Online Art School «Artefacto»
NEW ONLINE COURSE
by RICHARD THORN
Tonal Values In Expressive Seascapes
Discover how to bring atmosphere, texture, and tonal depth into your watercolor paintings with the personal techniques of RI artist Richard Thorn. Even if you’ve struggled with flat or lifeless landscapes before, this course will help you create 3 expressive, light-filled compositions full of movement and emotion
LIFETIME ACCESS |
NEW ONLINE COURSE
by RICHARD THORN
Tonal Values In Expressive Seascapes
Discover how to bring atmosphere, texture, and tonal depth into your watercolor paintings with the personal techniques of RI artist Richard Thorn. Even if you’ve struggled with flat or lifeless landscapes before, this course will help you create 3 expressive, light-filled compositions full of movement and emotion
LIFETIME ACCESS |
“Painting is like handwriting. It has to be your own.”
Richard Thorn
At this course, you’ll embark on an artistic journey through the mesmerizing beauty of coastal landscapes and expressive seascapes. Whether you're drawn to the dramatic interplay of waves and cliffs, or inspired by the subtle dance of light across serene shores, you'll explore powerful techniques to express your emotional connection with nature.
Under the expert guidance of acclaimed British watercolorist Richard Thorn, you'll master the subtle art of tonal layering, texture creation, and intuitive color control. Richard’s structured yet approachable teaching style empowers you to embrace unconventional tools – like spattering, scraping, and dry brushing – to achieve vibrant realism.
By the end of the course, you'll have created 3 stunning, textured landscapes and seascapes, each reflecting your growing confidence and distinctive artistic voice. Join us and transform your hesitation into curiosity, gain artistic freedom, and discover new ways to express the world around you in breathtaking watercolor!
This course will suit both beginner and experienced watercolor artists who want to:
Overcome hesitation and fear of mistakes, building confidence in using washes and layers without worrying about spoiling their work
Master tonal layering and color control, creating depth, atmosphere, and vibrant realism in their landscapes
Break free from stiff, overly controlled paintings by learning expressive techniques to add texture, movement, and a sense of spontaneity
Develop a stronger emotional connection with nature, discovering how to convey mood, atmosphere, and personal artistic voice through intuitive color choices and structured guidance.
Richard about the course...
Richard Thorn
Course Table of Contents
Introduction
Learn more about your instructor Richard Thorn and see how the course will be organized.
Module 1.
Coastal Cliffs and Sea Light
In this lesson, you will learn how to build tonal contrast using layered washes from light to dark. You will see how to create textures with careful layering and color relationships (e.g., blue-green contrasts, rock texture), and understand how to preserve whites and integrate detail to enhance depth. Richard will also teach you to balance simplicity with texture for a naturalistic, luminous result.
2 video lessons, 1 h 8 minutes
Module 2:
Movement by the Sea
During the lesson, you will learn to depict movement in water and human figures, using shapes and tonal rhythm. You will understand how to build composition to lead the eye through the scene, how to leave whites and create natural surf effects without masking fluid. This will help you bring life and motion into a painting, develop observational skills, and convey a lively, dynamic atmosphere.
2 video lessons, 1 h
Module 3.
Warm Rocks and Atmospheric Waves
Here, you will learn to work with warm color palettes and contrast warm/cool relationships. You will see how to build shadow and texture through progressive washes and brushwork and understand how to sculpt form by lifting, scraping, and using the brush creatively. You will gain confidence in handling complex textures and shadow areas, and learn to control contrast without losing harmony.
2 video lessons, 1 h 5 minutes
Conclusion
Summary of techniques learned, creative task and feedback giving.
“Most people are afraid to let the paint work – and that’s what I teach them.”
Richard Thorn
What results you will achieve at the course:
01
Master tonal layering and color control to add atmospheric depth, realism, and emotion to your watercolors
02
Gain confidence in expressive painting, overcoming the fear of mistakes through approachable techniques
03
Develop the ability to observe and accurately capture shapes, textures, and tonal contrasts, enhancing the realism and depth of your scenes
04
Learn innovative methods with unconventional tools – like sponges, bamboo sticks, and scraping – to create rich textures
05
Explore and refine your personal artistic voice, discovering intuitive color choices and fostering emotional connections with your subjects
06
Create expressive and emotionally resonant landscapes, guided through painting vibrant seascapes and coastal scenes from start to finish
Watch an inspiring first-person video...
Meet your instructor - Richard Thorn
- Acclaimed British watercolorist with decades of painting and teaching experience.
- Signature Member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Waterсolours (RI), recognized with multiple prestigious awards, including two RI Best Watercolor Awards and a prize for painting excellence at the 2019 Qingdao International Watercolour Exhibition.
- His artworks have been exhibited and sold in leading galleries across the UK, USA, Taiwan, and South Korea, and are held in private and public collections worldwide.
- Known for a personal, expressive style that merges loose washes with intricate textures and tonal depth, exploring atmosphere, light, and emotion.
- Authored popular art books, including «Light in the Landscape» and «Trees in the Landscape».
- His teaching is praised for its clarity, empathy, and passion for helping students overcome the fear of watercolor, encouraging them to embrace artistic freedom.
Standard
- 6 lessons (total 3 hours)
- 3 completed paintings
- Recorded video lessons with 24/7 access
- Access to the students' chat
- LIFETIME access to the course
- Bonus: 30 ArtiCoins
Premium
- 6 lessons (total 3 hours)
- 3 completed paintings
- Recorded video lessons with 24/7 access
- Access to the students' chat
- Individual feedback on 3 paintings + 1 creative task from professional artist within 75 days
- Certificate of completion
- LIFETIME access to the course
- Bonus: 40 ArtiCoins
There are only 30 places available
Standard
- 6 lessons (total 3 hours)
- 3 completed paintings
- Recorded video lessons with 24/7 access
- Access to the students' chat
- LIFETIME access to the course
- Bonus: 30 ArtiCoins
Premium
- 6 lessons (total 3 hours)
- 3 completed paintings
- Recorded video lessons with 24/7 access
- Access to the students' chat
- Individual feedback on 3 paintings + 1 creative task from professional artist within 75 days
- Certificate of completion
- LIFETIME access to the course
- Bonus: 40 ArtiCoins
There are only 30 places available
You have no risks – we support you!
No risk for you*
In case after 1–2 lessons of the fine art atelier you realize that it is not for you, YOU WILL GET YOUR MONEY BACK!
*within 14 days after payment
Freeze
Only for Premium plan – If the start date is not convenient, we freeze the fine art atelier
(1 time free of charge)
Freedom & Mobility
Make your own schedule and go through the lessons at a comfortable pace – whenever and wherever you like
Certificate of completion
(in Premium Plan)
Upon completion of the course for the students of Premium 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.
Your curator for this course
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 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
Feedback from curator
AFTER COURSE
Certificate of completion
Own portfolio
Skills and knowledge practiced
Part of our art community
Which materials do you need for the course?
- Paper: Arches or Arches French, 300 pound rough or smooth
- Paints: Artist prefers Schmincke, Sennelier, Old Holland, Daler Rawney and Winsor & Newton, but you can use your own paints and brands that you like
- Brushes: sable pure, synthetic brushes, oil brushes
Please note: These material recommendations are suggestions only. Every artist has their preferred brands and tools - feel free to use whatever you already own or what works best for you. It's all about personal preference.
Richard's happy students say...
Examples of Richard's works
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)
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