Online Art School «Artefacto»
Fine art atelier with David R. Smith
Winter Wonderland: Light, Texture & Snow in Watercolor
Learn to paint stunning winter landscapes step by step with renowned watercolor artist David R. Smith - starting with simple scenes and progressing to advanced techniques in masking, texture, and light.
LIFETIME ACCESS |
Fine art atelier with David R. Smith
Winter Wonderland: Light, Texture & Snow in Watercolor
Learn to paint stunning winter landscapes step by step with renowned watercolor artist David R. Smith - starting with simple scenes and progressing to advanced techniques in masking, texture, and light.
LIFETIME ACCESS |
«Winter isn’t just white. It’s textures — salt, spattered water, sun rays through trees. My job is to show students how to turn a blank page into a story.»
David R. Smith
David invites you to his studio, where he will guide you in developing your technique and style.
Get direct instruction from a legendary watercolor artist and absorb the very methods and techniques that took him DECADES to master!
ALL FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME OR STUDIO!
We've designed this watercolor atelier to give you the skills and confidence taking you to the next level — whether you’ve been painting for years or have just started!
Fine Art Atelier is a new learning format that includes
Over-the-shoulder demonstrations:
Gain insights from over 12 hours of expertly crafted watercolor demonstrations. Rewatch the lessons as often as you like, uncovering new details and insights with each viewing.
Over-the-shoulder demonstrations:
Gain insights from over 12 hours of expertly crafted watercolor demonstrations. Rewatch the lessons as often as you like, uncovering new details and insights with each viewing.
Real classroom experience:
Watch recorded live sessions with student Q&A for interactive learning. It’s like being in a real workshop!
Step-by-step learning for all levels:
From beginner-friendly exercises to advanced techniques, there’s something for everyone.
Step-by-step learning for all levels:
From beginner-friendly exercises to advanced techniques, there’s something for everyone.
High-quality production:
Multi-camera setup ensures students see every brushstroke, color mix, and reference.
This atelier is more than just lessons—it’s a complete solution to the struggles that have held you back, giving you the clarity and confidence to create art you’ll be proud of.
Join David and take the next step in your watercolor journey!
Who is this fine art atelier for?
Beginners
Who are struggling with masking fluid, harsh edges, and creating realistic snow and winter effects.
Intermediate artists
Who want to improve their ability to balance loose watercolor techniques with controlled details.
Advanced artists
Who are looking to refine their skills and overcome the fear of making mistakes and not knowing how to fix them.
«I’m a professional teacher. I taught in public schools for 25 years. I’m really good at breaking things down, chunking it into steps... These lessons are designed to help people feel successful, even if they’re beginners.»
David R. Smith
Fine art atelier author
- David R. Smith began his artistic journey studying Chinese Brush Painting in the United States and China. Ever since, he has been hooked on watercolor painting, and has become a popular artist and instructor nationally and internationally, as well as a sought-after juror.
- He has displayed his work in galleries and museums across the United States and his work has been awarded at the state and national level.
- David is the recipient of the Skyledge Award (the highest recognition awarded by the Transparent Watercolor Society of America), an award winner and signature member of the American Watercolor Society, signature member of the National Watercolor Society, and his work has earned him numerous “Best of Show” awards, signature memberships, showings in galleries and museums across the United States and abroad.
- With over 25 years of experience as a public school teacher, he is skilled at breaking down complex concepts and techniques into easily learned chunks and now enjoys helping workshop participants find success with watercolor.
Examples of David's work
David R. Smith primarily conducts offline workshops, and it’s incredibly rare to find him teaching online.
But at Artefacto, we’ve made this exclusive opportunity available, giving you direct access to his expertise from the comfort of your own home. You’re one of the lucky few to have the chance to learn from a world-renowned artist like David R. Smith!
Watching David’s process provides actionable advice and a deeper understanding of techniques, making this atelier a powerful resource for refining your skills, solving problems, and elevating your work—at your own pace.
It’s like having studio-quality lessons at your fingertips, whenever you need them!
Fine art atelier program overview
Dive deep into the world of watercolor with David R. Smith, a world-renowned watercolor artist. In these comprehensive lessons, you will learn how to create breathtaking winter landscapes step by step.
Module 1. Watercolor Basics & Techniques
In this video series, you will:
- Use masking fluid to preserve whites and create snow effects.
- Apply the wet-on-wet technique for smooth blending and transitions.
- Use spattering to add texture, perfect for snow and distant details.
- Learn negative painting to define shapes and create depth.
- Layer colors from light to dark to build depth and dimension.
- Understand color theory to control light and shadow for a dynamic painting.
Module 2. Winter Landscape & Texture Techniques
In this video series, you will:
- Master salt painting to create unique snow textures.
