300$
plan
Premium
32 lessons in full HD from 2 camera angles (12h 30min)
Lessons’ write-ups and checklists to measure your progress
5 Live online sessions with K. Sterkhov in Zoom
2 unique lessons from Konstantin ("Meditation", "Reflection")
24/7 access from any location at your own pace
Moderated students’ WhatsApp chat
Online exhibition with valuable prizes for course students
Individual feedback from professional curator on each painting within 90 days
Bonus: 1-year access to lessons
Bonus:150 ArtiCoins
Price: 304$ 380$
plan
Elite
32 lessons in full HD from 2 camera angles (12h 30min)
Lessons’ write-ups and checklists to measure your progress
5 Live online sessions with K. Sterkhov in Zoom
2 unique lessons from Konstantin ("Meditation", "Reflection")
24/7 access from any location at your own pace
Moderated students’ WhatsApp chat
Online exhibition with valuable prizes for course students
Individual feedback from Konstantin Sterkhov on each painting within 90 days
Bonus: 1-year access to lessons
Bonus:200 ArtiCoins
Price: 576$ 720$
plan
Standard
32 lessons in full HD from 2 camera angles (12h 30min)
Lessons’ write-ups and checklists to measure your progress
2 unique lessons from Konstantin ("Meditation", "Reflection")
24/7 access from any location at your own pace
Moderated students’ WhatsApp chat
Online exhibition with valuable prizes for course students
Bonus: 1-year access to lessons
Bonus: 120 ArtiCoins
Price: 240€ 300€
plan
Premium
32 lessons in full HD from 2 camera angles (12h 30min)
Lessons’ write-ups and checklists to measure your progress
5 Live online sessions with K. Sterkhov in Zoom
2 unique lessons from Konstantin ("Meditation", "Reflection")
24/7 access from any location at your own pace
Moderated students’ WhatsApp chat
Online exhibition with valuable prizes for course students
Individual feedback from professional curator on each painting within 90 days
Bonus: 1-year access to lessons
Bonus: 150 ArtiCoins
Price: 304€ 380€
plan
Elite
32 lessons in full HD from 2 camera angles (12h 30min)
Lessons’ write-ups and checklists to measure your progress
5 Live online sessions with K. Sterkhov in Zoom
2 unique lessons from Konstantin ("Meditation", "Reflection")
24/7 access from any location at your own pace
Moderated students’ WhatsApp chat
Online exhibition with valuable prizes for course students
Individual feedback from Konstantin Sterkhov on each painting within 90 days
Bonus: 1-year access to lessons
Bonus: 200 ArtiCoins
Price: 576€ 720€
Get up to 200 ArtiCoins for this course
After purchasing of this course, we add up to 200 ArtiCoins to your bonus account (depending on the plan you choose). 10 ArtiCoins are equivalent to $1.
Exchange ArtiCoins for promo codes and Artefacto learning products at ArtiStore.
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Olga is a practicing artist interested in the medium of watercolor and acrylic.
After graduating from the St Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering she has been working as an architect in St Petersburg and has founded a school of aesthetic education for children.
Olga came to Sweden in 1993, she is a self employed, manages an art courses in Karlstad and all over Sweden (online).
Olga participated in national and international exhibitions and competitions such as IWS Fabriano Acquarello (2019, 2022), IWS Bulgaria (2019) , IWS Malajsia (2021).
1. Click on the "sign up" button. You will be redirected to the checkout page. 2. Check out. Fill in all necessary fields (Name, email, and phone). You will be automatically registered and will proceed to the next step "Choosing a payment method". 3. Payment. Choose the payment method that suits you. It can be a payment on the website by card or via PayPal. Payments are processed automatically by Pay Pal or the bank. We do not have any access to your financial information, like card number, security codes, or any other.
What happens after payment?
After payment, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to your personal account. If the email does not arrive, check your "Spam" or "Promotions" folder. Purchased courses and lessons are available in the tab "Trainings".
What do I need to study online?
Computer or tablet or smartphone
Internet connection
Watercolor supplies, that are listed inside the course
How do I go through the lessons and get feedback on my paintings?
Access Period: access to the course opens for the period specified in the description of the plan you have purchased. When access time is over, you no longer have access to the video lessons. If it is lifetime access, you will have access to the course forever. 1. Training format: all lessons (if not specified) are recorded video lessons, so you can watch them and do the exercises when it best suits you. 2. Feedback: You need to upload the photo of your painting and wait for feedback from the curator (it may take up to 3 days). 3. You are welcome to join our students' chat via the link in the first lesson.
Let’s paint!
Still have some questions? We will be happy to answer them. Please email us at info@artefactoschool.online
