Membership
Treat yourself or a loved one with the gift of Membership: enjoy free access to all exhibitions, access to our Members’ Room, priority booking to evening talks, and much more.
Join today
Introduction to Watercolours (Mon 18:00)
Online course
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
Discover the lively personality of watercolour painting. Through a series of exercises with expert watercolour course tutor Leo Crane, each week you’ll explore a different way to use this versatile medium, from luminous manuscript painting to precision illustration and spontaneous mark-making.
By the end of this beginners' watercolour course, you will have tried out a variety of techniques, creating a mini portfolio of sample pieces and a final project:
By the end of this beginners' watercolour course, you will have tried out a variety of techniques, creating a mini portfolio of sample pieces and a final project:
- Learn watercolours from our world-class experts wherever, whenever: watch classes live or view the recording later in your own time.
- Time to explore: 12 hours of live classroom sessions over six weeks.
- Consolidate your learning: watch over 20 specially-commissioned beginner watercolour painting lessons to support your course. Receive feedback from the class tutor on your work.
- Deepen your understanding: weekly Spotlight Sessions with V&A Curators, Art Historians and practicing artists explore the background to the projects.
- Learn at your own pace: lecture recordings and study materials are available for six weeks after the course ends, so you'll never miss a minute.
- A list of readily available materials will be sent out in advance of the course. This course is suitable for beginners and is open to participants aged 18 plus.
Workshop Leader
Leo Crane
The course is led by Leo Crane, author of Contemporary Figures in Watercolour (Pavilion, 2021) and lead artist of the award-winning watercolour animation Nude Triumphant (Animate Projects 2020).
Leo was a very encouraging tutor...I also enjoyed the spotlight sessions with the chance to hear from artists. Previous V&A Academy Student
Course overview
Each week you will build on developing your watercolour painting skills during live tutorials with Leo. These sessions are complemented by specially-commissioned videos, showcasing the watercolour techniques used in creating a variety of paintings. Using the Teams environment, you will have the opportunity to share your work for individual tutor feedback and with the rest of the class, while in our ‘open studio’, you can ask for guidance, or get to know your classmates better. Each session is recorded so you can re-watch or catch up whenever you have the time.
Week 1: Materials and techniques. Introduction to brushes, paper, paints and how to apply them.
Week 2: From Opaque to Luminous. Overview of early manuscript painting; exploring opaque and transparent paints.
Week 3: Illustration and Enchantment. Washes and line inspired by Dulac, Rackham and British watercolour illustration.
Week 4: Expressive Figures. Watercolour painting from life, quick poses, gestural marks
Week 5: Inner Energy. Overview of East Asian ink wash painting; tree study in sumi-e style.
Week 6: Final project and individual feedback. Project brief and one-on-one tutorial time with a final group critique.
V&A Academy Online. A learning environment you can trust.
Our courses are built using the latest Microsoft software. Tune in to expert lectures live or catch up on demand. Join discussions and continue your learning with downloadable handouts and presentations.
Enrol now
Online course: Introduction to Watercolours (Mon 18:00)
13 January 2025 - 17 February 2025
£260.00
Need help enrolling? Talk to the admissions team:
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
Open 10.00 - 13.00, Monday to Sunday (closed 24-26 December)