- Learn to lift paint for highlights and soft edges.
- Understand layering dark and light colors to add depth.
- Practice spattering and scrubbing to add texture and detail.
- Manipulate light and shadow for realistic effects in trees and landscapes.
- Improve composition, ensuring trees and shadows interact harmoniously.
Module 3. Birch Trees & Snowy Landscapes
In this video series, you will:
- Learn to use masking fluid and lifting to create white areas and highlights in trees.
- Master brush control and texturing, including birch bark details with palette knives.
- Work with shadows to create realistic effects on birch trees and snow, ensuring consistency.
- Discover snow effect techniques with opaque white paint and salt for natural texture.
- Compose your landscape by positioning trees for visual interest and natural proportions.
- Refine layering and texturing skills, especially with darker shades and spattering for added texture.
«These video lessons aren’t just ‘paint-along.’ It’s 12 hours of raw footage from live Zoom classes. You’ll hear real student questions, see mistakes, and learn how to fix them... It’s like being in a real workshop.»
David R. Smith
This is how students reviewed their learning experience with David R. Smith
By the end of the fine art atelier with David R. Smith, you’ll be able to:
01
Use masking fluid correctly to preserve the white areas of your painting for snow, trees, or light spots.
02
Create winter textures with spattering, salt painting, and brush control for effects like snowflakes, bark, and snow-covered landscapes.
03
Balance control and freedom in watercolor, knowing when to let the medium flow and when to control details.
04
Work wet-into-wet to create smooth transitions, atmospheric effects, and blending of colors in your landscape paintings.
05
Fix mistakes creatively, learning how to turn errors into opportunities for adding unique touches and unexpected beauty to your work.
06
Paint 4 unique winter scenes, applying new techniques to bring snow-covered landscapes to life and highlighting different aspects of winter.
Here's what you'll paint with David along this journey!
Your guided support - individual written feedback* on your paintings
- 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.
*For Premium and Premium Pro plans
We offer different plans
Standard
12 video lessons (total 12 hours)
4 completed winter scenes
- Recorded video lessons with 24/7 access
- Access to the students' chat
- LIFETIME access to the course
- Bonus: 30 ArtiCoins
Premium
- 12 video lessons (total 12 hours)
- 4 completed winter scenes
- Recorded video lessons with 24/7 access
- Access to the students' chat
Individual written feedback on 4 paintings + 1 creative task from professional curator within 75 days
- Certificate of completion
- LIFETIME access to the course
- Bonus: 40 ArtiCoins
There are only 9 places available
Standard
12 video lessons (total 12 hours)
4 completed winter scenes
- Recorded video lessons with 24/7 access
- Access to the students' chat
- LIFETIME access to the course
- Bonus: 30 ArtiCoins
Premium
- 12 video lessons (total 12 hours)
- 4 completed winter scenes
- Recorded video lessons with 24/7 access
- Access to the students' chat
Individual written feedback for 4 paintings + 1 creative task from professional curator within 75 days
- Certificate of completion
- LIFETIME access to the course
- Bonus: 40 ArtiCoins
There are only 9 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 or Premium Pro plans – 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 (Premium and Premium Pro Plans)
Upon completion of the fine art atelier for the students of Premium and Premium Pro plans 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.
Curator - Olga Karlsson
- Olga is a practicing artist specializing in drawing, watercolor, and acrylic.
- After graduating from the St Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Olga 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 self-employed and manages 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), and IWS Malaysia (2021).
HERE YOU WILL FIND OLGA'S WORKS
Examples of Olga's works
Which materials do you need for the fine art atelier?
Palette, water container, clips, towels, sponge, Kleenex, large spray
bottle, hairdryer, pencil/eraser, etc.
IF you have an iPad/tablet, it can be used to display reference photos.
High quality paper (Arches, Fabriano Artistico, Hahnemuhle, etc.). If you want to have only one paper brand, David recommends Arches 140lb Rough (or Cold Pressed).
How is your learning process organized?
BEFORE LEARNING
Full fine art atelier program
List of fine art atelier materials
Friendly community of beginner and professional artists
AT LEARNING
Recorded video lessons in full HD
Watch lessons at your own pace
Closed students' chat
Feedback from professional curator
AFTER LEARNING
Certificate of completion
Own portfolio
Skills and knowledge practiced
Part of our art community
Internal exhibitions
Frequently asked questions
We are here for you
Contact us
For customer care:
info@artefactoschool.online
For collaborations:
miroslava.artefacto@gmail.com
Contact the founder:
miroslava.artefacto@gmail.com
Our working hours:
Monday — Friday
7 am — 6 pm Central European Time (CET)
Artefacto Learning Platform Limited