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How to Paint a Castle in Watercolor & Pastel

4.7 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Based on 34 ratings
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Colin Bradley School of Art

When I first started using Watercolour in 1980 I was inspired to copy the great artists such as Constable, Quinton and others. I couldn’t get on with oil or acrylic so turned my hand at watercolour.

As I had never gone to art school I just went with my instincts and had fun.

Because I tried to copy the great artists, the techniques I developed were completely unique and unlike any other watercolour pictures I saw.

I remained self taught, learnt as I went along and what you’ll see in this course is a result of years of learning through mistakes and finding what worked.

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When I first started using Watercolour in 1980 I was inspired to copy the great artists such as Constable, Quinton and others. I couldn’t get on with oil or acrylic so turned my hand at watercolour.

As I had never gone to art school I just went with my instincts and had fun.

Because I tried to copy the great artists, the techniques I developed were completely unique and unlike any other watercolour pictures I saw.

I remained self taught, learnt as I went along and what you’ll see in this course is a result of years of learning through mistakes and finding what worked.

You’ll also see techniques never before attempted with watercolour (as far as I know). My watercolour pictures, even though they’re “impressionistic”, have a sense of realism about them.

In this course I’ll give you an outline drawing so that you can print this straight to watercolour paper or trace it using a carbon. I’ll also show you the materials I use in my watercolour work.

Then we’ll get started with the paintings which are split into “easy to digest” parts.

With this course you will learn to paint "Scotney Castle", a stunning place in Kent, England.

After learning how to paint the landscape you will also be shown how to enhance your watercolour with Pastel Pencils. You will see how to make your pictures even more vibrant, colourful and stunning.

I hope you enjoy learning my watercolour techniques, once you are finished, please do share your artwork via the Q & A section or message us using Udemy's messaging tools.

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

In this video I explain what to expect from this course. To learn about the materials I use for watercolour pictures please see the next lecture "Getting Started".

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This is the set up for all my watercolour work. Most people have their own way of working and choice of watercolour products. But it might be helpful to see my setup in case it gives you ideas you can follow. Here are most of the tools I use but I am also a great one for improvising. I also use a variety of old worn brushes as well a very fine brushes such as 0, 00 and even 000 from time to time. I love detail as you will see as we proceed with the course. The photograph in the resources shows the items I am going to be using in the project.

(See photograph in resources section of this lecture)

  1. 300gsm smooth watercolour paper (we do sell this on our own store if you are having trouble finding some)

  2. Hardboard backing board

  3. Roller measure

  4. Straight edge measure

  5. Kitchen roll

  6. Metal water container

  7. Brown sticking tape

  8. Pencil sharpener

  9. A selection of watercolour brushes

  10. Graphite pencils – HB, F and B.

  11. Winsor and Newton Cotman watercolour pans and palette (24 colours used and listed below)

Colours in the set I use:

327 - Intense Blue

090 - Cadmium Orange Hue

103 - Cadmium Red Pale Hue

696 - Viridian Hue

098 - Cadmium Red Deep Hue

362 - Light Red

150 - Chinese White

003 - Alizarin Crimson Hue

331 - Ivory Black

119 - Cadmium Yellow Pale Hue

346 - Lemon Yellow Hue

599 - Sap Green

744 - Yellow Ochre

544 - Purple Lake

552 - Raw Sienna

139 - Cerulean Blue Hue

660 - Ultramarine

178 - Cobalt Blue

076 - Burnt Umber

095 - Cadium Red Hue

109 - Cadmium Yellow Hue

465 - Payne’s Grey

074 - Burnt Sienna

554 - Raw Umber

I should also mention that in the final part of this project we use pastel pencils to enhance the picture. You will see me discuss these materials when we get to that section. The pencils that I choose to use are the Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils but you can use other brands.

Let's get started with this course! In this section we begin with the Sky and Trees.

