Best Watercolor Classes Near Me: Find In-Person & Virtual Training

Learn More About Watercolor Courses

What Is Watercolor?

Watercolor is a painting technique for applying colors to paper surfaces with water-soluble pigments. Watercolor involves overlaying transparent brushstrokes onto a heavy surface with unpredictable visual results from working with brushes, sponges, and cloth. Watercolors are technically ground pigments mixed together into water-soluble paint color substances. Paints for watercolors dissolve in water for the paintbrush to be able to spread on the thick paper surface.

Watercolor painting represents a fluid style that can intimidate some beginners due to its fluid approach. However, others see watercolor as a more accessible method of painting due to fewer materials being necessary, including brushes and watercolor paper. With watercolor, pigments from the paint flow with the colors to blend and fuse unpredictably, which appeals to some artists. The transparent visual effect inherent with watercolors makes the approach compelling for some people. Among the problems that many have with watercolors would be with controlling the wetness of the paint going on the paper, which some find aggravating and difficult to control although others do like the unpredictable results.

Why Learn Watercolor Painting?

Learning watercolor can become a relaxing and rewarding hobby. Compared to other painting methods, watercolors are relatively inexpensive. Watercolor is an approach that forces a painter to slow down and consider options. Watercolor involves overlapping, which requires patience for drying between layers and may be frustrating for some while others take that aspect of watercolor as an excuse for pondering a larger view of the world. The main benefits with taking on watercolor as a hobby would be with learning to slow down.

Hobbles should provide an opportunity for a person to escape the stresses of everyday life. However, an escape should also allow someone the option of being able to sit back and take in the big picture. Watercolor painting can be seen as a hobby that lets participants see the big picture while patiently painting a big picture. Taking up watercolor painting can provide people with a new sense of purpose by giving them the mental space to see life more clearly through finding a form of relief.

Additionally, learning watercolor can open up opportunities with the goal of creativity while helping facilitate decision making from having a clearer mind.

What You’ll Learn in a Watercolor Class?

While materials for watercolor painting might be less expensive than other methods of painting, many people find the style more difficult due to perceptions about control. There are several aspects of watercolor that prospective hobbyists can expect when enrolling in a watercolor class. Learning watercolor, as with any type of painting, requires specific supplies. These supplies include, of course, watercolor paint, brushes, and watercolor-specific paper, cloth, and water.

Watercolor painting can be categorized in three different grades: children’s grade, student grade, and artist grade. Adult watercolor beginners typically train using student grade watercolors. Student grade watercolor paint gets used for experimenting with new colors as well as testing techniques. This grade of watercolor is usually cheaper than artist grade--the highest grade--, which makes fooling around and experimenting feel less stressful.

Watercolor brushes must be soft bristles for being able to better hold water so as to not dry out on an artist in mid-stroke. Harder bristles do not work well with watercolors due to the need to hold water.

Watercolor also requires heavy paper for properly absorbing water to allow paint to sit on top of the paper until it dries instead of spreading out all over the sheet. Additionally, artists will need to keep water on hand for hydrating the paint and a cloth for blotting their brushes.

How Long Will It Take to Learn to Paint with Watercolor?

The time it takes for someone to learn watercolor painting will vary based on several factors, including the amount of time a person spends practicing as well as where that individual wants to go with the new skills. Generally, learning the basics with any type of painting will take a few weeks, but getting serious with the goal of elevating skills with watercolors may take years of practice for honing techniques. People usually take on hobbies for various reasons. Learning watercolor can involve enrolling in introductory classes or workshops along with advanced courses for learning how to mix colors or apply a certain brush technique.

What Are the Advantages of Taking a Watercolor Class?

There are several benefits from picking up a new hobby. Mainly, learning a craft like watercolor painting can benefit people in several ways, including simply relaxing, mental recuperation, and exploring a new skill. Some people may take up watercolor for a hobby as a way of expressing themselves. Others are just looking for an outlet with no particular motive except relaxing for reducing stress.

Learning watercolor offers a great avenue for escaping the world. While this style of painting may not be as forgiving as something like oil painting, the materials involved with watercolors are less expensive while the results can be unpredictable in a positive way. The physical activities required for watercolor painting can be especially beneficial on the mental health front by helping people take their minds off the world through concentrating on the tasks involved with coordinating layers in painting watercolors.

Watercolor painting can be time-consuming and requires patience along with perhaps not being as manageable as oil or acrylic paints. Painting can help a person with reducing stress by having to concentrate on what’s being done on the canvas, or paper with watercolors. In a nutshell, taking up watercolor painting as a hobby can provide people with a good way for relaxing and improving their mental health.

