Online Art School «Artefacto»
NEW ONLINE PROGRAM
by JOE DOWDEN
Luminous Watercolor Realism: Secrets of Light and Water
Discover Joe Dowden’s rare techniques to create dazzling sunsets, glowing rivers, and luminous snow – effects that most watercolor artists never teach. Make 5 stunning artworks and learn how to capture brilliance and transparency in every scene, even if realism has always felt out of reach.
LIFETIME ACCESS |
NEW ONLINE PROGRAM
by JOE DOWDEN
Luminous Watercolor Realism: Secrets of Light and Water
Discover Joe Dowden’s rare techniques to create dazzling sunsets, glowing rivers, and luminous snow – effects that most watercolor artists never teach. Make 5 stunning artworks and learn how to capture brilliance and transparency in every scene, even if realism has always felt out of reach.
LIFETIME ACCESS |
This program takes you beyond the basics of light and value into the realm of luminous realism. With Joe’s simple but powerful layering system, you will learn to save light, build depth, and achieve stained-glass brilliance in your paintings.
Master rare techniques such as water feathering, spattering for natural textures, and halation effects that make the sun dazzle brighter than paper.
By the end of this program, you will have painted 5 striking landscapes – from glowing gondolas in Venice to brilliant rivers and dazzling sunsets – each one a showcase of watercolor’s unique ability to shine with life.
This program will suit beginner and intermediate artists who want to:
- Learn how to easily paint light by using dark shades and get strong, luminous washes
- Master realism and understand how to make complex paintings in simple layers
- Learn how to paint trees, water, reflections, snow, and much more with watercolor
Explore rare techniques like water feathering, splattering, and dazzling light effects.
Lesson Sample
Program Table of Contents
Module 1. Gondolas in Venice
Learn why value is more important than color in watercolor and see how to use strong contrasts of black and white to create shining light. See how to mix neutral greys from different colors for subtle effects.
In this lesson, you will gain confidence in creating luminosity through value control and understand that even without color, a painting can shine with life and realism.
Module 2. Woodland River
Learn how to capture sunlight filtering through foliage and reflections on water. Master techniques for preserving whites and introducing hidden color accents and see how to use spattering and abundant paint for natural textures.
This lesson will teach you to paint vibrant woodland scenes full of depth, balance, and light – turning a complex view into a believable, glowing composition.
Module 3. Snow Bridge
See how to make a careful drawing and structure in a landscape with snow. Learn to mix and apply subtle greys (blue, magenta, brown) for realistic snow tones and understand what to do to preserve light in snowy environments while keeping color harmony.
This lesson will help you overcome the fear of painting snow, mastering subtle greys and creating winter scenes that feel crisp, fresh, and atmospheric.
Module 4. Sunset at Low Tide
Learn how to make the sun appear brighter than the paper through visual «mind tricks» and master techniques inspired by Turner: halation, flare, and glowing edges. Understand how to use sequences of colors to simulate dazzling light.
As a result, you will be able to paint sunsets that truly dazzle the viewer — creating the illusion of brilliance and radiance beyond the paper’s natural white.
Module 5. Spanish Wadi
Learn how to paint rocky outcrops, distant mountains, and open space. Master the “letting color in” technique: applying washes into damp paper for natural diffusion, and see the differences between painting enclosed woodland vs open landscapes.
This lesson will help you master painting wide, sunlit landscapes with depth and atmosphere, capturing both rugged textures and distant luminous effects with ease.
What you’ll achieve during this program:
01
Get a clear, step-by-step method for painting beautiful realistic watercolors
02
Master techniques you can use to paint anything
03
Learn how to preserve light in a painting and make it glow
04
See how to work with both color and value, achieving depth and focus in a painting
05
Learn to work in layers and keep your watercolors fresh and full of life
06
Explore a wide range of methods that are rarely taught but extremely effective
Here's what you'll paint with Joe along this program!
About Artist’s Method
Joe Francis Dowden is internationally recognized as a master of water and light, exhibited at the Royal Watercolour Society, the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, and the Royal Society of Marine Artists.
With over 18 years of teaching workshops worldwide, Joe has developed a signature method that makes realism accessible through clarity and structure. Instead of chasing the «right light» outdoors, he shows how to build brilliance layer by layer, transforming simple steps into breathtaking results.
His approach focuses on techniques rarely taught elsewhere — from saving light across multiple layers to creating dazzling effects of sun and reflections — helping students move from careful observation to confident, luminous realism.
Our happy students say...
Join our international and artistic community with a dedicated Community Manager!
