Class DescriptionClass Overview

Learn how to paint a stunning oriole in watercolor while mastering one of the most powerful techniques for creating luminous, layered paintings: color underpainting with wet-on-wet watercolor washes. In this class, you’ll discover how to skip the flat, muddy look and instead create glowing, dynamic blends where undertones shine through your final layers. Perfect for painting birds, wildlife, or any subject where you want depth and vibrancy, this step-by-step watercolor class is designed for all levels of artists.

What You Will Learn

In this watercolor bird painting class, you’ll learn how to:

Create a color underpainting that sets the mood and adds depth from the very first wash
Use a wet-on-wet watercolor technique that replaces clear water with pigment for more vibrant blends
Build smooth color transitions and gradations without losing luminosity
Gain control over washes by using a tiny detail brush (000) to add pigment precisely while areas are still wet

Why You Should Take This Class

Whether you’re new to watercolor or an experienced painter, this class will expand your toolkit with a repeatable technique you can apply to any subject — birds, botanicals, landscapes, and beyond.

If you’ve struggled with muddy washes or flat-looking color, learning to use pigment as your base layer will completely transform your results. By painting along, you’ll not only finish a beautiful oriole painting but also gain the confidence to apply these methods in your own artwork.

As your instructor, I provide step-by-step guidance plus everything you need to succeed: a sketch for tracing, a reference photo, and my finished painting for comparison.

Who This Class is For

This class is for all levels:

Beginners will learn a clear, step-by-step process for wet-on-wet watercolor painting.
Intermediate and advanced watercolor artists will gain new ways to control washes and build luminous underpaintings.
Anyone who loves painting birds, wildlife, or nature in watercolor and wants to make their colors glow.

No drawing experience is necessary — the included resources allow you to focus entirely on painting techniques.

Materials & Resources

To complete this class, you’ll need:

Watercolor paper (140 lb / 300 gsm or heavier)
Brushes: A medium round, a small round, and a tiny detail brush (000) for adding pigment into wet washes and refining edges
Watercolors: I’ll be using Daniel Smith paints in these colors (but feel free to substitute with your own palette):
- Cadmium Yellow
- Cadmium Orange
- Cadmium Red
- Quinacridone Magenta
- Quinacridone Gold
- Payne’s Grey
- Indigo

Included in the resources section:

A sketch of the oriole for tracing
A reference photo
A copy of my finished painting

✨ By the end of this class, you’ll have a finished oriole watercolor painting and the skills to make all your watercolor work more luminous, vibrant, and controlled. Whether you’re painting birds, botanicals, or abstract washes, this wet-on-wet underpainting technique will help your colors shine.

Deb Miller

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