Modern Watercolor Techniques
A course by Ana Victoria CalderonPainter and Illustrator
A course by Ana Victoria Calderon, Painter and Illustrator
Paint with watercolors in a technical and creative way
Can you imagine creating new universes with watercolor? Experiment and surprise yourself with the infinite possibilities that this technique offers with the help of Ana Victoria Calderón, illustrator, designer, and visual artist. After ten years of dedicating herself exclusively to painting, she has developed her own style inspired by nature's mysticism. Her work ranges from prints to book covers and she has collaborated with international brands like Papyrus, Vanity Fair, Ray-Ban, and Editorial Santillana.
Together with Ana Victoria, learn how to master watercolor step by step and use it in a fun way to create unimaginable results. There are times when the technique itself, because of its nature, acts on its own. In this course, you will discover how to take advantage of these unexpected "mistakes" for your own benefit. Study the basics and then go beyond traditional watercolor by experimenting with different materials and a modern approach.
Here you will lay the foundation for using watercolors, but you build on this technique in her other two courses: Techniques Applied to Watercolour Illustration, where you can learn how to become a freelance illustrator, and Creation of Color Palettes with Watercolor, to achieve color combinations that reflect your personality.
Featured review
Excellent beginner’s course that covers the essential skills for watercolour painting and provides some exercises to practice before moving onto more complex illustrations. I love Ana’s modern and whimsical style so the illustrations covered in the course where fun and inspiring. She gives a lot of tips to explore the media and experiment. I would recommend this course to anyone starting with watercolours.
What will you learn in this online course?
32 lessons & 7 downloads
Materials
11 minutes, 53 seconds
Transparencies 1
9 minutes, 33 seconds
Transparencies 2*
2 minutes, 45 seconds
Gradients 1
10 minutes, 27 seconds
Gradients 2*
2 minutes, 37 seconds
Pressure and precision 1
11 minutes, 2 seconds
What's included in this course?
Begin by getting to know Ana Victoria Calderón’s work and influences, as well as the reasons that led her to devote herself to the world of watercolor.
Next, briefly review the materials needed for the different exercises that you will do, and then learn the purpose for each.
Learn the basic aspects of working with watercolors, such as transparency levels, water control, gradients, and paint saturation, as well as understanding the weight and precision needed to start using the brush with greater control to achieve fine details.
Once you have understood the basics, it's time to experiment by mixing the watercolors with other materials such as other types of paint, salt, chlorine, as well as homemade materials, and analyze the reactions.
To finish the course, create a complex illustration applying the techniques learned from the experiments you liked the most.
What is this course's project?
Make an illustration of a nebula or galaxy using watercolor, acrylics, and other resources, putting into practice all the exercises completed during this course.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Designers, illustrators, artists, and art enthusiasts in general who are interested in learning how to paint with watercolor from scratch, as well as those who want to improve their technique.
Requirements and materials
No prior knowledge is required to complete this course.
Regarding materials, you will need a watercolor sketchbook, a pencil, a pencil sharpener, an eraser, watercolors, round brushes for watercolors in different sizes (especially a fine brush for smaller details), black ink, acrylic paint or white ink, a glass for water, and a palette.
It is optional, but recommended, to have table salt, alcohol, nail polish remover, bleach, and a variety of inks and watercolors (liquid, tube, metalized, etc.) that you may already have but don't know how to use. They will be useful for experimenting.
Reviews
- 1 month ago
Really good introduction to watercolour. As a beginner who has never used watercolour before, I think it is exellent. I loved creating the galaxy.
- hello_867067PLUS1 month ago
great course! Thank you!
- 2 months ago
Enjoyed how the instructor taught specific skills and then wanted the learner to apply them in a work of art. In the end, I had several completed pieces and increased confidence in this medium. Since I have not had formal training in art and have only taken one other watercolor mini-course, I believe this one is great for any student. Highly recommend!
- 2 months ago
super corso chiaro e con esercizi ben illustrati
- 2 months ago
It was a pleasure to work with you . I learned few techniques about water colour which I think will be helpful for me in future. I will keep in touch with you.
She graduated in information design from the University of the Americas Puebla (UDLAP), while also working towards her degree in visual arts.
It’s easy to spot her illustrations on prints, bags, notebooks, ceramics, kitchenware, greeting cards, book covers, and a wide range of different products. She licenses her art to companies such as Hallmark, Papyrus, Trader Joe's, and more and has collaborated with Vanity Fair, Elle, Editorial Santillana, Travesías, Ray Ban, and Dr. Bronner's.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- U2
Before we start
- What are we going to learn?
- Materials
- U3
Introduction exercises
- Transparencies 1
- Transparencies 2*
- Transparencies 3
- Gradients 1
- Gradients 2*
- Gradients 3
- Pressure and precision 1
- Pressure and precision 2*
- Pressure and precision 3
- Monochromatic activity 1
- Monochromatic activity 2*
- Monochromatic activity 3
- Monochromatic activity 4*
- Monochromatic activity 5
- U4
Experimental watercolor
- Planets 1
- Planets 2
- Giving shape to experiments 1
- Giving shape to experiments 2*
- Shaping our experiments 3
- Shaping our experiments 4
- Galaxy 1
- Galaxy 2
- Galaxy 3*
- Galaxy 4
- Galaxy 5*
- Galaxy 6
- Galaxy 7
- Galaxy 8
- FP
Final project
- Modern Watercolor Techniques
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
You’ll learn to apply mixed media texturing techniques in watercolor, using salt, bleach, acetone, and white ink. You’ll improve brush control, create gradients and themed illustrations, and experiment with alternative materials to achieve unique visual effects.
The course is designed for those with intermediate watercolor or illustration skills but includes basic control exercises and experimental techniques so you can progress at your own pace.
You’ll need watercolors (pan, liquid, or tube), brushes in various sizes, a palette, watercolor paper, salt, bleach, acetone, white ink, water, and absorbent paper. Optionally, you can use gouache, India ink, and tools to digitize your artwork.
Salt is sprinkled onto wet watercolor to absorb water and pigment, creating irregular textures and unique visual patterns that enrich your painting.
You’ll learn to use salt, bleach, acetone, white ink, and gouache to create special effects, along with combined techniques to achieve textures, transparencies, gradients, and precise details in your illustrations.
Yes, the course includes step-by-step exercises to paint galaxies, jellyfish, and other organic shapes, applying texturing techniques and brush control.
The course offers practical exercises to develop steady hand control, precision, and brush handling, such as drawing lines, curves, transparencies, and gradients—essential for fine details and sharp edges.