Learn Watercolour Painting for Beginners

 

If you’re new to watercolour or unsure where to begin, start with a free step by step class where you’ll complete a full painting from start to finish. You’ll receive downloadable files, a printable line drawing, progress photos, and clear instruction to help you build confidence and understand the fundamentals at your own pace.


Is This Right For You?

Watercolour can feel unpredictable at first. These classes are designed to make the process clear, structured, and enjoyable from the beginning.

This page is for you if:

  • You’re completely new to watercolour

  • You feel unsure about which materials to use

  • You’ve tried before and felt frustrated

  • You want clear, step by step instruction

  • You want to understand colour mixing properly

  • You want to feel confident rather than overwhelmed

You don’t need natural talent. You need guidance and practice — and that’s exactly what these lessons provide.


What You’ll Learn

Each class is designed to help you understand watercolour techniques clearly and apply them confidently to your own artwork, even if you’re just starting out.

🌿 Foundational Techniques

Learn the core watercolour skills that form the basis of every painting.

  • Wet on wet washes

  • Wet on dry control

  • Creating soft blends

  • Lifting highlights

🎨 Colour Confidence

Understand how colours work together so you can mix with clarity and avoid frustration.

  • Understanding colour mixing

  • Using a limited palette

  • Avoiding muddy colours

  • Creating natural shadows

✏ Practical Painting Skills

Build the practical habits that make painting feel structured, controlled, and enjoyable.

  • Understanding watercolour paper

  • Brush control and paint consistency

  • Working from reference photos

  • Knowing when to stop

You won’t just copy a painting, you’ll begin to understand the decisions behind it.


Beginner Friendly Classes to Start With

If you’ve completed the free class and would like to continue, here are a few carefully chosen lessons designed to help beginners build confidence step by step.

Rose Tutorial - Beginners

A gentle introduction to layering using just three colours.

Apple Repetition - Beginners

Build confidence through repetition while refining your brush control.

Daisies Tutorial - Beginners

Learn simple layering and light control in a relaxed, structured lesson.


What Beginners Are Saying

Many students start with no experience at all. Here’s what a few of them have shared after completing their first classes.

 

“I am a complete beginner at watercolour. I tried the Tulip tutorial and was amazed at how it turned out. Louise is so easy to learn from, and her guidance on pigments and colour harmony has helped me understand so much more.”

Cheryl S

 

“I was a complete beginner when I first found Louise on YouTube and just two months later I’m creating paintings I’m genuinely proud of. Her tutorials are so easy to follow and build confidence step by step.”

Dana H

 

“I had been taking watercolour classes for years but still felt like a beginner because my paintings never turned out well. My first tiger following Louise’s tutorial turned out beautifully. Her clear, detailed instruction made all the difference.”

Shirene N

 
 

How the Classes Work

Each lesson is carefully structured so you can follow along with confidence. Many classes guide you through a full painting from start to finish, while others focus on essential watercolour techniques that build your skills gradually and clearly.

Artist (Louise De Masi) painting a soft pink flower in watercolour on taped paper, using a reference photo on a tablet, demonstrating step by step technique in an online class.

Step by Step Video Instruction

Clear, unhurried guidance so you can paint along and pause whenever you need.

Downloadable Reference Photo

Work from a high quality image so you can focus on technique without guesswork.

Printable Line Drawing

Transfer the outline easily and concentrate on learning watercolour skills.

Progress Photos

Check your work against each stage and stay on track throughout the painting.

Paint at Your Own Pace

All lessons are pre recorded, so you can revisit sections and build confidence gradually.

Light pencil drawing of a hanging star ornament with pale grey watercolour wash applied using a round brush on textured paper.

Progress photo after initial wash.

Watercolour star ornament with brown vertical stripes being painted carefully with a fine round brush over a soft grey base layer.

Getting in some stripes step-by-step.

The aim is not just to complete one painting, but to understand the process so you can apply it to your own artwork with confidence.


Ready To Begin?

If you’re new to watercolour, the easiest place to start is with the free beginner class. You’ll complete a full painting step by step and see what’s possible.

Already completed the free class? You can browse all beginner tutorials here.