Introduction to Watercolor Painting
Introduction to Watercolor Painting with Joe Synan
Join Introduction to Watercolor Painting for a fun active painting experience with easy-to-follow demonstrations! In this class Joe will be demonstrating some basic principles of painting with watercolors, and you’ll get to make 3-4 small paintings with him within the hour!
Class Materials Needed
1. Any watercolor paints you have available
2. Any watercolor brushes you have available
3. Watercolor paper, if you can have some available…small sizes (5X7; 4X6)
4. Small container of water
5. Drinking straw, if you have one available; toothpick, if you have one available
6. Paper towels; masking tape
This small group class is presented in collaboration with John C. Campbell Folk School and Lessonface.
Age Range
All Ages
Skill Level
NO SKILL LEVEL PREREQUISITE …BEGINNERS WILL ENJOY THE CLASS!
Contact the Teacher
Send a direct message from the teacher's profile page with any questions you might have about the class.
About the John C. Campbell Folk School & Lessonface
Since 1925, the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina has transformed lives, and brought people together in a nurturing environment for experiences in learning and community life that spark self-discovery. Since 2012, Lessonface has connected more than 30,000 students with over 2,500 great teachers for live music, language, and arts lessons online, delivering on our mission to help students achieve their goals while treating teachers equitably.
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Join Introduction to Watercolor PaintingThis class will be offered on July 8 as part of LESSONFEST, our weeklong festival of free online group classes. Enroll above and we will send you the link to join. |
When
Single 1-hour live online session.
Enrolled students receive lifetime access to the video recording of the class.
How It Works
Enroll above to save your spot in the class. Lessonface will send you a confirmation right away, and a Zoom link 24 hours before each session's start time. You can log into your Lessonface dashboard to access class materials, communicate with your instructor, join the live Zoom session, and access the class recordings and chat transcript afterward. Contact us with any questions. This class, and all lessons and classes on Lessonface, are covered by the Lessonface Guarantee.
Students Say
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Kay L. on February 18, 2026
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (February 2026)
The class exceeded my expectations because Joe was so engaging and supportive. His instructions were easy to follow and he always narrated what he was doing. Joe made the class a great deal of fun and a challenge at the same time, and Joe generously gave feedback and advice between classes in individual sessions. He created a wonderful atmosphere during our time together.
Lawrence B. on October 31, 2025
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
Extremely useful. I have continued with water color on my own after the clasd.
Judy . on July 19, 2025
Class: Watercolors Made Easy
Great introductory class. It covered a few watercolor basics. Fast paced and informative
Verified Student on July 10, 2025
Class: Watercolors Made Easy
Great teacher, easy to follow and paint along with him
Verified Student on July 10, 2025
Class: Watercolors Made Easy
Really good…. Learned a lot
Linda C. on July 10, 2025
Class: Watercolors Made Easy
Great! Joe did a great job of covering a lot of techniques in a very short period of time
Jeannine M. on March 6, 2025
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (February 2025)
Fantastic! Second online course with Joe!!
Martha N. on March 2, 2025
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (February 2025)
Very helpful in giving specific tools with which to continue growing in watercolor painting skills. We painted quickly, which meant we didn’t “overthink” and we did several paintings per class session. I was a beginner who started the week with limited experience doing paintings. Because of the intensive practice and specific tools, I felt more confident in my painting skills at the end of the week.
Alice C. on March 1, 2025
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (February 2025)
Joe Syrnan is an outstanding teacher and delightful person. He is very organized in what he plans to do with each session. We learned approximately 5 different techniques in each session, with some being reinforced/used again in other sessions. At all times, Joe was clear when teaching and encouraging in his comments about each person’s art creations and giving us tools to become more confident in our capabilities as a group. Time flew by and every minute was delightful.
½
Jean M. on March 1, 2025
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (February 2025)
Great
Tamara H. on September 16, 2024
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (September 2024)
I thoroughly enjoyed it and was happy with what I learned and added to my knowledge about watercolor. I did find I do prefer in person vs online, but still would do it again.
