Online Art School «Artefacto»
NEW ONLINE COURSE
by Laurie Goldstein-Warren
Mastering Light and Depth in Watercolor. From Darkness to Glow
Learn Laurie Goldstein-Warren’s award-winning Dark-to-Light watercolor method – a step-by-step approach that will help you achieve luminous, atmospheric paintings and total control over tone, water, and light
LIFETIME ACCESS |
NEW ONLINE COURSE
by Laurie Goldstein-Warren
Mastering Light and Depth in Watercolor. From Darkness to Glow
Learn Laurie Goldstein-Warren’s award-winning Dark-to-Light watercolor method – a step-by-step approach that will help you achieve luminous, atmospheric paintings and total control over tone, water, and light
LIFETIME ACCESS |
In this course, you will explore Laurie Goldstein-Warren’s Dark-to-Light watercolor method – a complete approach to building light, contrast, and atmosphere. Through 2 luminous New York night scenes, you’ll discover how to make your paintings glow while keeping colors clean and values balanced.
You will understand how to organize tonal structure of deep shadows and bright reflections, use a limited five-color palette for harmony and unity, and handle complex lighting – from car headlights and wet streets to the glow of city neon. Laurie’s demonstrations show not only how to paint light, but how to think like a painter of light: balancing control and freedom, clarity and emotion.
By the end of the course, you will complete 2 paintings that capture movement, reflection, and atmosphere – and gain the confidence to bring this luminous depth into any subject you paint.
“Students who have studied with me learn to not fear the dark values and just how much they contribute to the light and medium values.”
Laurie Goldstein-Warren, AWS
This course will suit artists who already have basic watercolor painting skills and:
Want to master the nuances of light and shadow portrayal they will be able to use in any painting
Wish to know how to create strong darks and save glowing light in a painting
Don’t know how to combine sharp details and atmospheric effects without getting muddy colors
Want to learn how to paint real city illumination – headlights, reflections, neon signs – a foundation for any luminous painting.
Program of the course:
19 video lessons (total 16h)
Module – Introduction and Materials
In this lesson, you will get acquainted with Laurie’s dark-to-light approach and see how she starts with deep darks to make the light shine. You will learn how to set up the palette, paper, and masking materials for controlled yet fluid results and discover how limited pigments and simple tools create a luminous atmosphere.
1 video lesson, 9 min
Module 1.
City Lights
During the lesson, you will create a glowing rainy city scene with reflections. You will be able to practice tonal control and layering while keeping the colors clean and unified. Laurie will show you how to add vibrancy, movement, and light to a night composition, and you will start seeing darkness as a foundation for glow and clarity rather than something to fear.
10 video lessons, 8 h
Module 2.
The City That Never Sleeps
In this lesson, you will learn how to paint a night city with expressive architecture and artificial light. You will be able to practice working with masking, glazing, and value contrast to capture rhythm and depth. Under Laurie’s guidance, you will complete a detailed, luminous night scene using her dark-to-light method.
9 video lessons, 8 h
“Don’t fear the dark values — they’re what make the light shine.”
Laurie Goldstein-Warren, AWS
What you’ll achieve during this course:
01
Learn Laurie’s famous dark-to-light principle: starting from strong darks to achieve brilliance and glow
02
See how to use value structure and limited colors to create atmosphere, contrast, and luminous depth
03
Learn how to use the tools that make texture precise: toothbrush, mouth atomizer, masking fluid
04
Understand how to build complex compositions with reflections, artificial light, and layered transparency
05
Paint 2 professional night scenes step by step – each showing a different method of creating light and energy in watercolor
06
Become a confident artist who understands how to make any subject glow – from cityscapes to still life
Meet your instructor:
Laurie Goldstein-Warren
- Laurie Goldstein-Warren is an award-winning American watercolorist, AWS and TWSA signature member.
- She is a winner of the High Winds Medal and Marilyn Hughey Phillis Memorial Award (2025) – these are top American Watercolor Society honors.
- Laurie has also been an instructor and exhibiting artist at International Watercolour Masters (IWM 2022 & 2024).
- She is a creator of the Dynamic Pouring technique – a fusion of control and freedom, combining watercolor and fluid acrylic.
- The artist teaches internationally and is known for empathetic, clear, and pragmatic teaching style.
The offer for you:
Standard
19 lessons (total 16h)
- 2 completed paintings
- Recorded video lessons with 24/7 access
- LIFETIME access to course material
- Access to the Students’ chat
- Certificate of Completion
- Bonus: 30 ArtiCoins
Standard
19 lessons (total 16h)
- 2 completed paintings
- Recorded video lessons with 24/7 access
- LIFETIME access to course material
- Access to the Students’ chat
- Certificate of Completion
- Bonus: 30 ArtiCoins
You have no risks – we support you!
No risk for you*
In case after 1–2 lessons of the coursе you realize that is not for you, YOU WILL GET YOUR MONEY BACK!
*within 14 days after payment
Freedom & Mobility
Make your own schedule and go through the lessons at a comfortable pace – whenever and wherever you like
Exclusive bonuses:
How is your learning process organized?
BEFORE COURSE
Full course program
List of course materials
Friendly community of beginner and professional artists
AT COURSE
Recorded video lessons
Watch lessons at your own pace
Closed students' chat
AFTER COURSE
Certificate of completion
Own portfolio
Skills and knowledge practiced
Part of our art community
Which materials do you need
for the course?
Paint colors: Quinacridone Gold – Daniel Smith or similar gold
Watercolors:
- Quinacridone Rose – Daniel Smith or similar rose
- Cobalt Blue - Winsor & Newton or Daniel Smith
- Antwerp Blue – Winsor & Newton
- Lamp Black – Winsor & Newton
- Cadmium Yellow Light
- Cadmium Red
Adjustable nozzle Spray Bottle - Make sure you can adjust spray to get big drops as well as a fine mist.
Butcher Tray Palette (I use an 11” X 15”) We will be using BIG brushes.
Water Bucket
Hair dryer optional
Mouth Atomizer This will be used to tone areas and add texture to our street. I prefer the Holbein silver atomizer. Also bring a cup to mix watercolor for atomizing. An old kitchen measuring cup will do.
Brushes: 2”or 3” Hake Brush, #12 Round, 1 ½” Flat Brush, #8 Round with good point tip, a stiff bristle ¼” or ½” flat brush, Old toothbrush, Masking Brush
Masking Fluid: (I use Pebeo drawing gum) It can be dried with a hair dryer and lifts easily from your paper.
1” Masking tape
Towels cotton and paper towels
Watercolor Paper (I always use Fabriano Artistico bright white 140 lb.) It has the greatest “lifting” capability than any other paper I’ve tried. If you don’t have it, bring a good quality 140 lb. watercolor paper.
Pencils (HB or #2 hardness)
A good soft eraser
Examples of Laurie's work
Frequently asked questions
Contact us
For customer care:
info@artefactoschool.online
Our working hours:
Monday — Friday
7 am — 6 pm Central European Time (CET)
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