Watercolor Classes

Watercolor Classes & Workshops

Learning to paint is a lifelong process, not a goal. Unrealistic expectations almost always lead to disappointment. Be prepared for gradual progress and let things proceed at their own comfortable speed. I ask my students to focus their attention on why they are painting as much as what they are painting. Painting without passion or motivation is an empty exercise.

click to download Supply List for Watercolor Classes

Exploring Watercolor <br>(online course on Zoom)

Exploring Watercolor
(online course on Zoom)

An 8-week Wednesday watercolor class October 23 - December 18, 2024.
Offering two sessions:
10 a.m.–noon OR 1–3 p.m.
Cost: $300

This course will celebrate your strengths and help you identify your weaknesses. David will address color theory, composition, and most importantly setting personal goals. Individualized critiques and customized assignments will help you define and become the artist you want to be.

Open to students of all levels. Class will be filled on a first come basis. Email David for more info: misterwatercolor@gmail.com

Provence, France Workshop

Provence, France Workshop

Paint in Provence!
May 8 - 15, 2025
All-inclusive painting workshop
All levels

Go to French Escapade for details.

Hudson River Valley NY Workshop 

Hudson River Valley NY Workshop 

Hudson River Valley, NY
Exploring Watercolor Class
July 20 - 26, 2025

Enjoy a week-long painting experience in the beautiful Hudson River Valley in upstate NY. The natural beauty of this historic location has inspired artist for decades. Relax, rejuvenate and reclaim your artistic self. 

Daily demonstrations and critiques will be the mainstay of the workshop. David will also demonstrate how to build better paintings through stronger composition. All levels are welcome.

For more information contact www.artworkshops.com
For course content questions contact David at misterwatercolor@gmail.com

The Connecticut River Valley Inn Workshop

The Connecticut River Valley Inn Workshop

Finding Your Voice in Watercolor
May 31 - June 5, 2026
All-inclusive painting workshop
All levels

Go to Artists Rising for details.

Available for Private Workshops

I am available to teach private workshops to be held at your location. Please contact me for more information on organizing a workshop for your group. You can call me at my studio (301) 588-9296 or e-mail me.

 

Student Reviews

“David Daniels is professional, funny, approachable, consistent in his teaching….a true delight to learn under him. He keeps the class a safe place where one can grow, reach, try new ideas and truly enjoy learning. I am just one baby step past being a beginner and yet I feel comfortable in David’s class environment.”
– Alexandra Treadaway

Student Reviews

“Even the seasoned watercolorist learns something new in each and every class and David’s relaxed and light-hearted approach makes it all fun!”
– Linda Abbot

Student Reviews

“I’ve never had as many “Aha” moments as I had in Dave’s class. As a seasoned artist who has painted and tried many different media, but was not confident in watercolor, I can say that I’ve never been as enthusiastic about the medium of watercolor as I am now and am looking forward to trying new methods of painting. I highly recommend Dave as a teacher and he’s a lot of fun too.
– Joan Mazer

Student Reviews

“I feel that taking watercolor classes from Dave is one of the best things I’ve done in a long time. Dave has a style of teaching that encourages stretching outside of ones’ comfort zone. He makes useful comments and suggestions, and stresses the positive. And has a great sense of humor. Well worth the time, effort, and cost.”
– Elaine Covard

Click here to watch my Artist Interview Video Series

David Daniels is the watercolor instructor for the Smithsonian Institution of Washington, DC, a former instructor at Montgomery College in Maryland, and he teaches workshops throughout the world. He is on the faculty of the Amalfi Coast Music & Arts Festival in Italy. David’s former training as a botanist and biologist are always evident in his work and he enjoys showing the beauty of nature in new and refreshing ways. He firmly believes that here is no trite subject matter, only trite painting.

His interactive approach and humor are often recognized as his strongest teaching tools. Students are introduced to methods of using multiple glazes over wet into wet passages to achieve an unsurpassed brilliance as well as the use of masking agents to achieve a jewel-like batik effect.

The spontaneity of watercolor should not lead to weak painting because of a lack of planning. David will show how to carefully construct a watercolor using preliminary sketches on tracing paper that will eventually get transferred to the watercolor paper. Students will work with sketches, photographs and other source material. This process allows for stronger compositions and therefore stronger paintings. Daniels believes planning does not destroy spontaneity, it allows for opportunity.

 

David’s batik-style technique of working with watercolors using masking fluid was featured by Daniel Smith.
Click here to see the process used to create Lotus.

Lotus, 61"w x 33"h, $4500

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