Verified Student on September 16, 2024
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (September 2024)
Verified Student on September 16, 2024
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (September 2024)
This was, to me, okay but not great – and not very good value for the fee. As a former teacher, I saw time management that I would have done differently. Though I thought this class was opened to beginners, the basic techniques of using watercolor were demonstrated and discussed extremely sketchily, with the focus mostly on copying pictures (some quite complicated). Not sure what was 'easy' about all this. As we went along, I thought the level of instruction must be for more experienced watercolorists than me (though some of the pictures were really basic), but when we showed our work, I was amazed at how many others produced pieces that were nothing like the picture to be copied and seemed to have run aground on a problem with basic watercolor techniques. Maybe they were satisfied with the class - you will find out. It's possible that Joe expected that between classes, we had hours and hours to practice each piece of technique that had been shown, so we would have mastered it by the next evening; if so, that was unrealistic for me and didn't show in the work of other students that I saw. Joe was a very good instructor in terms of being pleasant and cheerful and enthusiastic about painting. He was diplomatic in his critiques and even offered extra consultations outside class time. I think I would enjoy an in-person class with him if I had nothing else to do every day but practice my painting. It was nice to get the packet of paper and mats.
S. L. on September 15, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Excellent class. I loved how immersive it was and all the amazing tips and tricks covered. At the end, I had four beautiful paintings that everyone thinks look so professional! Not only was I able to put what I learned into immediate practice, I know it will help me for years to come. And it was a lot of fun, too! Thank you, Joe!
Nina B. on August 9, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Joe is easygoing and informative. I really enjoyed the class.
Verified Student on July 25, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Fantastic! We painted four different things in an hour and Joe made everything so clear that we were guaranteed success. It was a productive, fun class.
Verified Student on July 25, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
It was a good introduction.
Dianna P. on July 25, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
The list of supplies did not include facial tissue nor a drinking straw, which, while I was trying to get those items, the teacher continue to teach the lesson. I am a total beginner to painting (anything but walls in my house), so I didn't know even the basics. Do I add water to the paste color before I start? Do I need multiple brushes of the same size? (apparently!) More than one water jar? The lesson on painting the ice cream cone and the landscape went so fast I couldn't keep up. Did I learn things? Yes! Was it more than frustrating? Yes!
½
Verified Student on July 24, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Joe is obviously very accomplished, and he kept everything moving during the session. However, it is hard for me to watch and do at the same time. It would have been great to watch and THEN DO, instead of always feeling a little behind, or missing watching him do something I needed to know how to do because I was working on my own painting. I needed more time for the complicated mountain, cloud, lake, weed one. I avoid frustration, which is why I probably will not sign up for one of Joe's classes.
Verified Student on July 24, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Pretty good, but Joe went very fast over many techniques (he wanted us to be painting, but it was hard to keep up), and the last picture was really weird and useless, so I felt that time was wasted and could have been better spent with more explanation for some of the earlier techniques that were demonstrated.
Verified Student on July 24, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Great quick immersion into watercolor!
Jamie V. on July 24, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Very efficiently orgznized.
James M. on July 24, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Thanks for offering this class. It was a great introduction to a skill I know little about. I really enjoyed it.
Malcolm on July 24, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
It was a great class to take I had to watch the video instead of the zoom class spent the day in the ER.
Jinann on July 24, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
It was very enjoyable...and I learned a lot! Thank you!
Verified Student on July 24, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Really enjoyed this fast-paced introduction to water color painting! Thank you!
½
Verified Student on July 24, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Class was very good. Moved quickly. Didn't really go for straw technique. Didn't like the result. Rest of the session was good. Liked that teacher demonstrated technique then allowed time for class to perform and catch up. Lot of info in an hour. Thumbs up!
Verified Student on July 24, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Really wonderful great instructor
Verified Student on July 24, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Joe was well prepared, with a good plan, good pacing and clear instructions. It was hard to paint and watch what he was doing at the same time, especially when the image from the camera showing his work was not next to the one showing his face. I think that happened when someone joined the class late.
Verified Student on July 24, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
½
Jane on July 23, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Excellent, I had 3-4 nice paintings and he build lessons on skills
Liz B. on July 23, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Great! Fun and very interesting and informative
½
Verified Student on July 23, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
I'm not even sure why this was called a watercolor class as it was basically about color mixing. I took one one hour class in water color once before, and ended up able to produce scenes that looked like what I was looking at. Making an rainbow and an ice cream cone were worthless-- well, the density of color on the cone maybe was slightly helpful. If I'd been told I needed tube paint, I would have gotten some, but actual dry water colors don't do anything similar to what he was demonstrating. I have never been so disappointed, and was very glad it was free.
