Painting Realistic Watercolors (DVD + Streaming)

Learn realist techniques every watercolorist should know! Join Mario Robinson as he shares the secrets to radiant watercolor works. Establish your subject’s light, middle and dark values with a tonal underdrawing. Learn proper techniques for stretching your paper to achieve a pristine surface. Create symmetrical features and mass big shapes using intuition to achieve a more natural appearance. Work through a monotone wash, explore water manipulation and work wet into wet for optical color mixing. Finally, build form and dimension into your watercolor work with a special drybrush technique. Discover the keys to luminous, expressive watercolor paintings today!

NOTE: If you’d like to purchase only the DVD for this class, you may do so through this link. (Please note, any class PDF materials are not on the DVD itself. You must have streaming access to download those materials associated with the class.)

Preparatory Study (07:28)
Meet your instructor, noted watercolor and realist painter Mario Robinson, before exploring methods for creating reference sketches that have interesting compositions, dynamic value choices and carefully selected details.

Preparing to Paint (12:55)
Learn the best practices for preparing your paper by submerging it in water, drying it and taping it to a board. Robinson demonstrates the most effective ways to prevent warping as you create an ideal surface for your paints. Then practice transferring the underdrawing you made as a reference sketch to the scale and composition you desire on your stretched paper.

Monochromatic Block-In (33:26)
Using the underdrawing you created in Lesson 2, you’ll create a monochromatic block-in of your work using a photo as a reference. Robinson walks you through each step of the process as he creates a value study of his subject, including tips for working with challenging areas such as eyes and hair.

Adding Color (38:10)
Bring your subject to life as you add color to your monochromatic block-in. Learn how to mix the best colors for skin tones, use glazing techniques and add a second layer to bring more complexity, realism and dimension to your work.

Water Manipulation (16:03)
Delve deeper into the unique aspects of working with watercolor as you use a wash technique to create an even tone across your paper. Then explore wet-into-wet methods that are used to blend pigments into wet paper for a more blurred, ethereal effect. Robinson completes the lesson with a tutorial on creating various glazes and washes to achieve the color and effect you desire.

Drybrush Techniques (20:00)
Discover the virtues of drybrush techniques as you refine details and use crosshatching lines to create shading, contours and more. Robinson illustrates a wide variety of ways to add intrigue, outlines and a more informed sense of shape and volume to your work. You’ll finish the class with a new repertoire of watercolor techniques that will help inspire and refine all of your future works!

Mario Robinson

Mario Robinson developed his realist style while studying at the prestigious Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. Moved by the works of Rembrandt, Vermeer and Degas, Robinson himself is now considered a master watercolorist. He is an exhibiting artist member of The National Arts Club, an artist member of The Salmagundi Club and a signature member of The Pastel Society of America. His work has been featured in various publications, including The Artist’s Magazine and American Art Collector, and on the cover of American Artist magazine. He has been named one of the top 20 realist artists under the age of 40.

How will I receive my DVD class?
Your DVD will be shipped in the mail using the address you provide at checkout. Your purchase also includes access to a streaming version of the class and downloadable PDF class materials. After your purchase, you can find your streaming class and your PDF class materials by logging into your Craftsy account using the user name and password you established.

How do I access the companion materials for my DVD class?
Come to Craftsy.com and log into your account using the username and password you set up when establishing your Craftsy account or purchasing your DVD. In your “My Account” area, select the “Classes” content. On this page, you’ll see all classes you’ve purchased from Craftsy. Simply select the desired class from your content list, and you’ll be presented with your selected class page. From the class page you can easily view, download or print the companion class materials, which are in the “Bonus Materials” tab on the class page. You can log in any time, and download or print the companion materials as many times as you like. Companion class materials are not shipped in the mail with your DVD, and must be accessed on Craftsy.com.

How do I stream my class on Craftsy.com?
Come to Craftsy.com and log into your account using the username and password you set up when establishing your Craftsy account or purchasing your DVD. In your “My Account” content, select the desired class. Stream the video on-demand from the class page any time you like; your viewing access is unlimited. You can stream your class from any computer, tablet or mobile device with Internet access.

Do I have to purchase a Craftsy Membership to get my class?
No, you do not. Every DVD purchased on Craftsy.com includes both the physical DVD in the mail and unlimited on-demand streaming access at Craftsy.com. These benefits are yours with or without a Craftsy membership.

Are DVDs included in a Craftsy Membership?
No, they are not. DVDs can only be purchased on an individual basis and are not included in Craftsy memberships. For non-members, DVDs are a flexible way to purchase only the classes you love best. For members, DVDs are a great choice to build an at-home library you can keep forever and enjoy any time, with or without Internet access.

Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we do ship most physical products, including DVDs, to several International destinations. In addition to the USA and Canada, we ship to Australia, Brazil, India, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, and most Western European countries. If you live outside these countries, you can still purchase digital items including memberships, individual streaming classes, and pattern downloads.

Do your DVDs work on international players?
Yes, our DVDs should be compatible with any DVD player in use today. All our videos have been created with all current Region Codes (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8). If you have trouble viewing a DVD purchased from Craftsy.com, please contact Customer Service.

What is your return policy?
We want to be sure you’re satisfied. If you have trouble playing your DVD, if the content is not correctly presented on the DVD, or you are dissatisfied with the content of your class, we will work with you. Contact Craftsy customer service via email or phone. Upon your request, and upon your return of the DVD to us, we will refund your purchase price or send you another DVD to replace a damaged or incorrect DVD, whichever is your preference. If you do receive a full refund, your streaming video class will also be removed from your Craftsy account, so on-demand video access will no longer be available to you.