Do your watercolor paintings feel too tight and overworked, or too loose and lacking structure?

What if there was a way to balance both and truly elevate your style?

In this watercolor class, you’ll learn how to achieve loose realism, a beautiful and expressive balance between realism and watercolor freedom, through a simple and powerful three-step process.

I’m Françoise, a self-taught watercolor artist and teacher who used to get stuck chasing details. Over time, I developed a more relaxed approach without losing the clarity and realism I love. In this class, I’ll walk you through the exact three-step framework that changed how I paint and teach.

Examples of loose realism in watercolor

Together, we’ll explore:

How to plan your painting for success, from reference and sketch to palette choices and a smart strategy to preserve your whites.
How to paint a loose and expressive base that captures mood and atmosphere
How to build up realistic details in your main subject without losing softness or impact

This class is ideal for late beginners and intermediate artists who want to loosen up without losing control. With clear instruction and a focus on practice over perfection, you’ll learn how to paint smarter, not harder.

We’ll be painting a peaceful seascape with a boat, the perfect subject to practice dynamic contrast between loose backgrounds and more defined subjects.

This lesson is all about helping you grow your personal painting style and gain more confidence in your brushwork.

So if you're ready to enjoy watercolor more and elevate your style with intention, grab your supplies, and let’s get started!

Christine Courtois

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