Best Watercolor Classes

People can enroll in classes for learning watercolor as a hobby that offers both creativity and mental well-being. Watercolor painting involves handling specific types of brushes on a heavyweight paper surface. Getting comfortable with watercolors takes time but can result in a relaxing creative activity. Enrolling in a watercolor class can help with developing skills for mastering relevant painting techniques.

Watercolor classes available in New York City, Los Angeles, or Chicago can provide people with opportunities for learning basic skills through in-person training with using fundamental tools that could lead to taking on advanced courses for handling different levels of painting. Watercolor classes offer an effective way for learning a craft that can be simultaneously relaxing and productive.

New York City

For anyone interested in taking up watercolor painting as a hobby, the New York School of Art offers the Contemporary Watercolor course for learning the style of painting. This class covers learning about composition for coloring with watercolors for developing a relaxing hobby. All levels of students from beginners to experienced painters are encouraged to enroll.

This class trains students in areas of watercolor for painting in various capacities. Lessons include training on composition, paint application, and contrasting translucency with opacity and color. This course requires students to bring their own paper, watercolor paints, and watercolor brushes to participate in the class. Watercolor paper should be rough or cold pressed at 140 pounds or heavier.

People who are looking to adopt watercolor as a hobby can go to 92nd Street Y to enroll in the Watercolors for Absolute Beginners course to learn methods for painting as a way of escaping the pressures of the world. This course explores the fundamentals of watercolor painting where students will learn about techniques, composition, and required materials.

Lessons for this course cover the basics of watercolor painting, including watercolor paints, brushes, brush strokes, the proper type of paper, color mixing, washing, wet-in-wet, and wet-over-dry. Students will also learn about form, light, color, and composition as it applies to watercolors.

People considering learning watercolor can attend The Art Studio NY for the Watercolor Paint for Total Beginners class to learn the fundamentals for painting with watercolors as a hobby. This course can help students explore their own creativity for beginning a hobby with watercolors. This class focuses on capturing the beauty of nature and the outdoors with an emphasis on painting flowers and other plants. Students will learn watercolor techniques like wet-on-wet painting, wet-on-dry painting, and watercolor dripping to help people with getting away from their troubles with the world.

A watercolor class can help students express themselves through painting. For new learners in watercolor painting, participants will learn the basics for using the right brush and paper.

For parents who are looking to get their kids interested in art, the Creatively Wild Art Studio Dumbo offers the Beginner Watercolor Painting: With Natural + Urban Subject Matter class for learning fundamental watercolor techniques. This workshop aims at helping young people explore their own creativity by expressing emotions through watercolor painting. Lessons cover learning about color mixing, the proper brushes, brush strokes, and the appropriate paper to use for watercolor painting. The main goal of this class is to help students learn how to paint natural and urban landscapes. Because watercolors are translucent, the course will focus on practical techniques for working in the medium.

In this class, students will explore the fundamentals of watercolor painting, including wet-on-wet, dry-on-dry, blooming, splattering, smashing, and brush stroke techniques. Lessons also cover techniques with handling colors and applying layers effectively.

Los Angeles

Students living in Los Angeles can attend Los Angeles City College to enroll in the Painting with Watercolors course to learn about color theory, compositions, brush strokes, and blending watercolor pigments for creating artwork. This class is a Level 2 course and recommended for students who have experience with watercolor.

This course aims at helping students learn about working with tools for painting with watercolors through step-by-step instructions on brush stokes, blending, and watercolor techniques. For this course, students must bring a basic watercolor paint set, watercolor paper, two cups, a rag or small towel, watercolor brushes, pencils, and masking tape.

Students can enroll at Art Made Izzy for the Watercolor class for unlocking their artistic potential through watercolor painting. Students will train through step-by-step lessons on color theory, composition, and brush strokes for learning how to relax through creating artwork. Watercolor offers a good way for escaping from the world through exploring techniques with painting.

This course aims at training students on basic techniques for learning how to relax by expressing themselves through watercolors.

Chicago

People living in Chicago who are interested in developing a productive hobby can enroll in the Watercolors: Materials, Composition & Techniques class at the Evanston Art Center. This course teaches students about how to work with watercolors as a way of relaxing. Lessons include learning watercolor painting techniques, composition, and materials such as the proper brushes and paper. Participants will learn about washes, wet-in-wet painting, and sketch-free creations. This course also connects participants with a supportive community of artists for picking up even more knowledge outside of class.

