Organised by V&A
Discover the lively personality of watercolour. Through a series of exercises with expert tutor Leo Crane, each week, you’ll explore a different way to use this versatile medium, from luminous manuscript painting to precision illustration and spontaneous mark-making…
By the end of the course, you will have tried out a variety of techniques, creating a mini portfolio of sample pieces and a final project:
- Learn from our world-class experts wherever, whenever: watch classes live or view the recording later in your own time.
- Time to explore: 12 hours of live classroom sessions over six weeks.
- Consolidate your learning: watch over 20 specially commissioned How To videos to support your course. Receive feedback from the class tutor on your work.
- Deepen your understanding: weekly Spotlight Sessions with V&A Curators, art historians and practicing artists explore the background to the projects.
- Learn at your own pace: lecture recordings and study materials are available for six weeks after the course ends, so you'll never miss a minute.
Course overview
Week 1: Materials and techniques. Introduction to brushes, paper, paints and how to apply them
Week 2: From Opaque to Luminous. Overview of early manuscript painting; exploring opaque and transparent paints.
Week 3: Illustration and Enchantment. Washes and line inspired by Dulac, Rackham and British watercolour illustration.
Week 4: Expressive Figures. Painting from life, quick poses, gestural marks
Week 5: Inner Energy. Overview of East Asian ink wash painting; tree study in sumi-e style.
Week 6: Final project and individual feedback. Project brief and one-on-one tutorial time with a final group critiquep>
Note: There are two weekly tutorial slots available. Click ‘Book Now’ to book onto the Tuesday afternoon session. Alternatively, you can book onto the Tuesday evening session via the Online Courses page.
Materials are not included. You will receive a short list of readily available materials to purchase prior to the start of the course.
V&A Academy Online. A learning environment you can trust.
V&A Academy Online courses are built using the latest Microsoft software. Tune in to expert lectures live, or catch up later on demand. Download handouts and presentations. Join the discussion in a secure, closed class environment, wherever you are.