I run watercolour workshops, not just because I love painting, but because I wanted more people to experience the joy of it, together. There's something different about learning in a group. It's less daunting when you can bring a friend, a cousin, a sister, someone to sit beside you while you're both figuring out how much water is too much water. Good things are meant to be shared, and watercolour is one of those things I genuinely want more people to discover.
If you're reading this, there's a good chance some part of you has wanted to try painting for a while now, and another part of you has talked yourself out of it. Maybe you've convinced yourself you're "not the creative type." Maybe it's been years, or decades, since you last held a paintbrush, and the idea of starting now feels a little embarrassing. Maybe you just want something that actually helps you switch off, not another item on a self-care checklist that never quite delivers. If any of that sounds familiar, you're not behind, more people feel this way walking in than you'd think.
I understand that hesitation, because I sat in a fair number of workshops myself, as a student, before I ever taught one. Some were wonderful, small enough that the instructor could actually see what I was struggling with and help in the moment. Others, less so. I remember a few workshops where the seating was so tight we were practically elbow to elbow for two or three hours straight, which made it hard to relax into the process at all, and relaxing is really the whole point.
That experience shaped how I run my own workshops today. So this guide isn't written from the outside looking in, like a listicle comparing class prices you'd find on a directory site. It's written by someone who has been on both sides of the easel, as a student figuring out what actually matters, and now as an instructor who gets to watch beginners walk in unsure if they're "the creative type," and walk out two hours later with a piece they painted themselves, and the quiet confidence that they actually are.
That shift, from doubt to a finished piece you're proud of, is what I want to help you find, whichever workshop you end up choosing, mine or someone else's.
What to Look for in a Beginner Watercolour Class
There's no universal checklist that guarantees a good class, every instructor teaches differently. But from being on both sides of the easel, here's what I genuinely believe matters most when you're choosing where to spend your first two hours with a paintbrush.
A relaxed, non-judgmental atmosphere. This matters more than almost anything else on this list. As a beginner, the biggest thing standing between you and your first confident brushstroke isn't skill, it's fear of getting it "wrong" in front of other people. A good class should feel safe enough that you're willing to be a little daring, to make a mark you're not sure about and just see what happens. In my own workshops, I make sure students hear plenty of encouragement, and I never judge anyone's artwork. Everyone's line, everyone's "mistake," is just part of learning. That growth mindset, over a fixed one, is what actually lets people loosen up enough to enjoy themselves.
Enough hands-on practice time, not just theory. It's tempting for instructors to spend too much time over-explaining colour theory, technique breakdowns, or the history of the medium, before letting students actually pick up a brush. I've sat through classes like that myself, where by the time we finally got to paint, there was barely any time left to practice, let alone enjoy it. A well-structured class should weight itself toward actually painting, with just enough guidance woven in to keep you moving forward.
Mini breaks built into the session. Two hours of focused, careful work is genuinely tiring, especially when you're concentrating hard as a beginner. I build small breaks into my own workshops for exactly this reason, a short pause helps students refocus, rather than pushing through fatigue and losing the joy of the process halfway through.
Comfortable physical space. I mentioned this earlier, but it's worth repeating as its own checklist item: you should have enough room to actually move your arm, step back, and see your painting properly, not be cramped elbow-to-elbow with the person next to you for two hours straight.
If a class offers these things, a relaxed atmosphere, real hands-on time, breaks, and enough physical space, you're already in a strong position to actually enjoy your first experience with watercolour, regardless of whose class you end up choosing.
Group Classes vs. Private Lessons — Which Is Right for You?
Both formats have real advantages, and the right choice depends less on which is "better" and more on what you're looking for.
Private lessons give you undivided, one-on-one attention from the instructor. Every question gets answered immediately, every correction is tailored specifically to you, and there's no waiting your turn while the instructor helps someone else first. The tradeoff is that private lessons typically cost more per person, and you lose the social, shared-experience side of learning something new, which for many beginners is actually part of what makes the process enjoyable rather than intimidating.
Group workshops, on the other hand, let you learn alongside others, which changes the energy of the room in a good way. There's something reassuring about realising the person next to you is just as unsure about their first brushstroke as you are. It's also simply more accessible, cost-wise, and it's a format that welcomes bringing a friend or family member along, which many of my own students tell me makes the whole experience feel less daunting from the start.
As for pacing, this comes down more to the individual than the format itself. Whether you're in a private lesson or a group class, how quickly you pick things up depends on your own comfort with trying something new, not on whether you're the only student in the room.
At the moment, I run group workshops exclusively, since I love the shared, encouraging energy they create, especially for beginners who are nervous to start. Private lessons are something I'm considering for the future, for those who'd prefer more individual pacing and attention. If that's more your style, keep an eye out, but for now, my group workshops remain a genuinely great starting point, however you eventually choose to continue your watercolour journey.
What Actually Happens at a Beginner Workshop
If you've never been to one before, not knowing what to expect can be half the anxiety. So here's an honest walkthrough of what a typical 2-hour beginner session actually looks like, at least in my own workshops.
You'll start with a warm welcome and a bit of grounding, no jumping straight into technical jargon. I keep the opening light and encouraging, because I want you to feel like you've walked into a relaxed space, not a classroom where you're about to be tested. From there, we move fairly quickly into hands-on practice, a little guidance, then paint, rather than a long lecture before you're allowed to touch a brush.
