You’ll learn how to find enjoyment in your painting experience as you take the rules you’ve learned and decide when to throw them out. This process will be stress-relieving as you build confidence in your knowledge and at the same time express yourself creatively.

We’ll start with a series of practice exercises to practice the fundamentals combined with self-care strategies. You’ll practice:

Color mixing through paint consistency and values scales
Learn the basics about your brushes and how to use them
How to play with the paint colors in your palette
How to experiment with washes and floral and leaf shapes

For your final project, you’ll apply everything we’ve practiced into 1 beautiful bouquet.. The main steps in your project are:

Painting focal florals first
Adding in fillers, leaves, stems, and a vase
Adding in various values to create texture and shadows
Practicing painting from your intuition as you make your creative changes to the composition

In your final project, I will be looking for the following things:

Completion of the project. I will not be looking for perfection or you painting in a certain way. That is not the point of this class
I want to hear how you were able to be mindful and present during painting and how that experience was for you. Tell me your story!

I chose this project for the following reasons:

Loose florals are a good way to venture out on your own
These painting techniques are simple, which will build confidence

Materials you will need:

I have provided a reference photo below for you to use if you would like. It will help with placement and your overall composition.

Watercolor paint (either tubes or a ready-made palette)
Watercolor paper (either professional or student quality)
2 water jars
Large and small round paint brushes (I use round brushes in sizes #2, #6, and #12 but use whatever you have)
Paper towel for dabbing

I encourage you to complete the final project and post your progress to document your journey taking this class. When you are ready to share your final piece and/or practice exercises, please upload them to the Project Gallery to share with others, get feedback, and be a part of our community. If you share on social media, please tag me at #tammykayeart so I can also see them!

And after taking this class you enjoyed your experience, please consider leaving this class a review so other students can hear about your personal experience!

If you want to connect with me:

You can check out my Skillshare profile here.
Patreon membership
Or see other resources and information on my website.
Or follow me on Instagram to keep up with my artwork
Or join my 2025 art retreat in Italy

Can't wait to see your final pieces and hear about your experience!

Michelle Ruzicka

Aspiring Artist

1

13