Ideal for artists who are comfortable with their materials but feel stuck at the beginner level, this short online series helps you move beyond basic exercises and into intentional, intermediate–advanced practice. Each session offers guided painting, feedback, and structure to build confidence beyond the fundamentals. It also serves as a gentle assessment for students wondering if they’re ready for higher-level instruction—and a low-commitment way to experience my teaching style before enrolling in a longer intermediate-advanced course.

For a list of suggested supplies, please visit: https://shorturl.at/hkSP7

Class Schedule

Class 1: Still Life — Foundations in Practice
We begin by revisiting essentials—water control, value, and edges—through a simple still life. Rather than isolated drills, we move quickly into building a complete painting, focusing on how to translate fundamentals into a finished composition.

Class 2: Skyscapes — Movement, Timing, and Atmosphere
This session explores the “dance” of watercolor. Working from a skyscape, we focus on wet-on-wet techniques, glazes, and blending. Students learn the critical skill of timing: when to guide the paint, when to pause, and when to let the medium do its work.

Class 3: Market Scene — Navigating Complexity and Figures.
The final class tackles the challenge of a busy market scene. We focus on simplifying complex information, establishing a clear focal point, and suggesting human figures with minimal strokes. Students learn how to capture the energy of a scene through light and shadow without overworking detail.

Instructor

Hema Bharadwaj, an alumna of Sir JJ Institute of Art in Mumbai and the School of Visual Arts in New York, discovered a deep love for watercolors while painting at her kitchen island, balancing home and family life. Drawn to their meditative quality, accessibility, and versatility, watercolors became her primary medium. Over time, she developed a signature abstract expressionist style—marked by energetic strokes, rich textures, and vibrant detail. Hema has been teaching at the Arts Council of Princeton for several semesters, where her warm, encouraging approach has earned her a loyal following of returning students. She offers a wide range of demonstrations, supports individual artistic goals, and helps students develop their own unique voice through diverse techniques and creative exploration. Her own studio practice continues to evolve in the direction of abstraction. You can view her portfolio here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/YgmgAKwFmCSMs4QW7