We have attached the outline drawing to the resources section along with the completed picture for you to use as reference.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

This is Part 2 of this section. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

This is Part 3 of this section. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

This is Part 4 and final part of this section. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

In this section we move onto the Castle itself. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

This is Part 4 of this section. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

This is Part 5 of this section. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

This is Part 5 and final part of this section. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

This is Part 6 of this section. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

This is Part 7 of this section. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

This is Part 8 and final part of this section. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

In this section we move onto the gateway and surrounding foliage. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

In this final section we work on the water and grass. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

How to Share Your Artwork.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides an outline drawing of Scotney Castle, allowing learners to focus on painting techniques rather than struggling with initial composition
Explores the use of pastel pencils to enhance watercolor paintings, offering a mixed-media approach to create vibrant and colorful artwork
Uses Winsor and Newton Cotman watercolor pans, which are widely available and considered a good student-grade option for beginners
Requires specific materials, such as 300gsm smooth watercolor paper and Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils, which may require additional purchases

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Reviews summary

Watercolor & pastel castle painting

According to learners, this course offers a highly accessible and step-by-step guide to painting a beautiful castle scene using watercolor and pastel techniques. Many students found the instructor's unique approach effective and were delighted with their final results. The course is structured into easy-to-digest parts, making it suitable for hobbyists and beginners. Some reviewers noted that while the course is great for following a specific project, it may lack deeper explanations of foundational watercolor principles like color mixing or brushwork for those seeking broader skill development. A few also found the pace a little fast during detailed sections. Overall, it's considered a very enjoyable and rewarding experience if your goal is to paint this particular scene.
Learners are satisfied with their completed painting
"My final painting looks surprisingly good!"
"...the final result is nice, but I found the instruction sometimes lacked detail..."
"Painting along was easy, and the result is something I'm really proud of."
"The unique approach is interesting and produces beautiful results."
Effective use of watercolor and pastel together
"The instructor's approach is so unique and easy to follow."
"The pastel enhancement part was a game-changer."
"The combination of watercolor and pastel is something I hadn't considered, and it really does make the image pop."
"The unique approach is interesting."
Breaks down painting into manageable parts
"his step-by-step method for the castle and landscape worked really well."
"The steps were clear, and I appreciated the outline drawing."
"The modules were indeed easy to digest..."
"Painting along was easy, and the result is something I'm really proud of."
Detailed sections can feel a bit rushed
"The pace felt a little fast in some sections, especially the detailed work on the castle itself."
"The pace was mostly fine, maybe a bit quick during the detailed castle sections."
Great for following along, less on deep theory
"It felt more like 'watch me do it' than a deep dive into *why* certain techniques are used."
"I was hoping for more foundational watercolor techniques."
"I didn't feel I gained transferable skills."
"I think it's best suited for those who are comfortable following along rather than those seeking deep theoretical knowledge."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How to Paint a Castle in Watercolor & Pastel with these activities:
Practice Basic Watercolor Techniques
Review fundamental watercolor techniques like washes, blending, and dry brushing to build a solid foundation before starting the course.
Browse courses on Watercolor Techniques
Show steps
  • Gather watercolor paints, brushes, and paper.
  • Practice creating flat washes and graded washes.
  • Experiment with wet-on-wet and dry brush techniques.
Explore 'Watercolour for the Absolute Beginner' by Matthew Palmer
Read this book to gain a solid understanding of watercolor basics and build confidence before painting the castle.
View Watercolour Animals for the Absolute Beginner... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Watercolour for the Absolute Beginner'.
  • Read the chapters on materials and basic techniques.
  • Complete one or two of the beginner projects in the book.
Practice Color Mixing
Practice mixing different watercolor paints to achieve desired colors, which is essential for capturing the various hues in the castle and landscape.
Show steps
  • Create a color chart with primary and secondary colors.
  • Experiment with mixing different shades of green for foliage.
  • Mix various shades of gray and brown for the castle stones.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Watercolor Value Study of a Castle
Create a grayscale watercolor painting of a castle to understand light and shadow, which will improve the realism of your final painting.
Show steps
  • Find a reference image of a castle.
  • Create a sketch outlining the basic shapes and composition.
  • Paint the value study using different shades of gray watercolor.
Refer to 'Pastel Painting Techniques' by Sandrine Maugy
Consult this book to learn how to effectively use pastel pencils to enhance your watercolor painting, as demonstrated in the course.
View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Pastel Painting Techniques'.
  • Read the chapters on basic techniques and color theory.
  • Experiment with different pastel pencil techniques on scrap paper.
Paint a Second Castle
Apply the techniques learned in the course to paint another castle scene, focusing on areas where you struggled in the first painting.
Show steps
  • Select a new reference image of a castle.
  • Create a detailed sketch of the scene.
  • Paint the scene using watercolor and pastel pencils, focusing on improving specific techniques.
Share Your Work and Provide Feedback
Share your castle paintings online and provide constructive feedback to other artists to reinforce your understanding and learn from others.
Show steps
  • Join an online art community or forum.
  • Share your castle paintings and ask for feedback.
  • Provide constructive feedback to other artists on their work.

