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Watercoloring ,

Watercolor Layering: 5 Tips For Creating Depth, Intensity, And Color

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Shelby Abrahamsen (Foxsy)

Class Description:

One of the most important skills you can learn as a watercolor artist is how to layer your watercolors. Most new watercolorists overlook this essential skill and end up frustrated with their work because it doesn’t turn out the way they expected. The truth is, watercolor is meant to be layered – like, a lot.

If you try to create a painting with only a few layers, you will end up with something that is flat and lacks contrast or visual complexity. Layering adds immense depth, color intensity, and deep contrast that you can’t get any other way with this medium.

This course will walk you through the basic steps to layering, as well as my five best tips for layering effectively and two projects that focus on layering.

What You Will Learn:

  • What layering is and why it is important
  • How to layer watercolors
  • 5 tips for layering effectively
  • 2 paint-along projects utilizing layering

Supplies You'll Need:

  • Watercolor paper
  • Large paintbrush
  • Watercolor paint
  • Masking tape
  • 2 jars of water
  • Cotton rag (or paper towels)
  • Heat tool (optional)

Explore Class Projects:

In this class, you'll learn to create these amazing class projects, but more importantly, you'll learn how to create your own pieces in the future.

Class Content

12

About Instructor

Shelby Abrahamsen (Foxsy)

Shelby is the co-founder of Foxsy and the creator at Little Coffee Fox. She is a professional watercolorist, letterer, and artist with a passion for teaching others to reintroduce creativity back into their lives. Shelby lives in Chicago, IL with her husband Jon and her pets Summer, Basil, and Korra.

229 Classes

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Class Details:

  • 📺Live Class Replay
  • 📊Level: Beginner
  • ⏰Time: 52 Minutes

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Access Everything Foxsy Has To Offer

Be Part of the Foxsy Revolution

Join a thriving community of over 2,300 students, all united by a shared love for creativity. Together, let's paint a brighter, more creative future.

  • Access 311 classes with 250+ hours of content.
  • Work through over 400 lessons and 70+ projects.
  • Access the Watercolor Academy, Drawing Bootcamp, & Modern Lettering Academies.
  • Join weekly live classes.
  • Get personalized feedback on all projects.
  • Get real answers to your questions with Creative Support.
Access Everything Foxsy Has To Offer

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Trusted By Over 2,300 Students Like You

  • “As a total beginner when I started, I’m amazed at the amount of skill and knowledge I gained. There’s a wide variety of courses so you can’t get bored.

    There’s always another challenge in the next class. Really appreciated the personal feedback when I submitted projects.
    Janet G
  • “I loved the Watercolor Academy I learned so much and have developed self-confidence in my ability as a budding "artist "

    (I 'm still getting used to this lol)”
    Gail P
  • "This is excellent.

    As a chronic copier of other people's art, the tips offered here will help me with my own creative process and prevent the block that I feel with "what next"."
    Carol R
  • “The Watercolor Academy was a great experience. I learned so much and was able to get feedback on my projects along the way. I feel like I accomplished something when all was completed.

    I would recommend (and I have) the Foxsy Watercolor Academy to others wanting to try out watercolors or improve on their skills.”
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  • "Very fun and informative courses.

    The projects turn out very pretty, and the instructor feedback is quick and helpful."
    Vera C
  • “Very good and useful courses for those that want to start or improve their watercolor skills”
    Boryana
  • "This was so helpful! I loved the way Shelby broke down the basics in a succinct way and tips to use while practicing. Lastly, I appreciated Shelby mentioning that everyone is going to have a unique bounce lettering style.

    As someone who is new to brush lettering in general, I've been copying a lot of what I see. I need that consistent reminder to avoid potential frustration, especially as a beginner!"
    Kelsey
  • "I loved this course. I loved how it showed the lesson and then a project that corresponded with that project.

    The explanations were amazing and helpful and I really felt confident in doing the project. This was probably the best watercolor lesson I've ever taken and enjoyed."
    LG Woods
  • "I really enjoyed this course. Instructions and examples were clear and practical and the feedback was really kind and helpful.

    It has improved my lettering knowledge and given me confidence to keep practicing."
    Nic

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Join a thriving community of over 24,000 students, all united by a shared love for creativity. Together, let’s paint a brighter, more creative future.

