Watercolour Diploma Distance Learning Course by Jan Nesbitt - Study watercolour painting online with the London Art College

Course Overview
Learning to paint in watercolour is the starting point for many aspiring artists after they have got to grips with drawing technique. All you need is a few tubes of paint, brushes and paper. However there is a real need to adopt a structured approach to what can be a difficult and frustrating medium if you get off on the wrong foot. When an artist has control of water-colour the results can be spectacular and it is one of the most rewarding and accessible mediums to work in.

This course was updated in 2011 and is written in a clear easy style with many illustrations to help and guide students. All the basics are here, including step-by-step examples and we hope that you’ll enjoy the exercises as you make your way through the course. These build on the skills learnt at each stage and are varied and practical but with lots of opportunity for your own unique interpretation. The course gives a broad approach to painting with watercolours which we hope students will find informative and inspirational. Side by side with more traditional approaches to painting, with this exciting and glowing medium, you'll find suggestions and ideas that may be new to you, but that could help you realise your own inventive instincts and support you as you set out on this path.

There are also suggestions, approaches and techniques that the more advanced, experimental or unorthodox person might well want to investigate. You can be involved at the level of your choice. Some subjects such as colour, composition/design, content, perspectives and colour/light are looked at in some depth and with reference to well known 20th Century artists such as Matisse, Klee, Rothko and others. There are illustrations and diagrams throughout to clarify points being made. We discuss the importance of play and experimentation and of observation. There are seven sets of exercises each of 2 to 3 paintings to be submitted to your tutor through out the course.

The course is constructed in such a way that you can become involved at your level of choice, whether you are a beginner or someone who has much more experience. Like all London Art College courses, the program is flexible and intended to be fun.

If you want to develop as a watercolour artist, this is the course for you. Henri Matisse..."One note is simply a colour. Two notes make a chord and life".

Course Prices
Please visit our 'Prices and Buy Now' page to view the course prices and to purchase your course. UK residents can purchase courses on this page via instalments, please scroll down to the relevant section to pay a deposit.

Critiques
If you have scanning / photography facilities, students are able to upload their artwork to the Artwork Submission Area on our website. Each student is given a unique username and password on enrolment for their own private section in this area. Students can upload their artwork to this area for the tutor to collect and critique. The tutor will then upload feedback for the student to download or read.

Critiques via Regular Mail
If you do not have any facilities to upload your artwork, you can send your work in the normal way to the tutors centre and receive your artwork back with your critique. It is essential you label all packages/artwork your student number.

Support
All our courses are written to be complete in themselves. However we realise that students may appreciate being able to get clarification about various things as they work through their programme as well wanting reassurance that they are putting techniques into practice effectively. The tutors provide the technical support to deal with relevant queries.

Most courses have their own dedicated Tutor. The tutor keeps the course up to date and relevant to today's students. They are available to the individual student for advice and encouragement. Each course has regular exercises and assignments that are constructed in such a way as to give the student the opportunity to practice the techniques learnt on the course and to test themselves as they go along. The student is encouraged to submit the assignment work to the college for the tutor to critique. The student's work will be returned together with the tutor's personal critique. On many courses the assignment work may be suitable for inclusion in a student's Portfolio of Work that could be very useful later. The college will use the assignments submitted as the basis for any award of a letter, certificate or diploma.

Duration
The expected duration is approximately one year although the college allows students up to two years to complete their studies.

Overview
This course is suitable for all students. The following is an overview of some of the areas that are covered in the course.

Testimonials from students

....Well this is the end of the course and I’m sort of sad that it is the end because I’ve really enjoyed the course whilst learning a great deal about watercolour and about myself as an artist. Jan thank you for your constructive critique, you’ve encouraged me to look at what i’m doing and to think through the process. Making mistakes a valuable learning experience. I've really enjoyed working with you. In particularly I like the way that you bring points to my attention and allow room for me to be my own critic. To be able to see where I've gone wrong or could improve for myself is a valuable learning experience. I like the way you guide and your criticisms are always constructive, subtle and more importantly considerate.
All the best
Tanya (Watercolour Diploma- D8)

“Yes, you were just right with the sketches, I saw what was wrong when you pointed it out".
Joan Ward (Watercolour Diploma- D8)

Thank you for the Watercolour course certificate I received this morning. I was really pleased to know that i have done so well. I would like to say that my teacher is a fine teacher in Water-colour and Gouache painting. She is very kind and up building with her students. A Great teacher. I am a little sorry that the course has finished in a way, because it was really nice to hear her voice on the tapes telling me where i had made a mistake in my latest work to her. But very up building when i had done well. A great teacher.I have found the London Art College is the place if any one want's to learn to paint. I only wish that i was a much younger man. I am seventy five years of age, but i have really enjoyed learning to paint in water colour and i have got a better understanding of painting in water-colour now.I would like to thank Jan Nesbitt for helping me so much during my water-colour course. Also i would like to thank everyone that work's so hard in running the London art College.Yes, you are all doing a great job in teaching student's like me.God bless you all
Yours sincerely Ernest Taylor (Watercolour Diploma- D8)

Thank you so much for my certificate from the course. I would like to take this opportunity to tell you how much I have enjoyed my association with the college over the last few years. The enthusiasm and encouragement from the tutors has been wonderful and so helpful in getting one to step out of the square viewing different way of doing things. I have learnt a lot and will continue to learn and grow as I go along pursuing my passion for painting .
Many thanks to you all
Best wishes to all
Annie Robinson (Watercolour Diploma- D8)

Watercolour Diploma (D8)