Watercolor Lessons

Watercolor lessons offered:

In-person

  • Only offered in Denver, the greater Denver area (Westminster, Broomfield, Arvada, etc), and Boulder, Colorado

  • We will meet in a public place such as a cafe or a park (if weather permits)

  • Materials will be provided. You will need to purchase your own materials to practice outside of the lesson

  • Full reimbursement for cancellations at least 3 days in advance.

  • Email will be used for all important communication and details.

  • Offered for those outside of Colorado or those who prefer remote learning

  • Materials will NOT be provided. I will send you a materials list when you sign up. Basics include paints, a palette, brushes, paper, and tape.

  • Email will be used for all important communication and details.

Online (coming soon)

Skill levels:

Beginner

  • Mindset work (feelings of inadequacy, negative self talk, identity work, artistic overwhelm, comparison economy, social media traps, etc)

  • Materials 101

  • Get to know your brushes

  • Wet vs dry techniques

  • Simple gradients

  • Basic 2D and 3D shapes

  • 2-layer shading technique

  • Transparency and saturation

  • Color theory basics (hue, primary colors)

  • Planning a painting 101 (sketching, light initial layers, getting something on a blank canvas)

  • + More

Intermediate

  • Mindset work (feelings of inadequacy, negative self talk, identity work, artistic overwhelm, comparison economy, social media traps, etc)

  • Expanding materials (paper types, brush styles, customizing a palette, etc)

  • Glazing

  • Complex shading (color choices, layering, vibrancy, etc)

  • Composition basics

  • Adding details

  • Fixing mistakes

  • Design principles (thirds, balance, tension, etc)

  • Masking fluid 101

  • Working light to dark

  • Color theory (triads, analogous, compliments, etc)

  • + More

Advanced

  • Mindset work (feelings of inadequacy, negative self talk, identity work, artistic overwhelm, comparison economy, social media traps, etc)

  • Complex glazing and layering (working with 10+ layers)

  • Complex masking fluid techniques

  • Psychology of color

  • Defining your unique style

  • Adding flow and movement

  • Full design process (Sketch thumbnails to final product)

  • Planning large projects (12” x 16” and bigger)

  • Selling, reproducing, and marketing

  • Social media management (reels, posting cadence, engaging audience, how to detach self-worth from stats)

  • Live painting with watercolors

  • + More

Additional offerings:

Plein air hikes (seasonal)

  • Send an email to jo@jonova.art to start planning our next plein air adventure together. Books are closed right now, but let’s get the ideas flowing!

  • May-September

  • Subjects offered include landscapes, flowers, trees, rivers, lakes, mushrooms, and foliage.

  • All painting materials will be provided. Student will provide their own snacks, water, and transportation, entrance fees.

  • I am an experienced hiker. I will provide safety gear such as first aid, water filtration, bear safety, satellite communication, and stretching/hiking techniques.

  • Locations include (but are not limited to) Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Boulder, Nederland, Silverthorne, Golden, and Brainard. I recommend choosing something within your skill level as a hiker.

  • This is a highly personalized experience. Email me to discuss questions, trail options, inspiration, and logistics. I look forward to facilitating your magical experience in plein air nature painting

  • Full reimbursement to cancellations at least 3 days in advance.

  • Full reimbursement if there is a weather cancellation by the artist

  • Although I will be prepared, the student is fully responsible for their own personal health safety.