Paint a Tranquil Lighthouse Landscape in Watercolor

In this step-by-step watercolor class, I’ll guide you through painting a tranquil coastal landscape featuring a lighthouse, a soft sky, and rolling hills of tall grasses. It’s a peaceful scene full of atmosphere, and we’ll take our time building it layer by layer.

Throughout the class, I’ll show you how to:

• Paint soft, cloudy skies using the wet-on-wet technique

• Build depth in the landscape with layering

• Use masking fluid to preserve clean shapes like the lighthouse and fence posts

• Add texture and fine details with dry brushing and liner brushes

• Finish with subtle gouache highlights for grasses and light accents

We’ll work one section at a time, focusing on a calm, patient approach. I’ll also share how I adapted the reference photo, simplified the composition, and made creative decisions to bring more movement and balance to the scene.

Whether you're an intermediate painter or a beginner ready to take on a full landscape, this class is designed to be approachable, inspiring, and relaxing. You don’t need to rush—just enjoy the process and let the painting evolve naturally.

You’ll find everything you need in the Projects and Resources section, including the reference photo, a supply list, line drawings in multiple sizes, and work-in-progress images to help you follow along.

I hope this class brings you a sense of calm and creativity. I can’t wait to see your version of this lighthouse scene!