Beginners Watercolour Workshop: Painting Trees

Sorry you are too late, this event has been and gone!

Suitable for beginners, this workshop on 15th October is a relaxed introduction to painting trees.

About Beginners Watercolour Workshop: Painting Trees

Listed Under Workshops Events / Arts and Crafts Events

If you've ever been interested in trying watercolour then this workshop will provide you with an introduction to this wonderful medium.

Over 2 hours we will cover the basic principles of painting trees with watercolour. I will be focussing on broad techniques to quickly rough out trees in a painting, then moving on to refinements. This workshop is less about a final painting and more about how to deal with forests, individual trees, branches and masses of foliage in your paintings.

Art is a path of gradual improvement, and a worthwhile one, but it does take practice. I aim to give you the knowledge and skills to get you started painting with watercolour.

All materials are provided.

I find watercolour immensely therapeutic; the playing with water aspect, the granulation effects, mixing of colours and the need to 'let go' and let the medium sometimes take you where it will; all combine to bring one into the present moment. Qualitative judgement gets in the way of this and so I encourage students to relax, enjoy, don't worry about outcomes.

So, I will take you through:

An introduction to watercolour painting materials and tools such as watercolour paper, paints, brushes, kitchen roll, palettes.
An exploration of the watercolour paint itself. We will be using Winsor & Newton watercolour paints, mixing various combinations which will be useful later on.
A look at brush techniques such as washes, wet-in-wet, blending, dry brush effects, lifting colour out and glazing.
After a general introduction to the medium we will apply what we have learnt in a painting!

I'll take you through each step; we won't need to get bogged down with too much (if any) drawing. I will provide lots of reference material, so we can relax and enjoy the process.

To keep with the aim of ending with a finished painting and for the sake of clarity and focus, I will not be covering colour theory in any detail. This workshop is all about getting in with some water and colour, exploring how the medium behaves and above all, being non-judgemental and enjoying ourselves.

Materials included:
100% Cotton Rough Watercolour paper, 300gsm, A4 .
A Selection of brushes.
Palettes.
Painting board (to place the watercolour paper on).
Winsor and Newton Professional watercolour paints.
Kitchen roll (for lifting out pigment).
What to bring:
A folder of some kind to take your finished A4 painting home in. Our paintings should be dry by the end of the second hour but I will have a hair dryer on hand (a useful time-saver in the watercolourists armoury!) if not.

Feel free to bring any drinks or snacks.

Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.

All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.

GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!

Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Follow us on Facebook and join the What's On Scotland Group!

Similar events you might like...

Chinese Dumplings with Shuxin

Selected dates between 7th June 2025 - 21st February 2026

Cyrenians Flavour and Haver Cook School, Leith

You have another chance! Join Shuxin at Flavour and Haver Cook School and learn how to make delicious dumplings!

Edinburgh Sound Healing Chamber

Selected dates between 5th September 2025 - 5th June 2026

Broughton St Marys Parish Church, Edinburgh New Town

Join Susaidh Soundsphere Scotland and lull your mind, body and spirit into a physically restful state with skilled weaving of gongs, crystal and Himalayan singing bowls!

Yoga in the Dark at The Kimpton Hotel

Selected dates between 19th September 2025 - 6th February 2026

Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel, Edinburgh New Town

Step into the heart of Edinburgh for a little self care magic with Yoga in the Dark at The Kimpton Hotel, Charlotte Square!

Mindfulness Based Wellbeing Retreat

Selected dates between 28th September 2025 - 29th March 2026

Dalkeith Country Park, Dalkeith

Join The Mindful Enterprise for this reinvigorating day of mindfulness practices, in the stunning surroundings of Dalkeith Country Park.

Family Drawing Workshop

Selected dates between 29th November 2025 - 20th February 2026

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh East

Take inspiration from drawings in our latest exhibition Drawing the Italian Renaissance and join us for a special family drawing workshop.

Book Log Bookbinding Workshop

8th January 2026

The Heart of Newhaven Community, Leith

Join Cass on 8th January for a crafty evening making your own Book Log, mini pamphlet stitch book and a nifty ‘library book inspired’ pocket!

1-day Introduction to Self Defence

11th January 2026

North Merchiston Club, Edinburgh South

Rencounter Krav Maga is running a 1-day introduction course to self defence on Sunday 11th January at the North Merchiston Club.

Artist Bootcamp

13th January 2026

Paintbox School of Art, Cockenzie and Port Seton

Are you an Artist, working away in your own studio, stuck in a big of a rut, and feel like you need an injection of energy?! Well the 5 week Artist Bootcamp course is for you!

Spring Term - After School Art, P3-P5

13th January 2026

Birchwood Art Studio, Edinburgh South

Birchwood After School Art offers the perfect space to unwind and develop skills in a relaxed and fun environment, it's ideal for children who love to draw.