Your very first strokes will probably feel a little uncertain, and that's completely normal. I see it in almost every beginner. There's often a turning point partway through, usually once you start to notice how water actually behaves on the page, for instance, realising that adding more water dilutes your colour rather than "ruining" it, a concept I break down in more depth in my guide to water-to-pigment ratio. That small realisation tends to be the moment things click. From there, your strokes usually get bolder, looser, more confident.
Throughout the session, I build in short breaks, enough to let you rest your hand and refocus, without losing momentum on your piece. And the whole way through, you'll hear encouragement, not critique. I don't judge anyone's brushstrokes or "mistakes," because in watercolour, half of what looks like a mistake turns into something beautiful once you keep going.
By the end of the two hours, most students walk out with a finished piece they're genuinely proud of, and often a little surprised by. That shift, from unsure and hesitant to relaxed and pleased with what you've made, is really the heart of what a good beginner workshop should give you, technique included, but confidence most of all.
Questions to Ask Before You Book
Whichever workshop you're considering, mine or someone else's, these are the questions I'd genuinely encourage you to ask before booking, based on what I've learned matters most from both sides of the easel.
How many students are in each class? A smaller class size usually means more individual attention and a more comfortable, less crowded painting space, both of which matter more than people expect going in.
Will there be enough hands-on painting time, or is it mostly demonstration and theory? It's worth asking directly. Some classes lean heavily on lecture-style teaching, which can leave you with far less actual practice time than you'd hoped for.
Are materials provided, or do I need to bring my own? This affects how much preparation you'll need to do beforehand, and what you'll need to bring along on the day, worth knowing ahead of time either way.
What's the seating and workspace like? It might feel like a small detail, but having enough physical space to actually move your arm and see your work properly makes a real difference over a two-hour session.
Is this class specifically designed for complete beginners? Not all "beginner-friendly" classes are created equal, some assume a bit of prior experience. It's worth confirming the class genuinely starts from zero if that's where you are.
What's the instructor's teaching style like, encouraging, or more critique-focused? This one matters more than people realise. For a first attempt at something new, an encouraging, non-judgmental environment tends to make the biggest difference in whether you actually enjoy yourself, and want to keep painting afterward.
Asking even two or three of these before you book can save you from an experience that doesn't match what you were hoping for, and help you walk in feeling more confident about what to expect.
Why I Teach the Way I Do
My own art journey started when I was six years old, training under Mr. Tan Kay Nguan at a private art school. Over the years, I've continued learning under several other established Singapore artists, Mr. Tham Pui San, Mr. Foo Kwee Horng, and Mr. Nam Siang, each of whom shaped different parts of how I paint today.
But the biggest lesson I carry into my own teaching didn't come from technique at all. It was discipline, learning to show up consistently, week after week, and trusting that improvement comes from that consistency rather than talent alone. It also built my patience, which I think matters just as much in teaching as it does in painting.
That's why kindness, empathy, and encouragement sit at the centre of how I run my workshops. I know firsthand what it feels like to be nervous about whether something you've made is "good enough." So I made a decision early on, my classroom would never be a space of judgment. I'd rather build my students up with a growth mindset, treating every hesitant brushstroke as part of learning, not a mistake to be corrected.
At the end of the day, I don't just want to teach people watercolour technique. I want to give them a genuinely relaxed, joyful couple of hours, and the confidence to keep creating long after the class ends, whether that means picking up a brush again next week, or simply feeling a little less afraid to try something new next time.
That's the kind of instructor I try to be. And it's the experience I hope you'll find, whichever workshop you eventually choose.
My Next Workshop
If any part of this guide struck a chord, the hesitation, the "am I even the creative type" question, the wanting something that actually helps you slow down, I'd love for you to find out for yourself what two hours of watercolour can do.
Here's what you can expect: a small, unhurried group, enough space to actually paint comfortably, and guidance every step of the way, no experience or talent required. You'll walk in unsure. You'll walk out with a piece you painted yourself, loosely, imperfectly, joyfully, and the kind of quiet pride that comes from doing the thing you were nervous to try.
You're also welcome to bring a friend, a sister, a cousin, painting is always a little less daunting, and a lot more fun, when you're not doing it alone.
Only a few seats left for Saturday, 15 August.
Reserve Your Spot in My Next Beginner Workshop →
Come as you are. No experience needed, just a willingness to try.
FAQ
What should I look for in a beginner watercolour workshop?
Look for a small class size, a relaxed and non-judgmental atmosphere, enough hands-on painting time rather than heavy theory, and a comfortable amount of physical space to work in. These factors tend to matter more to a beginner's experience than any specific technique taught.
Should I choose a group class or a private lesson as a beginner?
Both work well, it depends on your preference. Group classes offer a social, shared learning experience and are a great starting point for most beginners, while private lessons offer more individual pacing and attention for those who prefer to learn one-on-one.
Is watercolour painting suitable for complete beginners with no art experience?
Yes. A well-run beginner workshop should assume no prior experience at all. In fact, watercolour is one of the more forgiving mediums for someone picking up a paintbrush for the very first time.
What should I bring to my first watercolour workshop?
This varies by instructor, some provide all materials, others ask you to bring your own. It's worth confirming with the instructor beforehand so you know what to prepare ahead of your session.