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All Foxsy Memberships include:

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  • Project feedback from Foxsy Pros
  • Unlimited creative support

Lifetime Membership

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Get Lifetime Access

All Foxsy Memberships include:

  • Access to the full 250+ class library
  • Access to The Watercolor Academy, The Modern Lettering Academy & Drawing Bootcamp
  • Access to exclusive weekly live classes
  • Fox Den Community Access
  • Project feedback from Foxsy Pros
  • Unlimited creative support

Monthly Membership

$29 / month
Go Monthly

All Foxsy Memberships include:

  • Access to the full 250+ class library
  • Access to The Watercolor Academy, The Modern Lettering Academy & Drawing Bootcamp
  • Access to exclusive weekly live classes
  • Fox Den Community Access
  • Project feedback from Foxsy Pros
  • Unlimited creative support

Yearly Membership

$164 / year
Go Yearly

All Foxsy Memberships include:

  • Access to the full 250+ class library
  • Access to The Watercolor Academy, The Modern Lettering Academy & Drawing Bootcamp
  • Access to exclusive weekly live classes
  • Fox Den Community Access
  • Project feedback from Foxsy Pros
  • Unlimited creative support

Lifetime Membership

$599 Never pay a subscription fee again.
Get Lifetime Access

All Foxsy Memberships include:

  • Access to the full 250+ class library
  • Access to The Watercolor Academy, The Modern Lettering Academy & Drawing Bootcamp
  • Access to exclusive weekly live classes
  • Fox Den Community Access
  • Project feedback from Foxsy Pros
  • Unlimited creative support
All plans come with a 30-day Money Back Guarantee.
Cancel anytime in your dashboard.
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Here at Foxsy, we are working to build a platform where you can have everything you need to give your creativity everything it needs to thrive.

Right now, we are working on building the best collection of online courses around, so you have everything you need to learn the new skills you've been putting off (or help you dust off some old skills).

We're doing this by working with online creators who have been where you are. Our instructors have all decided to make their creativity a focus of their lives. To devote themselves to exploring their creativity and helping others do the same, and many of them are self-taught. Basically, they get it and can help you no matter where you are.

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Ratings and Reviews

4.8
Avg. Rating
16 Ratings
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What's your experience? We'd love to know!
linda-f
Posted 2 years ago
This is where it starts to get REAL!

The Watercolour Academy so far has prioritised basic techniques over fast tracking projects. It's good to see that WC painting is definitely a skill requiring a lot of practice and consistency. Layering, water control and colour application are covered in ways that are easily demonstrated and understood. I am enjoying so much expanding my skill set thanks to Foxsy!!!

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sound-soul-song
Posted 2 years ago
I learned a lot about watercolors

I learned that I need to be patient with the process and use a heater to dry. I didn't know the importance of layers. I now have a different approach, and realize I will need to plan out what I want to paint, thinking of light colors first.

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Lois
Posted 2 years ago
Layering is key

At first I thought What's the point? As I worked, I was intrigued with the color changes. I'm pleased with how my project looks. The finished color pops!

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sherry
Posted 3 years ago
Valuable class!

I really loved the exercise. I had no idea you could layer watercolors like this. I am so glad I took this course! Well done!

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fora91day
Posted 3 years ago
Layering is the magic

I didn't realize just how important layering is to making watercolor paintings glow. Now I see it for myself, and I really loved watching the circles transform as we continued adding more layers of paint. It was fun!

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jim
Posted 3 years ago
Layering is an important basic.

As a beginning beginner, I didn't know what to expect but followed along like a good student only to really appreciate the importance of layering while working on my final projects.

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jgillis1
Posted 3 years ago
Important Skill to Master

This course is vital for everyone learning watercolor. The layer technique is well explained and demonstrated. You'll be glad you took this course.

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debra
Posted 3 years ago
Good basic course

It helped me get the hang of washes. I particularly like the wet on wet due to the varied results.

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kit_erinsen
Posted 3 years ago
Extremely worth it

I absolutely loved the layering breakdowns in this course and found the exercises very helpful. I’ve never had as concise and breakdown on watercolor layering before.

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dlcosper
Posted 3 years ago
Lots of tips

This was full of helpful tips for layering. It helped me understand why I've been having issues with my blending. The biggest tip is be patient.

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