In this class I will guide you through painting a sunlit countryside scene in watercolour, full of warm light, rolling distance, and a quiet sense of vineyard atmosphere. What makes this subject so appealing is the balance between structure and freedom: the pathway leads the eye into the painting, the village buildings and cypress trees give it character, and the surrounding fields and sky create a feeling of openness and calm.

This class is not about overworking every blade of grass or every detail in the buildings. Instead, we will focus on what really makes a landscape come alive: shape relationships, value contrast, colour temperature, and a confident use of edges. The foreground grasses can stay expressive and lively, while the distant hills and architecture remain simplified and atmospheric.

What I love about this scene is how much depth and richness it creates through very clear design. The winding path becomes a natural invitation into the composition, the light against shadow gives the painting structure, and the soft blue mountains help push the village forward. It is a wonderful example of how a landscape can feel full, luminous, and believable without becoming crowded or over explained.

In this class you will learn:

• How to use a pathway to guide the eye through a landscape
• The role of light and shadow in creating depth and focus
• Ways to paint foreground grasses with expressive, economical brushwork
• How to simplify buildings, trees, and distant hills into clear, readable shapes
• Why warm and cool colour shifts make a countryside scene feel more alive
• How to balance soft atmosphere in the distance with stronger detail in the focal area
• A more thoughtful approach to editing, deciding what to emphasise and what to leave suggestive
• How to create a painting that feels sunlit, spacious, and full of quiet charm

This class is suitable for both beginners and more experienced painters who want to build confidence with landscape painting, atmosphere, and watercolour design.

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

Marianne Austin

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