Illustrations by M. Chad Randall

Story and artworks from M. Chad Randall, Watercolor Academy student

My name is M. Chad Randall. I am a middle school art teacher, a working children's book illustrator, and a lifelong student of art living in Texas, United States. Although I spent many years working professionally in corporate sales and marketing leadership, art has always remained an important part of my life.

I'm very excited to continue with Watercolor Academy. I am currently still working through the initial six evaluation projects and look forward to submitting them for review.

In recent years, returning to teaching art has reignited my passion for drawing, painting, and storytelling through illustration. Today, art is both a personal pursuit and the professional direction I hope to continue developing through children's book illustration and traditional watercolor painting.

Although I have experience in drawing and painting, I realized there were still important gaps in my technical watercolor training and classical foundation skills.

I enrolled in Watercolor Academy because I wanted more structured instruction in areas such as:

• watercolor control,
• layering and glazing,
• color harmony,
• composition,
• atmospheric perspective,
• and classical painting methods.

I was especially drawn to the Academy's emphasis on disciplined technical foundations and individualized instruction.

Although I am still early in the program and continuing with the evaluation projects, I have already learned a great deal simply by watching the excellent instructional videos and demonstrations included. The program has already helped strengthen my understanding of watercolor technique, planning, layering, and classical artistic principles, and I look forward to applying these techniques more fully throughout the coursework.

At this stage, my primary goal is to continue strengthening both my technical skills and my confidence as a watercolor artist and illustrator.

I hope the Academy will help me:

• gain greater control over watercolor,
• improve my understanding of light and atmosphere,
• strengthen composition and storytelling,
• and deepen my understanding of classical painting principles.

What attracted me most to the program is its focus on watercolor as a craft that can be carefully studied, understood, and mastered through proper instruction and practice. Based on my experience so far, I would recommend Watercolor Academy to artists who are serious about developing stronger technical watercolor skills through structured and disciplined training.

Fleeing From the King's Guard
Traditional watercolor and graphite illustration
This piece focuses on dramatic lighting, atmosphere, movement, and narrative storytelling.

Awaiting the Spring Concert
Traditional watercolor illustration
This illustration explores atmosphere, composition, storytelling, and emotional warmth through layered watercolor techniques.

To learn how to paint in watercolor, enroll now: