Best Watercolor Classes NYC: Find Courses & Onsite Training

Learn More About NYC Watercolor Courses

What is Watercolor?

Watercolor is the art of painting with pigments in a water-soluble base. It’s characterized by its subtle and delicate appearance on the page or canvas, showcasing thin washes and transparent colors. Its versatile and expressive potential allows artists to create unique pieces with endless possibilities. Many watercolor artists prefer to paint on paper because the white of the page adds to the painting’s luminosity, making the painting surface as much a part of the painting as the image itself. Watercolor art is a pastime for both artists and hobbyists alike that offers many benefits, applications, and opportunities.

Why Learn Watercolor?

Everyone has their reasons for wanting to learn watercolor. Some students are interested in learning the art form, while others want to deepen what they already know about watercolor painting to gain a multifaceted experience that enriches their artistic abilities, personal well-being, and appreciation of the art form. Whether you’re new to the art form or curious, wanting to learn more, the medium’s adaptability to different styles and subjects enables you to explore various artistic avenues and push creative boundaries. Watercolor can be used in a range of artistic contexts, including illustration, design, and mixed media, allowing for more creative versatility.

Watercolor is an old art form with a rich history and tradition. Its popularity has ebbed and flowed over the years, but it is still a wonderful medium to bring an artist’s vision to life. Those who study this art form often learn about various artistic movements and cultural contexts to gain a deeper appreciation for art and the techniques used by other artists to enrich their overall experience of the art world. Its adaptability to different styles and subjects promotes the exploration of various artistic avenues and encourages you to push creative boundaries. It’s a great way to express your creativity while weaving threads of the past with modern and contemporary elements on canvas.

Choosing to learn watercolor painting in a group setting is a great way to socialize, meet other artists, and take part in a creative community while also providing you with valuable feedback that you can use to refine your watercolor skills and grow as a watercolorist. Working in community with others can also help you hone your awareness of colors and observation of light, shadow, and fine details. Being an active participant can impact your ability to develop a more nuanced understanding of watercolor painting.

What You’ll Learn in a Watercolor Class?

Generally, an NYC watercolor class provides a structured environment to explore and refine your skills, gain confidence, and develop your unique artistic style while benefiting from expert guidance and peer support. If you’re new to this art form, then you’ll be learning basic watercolor techniques and practices. This can include learning how to choose the right paint, brushes, and paper for your projects, basic watercolor mixing, the three common watercolor mixtures, wet-on-wet painting, wet-on-dry painting, and wet-in-wet painting. You can learn how to build up layers of transparent color to create depth and richness in your paintings and experiment with various methods of creating textures, such as using salt, sponges, or masking fluid. Some classes will even touch on the history of watercolor to better ground you in the art, while others may emphasize tools like brushes, paper options, and pigments. This information will have a big impact on the outcome of your artwork.

Your experience level will greatly influence what you learn in a watercolor class. If you have prior experience and are ready to move beyond the basics, a more intermediate course could cover variegated wet-in-wet wash techniques, using thicker paints, and the essence of timing. In more advanced courses, you may find yourself learning the glazing wash, graded wash, or lifting wash techniques. Advanced courses can sometimes focus on subject matter like recreating photographs, cityscapes, surrealism, or capturing the movement of water. What you learn in more advanced courses allows you to have more skills to bring your artistic vision to life. You’re better positioned to express yourself in more sophisticated ways.

Composition, design theory, and artistic process are sometimes incorporated into a watercolor curriculum. You may learn about the rule of thirds, balance, focal points, contrast, harmony, and rhythm and how they can enhance your work. Learning how to plan your artwork and make preliminary sketches to guide your painting process is often covered in watercolor classes, as are techniques for adjusting and refining your work as it progresses. Instructors will often include how to correct mistakes or enhance areas of interest so that your artwork can be what you intend for it to be while guiding you through creating a cohesive body of work and building a portfolio that reflects your style and interests. Having this support from your instructor is invaluable because it helps you to develop your style, technique, and point of view.

How Long Will It Take to Learn Watercolor?

The answer to this question will be different for each individual. While a watercolor class has a start date and an end date, you will likely need many additional hours of practice before you become proficient in this delicate craft. Some classes take a few hours, while others can last for 12-weeks. Many techniques are applied to this painting medium, and there is a balance that needs to be struck between watercolor technique and artistic freedom. Your level of experience with watercolor will heavily impact how long it takes to learn watercolor, as will your artistic ability, learning preferences, and your instructor. Many factors will play a role in how long it will take, and you’ll have to put them into perspective as you map out your watercolor learning path.

You’ll find that there are also different levels of training for learners, as well as introductory and advanced courses. If you’ve never had any experience with watercolor beyond childhood arts and crafts, you’ll likely want to enroll in an introductory class to learn the basics of watercolor painting, but if you’ve had prior experience and are interested in learning more advanced techniques that go beyond basic color mixing, touching on topics like masking out for highlights and layering washes, you’ll want to enroll in advanced watercolor courses.

The truth is that you are the deciding factor in how long it takes to learn watercolor. Many studios allow students to repeat courses as many times as they like until they reach their learning goals. Art is such an open-ended hobby that there is always something new to learn, discover, and create. Teaching art studios understand this, and many do not repeat watercolor exercises frequently, and when they do repeat a painting exercise, it’s transformed in some way. Maybe your goal is to get a strong foundation of the basics so that you can paint on your own confidently. Perhaps you’re an aspiring artist looking to add watercolor to your repertoire. These two learners will have very different needs from a watercolor class that will greatly impact the amount of learning and the timeline in which it can be completed.

What are the Advantages of Taking a Watercolor Class?

Regardless of your skill level, watercolor painting has a lot of unique advantages that make it a beloved medium for many artists. It allows you to discover your creativity in new and sometimes surprising ways. The fluidity of watercolor encourages experimentation. You can play with different techniques like wet-on-wet, dry brushing, and salt textures, allowing you to discover new effects and styles. The ability to layer watercolor allows you to mix colors and manipulate gradients in ways that often yield unique results. The way paint spreads and blends unpredictably often leads to unexpected results, fostering a sense of spontaneity and discovery in your work. Painting with watercolor can become meditative, allowing you to tap into your subconscious and explore deeper emotional and creative currents. It encourages exploration, experimentation, and personal expression, making it a powerful tool for discovering and expanding your creativity.

Another benefit of getting into watercolor is learning new skills. Working with watercolors can enhance your skills in color mixing, layering, and understanding how pigments interact with water and paper. You’ll also develop better techniques like water control and brushstrokes, improving the way paint spreads and blends as well as the overall precision of your artwork. Likewise, you can also improve your problem-solving skills. The unpredictable nature of watercolor forces you to adapt and discover new ways to achieve effects and solve artistic challenges. It helps you to become more patient and methodical. Even if you’re a more advanced learner, there is always more to learn and fine-tune. These skills are transferable to other painting mediums and can deepen your overall artistic technique. These advantages make watercolor a dynamic and expressive medium, perfect for artists who enjoy exploring its varied and often surprising effects.

There are even several proven health benefits to watercolor painting that encompass mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It reduces stress because the focus it demands helps distract you from daily worries and induces relaxation. It promotes mindfulness, where you concentrate on the present moment and your creative process. This mindfulness can lower anxiety and enhance overall mental well-being. You may experience a boost in mood and be better able to explore and articulate feelings that may be difficult to express through words, encouraging an improvement in your emotional health. The more you engage in this art, the more improvements you may find in your fine motor skills, posture, sleep, and cognition.

Although it is possible to learn watercolor painting on your own, there’s nothing like having a skilled instructor there to help guide you. Not only will an instructor be able to share with you some of the wisdom they’ve learned about painting and working with watercolor over the years, but also provide you with personalized feedback that can make you a better artist. When you find yourself not quite grasping a technique or needing someone to bounce an idea off of, you’ll be grateful to have real-time feedback rather than an online video that doesn’t interact with you. Whether you choose to take a watercolor class live online or in-person, you’ll benefit greatly from having other creative minds around and a knowledgeable guide.

Best Watercolor Classes in NYC

You’ll find that New York City has a thriving arts scene that includes watercolorists. Regardless of your experience with watercolors, you can get involved. Whether you’re looking to dive into more advanced techniques or just getting started with this style of paint, an in-person class can prove helpful as you explore your creativity through watercolor. There is an abundance of watercolor courses to choose from for every skill level. While some courses are geared toward advanced and intermediate learners, more often than not, you’ll find learners of all levels gathered in the same class sharing a creative experience.

The Art Studio NY is offering a two-session Beginners Watercolor Painting class to adults looking to grow their artistic skills. In their top-rated art studio, students will be inspired by flowers and the natural world to create wonderful paintings of their own. Complete beginners and those who have very little experience with watercolors can learn the art in a supportive and fear-free space. Expect to get 1-on-1 painting instruction, learn foundational watercolor techniques like pencil and color mark-making, wet-on-wet painting, splattering, and color mixing, and step-by-step demonstrations and instruction. The studio will not provide students with supplies. Students need to come to class with their own materials to actively participate. The instructor will provide students with a detailed list of recommended and required supplies.

The 92nd Street Y is offering Watercolors for Absolute Beginners, a foundational watercolor painting course for adults. This seven-session course is designed to immerse students in the wonderful world of watercolors. Students will learn brush techniques, color mixing, washes, wet-in-wet, and wet-over-dry before moving on to form, light, color, and composition. Beyond the art itself, learners will also get some watercolor history and an overview of contemporary watercolors. Watercolor supplies will not be provided, and students will receive a supply list to purchase the necessary course materials.

Also by 92nd Street Y is Watercolor Painting (Intermediate/Advanced). This course is designed to help watercolorists move into more advanced watercolor techniques and methodology. While this course does review some basic skills like wet-in-wet and wet-over-dry, students can look forward to 14 sessions packed with new techniques and insights to improve their watercolor painting skills. Students will also be looking to specific artists for inspiration during this course to help refine and hone their watercolor artistry. Please note that students are expected to purchase and bring their art supplies to class. A materials list will be provided.

Watercolor Techniques at New York School of the Arts is a watercolor painting class for adult learners of all levels. Students will be exposed to many watercolor techniques while working on projects from landscapes to portraits. This class is designed to best support beginner to intermediate watercolorists. During the eight class sessions, students will create several paintings in a variety of subject matter using reference photos and imagination. The class aims to help students deepen their understanding of the characteristics of watercolor painting while expressing themselves creatively and uniquely.

Creatively Wild Art Studio Dumbo offers Beginner Watercolor Painting: With Natural + Urban Subject Matter to adults who are interested in getting to know watercolor painting. This course covers fundamental techniques and practical approaches to painting natural and urban subject matter with watercolor. Although the class is designed for beginners, it is open to learners of all experience levels. Expect to learn how to evoke atmospheric perspective, build colors, wet-on-wet, dry-on-dry, blooming, splattering, masking, gradated, and flat washing in the course. Brushstrokes and professional applications will also be covered. Students are welcome to repeat this single-session class as many times as they’d like. Watercolor paints and brushes will be supplied, but students must bring their own watercolor canvas to use.

Consider this Brooklyn Craft Company Watercolor 101 class when trying to get acquainted with the art of watercolor. Students will learn a variety of techniques for creating texture, mixing colors, and painting. This is a very relaxed, three-hour session that allows students to make unique creations. No painting or art experience is needed. The instructor will guide learners, helping them to practice the techniques they learn, like wet brush, dry brush, bloom, and scumbling. This workshop also covers creating texture with plastic wrap, resist, and crayon; composition, from geometric to organic; and color mixing. Students do not need to provide their own course materials and art supplies.

Live Online Watercolor Classes

If you’d rather learn watercolor at home, there are some great live online classes you can enroll in that will help you reach your artistic goals. When you take live online watercolor classes, you can choose to learn from a wider variety of art schools than those that are in your geographic area. With New York City having some of the worst traffic in the country, you won’t have to worry about commuting to class when you opt for online courses. Although you won’t have the benefit of the instructor physically helping you, you’ll get real-time feedback and personalized attention when you need it. Take a look at some of these live online watercolor classes to see if any of them appeal to you and your level of experience.

This Pastimes for a Lifetime Online Watercolor 201-Beginner watercolor course is for learners as young as seven years old. It is designed for complete beginners with no experience with watercolor painting. Students will learn fundamental techniques, color mixing, and brush strokes. Anyone, whether an aspiring artist, illustrator, or hobbyist, will learn how to create clean, crisp colors and the characteristics of transparent paint. Because this is not a follow-the-leader-style course, students will create individual pieces that flow from their creative centers. By the end of this four-week beginner’s course, students will have several completed watercolor pieces. For best results, students must purchase the brand and type-specific course materials.

For more experienced watercolorists who are interested in deepening their watercolor technique and skill, this Pastimes for a Lifetime Online Watercolor 202 — Intermediate class can help. For students who are ready to get into advanced techniques for texture, tone, and color layering, this course is a great option. Those who enroll in this intermediate watercolor course will also get into painting with tube watercolors and how to create deeper, richer colors. This course allows students to let their creativity take center stage, painting their vision, not painting what the instructor or other students are painting.

Students with little to no experience with watercolors are invited to enroll in this Watercolor Painting (Beginner/Intermediate) class by 92nd Street Y. This course helps students observe photographs and still life to translate them into visual watercolor representations. Students of beginner and intermediate levels will get a chance to learn methods for applying paint and mixing colors to create watercolor art. This seven-session class is for adults and allows for the exploration of watercolor’s properties. Students must supply their own course supplies.

Beginning Watercolor Online by Chicago Botanic Garden is for adults who are excited to get started in the luminous world of watercolor painting. During this virtual botanical art class, students will learn about brush techniques, color mixing, and washes. All learners are welcome, and no experience is needed to enroll in the course. This six-session class will allow the creativity to flow as students explore the finer points of mark-making, color formation, and wash control. Students will also experience wet and dry watercolor techniques.

Students can learn everything they need to know to get started with watercolor in this Art School of SF Bay Watercolor 101 workshop. During this 11-session class, beginner watercolor artists and hobbyists will learn how to mix colors, use washes, reserve, and additives, underpaint, and prevent and fix watercolor accidents. Students will attempt to create works in both Classical European and Eastern watercolor styles. Some of the projects will include painting landscapes and portraits. Because this is a live online workshop, students will be responsible for having the right supplies to paint a masterpiece.

Janine Ashley

Janine Ashley is a writer, educator, and digital content specialist with a background in graphic design, video editing, web development, and arts-based education. She holds a BA in Theatre and English from Harding University and an MA in Folk Studies from Western Kentucky University. Since 2016, Janine has created educational content on graphic design, front-end web design, motion graphics, and digital tools for creative professionals and learners of all ages. At Noble Desktop, she writes on a wide range of topics, including video editing, UX & UI design, and coding. She has built websites and led branding efforts for several theatre companies and nonprofits, and collaborated with various companies on photography, design, and digital storytelling through social media.

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Key Insights

Learn More About NYC Watercolor Courses

What is Watercolor?

Why Learn Watercolor?

What You’ll Learn in a Watercolor Class?

How Long Will It Take to Learn Watercolor?

What are the Advantages of Taking a Watercolor Class?

Best Watercolor Classes in NYC

Live Online Watercolor Classes

NYC Watercolor Courses by School

92nd Street Y

Getting Started with Watercolor

Watercolor Painting (Beginner/Intermediate)

art retreat nyc

Watercolor for Relaxation - Tuesday Nights (Single Session)

New York School of the Arts

Watercolor Techniques

Exploratory Watercolor

Pastimes for a Lifetime

Online Watercolor 201 - Beginner

Online Watercolor 202 - Intermediate

The Art Studio NY

4 Week Sessions: Beginners Watercolor Painting

Chicago Botanic Garden

Beginning Watercolor: Online

NYC Watercolor Corporate & Onsite Training Noble Desktop

Watercolor Training Locations in or Near NYC

NYC Watercolor
Corporate & Onsite Training