You've FOUND it.
A beginner watercolour course that is NOT like the others.
Are you an Absolute Beginner?
Or a self taught artist? This course is not JUST for new painters.
Can't find a course that teaches you HOW to paint? I do.
Can't find a course that will gives feedback on your work? I do.
Not sure where to start with REAL watercolour? I'll show you.
Sick of wasting your money? You won't.
Getting frustrated with just copying? You'll be learning.
Tired of trying to figure it out yourself from books? None of that
Over painting 'cute' illustrations off youtube? Ha ha!
Don't know what equipment to get? I'll tell you.
Wonder why your painting doesn't look that great? I'll show you.
Frustrated with your lack of self taught progress? I'll explain.
Want a LIVE class but can't get to one? I want my students to feel like they're in a live class!
30+ hours of watercolour classes Starting At The Start
Your instructor is not a hobby painter or a 'youtube' painter -
Jenny is a professional artist and a teacher
of hundreds of adult watercolour students and wants YOU to know everything she knows - classic watercolour, step by step, at your own pace, through her structured and levelled course. Stop wondering about colours, paper, paint, or techniques. Everything is explained.
Wouldn't you like to know how 'they' do it?
YOU CAN.
The Ultimate Watercolour Course for Absolute Beginners.
NO MORE WONDERING.
You'll enjoy:
- All the foundation skills taught in a carefully structured course.
- 10 x full classes / around 30 hours of modulesdback.
- "Post your P:ainting section" for feedback when you want it.
- An Exclusive and Private Facebook Group just for course students
- Easy contact with your instructor when you have questions
- multiple videos, demonstrations, images and lectures.
- Each skill built on the one before
- Cleverly crafted exercises to practice your skills
- and all painting subjects supplied.
- Fully explained techniques and Colour Recipes
- No drawing skills required - templates and drawing aids supplied.
- Every exercise, technique and painting demonstrated on video
- An 'overhead' view of the painter's workspace - you can see everything.
- Comprehensive, relaxed Step by Step instruction
- Full set of .pdf class notes to keep / download / print as reference.
- Watch this course as many times as you like, whenever you like.
NO time limits.
NO Expiry Date
NO set days or times
Your Instructor - Jenny Gilchrist
Professional Artist and Teacher.
Hi, I'm Jenny, your instructor.
I have a very successful and established Watercolour Art School on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, Australia: Northern Beaches Watercolour where I teach my four level, structured, face to face watercolor classes. I have taught hundreds and hundreds of adults to paint in watercolour. My Live Online classes and workshops are now more popular than ever, and I've sold my paintings both in Australia and Overseas. I've had 30 years experience painting, but the most satisfaction I get is teaching adult students to paint in this most enigmatic of mediums.
I like a casual and no-pressure attitude to teaching, with a bit of humor tossed in, so that you can concentrate on enjoying the adventure. Join me, you'll be so surprised at what you can do in just a couple of lessons.
I want my 'onliners' to feel like they are not missing out on a 'live class', so I give plenty of feedback and help through our 'post your painting' and comment sections if you want to use it.
Best - you can keep progressing through further levels in the course, finessing your skills and learning new ones. The aim is to get you painting your own, full paintings.
By the end of this Watercolour course Level - YOU:
- Will know all the foundation techniques of watercolour
- Have had tons of practice putting your skills into real-life painting applications.
- Have had the satisfaction of painting real paintings.
- Won't just have to copy everything.
- Will have a great set of reference notes.
- Will have a great list of resources to draw from
- Will have access to Jenny's enormous watercolour community
- Can keep progressing if you want to
- and you'll be able to produce paintings you can be proud of.
Welcome to Watercolour
Foundation Skills - online course Level 1 Curriculum
(click the down arrow underneath to expand the curriculum)
- Intro: Just like learning a language.... (0:47)
- Not just Any Old paper (13:16)
- EXERCISE: What's first - the water or the paint? How to get paint on the brush. (16:54)
- EXERCISE: One colour - many tones - with water. (9:58)
- Your Brush - an investment in enjoyment. (14:20)
- Your Palette - full of promise. (18:45)
- EXERCISE: The Beauty Spots of watercolour (13:33)
- Your Paint - everything you didn't know.
- PAINTING: Tulips (15:36)
- Feedback
- Class Notes and more
- Your PAINTING TIME.