- Students support and inspire each other every day
- They share advice, discuss the drawings and give feedback on them
- Like-minded people discuss various art-related topics there
- They feel at home with their friends
This community is moderated by a dedicated professional Community Manager and our Support Team!
Meet your instructor
Joe Dowden
- Joe Francis Dowden is known worldwide as a master of water and light.
- He has painted en plein air since childhood (from 1964).
- Author of 10+ books on watercolor, translated into many languages.
- Exhibited at Royal Watercolour Society, Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, Royal Society of Marine Artists, and internationally.
- Over 18 years teaching workshops and 15+ years leading plein air painting holidays.
Examples of Joe's works
We offer different plans
Standard
17 lessons (total 13 h)
- 24/7 access from any location at your own pace
- 5 completed paintings + 1 creative task
- Access to the students' chat
- LIFETIME access to the learning materials
- Bonus: 100 ArtiCoins
Premium
17 lessons (total 13 h)
- 24/7 access from any location at your own pace
- 5 completed paintings + 1 creative task
- Access to the students' chat
- Individual feedback from professional curator within 90 days
- Certificate of completion
- LIFETIME access to the learning materials
- Bonus: 150 ArtiCoins
Only 30 places available
Standard
- 17 lessons (total 13 h)
- 24/7 access from any location at your own pace
- 5 completed paintings + 1 creative task
- Access to the students' chat
- LIFETIME access to the learning materials
- Bonus: 100 ArtiCoins
Premium
- 17 lessons (total 13 h)
- 24/7 access from any location at your own pace
- 5 completed paintings + 1 creative task
- Access to the students' chat
- Individual feedback from professional curator within 90 days
- Certificate of completion
- LIFETIME access to the learning materials
- Bonus: 150 ArtiCoins
Only 30 places available
You have no risks – we support you!
100% guarantee
In case after 1-2 lessons of the learning program within the first week, you realize that using our approach you cannot create a painting,
YOU WILL GET YOUR MONEY BACK!
*within 14 days after payment
Freeze for Premium plan
If the start date is not convenient we freeze the learning program for as long as you want (1 time free of charge) .
Freedom & Mobility
Access to the lessons at any time. Go through the lessons at a comfortable pace. Watch the lessons on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
Certificate of completion
(in Premium and Premium Pro Plan)
Upon completion of the learning program for the students of Premium and Premium Pro plan we issue a certificate. The certificate could be used as a proof of your qualification's upgrade at work (if it is related to arts) and for your private affairs as a recognition of your mastery in painting.
Get individual written feedback on your paintings
You will get feedback on 5 final paintings during the first 90 days of studying from a professional curator (depends on the plan).
- You will get a detailed review from the curator highlighting key areas for improvement and providing recommendations!
- The curator is an artist who had formal education in a fine art academy and was trained to provide feedback/critique to the paintings
Your curator for this program
Terrilynn Dubreuil
Watercolor artist
«I have painted with watercolor since my Fine Art classes at the University and I started teaching it soon after and have taught it ever since. I love the fresh, flowing approach to the medium.
Watercolor gives me an oblique strategy approach to art because one has to to approach it in an almost „opposite“ way of thinking from other media. It keeps my brain active! I use watercolor a lot for studies, plein air sketches, and underpaintings for my pastel paintings.»
- Degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts, Summa Cum Laude, with augmented Master level courses.
- Teaching art for 35 years. Multiple media and levels.
- Workshops, Classes and Demos, both live and virtual, with local and international students.
HERE YOU MAY FIND TERRILYNN’S WORKS
Examples of Terrilynn's works
How is our course organized?
BEFORE PROGRAM
Full learning program
List of learning program materials
Friendly community of beginner and professional artists
AT PROGRAM
Recorded video lessons
Watch lessons at your own pace
Closed students' chat
Feedback from curator
AFTER PROGRAM
Certificate of completion
Own portfolio
Skills and knowledge practiced
Part of our art community
Which materials do you need for the learning program?
- Paints
- Paper. Stretched Arches 300 gsm rough Size. Maximum size for students 15" inches across or less.
- Natural fibre brushes - no plastic except for masking
- Large china palettes with flat mixing areas
- Masking fluid
- Tooth brush for spraying masking fluid
- Watercolour paper to test the colour on
- Printer paper to use as scrap paper
Frequently asked questions
We are here for you
Contact us
For customer care:
info@artefactoschool.online
Our working hours:
Monday — Friday
7 am — 6 pm Central European Time (CET)
Artefacto Learning Platform Limited
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