Pam T. on July 23, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
This class was not for beginners. It assumed a lot of knowledge that a beginner does not have.
Rosemary S. on July 23, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Interesting. I would have loved the time to actually paint one project instead of trying to paint 4 in one hour. I understand teaching technique but moving that fast switching from one to another doesn’t leave time to properly finish anything!
Verified Student on July 23, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
½
Verified Student on July 23, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Ok. I would rather do fewer paintings at a more deliberate pace. For a novice like me I need an opportunity for interaction as I attempt the painting. Perhaps questions in the chat? Periodic breaks to address a couple of the questions?
Marie C. on July 23, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
I really enjoyed the basic concepts. I was amazed how much we accomplished and learned in just one hour. Those were great examples.
½
Jill G. on July 23, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Excellent. Cover a variety of watercolor techniques.
Wendy S. on July 23, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Very good
Theresa . on July 23, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Excellent & expert, well-paced & very productive.
Janet J. on July 23, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Very informative and fun!!
Judy on July 23, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
I really liked that he used simple subjects to demonstrate various techniques without expecting a masterpiece at the end. It made the class easy to follow and participate (and not requiring a huge investment in supplies)
Verified Student on July 23, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Good intro class, fun and easy even for someone with no experience. Wish it could have been longer!
Verified Student on July 23, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
I enjoyed the class, although I think way too much was attempted in an hour long class. I realize that Joe was providing a “taste” of his week long class, but unfortunately, I was only able to complete one painting. I don’t know if it was my tablet, but when Joe was demonstrating what he was describing, his painting was of to the side and out of view. I never really saw what he was working on. His verbal instructions, however, were wonderfully detailed and easy to follow. I probably would do better in an in-person, longer class.
½
Verified Student on July 23, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Really appreciated the class and the choice of projects. I actually did get one painting that looks like something when I had never done watercolor before. But the pace was much too fast and too much on special techniques with none of the basics on brushes, securing your paper, experimenting with amount of paint and amounts of water, etc being covered. If the pace was slower, it might have been ok as one would have time to watch more closely and then paint. As is, you could do one or three other if a true beginner. Thanks a lot for the opportunity though . A more accurate supply list and set up instructions a must have.
½
Melony P. on July 23, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
the class was very good; I felt the instructor went a little fast, but there was a lot to accomplish during the hour. It was challenging at times to watch him demonstrate and be working on my own image.
½
Verified Student on July 23, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
It was a fun class - I know he is trying to show us a little bit of everything, but it felt rushed. I am very happy to see that we have access to a link for the class.
Linda C. on June 10, 2024
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Great skills taught clearly in a short time.
katie on March 11, 2024
Class: Acrylics Made Easy!
It was excellent. I was actually not able to be at the live after the first class, but have watched all the videos. I let Joe know I had something happening that kept me from class, and he offered help if I needed it once I was able to watch the videos.
Valerie Y. on March 11, 2024
Class: Acrylics Made Easy!
Excellent! Joe is a straightforward instructor and great at making beginning something completely new approachable!
Kristi R. on March 10, 2024
Class: Acrylics Made Easy!
VERY fast paced and I struggled to keep up with the instructor. I had no prior experience with acrylics and only a little previous painting experience. I did learn a lot and am glad that I have the recorded sessions to go back to for a few weeks. There were a few of the paintings that I never even got to start. But I can go back and pick these back up so I get to experience the techniques that were taught. I am pleased with what I did accomplish this week and am looking forward to practicing more.
Jeannine M. on March 9, 2024
Class: Acrylics Made Easy!
I really enjoyed it. Joe went pretty quickly through class projects but I chose to go at my own pace and paint less.
Rebekah G. on March 9, 2024
Class: Acrylics Made Easy!
