In this class I will guide you through painting a shell still life in watercolour, focusing on the subtle beauty of light, form, and colour harmony. What makes this subject so rewarding is that it allows us to explore both delicacy and structure at the same time. The shell has beautiful curves, warm glowing colours, textured patterns, and a strong cast shadow that helps anchor it in space.

This class is less about painting every tiny ridge or marking with equal attention, and more about understanding what gives a still life painting its sense of presence. We will look at the shell as a collection of clear shapes, supported by a thoughtful balance of soft washes, crisp accents, and selective edges. The surrounding space remains calm and airy, allowing the subject to feel elegant and quietly luminous.

I love subjects like this because they show how a simple object can become deeply engaging when we pay attention to the right things. The shell gives us opportunities to explore warm and cool colour shifts, gentle transitions across curved form, and the contrast between detailed focal areas and looser, more suggestive passages. The shadow also plays an important role, adding drama, grounding the composition, and giving the painting a stronger sense of atmosphere.

In this class you will learn:

• A simple approach to building the shell from clear, readable shapes
• The importance of light and shadow in making a still life feel three dimensional
• Ways to paint curved form using gentle value changes and subtle colour transitions
• Where crisp accents help bring texture and structure to life
• Why a strong cast shadow can make the whole composition feel more convincing
• How to balance detail and suggestion so the painting stays fresh rather than overworked
• The role of warm and cool harmony in creating richness within a limited subject
• How a quiet background can help the main form feel more elegant and luminous

This class is suitable for both beginners and more experienced painters who want to strengthen their understanding of still life painting, form, and atmosphere in watercolour.

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

Noemie Plante

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