- Intro: Why these three colours? (6:14)
- EXERCISE: Primaries and mixing secondaries...but that's not all.... (7:31)
- PAINTING: Pear of many colours (16:26)
- A little thing is a big thing - your water. (5:26)
- EXERCISE: Flat Wash (8:57)
- EXERCISE: Graded Wash (5:13)
- EXERCISE: Variegated Wash (3:53)
- Drying your work - Hairdrying How To.
- PAINTING: Citiscape (30:21)
- Class Notes and more
- Intro: Tons to do and what you'll need
- What is Wet into Wet? (4:51)
- EXERCISE - Many styles of Wet into Wet - lets discover some (11:24)
- PAINTING - Trees on a soft wet into wet background (14:45)
- EXERCISE - Charge! Painting Gum Leaves. (9:46)
- To wet the paper or NOT to wet the paper? That is the question. (4:17)
- PAINTING - Simple Waterscape with reflections (16:51)
- Take the plunge - SQUEEZE out those tubes
- Class Notes and more
- Intro: to planning and tonal sketching
- So you love art books? Which watercolour books to buy. (5:35)
- EXERCISE: Manually softening edges to give the 3D illusion (15:55)
- What is a Thumbnail Sketch? (2:40)
- The Rule of Thirds
- Test Strips. What they are and What they're for. (4:02)
- The beauty and benefit of Monochrome.
- EXERCISE - set up your own simple still life - Pear.
- EXERCISE - planning and drawing your own thumbnail sketch (12:00)
- PAINTING - Still Life Sienna Pear (19:37)
- The Flounder Zone - whaaat? (2:26)
- Class Notes and more
- Quiz
- Intro: 4 Bites.
- How does Water affect your painting?
- EXERCISE - How wet is your paint mixture? (6:14)
- EXERCISE - How wet is your paper? (6:18)
- EXERCISE - simple wet into wet scene (9:25)
- Playing with mud. (4:48)
- EXERCISE - Rainbow Mug. (5:57)
- Painting in 3 Layers - what's that all about?
- PAINTING - Tube of paint in 3 Layers (15:17)
- New Mini Easy Watercolour Workshop Available (0:25)
- Class notes and more
- Course recap
- NBW Painting Class Group - your exclusive door to questions and feedback
- Your feedback
- Your world of watercolour - links and resources.
- What's next
- Refer a friend and each earn a 15% reward - that's $51 on a Level course!
- THE PAINT SHOP - The cheapest way to buy W&N paint. (and lots of other stuff)
- Your End of Level Quiz - Level UP!
OR SAVE $$$ - and choose a bundle which includes your Level 1!
Did they Love it?
testimonials.
(Of course they did.)
"Unbelievable! I had no idea what I was missing out on, I thought I was an intermediate painter, I'm SO glad I started from the start, its made a huge difference to the quality of my painting."
- Marie Gunderson
"I’m loving this course. After trying to teach myself for the past year, it is great to have a structure to the process and belong to a community that is painting with me. Jenny is really quick with the feedback which is genuine and often funny. And I love seeing what other students post up and read their comments and feedback, as it helps my own understanding."
- Pam Toole
"It's so great to have EVERYTHING at your fingertips, photo references, demonstrations, explanations, even a virtual critique after every painting, so I can troubleshoot if I've done something wrong! This is hands down the best course I've ever done, and I've tried plenty. Worth every penny. Thanks Jenny."
- Andrea Cooke
"The comments & feedback is one of the best things about this course, and really makes it stand out from anything else I have done. I love getting personalised feedback on MY work - the benefits of this are enormous. AND, how good is it that thousands of km away, I have access to a professional artist/teacher to guide me. BTW, I am a complete beginner painter
-Susan M.
I haven’t done much art / painting since school and I am loving Jenny’s beginner course. I’ve found the classes easy to follow and you can make notes as she is explaining and painting. I’m surprised how quickly I’ve been able to paint really lovely things. Jenny is clear at explaining what to do and is honest and encouraging with her feedback. I’ve booked in for stage 2 already!"
-Katie Jacka
But did they REALLY love it?
Su T. - Online Beginners Stage 1
2020
"I am absolutely LOVING my online watercolour class with Jenny Gilchrist. Many years ago I painted, in another medium, and I lost all inspiration and joy in making art. Through Jenny’s enthusiasm and excellent instruction, I have found it again.
Having fun with watercolour in my own home and in my own space is so refreshing. I feel comfortable and COVID-safe. And I don’t have to schlepp baskets of materials to strange studios."
