Realistic Watercolors Step by Step (DVD + Streaming)

Learn how to paint watercolor flowers and more step by step with online video lessons from award-winning artist Anna Mason. Start with how to choose a reference photo, set up your workspace and outline your subject matter: a rose. With your outline complete, see how to create petals by layering tones from light to dark. Next, paint a lifelike stamen and build skills for balancing tones. Move on to rendering a lovely flower bud and get tips for avoiding muddy colors, increasing contrast and creating highlights that add depth to your work. Expand the number of greens on your palette as Anna guides you through painting convincing leaves, stems and thorns. Plus, discover tricks for finishing your painting beautifully by establishing crisp edges, using color-correcting techniques and refining the level of contrast in your piece.

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.)

Working With Watercolor (25:03)
Meet Anna Mason and get started discovering the simplicity behind painting with watercolors. Develop your painter’s eye with watercolor basics as Anna helps you uncover the secret to layering watercolors. You’ll also learn her brush techniques for painting fine details. Think small!

Preparing to Paint (21:30)
Set up your workspace for success! Anna will provide techniques for taking the best reference photo to work from, no fancy camera required. Then get started working on a realistic pencil outline of a flower by either tracing or using Anna’s measurements technique for an accurate rendering.

Painting the Petals (30:30)
Start painting petals with Anna’s layering technique. Begin by placing the lightest pink tones, then move to your darker pinks and finally your midtones to gradually build up color. You’ll finish by filling gaps and refining your contrast.

Painting the Stamen & Reassessing Petals (22:13)
Begin painting a realistic-looking stamen to add color variation to your painting! Learn the importance of order in watercolor painting and building up tone throughout the painting process. After finishing the stamen, you’ll reassess the petal tones and balance the darkness of the petals.

Painting the Bud (21:53)
Start painting a flower bud by layering tones light to dark. Anna will teach you how to avoid making mud out of your color choices. Use greens and reds to add tones to the sepals for clarity and deep contrast. Finally, gain confidence in your contrasts and explore how to use gouache for brilliant highlights.

Painting the Leaves & Stem (22:22)
Create a variety of greens to cover the leaves, stems and thorns for a natural-looking finish. Layer the dark tones on top of the dried lighter tones using Anna’s layering technique. You’ll fill in the midtones to create the veins and juggle the rest of the hues to create a smooth, finished look.

Finishing Details & Assessing Contrast (19:24)
Add final key details to make your painting look natural. Anna demonstrates how easy it is to make your details pop for a realistic finish. Learn to make darks richer and help details shine through with Anna’s techniques for color correcting. Then assess the big-picture contrast of your painting.

Anna Mason
Anna Mason is a watercolorist specializing in big, bold, botanical subjects. After making a huge career change to paint full-time 10 years ago, she’s been honored with an RHS Gold Medal for Botanical Art and the Grand Prize by International Artist Magazine. In recent years, Anna has made it her mission to teach her unique watercolor techniques in an easy-to-understand way by contributing to Artists & Illustrator Magazine in the U.K., writing The Modern Flower Painter (Search Press) and teaching on Craftsy.

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.