In this class I will guide you through painting a coastal boat scene in watercolour, focusing on the qualities that make this kind of subject so appealing: openness, soft coastal light, broad areas of wet sand, and gentle reflections. At the heart of the composition is a sturdy blue boat, which gives the painting its focal point and quiet sense of presence.

This class is less about rendering every tiny feature and more about understanding what truly makes a painting work. We will explore shape relationships, value contrast, selective edges, and the importance of knowing what to leave unresolved. The distant boats, small birds, shoreline buildings, and reflections all help support the mood, but none of them need to compete for attention.

What I love about this scene is how full and complete it feels without becoming crowded or overworked. The foreground reflection creates space, the main boat provides structure, and the distant land and buildings give just enough context to make the scene feel believable and balanced. The real beauty lies in the editing, choosing what to emphasise and what to let dissolve into atmosphere.

In this class you will learn:

• How large shapes and simple design choices can make a scene feel clear and balanced
• The role of value contrast in helping the main boat stand out as the focal point
• Ways to paint wet sand and soft reflections without overcomplicating them
• Why selective edges create more atmosphere than outlining everything equally
• How small details like distant boats, birds, and shoreline buildings can support the composition without stealing attention
• A more thoughtful approach to editing, deciding what to describe and what to leave suggestive
• How to create a painting that feels breezy, spacious, and full of quiet confidence

This class is suitable for both beginners and more experienced painters who want to develop a looser, more confident approach to painting coastal scenes.

Thank you so much for your interest in this class!

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Try this class to explore your creativity...

I’ve been painting for many years now, taken part in many exhibitions around the world and won awards from well respected organisations. As well as having my work feature in art magazines. After having success selling my originals and 1000s of prints around the world, I decided to start traveling with my brushes and paintings. My style is modern and attempts to grasp the essence of what I’m painting whilst allowing freedom and expression to come through. I simplify complicated subjects into easier shapes that encourages playfulness.

You'll Learn:

What materials and equipment to need to painting along
Basic technique to complete your first painting
How to avoid common mistakes
Choosing the right colours for your painting
How to blend colours and create textures for different effects
Making corrections and improvements
Finishing touches that make a big difference

When enrolled, I’ll include my complete ‘Watercolour Mixing Charts’. These are a huge aid for beginners and experts alike. They show what every colour on the palette looks like when mixed with each other. Indispensable when it comes to choosing which colour to mix.

Don’t forget to follow me on Skillshare. Click the “follow” button and you’ll be the first to know as soon as I launch a new course or have a big announcement to share with my students.

Additional Resources:

Here are the art supplies I recommend
Follow me on Instagram
Check out my website

Music by Audionautix.com

Ishara Usoof

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