Can't stop quitting watercolor before you get any good?
Frustrated with getting the medium to behave? Amateur-looking paintings? Keeping on trying but still not improving? Knowing something is wrong but not knowing how to fix it? Painting is overworked to death?
Don't worry, you are not alone! These are typical challenges beginners face when learning to paint in watercolor.
Watercolor has a steep learning curve, not only due to the fluidity of the medium, but very short time window for executing the wash.
Most of us aren't learning with concerted effort and are not failing fast enough.
The secret to break through the ceiling of the "frustration phase" is momentum – lots of repetition, lots of failure and experimentation within a short amount of time.
Learning to paint in a piece-meal style by scouring the web for different tutorials without a plan for development, painting complex scenes after the teacher leaving no energy left to iterate and experiment… these methods all work against the development of beginner competency, however, is the primary way people are learning watercolor.
Breakthroughs happen with many small steps and repetition.
Why it works
Develop "expert instincts" for controlling the medium
Medium control is the first and the last skill in watercolor and it's the theme of learning in this course. Medium control has many different levels. The course will start you with simple smooth wash, and progresses to working with intricate shapes, and ends with more advanced applications of wet-in-wet, color blending, lifting and spot-wetting.
Why it works
Learn all the skills there are – brushworks, composition, contrast and values, and more!
Despite the simplicity and small format, each exercise painting is a stand-alone work of art, that invites you exercise understanding of composition, tonal balance, nuanced color mixing, as well as intentional brush marks. You will learn all these "seemingly advanced" fine art concept through doing it. And by the end of it you will find that you have developed a painterly intuition for composition, value range, color mixing and brushstrokes as a result.
why it works
Explore a variety of subjects and their suggestive language
From expansive oceans and vast forests to charming country roads and garden vignettes, from animal portraits and floral subjects to architectures and figures… you will get exposure to a wide variety of subjects, subconsciously expanding your visual vocabulary, so you can discover your own interest and strength, and paint more of what you love with confidence.
What's included in the course downloads
30 painting tutorials
30 small, simple, highly focused paintings, each taking only up to 30 minutes to complete, allowing for fast iteration and easily jumping into
Clearly defined objectives
Each painting has clearly defined objectives to help you reinforce what you have already learned, while introducing one new concept from time to time.
Troubleshooting session
Q&A recording with the student group that address common questions and issues from the course, to bring you more clarity and confidence.
Thorough guidance on watercolor supplies
Many beginners get bogged down by the choice of supplies. The supplies video in this course discusses what truly matters, what will slow you down.
Student Testimonials
Krystle
"I feel like I started to see the light at the end of the tunnel. And maybe 'I am cut out for this'. I can see myself being able to paint on my own in the near future. Thank you Ina for your wonderful teaching!"
Michelle
Just wanted to say thank you for adding the extra insight about WHY you are choosing soft versus hard edges, composition, focal point, etc. It is so helpful to hear what you are trying to teach us through these exercises, connecting lessons to each other. I am so excited to start week 3!
Dee
"I was surprised how much muscle memory came to me starting week 2. I definitely understood the assignment. I know I could use a little more improvements here and there. But overall I was pleased with my painting!"
Ricardo
"I must admit that the progress can be felt with each exercise. It helped my confidence quite a bit. I appreciate this series Ina, I didn’t know I needed it."
Linda
It's not perfect, but can I say, I'm starting to see an improvement in my paintings. And I'm really pleased with that stretch in my learning.
Helen
"I am starting to get a better grip on colour depth and paint thickness. Still often I don’t get it right but I start to understand why!"
Need help as you go through the course?
Get Coaching Help
Ina offers small group and 1:1 coaching through her Patreon program, for which you can submit your painting for critique and attend monthly office hours to get personalized coaching and instruction.
Membership starts with $28/mo with first month 50% off. Space is very limited. Learn more by following link below:
Book a private online class
If seats are filled with the online coaching group, or if you are looking for the most hands-on, in-depth teaching to help you unstuck and make strides, a private session with Ina – with her dedication to your personal needs and problems, her insightful teaching and undivided attention – is the most effective way to grow and a memorable experience.
About the Instructor Ina Xi
With a background in product innovation and business consulting—and having witnessed transformations in learning and development across many sectors while fine art education remained stagnant, stiff, and ineffective—Ina, now a professional artist based in Port Orchard, Washington, has dedicated herself to creating innovative, student-centric curriculums that make fine art principles accessible, creative, and engaging.
Since stepping onto the art scene in 2024, Ina has quickly gained both regional and international recognition for her work while cultivating a loyal online community through her YouTube channel. Her accolades include 1st Place in the NWWS International Open, 1st Place in Parklane Gallery’s Smallworks Winter Show 2024, and the Emerging Artist Award at the 2025 CVG Annual Show.