Program "Abstract Watercolor Mastery" with Sterling Edwards

Program by Sterling Edwards and Artefacto

Abstract Watercolor Mastery

with Sterling Edwards

You paint four abstracts with no subject to copy, so all your attention goes to shape, overlap, and negative space. Then you bring a landscape and a still life to Sterling and see how the same design works there

9 h 20 min of video · Lifetime access

Sterling Edwards is a signature member of the National Watercolor Society. His watercolor is kept in the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle.

«When I found my way to abstract art, that’s when I realized what it was to be an artist»

You follow a reference shape by shape, and the painting still doesn’t feel like yours. Sterling plans the design first and paints second, and in this program he shows you how he does it

«I follow the tutorial step by step, and it still looks like someone else's painting»

Here every painting starts with your own design

«My work is careful and controlled, and I want more freedom in it»

You paint four abstracts where shape and color lead, and you still know why each shape is there

«I sit alone critiquing my own paintings and don't know what to change»

On the Mentorship plan, Sterling reviews your paintings live and tells you what is good and what to change.

«I have a stack of paintings and no idea how to present them»

Sterling ran two galleries and he will show you how to build a portfolio and approach a gallery

When I teach, I give you suggestions of things I know work well, and try to save you years of playing with it

Sterling Edwards

Module 1: Design Concepts

You learn what makes an abstract work: shapes, values, edges, and overlaps. Sterling shows how he finds a painting in a photo with a small viewfinder, and you try negative painting

5 lessons, 1 h 16 min

Module 2: Applications

You try every way to put paint on wet and dry paper, add sgraffito (scratching into wet paint), lifting, and glazing, and learn to keep your colors clean. Then you paint Blue Depths

4 lessons, 1 h 24 min

Module 3: Watercolor Abstracts. Putting it all Together

You combine shapes, color, and texture in Concentric, a loose abstract built from interlocking shapes

2 lessons, 1 h 20 min

You start Efflugence with a thin layer of blue and build up to strong color, splatter, and scratched lines

2 lessons, 1 h 12 min

In Stellify you build the painting in layers and add depth with negative shapes

2 lessons, 1 h 20 min

Sterling ran two galleries. He shows you how to present your work, write your bio, and build a portfolio

1 lesson, 1 h

Sterling explains how to get into shows and galleries and how to grow your visibility with a website and social media. You also get his own artist statement, resume and biography as samples for your documents

1 lesson, 1 h 20 min

A short history of abstract art, a recap of the program and your final project: a painting of your choice, planned with the design principles from the program

2 lesson, 28 min

Sterling’s Method

Sterling plans the painting before he paints it

He looks at a photo and picks out the shapes, overlaps, and negative spaces that can make a good composition. You learn to see a reference the same way
The program paintings have no subject on purpose. With no tree or vase to copy, you learn the design itself, and later you take it to a landscape and a still life

Diagnostics: you bring a painting from the program and leave knowing what to work on first
Landscape: you see which of your design decisions work in a landscape and which to change
Still Life: you get the same review on a still life, a subject with different shapes and space
Final Work: you bring everything together and compare your final painting with your first one

4 live Zoom sessions from November 16 • Recordings for life

Link to this page location: #special

Special Set adds Sterling’s course on turning flowers and a still life into abstracts

The program teaches you abstraction with no subject. In this course Sterling takes things you recognize and simplifies them into an abstract, so you learn to do the same with the subjects you already paint

Abstract Expressionism: a composition built with line, bold strokes, and white paper
Vibrations: flowers full of movement, with layers of negative shapes
A Stylized Still Life: bent shapes, an abstract background, and lively texture

8 lessons · 3 hours of video · 3 paintings · Lifetime access

@sterling_edwards_artist

«The biggest problem most of my students encounter is letting go of the concept that everything has to be representational and well-drawn»

Signature member of the National Watercolor Society, the Transparent Watercolor Society of America, and the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour
His painting was accepted into the Royal Collection of King Charles III and is kept at Windsor Castle
Lifetime signature member of the Whiskey Painters of America, one of 150 members worldwide
Author of the North Light book "Creating Luminous Watercolor Landscapes" and juror of national and international competitions