Joe is awesome! I love his positivity and flexibility. I liked that he teaches the same exercises for different media (watercolor, pastels, acrylics) but am thankful that he didn't take it personally when I veered off topic. ;) I wish the class were taught at a time of day that I could rely on natural light for creating art (this is probably one of the reasons I liked his watercolor class the best), but realize AM or early PM classes aren't for everyone. I also liked the format of the watercolor class better than the pastels or acrylics class since it was 2 hours morning instruction and 1 hour evening instruction. However, I also realize this format wouldn't be best for everyone.
½
Lawrence E. on March 9, 2024
Class: Acrylics Made Easy!
I learned a tremendous amount. I have solid plans to continue acrylic painting.
½
Kelly on March 8, 2024
Class: Acrylics Made Easy!
Way below the standard that I was expecting
Pamela H. on March 8, 2024
Class: Acrylics Made Easy!
The class was great! I enjoyed the teacher's teaching method. I learned so many new techniques. It was high paced but covered so much! I had a great time.
Pam P. on February 1, 2024
Class: Pastels Made Easy!
Fun, enjoyable, relaxed, positive encouragement from teacher. No pressure to paint a certain way. Quick pace allowed you to complete a number of projects and feel confident about your progress.
Valerie on January 27, 2024
Class: Pastels Made Easy!
Excellent. Joe covers a lot of ground and really gives a great base for moving on in painting on your own. As a rank beginner, I couldn't have asked for more. Joe is very encouraging and generous. A++++!!!
Rebekah G. on January 27, 2024
Class: Pastels Made Easy!
It was great! Joe is a fabulous instructor--he is encouraging, positive, and kind. He also is open to students "drawing outside the lines" with material choice or even reference photo/subject matter. I cannot recommend him enough, and look forward to my next class with him!
Verified Student on January 26, 2024
Class: Pastels Made Easy!
Informative, supportive, flexible
Catherine L. on January 26, 2024
Class: Pastels Made Easy!
Wonderful! Exceeded my expectations!
Pamela on January 26, 2024
Class: Pastels Made Easy!
a lot of fun. Lots of practice paintings and encouragement.
Rebekah G. on December 14, 2023
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
Excellent! Joe is very positive and encouraging. Appreciated the individual sessions.
Verified Student on December 9, 2023
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
Valerie Y. on December 9, 2023
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
I loved it. My first art class and it went really fast which meant no time for over-thinking! joe was very encouraging and his availability for 1:1 time was very helpful. I have already signed up for more classes.
Jean C. on December 9, 2023
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
This class was great! It moved fast, but I was okay with that because I got a lot of ideas to work with. Joe structured the class in such a way that the focus was more on learning and playing with materials and techniques rather than an expectation of a perfect painting.
Linda G. on September 23, 2023
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Love it
Angie P. on September 15, 2023
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Fun! Nice coverage of basic techniques. Good use of technology. I had to leave early, so I'm glad I'll get a chance to go back and rewatch everything. Thanks so much for offering this class!
Barbara C. on September 14, 2023
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Excellent !
½
Jane on May 26, 2023
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
Fun!
Susan F. on May 25, 2023
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
Fun and great learning environment. Wonderful opportunities to express our creativity and learn from each other.
Kris P. on May 25, 2023
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
Great!
½
Verified Student on April 27, 2023
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Great!! Especially liked that we got to share with each other what we made. And that we got to try 4 different projects.
Terry C. on April 27, 2023
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Joe is a very good instructor and artist.. However it was difficult to keep up with doing 4 pictures in 45 min. A little to fast to do 4 for a beginner . I especially liked the tip using the straw for the trees.
Willy A. on April 27, 2023
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Wonderful, as always. The class was great for me, my 5 year old and my 2 year old. Joe is such an expert! He makes the techniques accessible, the exercises are diverse and exciting and the class was really fun. The best part is now we have some new art for our refrigerator!
½
Verified Student on April 27, 2023
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Excellent. Joe's class had structure, instructions were clear and I truly enjoyed the tips and tricks he taught us. Thank you so much Joe!
½
Diane O. on April 27, 2023
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Great!
½
Lynne on February 3, 2023
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
Very informative, well paced and fun.
Judy F. on February 2, 2023
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
It was my first watercolor class and I loved it.
Lynn M. on February 2, 2023
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
½
Verified Student on August 5, 2022
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (February 2026)
Excellent! Great instructor (Joe Synan).