Anyone interested in taking up watercolor painting as a hobby can enroll at the Chicago Botanical Garden for the Autum Watercolor En Plein Air class for learning detailed skills with the craft. This course teaches participants how to paint watercolors by focusing on an autumnal outdoor theme. Lessons involve step-by-step demonstrations on how to develop a fall color scheme through mixing colors, selecting compositions, and building up washes for painting watercolors. Class projects emphasize painting trees, flowers, and grass in keeping with the course’s fall theme.

Students will be sent a supply list for the course.

Seattle

People living in Seattle who are interested in learning watercolor painting as a hobby can enroll in the Watercolors from Natural Pigments course at the UW Botanic Gardens. This course teaches participants skills in watercolors by emphasizing the beauty of the state of Washington’s landscape and environment. Training focuses on pigmentations for creating lake colors and other images associated with the Pacific Northwest. Lessons include learning how to transform organic material into paint pigments to be used for painting watercolors. Upon completing this workshop, students will have skills for painting watercolors that help in providing them with a relaxing hobby.

Through this course, students will learn how to create watercolor paint from dried pigments and finish the class by painting a pair of watercolors.

Live Online Watercolor Classes

For anyone looking for live online training to learn watercolor painting, there are several options available. Many online education providers offer training through webcams and videos for learning skills with painting watercolors that make students feel as if they’re in the classroom. Students can select courses on a beginner-level or advanced classes for training in how to paint with watercolors as a relaxing hobby or for establishing a career in art and design.

People who live anywhere can choose Pastime for a Lifetime to enroll in the Online Watercolor 201 Course -- Beginner to learn how to create their own beautiful watercolor painting as a relaxing and fulfilling hobby. In this course, students will learn techniques for watercolor painting such as color mixing and brush strokes. Lessons cover learning basic brush techniques for painting clean colors by developing good hand movements. Painting skills can either be used as a relaxing hobby or a first step in training for prospective Artists, Illustrators, and Designers.

This course is available for anyone who has Internet access along with a computer or tablet with a microphone.

The Art Studio NY offers the live online 4 Week Session: Beginners Watercolor Painting course for learning skills with watercolors. This course trains new learners in watercolor painting with an emphasis on landscapes, still life, and abstracts. Lessons cover painting techniques that include washes, wet-on-wet painting, wet-on-dry watercolor painting, dry brush, variegated washes, splattering, watercolor dripping, glazing, and color mixing.

To participate in this course, students must have watercolor paper (either 140 lbs. or 90 lbs.), a watercolor paint set, a paint palette, watercolor brushes (rounds and flats), a cup or jar for water, pencils, an eraser, and blue painter’s tape.

Students can enroll in the live online Watercolor course through BrushCapades that trains beginning painters through a hands-on tutorial for learning watercolor painting. This 90-minute live online tutorial provides lessons on the appropriate brushes, types of watercolor paper, and techniques for watercolor painting. Materials for the course includes a 25-color watercolor fan set, a watercolor brush, a black pen, a 5-by-7 inch 20-sheet watercolor paper pad that students can either purchase on their own or through the school.

People who are considering picking up a new hobby can enroll with Santa Monica College for the Painting in Watercolor - Level 2 course. This course aims at providing students with a supportive, constructive, and stress-free learning environment for training in how to paint watercolors or improve on painting skills that a student might already have. Lessons emphasize effective methods with watercolors for using the right materials and techniques to provide a satisfying learning experience. Students can learn watercolor painting for taking on as a hobby to help with getting away from the pressures of the world.

Watercolor Courses by School

Here are some of the top schools offering Watercolor training, including 92nd Street Y (10 courses), New York School of the Arts (7 courses), and The Art Studio NY (5 courses).

92nd Street Y

NYC location: 1395 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York

92Y is a world-class cultural and community center in New York City. Founded in 1874, it is located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and offers a wide range of classes and programs in the arts, entertainment, and conversation. With over 4,000 classes and programs each year taught by some of the most talented professionals in the world, 92Y is a great place to learn new skills, meet new people, and explore your interests. It is a non-profit organization committed to enriching the lives of people of all ages and backgrounds.
- Getting Started with Watercolor
  - 10 Hours, 2 hr/wk
  - $215
- Watercolor Painting (Beginner/Intermediate)
  - 6 Weeks, 2 hr/wk
  - $380
art retreat nyc

NYC location: 41 W 71st St, New York, New York

Art Retreat NYC is a unique school that champions the belief that everyone has the potential to create, emphasizing art as a therapeutic and deeply personal journey. They encourage students of all backgrounds to embrace the transformative power of art through their engaging classes.
- Watercolor for Relaxation - Tuesday Nights (Single Session)
  - 2 Hours
  - $51.25
Pastimes for a Lifetime

