Do you want to become a watercolour artist? Here's your roadmap
Yes, you can learn watercolour from scratch, and you don't need to be "good at art" to start. What you need is a few core skills (controlling water, mixing colour, building layers), regular practice, and people to paint alongside. At Designs Café in Dartington, near Totnes, the path is simple: start with our four-week Introduction to Watercolour course, keep painting at our fortnightly Watercolour Club, then move on to our advanced course. Along the way, our one-off watercolour workshops are a great way to try something new, whether you're a beginner or more experienced.
What does it take to become a watercolour artist?
Watercolour has a reputation for being unforgiving, but most of that comes from one thing: the water. Once you understand how much water is on your brush and on your paper, the medium starts to make sense. Here is what actually matters.
The habits
Skill in watercolour comes from mileage. Paint little and often, keep a sketchbook of small studies, and don't be precious about mistakes, because the "happy accidents" are half the charm of the medium. Painting with other people speeds this up more than anything: you see how someone else solved the problem you're stuck on.
Your watercolour roadmap at Designs Café
Step 1: Introduction to Watercolour (4 weeks). For complete beginners. The core techniques, taught step by step by Shadan.
Step 2: Watercolour Club (fortnightly, Friday evenings). For anyone who loves art, and everyone between courses. Two hours of painting, materials, tea, community, guidance from Shadan at many sessions.
Step 3: Advanced watercolour course. For painters who have the basics. The next step after the club. Join the waiting list for dates.
Any time: One-off watercolour workshops. For beginners and experienced painters. A single session on one subject or technique.
Step 1: Start with the Introduction to Watercolour course
Our four-week Introduction to Watercolour course is designed for complete beginners. Over four evening sessions, Shadan takes you through the foundations: handling water, washes, mixing colour and building a painting in layers. Each two-hour session runs on a weekday evening, and everything is included: professional-quality materials, speciality coffee or tea, and cake from Exploding Bakery. The course is £224 for all four weeks.
Places are limited, and our first course sold out. Join the waiting list to be first to hear about the next dates.
Step 2: Keep painting at the Watercolour Club
The gap between courses is where most new painters stall: the brushes go back in the drawer. The Watercolour Club is there to stop that happening.
It isn't a class. It's two relaxed hours of painting every other Friday evening, 6–8pm, alongside other people who love art and watercolour. Each session has an optional theme if you'd like a prompt, or you can carry on with your own project. Shadan is around for many of the sessions and is always happy to give informal guidance, share tips or talk through your work.
Each session is £21, with all professional-quality watercolour materials and tea included. Come to four sessions and you'll get a small art-inspired gift, and if you bring someone new, you both get a free hot drink. Each session needs at least four people booked.
See the next Watercolour Club dates and book
Step 3: Move on to the advanced course
Once you're comfortable with the basics, the next step is our advanced watercolour course. Dates aren't set yet, so join the waiting list and we'll let you know as soon as they are. Until then, the Watercolour Club and our one-off workshops are the best way to keep building your skills.
Any time: join a one-off watercolour workshop
Alongside the course and the club, we run one-off watercolour workshops on a single subject or technique. They're great for beginners and more experienced painters alike: a fresh challenge if you've done the course, or a relaxed way to try watercolour if you haven't. Coming up this Christmas: Christmas Watercolour Cards & Metallic Details, a 3-hour workshop with five dates between 16 November and 5 December, £54 with all materials included. For future workshops, keep an eye on our Workshops page.
Step 4: Keep going
Becoming a watercolour artist isn't a finish line. After the advanced course, the Watercolour Club stays your studio night: a fixed time every fortnight to paint, try new subjects and catch up with people who understand why you're excited about a good wash.
Meet your tutor: Shadan
Shadan Moradi is a professional artist, illustrator and art-therapy coach, and watercolour is her favourite medium. She has been painting professionally for more than six years, and co-founded Designs Café with Aron so that more people could find their way into making art. Read more about Shadan and Aron.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need any experience to start?
No. The Introduction to Watercolour course is for complete beginners. If you've never held a paintbrush, you're exactly who it's for.
Can I join the Watercolour Club without doing the course first?
Yes. The club is open to anyone who loves art. If you're brand new to watercolour, though, starting with the course will help you get much more out of your club evenings.
Do you run one-off watercolour workshops?
Yes. We run one-off watercolour workshops on a single subject or technique, for beginners and more experienced painters. Upcoming ones are listed on our Workshops page.
Is there an advanced watercolour course?
Yes, it's the next step after the Introduction course and the club. Dates aren't set yet: join the waiting list to hear first.
Do I need to bring my own materials?
No. All professional-quality watercolour materials are included in both the course and the club.
How long does it take to learn watercolour?
There's no fixed timeline, but most people feel at home with the basics after a few weeks of guided practice. Painting regularly, which is what the club is for, is what turns those basics into a style of your own.
Where are the classes?
At Designs Café, Unit 3A, Cider Press Centre, Shinner's Bridge, Dartington, Totnes TQ9 6TQ, about five minutes by car from Totnes. The Cider Press Centre car park is free for the first two hours, the Shinner's Bridge bus stop is a one-minute walk away, and the café is wheelchair accessible with a step-free way in. Coffee from Voyager Coffee and cakes are available to buy from our café.
How do I book?
Book the Watercolour Club online from our Workshops page. For the next Introduction to Watercolour course, join the waiting list. Questions? Email info@designscafe.uk or message us on Instagram (@designscafeuk).