Career center

Learners who complete How to Paint a Castle in Watercolor & Pastel will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Landscape Painter
Landscape painters capture the beauty of the natural world through their artwork. They often work en plein air, directly observing and painting the landscape, or they may work in a studio using sketches and photographs as references. This course teaches techniques to create realistic and impressionistic landscape paintings using watercolor and pastel. The course focuses on a specific scene allowing a landscape painter to create an accurate study, experiment, and hone their craft.
See salaries and explore the career path for Landscape Painter
Fine Artist
A fine artist creates original artworks for display and sale. They often work in various mediums, such as painting, sculpture, or drawing, to express their artistic vision. Learning how to paint a castle in watercolor and pastel may be helpful if you are a fine artist. This course emphasizes the development of unique techniques through self-teaching and experimentation. A fine artist will learn to navigate painting and sketching styles learned from established artists but make them their own.
See salaries and explore the career path for Fine Artist
Architectural Illustrator
An architectural illustrator creates drawings or paintings of buildings and other architectural structures. The illustrations are often used for presentations, marketing materials, and design development. In this course, you will learn to paint a castle with watercolor and pastel. The goal is to use techniques to create architectural paintings with a sense of realism. Focus on the use of watercolors and pastel pencils to add depth and vibrancy to your architectural renderings.
See salaries and explore the career path for Architectural Illustrator
Illustrator
An illustrator creates images for books, magazines, and other media. An illustrator's work is often commissioned to accompany written text, add visual appeal, or explain complex ideas through drawings and paintings. This course, which teaches how to paint a castle in watercolor and pastel, may be useful to an aspiring illustrator. You can learn techniques to create realistic and impressionistic scenes using specific materials like watercolor pans and pastel pencils, as taught in the course, which may help you develop a unique style.
See salaries and explore the career path for Illustrator
Concept Artist
A concept artist designs visual representations of ideas for use in films, video games, and other forms of media. The artist will sometimes create preliminary designs to explore different possibilities. This course may be useful for a concept artist who wishes to improve their painting skills. The course focuses on watercolor and pastel techniques with the goal of creating somewhat realistic and impressionistic paintings. The course also gives an outline drawing so that students may print this straight to watercolour paper or trace it.
See salaries and explore the career path for Concept Artist
Art teacher
An art teacher instructs students of all ages in various art techniques and concepts. They develop lesson plans, provide guidance, and assess student progress in visual arts. The course may be useful for an art teacher looking to expand their knowledge of watercolor and pastel techniques. In the course, you will find guidance on materials, color selection, and step-by-step painting processes. If you are an art teacher, use this course to explore new methods and inspire your students.
See salaries and explore the career path for Art teacher
Restoration Artist
A restoration artist specializes in repairing and conserving damaged artworks and historical artifacts. They require expertise in various art techniques and materials, as well as a deep understanding of art history. This course may be useful for a restoration artist who wishes to enhance their skills in watercolor and pastel techniques. The course focuses on creating realistic watercolor paintings with the option of enhancing the artwork with pastel pencils. In particular, focus on the specific techniques that can be applied to restoring artwork.
See salaries and explore the career path for Restoration Artist
Scenic Artist
Scenic artists create backdrops and scenery for theater, film, and television productions. They are responsible for painting large-scale sets that transport audiences to different locations and time periods. This course may be useful for a scenic artist who wants to develop their skills in watercolor and pastel painting. The course focuses on painting a specific structure and its surrounding landscape. A course such as this helps build a foundation in creating believable environments that are engaging for viewers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Scenic Artist
Set Designer
Set designers create the physical environment for theatre, film, television, and other live performances. They collaborate with directors, costume designers, and lighting designers to create a cohesive and visually appealing production. This course may be useful for a set designer who wants to create watercolor and pastel renderings of their set designs. The course teaches you how to paint a castle in watercolor and pastel. This course helps in visualizing and communicating their ideas to the production team.
See salaries and explore the career path for Set Designer
Printmaker
Printmakers create original artworks by transferring images from a matrix onto paper or other materials. They use various techniques, such as etching, lithography, and screenprinting, to produce multiple copies of their designs. This course may be useful for a printmaker who wishes to incorporate watercolor and pastel techniques into their prints. The course teaches you how to create landscape paintings with a sense of light and shadow using watercolors and pastel pencils. Use these skills to make distinctive prints.
See salaries and explore the career path for Printmaker
Animator
An animator creates moving images using various techniques, such as hand-drawing, computer animation, or stop-motion. They work in a variety of industries, including film, television, video games, and advertising. If you are an animator, this course that teaches how to paint a castle in watercolor and pastel may be useful in creating backgrounds or environments for animated scenes. The techniques taught may help you develop skills in creating visually appealing environments as well as the interplay between light and shadow.
See salaries and explore the career path for Animator
Muralist
A muralist creates large-scale paintings on walls or other surfaces, often in public spaces. These murals can be decorative, tell a story, or convey a message. If you are a muralist, learning how to paint landscapes in watercolor and pastel may be useful for designing outdoor scenes. This course teaches you how to create impressionistic paintings with a sense of realism, which can translate well to large-scale murals. You may also be interested in how the course teaches to make pictures vibrant and colorful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Muralist
Art Director
An art director is responsible for the overall visual style and images of various projects, such as advertising campaigns, magazines, and film productions. They collaborate with designers, photographers, and other creative professionals to achieve a cohesive and visually appealing result. If you are an art director, learning how to paint landscapes in watercolor and pastel may be useful for creating a particular aesthetic for a project, or for developing skill in a particular medium. Emphasis on the details taught in the course may be useful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Art Director
Exhibition Designer
An exhibition designer plans and designs museum exhibitions, trade shows, and other types of displays. They work to create engaging and informative experiences for visitors. If you're an exhibition designer, this course that teaches how to paint landscapes in watercolor and pastel may be useful for designing informative and engaging backgrounds. This course may offer a foundation for constructing believable environments that are engaging for viewers. Also, since the course teaches how to make pictures vibrant, you may be inspired.
See salaries and explore the career path for Exhibition Designer
Textile Designer
A textile designer creates patterns and designs for fabrics used in clothing, home furnishings, and other products. They use various techniques, including drawing, painting, and digital design, to create original and appealing designs. This course may be useful for a textile designer who wants to incorporate watercolor and pastel techniques into their designs. The course focuses on painting a castle, including its architectural details and surrounding landscape. Use the methods taught to enhance your drawings and paintings.
See salaries and explore the career path for Textile Designer