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The best feature of the program was Sterling's gentle persistence in making sure his students were aware of all of the nuances of abstract painting. He gifted us the depths of his knowledge. He walked us down the garden path and I followed and trusted him completely. And I learned more than I thought I would have imagined. I'm going to paint a whole heck of a lot more abstracts in mixed media! And with a touch of realism in them.Best course ever offered by Artefacto! Best way to learn Abstract. Thank you, Sterling! You have made me a better artist

Nancy E

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I've learned a lot on this course and my paintings have definitely improved - I've also now got a few more techniques and tricks up my sleeve and understand a bit better what makes a good art work. I'm very pleased I signed up for this and excited about practising what I've learned and seeing how my art evolves as a result.

Lou L.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This is my 2 watercolor courses with Sterling. I got to know his excellent teaching to gain more freedom and fun step by step with every lesson of this propounded and comprehensive course. Now I have the tools to create my own designs. I'm looking forward to my next playful abstract or semi-abstract paintings!

Veronika K

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Thank you once again to Sterling Edward and Artefacto for this amazing course. I loved each lesson. It was well structured, perfectly explained, had a lot of techniques and methods. You can learn in a short time to paint like a real abstract expressionist

Roxana K.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I am starting to feel more comfortable with the techniques. I really enjoyed and found very helpful the off-register and pencil calligraphy, the explanation of negative painting and the consideration of color in terms of warm and cool colors. Softening edges with the bristle brush is also starting to become easier.

JR S.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I am very happy with the paintings that I produced during this course and am excited to continue with my own work. I liked the variety of the styles that we learned in this well-produced, clear series of instructional videos. If someone is interested in abstract painting or just freeing up their watercolour style, I would highly recommend this excellent and comprehensive course.

Francesca P.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The concepts make so much sense now. This is my first serious journey into abstract painting and I can already see it will be a passion of mine. Thank you so much!

Sara V.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Wow, what an experience! All those effects and dynamics going on and on ….loved it!

Eva B.

(01)

You see a painting before you start

You look at a photo and know which shapes to keep and which to drop

(02)

4 abstracts and a final project

Your own small collection, painted step by step through Sterling's lessons

(03)

You know what the water will do

Wet or dry paper, scratching, lifting, or glazing: you pick the technique on purpose

(04)

Clean color

Your layers stay clear and don't turn to mud

(05)

You can judge your own work

You see what's wrong with a painting and know what to change next time

(06)

You know how to show your work

You have a bio, a portfolio, and a plan for approaching galleries

Link to this page location: #price

Not sure abstraction is for you?

If it's not right after 1 to 2 lessons, you get a full refund within 14 days.
This applies to every plan

Worried your level is too low?

Session 1 is a diagnostic. Sterling starts from where you are

Afraid to show your work?

Sterling gives specific suggestions and treats weaker pieces as part of learning

Get Started

Sterling shows his materials in Module 1 and tells you what to look for when you buy yours.

Paper: 100% cotton, cold pressed watercolor paper. Sterling uses Fabriano Artistico; 140 lb is a good place to start.

Brushes: 2–3 large stiff bristle brushes, plus a few soft flat and round brushes for details.

Paints: 8–15 watercolors you like, any brand. You don’t need Sterling’s exact colors.

Extras: pencil and eraser, 1-inch masking tape, two water containers, paper towels, a palette with a lid, and an old credit card for textures.

You don’t need to spend a fortune on supplies: a basic kit is enough to get started

FAQ

How do I pay?

What happens after payment?

What level do I need?

When are the live sessions?

Do I need to finish the program before Session 1?

How do I send my painting for a session?

What if I miss a session?

Does Sterling paint during the sessions?

How long is the Special Set available?

What language are the lessons and Zoom sessions in?

Can I get a refund?

Still have questions?

Our team is here to help. Not sure which plan is right for you? Just reach out — we'll guide you in a few minutes.

You already paint with watercolor, and you know the feeling when a painting is finished and still doesn’t look like yours.

Sterling’s program starts one step before the reference, with your own idea and design. After four paintings you start seeing shapes and spaces where you used to see objects to copy. With the Mentorship, you take this to a landscape, a still life, and a final piece, and Sterling looks at each one with you.