Los Angeles location: 13615 Burbank Blvd, Van Nuys, California

Pastimes for a Lifetime is a San Francisco-based art school that offers a variety of online and in-person classes and workshops for all ages and skill levels. They are passionate about helping people discover their inner artists and to create beautiful works of art.
- Watercolor 201 - Beginner (In-Studio)
  - 4 Hours
  - $180
- Watercolor 202 - Intermediate (In-Studio)
  - 4 Hours
  - $180
- Online Watercolor 201 - Beginner
  - 4 Hours
  - $160
- Online Watercolor 202 - Intermediate
  - 4 Hours
  - $160
The Paintbrush

Chicago location: 2446 N Clark Street, Chicago, Illinios

The Paintbrush is a creative space in Chicago that offers a variety of art classes and workshops for all ages including painting, drawing, sculpture, and more. Their classes are taught by experienced artists who create a fun and supportive environment where students can learn new skills and explore their creativity. The Paintbrush is a great way to discover your inner artist and create beautiful works of art.
- Adult WaterColors
  - 8 Weeks, 1 hr/wk
  - $307
New York School of the Arts

NYC location: 315 E 62nd Street, New York, New York

The New York School of the Arts is a multidisciplinary art school in New York City that offers programs in fine arts, design, architecture, and music. Their programs are taught by experienced artists and designers who create a supportive environment where students can explore their creativity and develop their skills. The New York School of the Arts offers great ways to learn about the arts and prepare for a career in a creative field.
- Watercolor Techniques
  - 12 Hours
  - $250
- Exploratory Watercolor
  - 8 Weeks, 3 hr/wk
  - $430
The Art Studio NY

NYC location: 145 W 96th St, New York, New York

The Art Studio NY is a creative space in New York City that offers a variety of art classes and workshops for all ages and skill levels. Their classes are taught by experienced artists who create a fun and supportive environment where students can learn new skills and express their creativity. The Art Studio NY is a great way to discover your inner artist and create beautiful works of art.
- 4 Week Sessions: Beginners Watercolor Painting
  - 8 Weeks, 1 hr/wk
  - $299
Evanston Art Center

Chicago location: 1717 Central Street, Evanston, Illinios

Evanston Art Center is a non-profit art school and community center in Evanston, Illinois. They offer a variety of classes and workshops for all ages and skill levels, as well as exhibitions, performances, and other events. Evanston Art Center is committed to providing affordable art education and experiences to the community.
- Pen & Ink & Watercolor (Ages 16+)
  - 18 Hours
  - $265
- Watercolors: Materials, Composition & Technique
  - 18 Hours
  - $265
Chicago Botanic Garden
Locations:
- Chicago
- Live Online
Chicago Botanic Garden is a 385-acre botanical garden in Glencoe, Illinois. It is one of the largest botanical gardens in the United States and offers a variety of educational programs and events for all ages. The garden also has several research facilities and is dedicated to the conservation of plants.
- Beginning Watercolor: Online
  - 6 Weeks, 2 hr/wk
  - $349

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Learn Watercolor Painting

Learn More About Watercolor Courses

What Is Watercolor?

Why Learn Watercolor Painting?

What You’ll Learn in a Watercolor Class?

How Long Will It Take to Learn to Paint with Watercolor?

What Are the Advantages of Taking a Watercolor Class?

Best Watercolor Classes

New York City

Los Angeles

Chicago

Seattle

Live Online Watercolor Classes

Watercolor Courses by School

92nd Street Y

Getting Started with Watercolor

Watercolor Painting (Beginner/Intermediate)

art retreat nyc

Watercolor for Relaxation - Tuesday Nights (Single Session)

Pastimes for a Lifetime

Watercolor 201 - Beginner (In-Studio)

Watercolor 202 - Intermediate (In-Studio)

Online Watercolor 201 - Beginner

Online Watercolor 202 - Intermediate

The Paintbrush

Adult WaterColors

New York School of the Arts

Watercolor Techniques

Exploratory Watercolor

The Art Studio NY

4 Week Sessions: Beginners Watercolor Painting

Evanston Art Center

Pen & Ink & Watercolor (Ages 16+)

Watercolors: Materials, Composition & Technique

Chicago Botanic Garden

Beginning Watercolor: Online

Watercolor Corporate & Onsite Training Noble Desktop

Watercolor Training Map & Top Locations

4 Courses Available in NYC

Watercolor
Corporate & Onsite Training