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in How to Paint a Castle in Watercolor & Pastel.
Cover image
Watercolour Animals for the Absolute Beginner
Save
Is an excellent resource for those completely new to watercolor painting. It covers the basics of materials, techniques, and simple projects. It's particularly useful for building confidence and understanding fundamental concepts before tackling more complex subjects like castles. This book is best used as additional reading to supplement the course.
Watercolour Animals for the Absolute Beginner...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
Putting Knowledge to Work
Save
Provides a comprehensive guide to using pastel pencils, which are used in the final part of the course to enhance the watercolor painting. It covers various techniques, color theory, and tips for achieving different effects. It useful reference tool for understanding how to effectively integrate pastels with watercolor. This book is best used as additional reading to supplement the course.
Putting Knowledge to Work
Paperback
Check
Putting Knowledge to Work
Kindle Edition
Check

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Rating
4.7 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Effort
7.5 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Colin Bradley School of Art
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides an outline drawing of Scotney Castle, allowing learners to focus on painting techniques rather than struggling with initial composition
Explores the use of pastel pencils to enhance watercolor paintings, offering a mixed-media approach to create vibrant and colorful artwork
Uses Winsor and Newton Cotman watercolor pans, which are widely available and considered a good student-grade option for beginners
Requires specific materials, such as 300gsm smooth watercolor paper and Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils, which may require additional purchases
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