Jennifer C. on June 17, 2022
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Verified Student on June 16, 2022
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Encouraging. Moved quickly however it was doable. Learned things I did not know. Friendly instructor.
Malcolm on June 14, 2022
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Verified Student on June 14, 2022
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Very good. Joe has a great teaching personality
Verified Student on June 14, 2022
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Joe is talented at explaining art concepts in a simple and friendly way for beginners and experienced painters alike, he gave such a wonderful introduction to watercolors!
Emily S. on June 14, 2022
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
Just wonderful! Joe is fantastic and I’m excited to take the longer class
Marygrace B. on June 14, 2022
Class: Intro to Watercolor Painting
This was a wonderful class, it was really fun and the hour flew by!
Jeanne C. on February 9, 2022
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
Joe covered a huge amount of information and techniques in this fast-paced 1 week class. The schedule - with demonstrations in the morning, time to work alone and schedule a private session with him in the afternoon and then a follow-up painting session in the early evenings worked extremely well. With a patient and knowledgeable teacher, this class is a great basis for learning watercolor painting.
Elizabeth on February 6, 2022
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
Amazing!! Joe was a patient, kind, and easy to folly instructor. I can’t wait to take another class!
Dina S. on February 5, 2022
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
Answered above
Verified Student on February 4, 2022
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
Excellent. Joe was well organized, very clear and helpful, and the pace was just right. We painted a lot and learned many new techniques.
Ronda G. on February 4, 2022
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
The class was fantastic. Joe is a wonderful instructor, very supportive and kind and helpful. He knows just how to encourage beginners to be brave and bold in their learning.
Sharon T. on February 4, 2022
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
The online class was excellent and very enjoyable.
Vicki on February 4, 2022
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
Joe was fabulous. I learned a lot from him and was quite pleased with the class and format.
Ronda G. on February 3, 2022
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
It was wonderful! Joe is a fantastic teacher.
Sherry on July 27, 2021
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (February 2026)
I loved the laid-back yet efficient nature of his teaching style. I look forward to taking additional classes and practicing more techniques with him. I showed a few painting tricks to my three-year-old immediately after my first class, and she loved it too!
Willy A. on July 27, 2021
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (February 2026)
Really wonderful class! Joe was patient and clear with his instruction. It was a family activity and really great to paint with my daughter. She woke up this morning wanting to paint with her watercolors!
Marjorie . on July 26, 2021
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (February 2026)
Charlene H. on March 9, 2021
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
Joe was a great teacher. The pace of the class was just right and there were plenty of ways to ask questions. The materials he sent each of us ahead of time were very helpful.
John L. on March 4, 2021
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
I had fun during the week. If not for my other hobbies, I might continue on with watercolors.
Lynne H. on March 3, 2021
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
Absolutely wonderful! Joe taught a great class and I learned a lot. He encouraged us to find our own creativity and also promoted a positive attitude.
Mandy W. on March 2, 2021
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
I work during the day so I cannot take another workshop. However, the class was fun and defintently worth the money. I loved it!
½
Verified Student on March 2, 2021
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
I enjoyed playing with paint and getting one on one time with instructor. If I can't be there in person, this is the next best thing.
Verified Student on March 2, 2021
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
It was so informative and fun.
Rhona S. on March 2, 2021
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
Very good.
½
Mary A. on March 2, 2021
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
Great. Excellent content and demonstrations. Lots of positive reinforcement, encouragement by instructor.
Art S. on March 2, 2021
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
It was more than I hoped for and I really enjoyed every minute. I was able to learn and practice so many new skills. Joe Synan's method and his patient demeanor made me feel very confident.
Debby M. on March 2, 2021
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
Excellent. Instructor positive, available, knew his method, supportive in every way. Every effort was made by Lessonface to support the platform and help everyone to be a part of the experience. Can't say enough about the level of excellence in that way beyond just the technology.
½
susan E. on March 2, 2021
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
Allene K. on March 2, 2021
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
My instructor was knowledgeable and helpful. We accomplished much within our time. It was a rewarding experience!
½
Barb H. on March 2, 2021
Class: Watercolors Made Easy! (October 2025)
Fine
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