Watercolor Academy Review by Lilian Yang

Story and artworks from Lilian Yang, Correspondence Course graduate

Hi,

My name is Lilian Yang. I'm from China and recently moved to the United States. I started the Watercolor Academy Correspondence Course two years ago, and now I have finished the 100 tasks from the course and graduated. I'm so happy and it's a great achievement in my life!

I work in a company as finance director. I have loved art since I was little and I've visited many museums in the world, and really enjoy seeing those great artworks. I started to paint several years ago, learning from other artists on Youtube and attending some short-term courses here and there. The first 2-3 years were okay but I soon met a bottleneck . When I wanted to create a painting of my own I didn't know where to start and even if I did they don't look good. I realized that I need fundamental and systematic art training in order to improve. I enrolled in the Watercolor Academy Course. I chose this course because the curriculum covers not only the watercolor techniques but also the fundamental learning about color theory, composition, value study and many important theories. I realized that, in order to resolve the problems of my painting I need to learn these fundamental principles and apply them to the artwork. It's more rewarding than just learning a particular technique.

The 100 tasks are very intensive, in each task several paintings need to be finished. So in the past two years I have painted several hundred watercolor paintings using different techniques and cover various topics: still life, landscape, cityscape, portraits, figures, animals etc. In these practices I have tried many new things that I've never done before. It helped me to expand my boundaries again and again. My tutor, Vladimir London, always gave me quick and constructive feedback, encouraging me to move forward. These encouragement are so valuable and helpful to students like me, who have work and other obligations in life, to continuously commit time to art learning.

At the beginning of the course, my painting was flat and cartoonish, I couldn't use color and the water was often a disaster. Now these are much improved and I'm able to think through the process of completing a complicated painting and carry it out. I can paint any subject. I'm even able to do the more advanced topics like portraits and figures that require more accuracy and smooth transition.

I like plein air painting and like to paint the beautiful views of those places I traveled to. For watercolor I can easily pack the tools and paper in a small bag and paint anywhere I like. I've completed several watercolor sketchbooks during my travels. Those are the best memories of my life.

Before watercolor I used oil for painting and stopped for about three years. Now I'm surprised that when I pick up the oil brush again, my oil painting has improved a lot! The watercolor course has also improved my oil painting.

My deepest appreciation to the tutors of the Watercolor Academy Course, you have inspired me to go further in the artistic pursuant path.

Thank You!

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