Intermediate Watercolors with Jade Scarlett

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This intermediate-level class builds directly on foundational watercolor skills, focusing on refinement, control, and intentional decision-making. After learning basic washes, brush handling, and wet-on-wet techniques, this session shifts toward mastering depth, contrast, and layered complexity. Participants explore how to create stronger compositions, richer color relationships, and more convincing light through controlled glazing and advanced water management.

Through guided demonstrations and progressive exercises, this class explores edge control, value structure, atmospheric perspective, and color harmony. Attendees will practice building layered washes without muddying color, preserving highlights more strategically, and creating focal points through contrast and brushwork variation. By the end of the session, participants will have a deeper understanding of how to move from simple studies to more polished, dimensional watercolor paintings.

This class includes a dedicated 30 minutes of Q&A directly with Jade Scarlett.

What You'll Learn

• Strengthen control over value, edges, and layering to create more dimensional work.
• Practice advanced water control and edge mastery, including charging color and lifting pigment strategically.
• Build stronger value structure and light by planning shadows and using glazing to deepen tones.
• Layer and glaze without muddying color by allowing drying time and maintaining color harmony.
• Improve composition and focal points using contrast, detail, and saturation intentionally.
• Develop expressive brushwork and texture while knowing when to stop refining.

Who It's For

• Students who have completed a beginner watercolor course or have basic experience
• Painters comfortable with wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry techniques
• Artists looking to improve depth, realism, and color harmony
• Creatives ready to move beyond simple exercises into more intentional compositions
• Watercolor hobbyists seeking more control and refinement in their work

Required Materials

• Artist-grade watercolor paints (expanded palette recommended)
• Round brushes (sizes 4, 8, and 12) and one flat or mop brush
• 140 lb cold press or hot press watercolor paper (blocks or stretched sheets preferred)
• Two water containers
• Mixing palette with multiple wells
• Paper towels or cotton cloth
• Pencil and kneaded eraser
• Masking tape or board for securing paper
• Optional: masking fluid, spray bottle, white gouache for highlights

How to Join

• This class is available exclusively to CreativeLive subscribers. Not a subscriber? Join here.
• The class will be delivered via Zoom-style live sessions through CreativeLive.
• To reserve your spot, register using the Sign Up form and button above. Space is limited.
• A unique Zoom join link will be sent to registered subscribers prior to the class date.

About the Instructor

Jade Scarlett is a watercolor artist, modern calligrapher, educator, and confessed craftaholic. It is her deepest belief that people can be happier and more fulfilled when expressing themselves creatively, and she's intensely passionate about teaching and making art accessible to all.

Her desire is to uplift and encourage everyone to live their best creative lives.

Her motto in life is “Make art, feel happy!"