Watercolour Portrait Course Tasters: Character and Colour

Short on time or just want a wee experience? Join us for a relaxing, risk-free taster workshop right here in Glasgow. Just pick the Thursday you'd like to join and book your ticket (see course summary below). Learn a little watercolour and leave with a painting. Perfect for ambitious beginners ready for a structured exploration, and intermediate artists looking to expand their technical toolkit.From retired folks looking for a warm, social environment to practice, to freelancers and remote workers needing a refreshing creative break.What to expect:

• Zero prep, zero cleanup -- walk in and paint! All high-quality materials are provided for you.
• Small class sizes mean you get supportive one-on-one guidance from a professional artist with 30 years of experience devoted to your progress.
• Learn alongside a professional live portrait model - drawing proportion & rhythm for facial structure, colour relationships, layering & blending effects, and how to achieve the best likeness of the sitter with a clear and structured, step-by-step method!

Course summary:Week 1 (15 Oct): Understanding the DrawingLearn how to make an effective under drawing using the rules of proportion, gesture, and designing shadow shapes for accurate facial structure and anatomy. We will paint from a photographic reference using monochromatic washes to learn the power of value, and form building.Week 2 (22 Oct): Palette Design and Brush ControlDiscover palette organisation and colour practice that will bring your understanding of flesh tones and temperature to the next level. Command a variety of brush effects for blending, and keep luminous colour where you want it. We will paint from a photographic reference using the full palette.Week 3 (29 Oct): Useful Techniques in Context (live portrait model)Begin a new painting from a professional live portrait model! The earlier rehearsal paintings and new knowledge will have you confident and ready to paint from life - as is done in classical Atelier style academies. An under drawing and initial wash will be established, with guidance on capturing the sitter's likeness.Week 4 (05 Nov): Developing the Portrait (live portrait model)Continue working with our live model to deepen washes and important colour/value relationships. Using variegated or gradated washes, mingling or charging, you will decide with various techniques where to maintain control, or where to play with full expression.Week 5 (12 Nov): Final Details and Finishing Touches (live portrait model)Our final session with the live model, and the refinement of your painting. Learn the art of glazing, accenting, and selectively adding important details without "over working". Bringing together the best decisions for a polished finish.

Upcoming dates for Watercolour Portrait Course Tasters: Character and Colour

Times are London time. Dates and prices as of 6 Oct 2026, 5:09pm; availability and price are confirmed live when booking on this page.

5 upcoming dates between 15 Oct 2026 and 12 Nov 2026.

• Thu 15 Oct 2026, 2pm-5pm (Understanding the Drawing)
• Thu 22 Oct 2026, 2pm-5pm (Palette Design and Brush Control)
• Thu 29 Oct 2026, 2pm-5pm (Useful Techniques in Context (live portrait model))
• Thu 5 Nov 2026, 2pm-5pm (Developing the Portrait (live portrait model))
• Thu 12 Nov 2026, 2pm-5pm (Final Details and Finishing Touches (live portrait model))

• Experience watercolour painting without the setup or cleanup!
• Quality materials are provided, and you can keep the painting you make for the day.
• Winsor & Newton professional paints, 100% cotton Arches paper, high-standard brushes, broad palettes, and boards.

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