A 4-week course for complete beginners. Tuesdays 8, 15, 22 and 29 September 2026, 5:45pm – 7:45pm. £224 for the full course, all materials included. This entry is week 2 of 4.
Curious about watercolour but not sure where to start? This relaxed and friendly course at Designs Café in Dartington, near Totnes, is designed especially for complete beginners. Over four weeks, you'll be guided step by step through the basics of watercolour painting, with plenty of time to experiment, explore, and build confidence.
What you'll learn
An introduction to essential watercolour art materials
Understanding fundamental watercolour techniques
How to control water, pigment and layering
Experimenting with colour and mark-making
Creating your own finished watercolour painting
Course details
Duration: 4 weeks on Tuesdays — 8, 15, 22 and 29 September
Time: 5:45pm – 7:45pm (2 hours)
Level: complete beginners — no prior experience needed
Location: Designs Café, Cider Press Centre, Dartington, TQ9 6TQ
Price: £224 for the 4-week course, including all art materials, speciality coffee or tea, and Exploding Bakery cakes
"This is an amazing course taught by a truly lovely tutor. Shadan is patient, encouraging and fun, making it a brilliant experience for a new learner to this beautiful medium. I'm now painting pictures I didn't think possible!" — Jill
"I had no experience at all. In just 4 weeks, Shadan taught me so much about techniques and tools that I have been painting ever since. The course was very informative but also relaxing, fun and friendly." — Rebecca
About the artist
Shadan is a co-founder of Designs Café and a professional watercolour artist with over 6 years of experience. Her work focuses on expressive, contemporary watercolour, combining strong fundamentals with playful experimentation. Her teaching is encouraging, hands-on and process-led, helping students understand materials and techniques while developing confidence in their own creative voice. See more of her work at shadandesigns.com.
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