Introduction: Why Choose an Online Watercolor Course?
Watercolor painting is a beautiful, expressive art form, but mastering it can be challenging without the right guidance. While self-learning through YouTube videos can help, structured lessons from expert instructors provide a clear pathway to improvement.
If you’re searching for a comprehensive watercolor course for beginners that covers brush techniques, color theory, and composition, Painting with Watercolors by Kateri Ewing could be a great fit. But is it the best online watercolor painting course for your needs?
In this review, we’ll assess its key features, pros and cons, user feedback, and how it compares to alternatives on platforms like Skillshare and Udemy.
Course Overview: What Will You Learn?
Instructor: Kateri Ewing
Taught by professional watercolorist Kateri Ewing, this course provides in-depth instruction on watercolor techniques, making it suitable for beginners and intermediate artists. Kateri is known for her clear teaching style and years of experience as both an artist and educator.
Course Features:
- 24 Video Lessons (12+ Hours of Content) – Learn at your own pace with high-quality instructional videos.
- Comprehensive Watercolor Training – Covers everything from color mixing and brush techniques to creating full compositions.
- Downloadable Resources – Includes a detailed course guidebook with lesson summaries.
- Lifetime Access – No rush to complete the course—review materials anytime.
Who Is This Course Best For?
This course is ideal for:
- Beginners and Intermediate Artists – The structured lessons ensure a gradual learning curve.
- Aspiring Watercolorists – Learn the essential techniques to create detailed, expressive watercolor paintings.
- Self-Paced Learners – If you prefer in-depth instruction without the pressure of deadlines, this course is perfect.
However, if you’re looking for real-time feedback from an instructor, you might prefer a live or interactive program.
Key Topics Covered in the Course
- Understanding different types of watercolor paints
- Choosing the right brushes and paper
- Setting up a workspace
- Dry brush vs. wet-on-wet techniques
- Layering and glazing for depth
- Creating texture effects
- The importance of color harmony
- How to mix vibrant, lifelike colors
- Avoiding muddy colors in your palette
- Painting realistic landscapes
- Still life composition and shadows
- Portrait painting techniques
With demonstrations in each section, you’ll not only see techniques in action but also be able to follow along for hands-on practice.
✅ Pros:
- Comprehensive Curriculum – Covers essential techniques and advanced concepts.
- High-Quality Video Production – Professionally shot and easy to follow.
- Experienced Instructor – Kateri Ewing is highly rated for her engaging teaching style.
- Lifetime Access – No need to rush through lessons; review content anytime.
❌ Cons:
- Higher Price Point – More expensive than some Udemy or Skillshare courses.
- No Direct Instructor Feedback – If you prefer interactive learning, this might not be ideal.
- – Like any art form, watercolor mastery takes time.
If budget is a concern, you may want to explore affordable watercolor courses on Skillshare or Udemy, though they may not offer the same depth of instruction.
User Reviews: What Do Students Say?
Real users have shared positive experiences with the course:
“Kateri Ewing is an excellent teacher. Her lessons are clear and easy to follow. Highly recommend!” – 5/5 🌟 (The Great Courses Plus website)
“This class has been extremely helpful! I finally feel confident with watercolors.” – 5/5 🌟 (Verified Student Review)
“The production quality is high, and the instructor breaks everything down in a digestible way.” – Reddit Review
While the course is well-rated, some users noted the lack of direct feedback from the instructor as a minor downside.
How Does It Compare to Other Online Watercolor Courses?
| Course | Platform | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Painting with Watercolors | The Great Courses Plus | Comprehensive, high-quality videos, lifetime access | Higher price, no interactive feedback |
| Modern Watercolor Techniques | Skillshare | Affordable, short bite-sized videos | Less comprehensive |
| The Ultimate Watercolor Course | Udemy | Often on sale, similar in depth | Varies in instructor quality |
| Illustration Techniques with Digital Watercolor | Domestika | Unique focus on digital watercolor | Not traditional watercolor painting |
Final Verdict: Is Painting with Watercolors Worth It?
If you’re committed to learning watercolor painting the right way, this course delivers high-quality instruction, detailed techniques, and lifetime access—making it a worthwhile investment.
However, if you prefer interactive learning with instructor feedback, you might find a community-based alternative more engaging.
Recommended for:
- ✅ Beginners looking for structured, step-by-step lessons
- ✅ Intermediate artists wanting to refine their painting techniques
- ✅ Self-taught learners seeking a deep dive into watercolor fundamentals
Not ideal if:
- ❌ You need live coaching or personalized instructor feedback
- ❌ You’re looking for a cheaper, shorter course