Emily Olson—
Confident Watercolor Workshop
Note: Refunds minus the credit card transaction fee are available up to four weeks before the beginning of the workshop. After that, the student must find a replacement and negotiate payment with the replacement. If you need to cancel, contact us. The team may be able to help find a replacement. Please see the LAA Cancellation and Refund Policy.
LAA Members: Use your member code during check-out for a discounted price. The member code can be found in your membership confirmation email and any LAA newsletter.
Confident Watercolor: Landscapes & Pet Portraits
December 12-13, 2026 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Instructor: Lorraine Watry
LOUISVILLE ART CENTER
801 Grant Ave, Louisville, CO 80027
Member $110
Non-member $170
Join Emily Olson for a focused, two-day in-person watercolor workshop for intermediate artists looking to strengthen technique, improve realism, and paint with greater confidence and intention.
Day One will concentrate on watercolor techniques and washes, with an emphasis on landscape painting. We’ll explore water control, layering, and value to create depth, atmosphere, and strong compositions.
Day Two shifts to realistic pet portraits, covering reference selection, sketching, color mixing, fur textures, and capturing expression while maintaining a painterly approach.
This workshop includes live demonstrations, guided painting time, and individual feedback in a supportive, low-pressure environment. Artists should have some prior watercolor experience and a basic understanding of materials.
Come ready to refine your skills, ask questions, and enjoy two immersive days of painting and learning.
Emily Olson
Emily Olson is an award-winning Colorado-based watercolor artist, educator, author and content creator.
She is the founder of Watercolor Mastery (WatercolorMastery.com) an online school dedicated to providing high-quality, real-time instruction.
Through video tutorials and her popular “Daily Challenges,” she helps students build consistency, confidence, and joy in their painting practice.
She began her full-time art career in 2019 with the launch of her YouTube channel, Emily Olson Art, where she shares in-depth watercolor tutorials, product reviews, and painting tips.
Emily is the author of “Paint the National Parks: A Watercolor Journey” (2025) and “20 Minute Watercolor” (released September 2026).
Some of Emily’s work:
RECOMMENDED MATERIALS:
- 10×14″ pad of Arches 140lb cold pressed paper
- 9×12″ block Arches or Fabriano Artistico or Saunders Waterford (or similar) 140lb cold pressed paper
- Daniel Smith watercolors: QUINACRIDONE ROSE, BURNT SIENNA, HANSA YELLOW LIGHT, ULTRAMARINE BLUE, INDIGO, PHTHALO BLUE (GS)
- Holbein watercolors: SCARLET LAKE, YELLOW OCHRE, GAMBOGE NOVA
- Winsor & Newton TRANSPARENT ORANGE
- Dr PH Martin’s Bleed Proof White
- Brushes (the best quality you can afford): Round sizes 8 & 12, large mop or cat’s tongue (3/4″ or 1″), a detail brush (like a round size 1 or 2)
- I use Silver Black Velvet or similar
- Spray bottle
- Water containers
- Palette with lots of mixing space
- Rag/paper towels
- Blick artist tape (1/2″ or 1″)
- table easel, plein air easel, or inclining drawing board
- Amazon sells “pad pucks” which you can use to prop up a drawing board. Link to Pad Pucks
Confident Watercolor: Landscapes & Pet Portraits
December 12-13, 2026 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Instructor: Emily Olson
Member $110
Non-member $170
LAA Members: To get the discounted price, use your member code during check-out. The Member Code can be found in your membership confirmation email and any LAA Newsletter.
Questions? Go to the Contact Us form and be sure to specify this workshop with your question.