Sally Lane - Online Absolute Beginners
2020
"So many things have become clear to me since starting the course with Jenny. I’m really starting to understand how watercolour works. The classes are engaging, great fun and very relaxed. Jen is so knowledgeable, patient and encouraging, and and I feel I’m improving every week."
Jodie B - Online Absolute Beginners
2020
"WOW, that was the absolute best 2.5 hours I have had for a VERY long time. Jenny is not only a talented artist, but she also has a gift in translating that talent into teaching in a very easy to follow and enjoyable way. Jenny’s running commentary is informative, explaining every concept as she goes and I actually get it, it’s great. Her jokes, facts, hints, tips, guessing competitions all make for a class that is fun, informative, practical and very, very enjoyable. Totally recommend, if you're willing, Jenny is able :)"
Watercolour Course FAQ'S
How much does this watercolour course cost?
This full Level 1 course for Absolute Beginners costs US$250 / AUD$340 one off payment OR 3 x monthly USD$90 / AUD$125. You can choose which currency and which payment method. We accept credit cards/ debit card and paypal. That's about US$25 per 2.5-3 hour class.
You can also buy your courses in bundles which can save hundreds of dollars.
Why is paypal in USD?
Don't worry, Paypal will convert it to AUD. Teachable is an American company, and they use USD, but it won't matter to you either way. Paypal payments will be shown in USD regardless of your country of origin.
What is that description on my Credit Card?
Teachable's card description is a little odd. "Welcome to ...NYC" This is actually "Welcome to Watercolour, and Teachable's Head office in New York City." Don't be alarmed, it's not a scam. Just a silly bank thing.
What is your painting style?
You can see some of Jenny's paintings in the pictures above the testimonials, and much simpler ones in the collage near the top. This is Jenny's style. (read FAQ further down.) You can also visit www.northernbeacheswatercolour.com.au, Jenny's Art School, and see more.
When does the watercolour course start?
There's no start date, you start whenever YOU are ready. You take as long as you want, and finish whenever you like. No Time limits and No expiry dates.
What if I'm unhappy with the course?
I'm sure you won't be but if life happens, contact me within 30 days and we'll get your refund sorted. Use the Teachable contact button for this. We have a "Satisfaction Guaranteed or money back if contact is made in 30 days" policy. Please ensure you request a refund, (and do not use a Chargeback, as it is definitely not the same.) You'll be refunded immediately.
Do I need certain watercolour equipment?
Jenny will definitely suggest the best equipment that will give the best possible results, (we don't want you to waste your time or money!). The paper is the only compulsory item. All other equipment is your choice, but equipment lists are supplied to give the most artist quality results.
What if I have a problem with my painting or want to ask a question?
Jenny will respond to questions. There are two ways to talk to Jenny about your paintings / painting problems. a) in the comments section under most modules of each class - you can even post pictures, and b) in your private and exclusive W2Watercolour Facebook Group (for our students ONLY. ) Here you can post paintings, ask questions, get feedback, make suggestions and enjoy the student community. Please allow time for a response as she is a working mum.
How long will this watercolour course take?
Jenny teaches this exact course in her face to face and Zoom classes. It takes her class about 3 months - once a week for 10 weeks in 2.5 hour classes to follow the class, and paint the exercise, then practice during the week. It will take you as long as you want - the more practice you give yourself the better.
Do we paint all those watercolour paintings on this page?
You do paint some of them...in the top grid are just a few of the 100+ paintings Jenny's students paint over the course, not all in Level 1 however. The other paintings on this page are Jenny's own. You will learn the skills to paint your own paintings.
Is Jenny a good artist?
Judge for yourself. Have a look at Jenny's 'gallery' on her Watercolour School Website: : click on this link: www.northernbeacheswatercolour.com.au. You can also find the student gallery on the same website, these students have been painting 2 years or less.
Is Jenny a good teacher?
Good question. Some people are great artists and not such great teachers. Some teachers can't paint for quids! You need a good artist AND a good teacher. That's the point after all. Jenny has taught literally hundreds of adult students to paint in watercolour. Her painting school in Sydney is extremely popular and has a waiting list of years. Word of mouth has been the biggest asset. If there is ONE thing Jenny hears most often, it is that she has a knack of 'breaking things down and getting the point across with simplicity and humour." Jenny thinks constructive critisism is what her students want, not just ego stroking. She knows they want to learn, and she thinks EVERYONE can paint and whatever they produce is their art.