We’ll use real watercolor examples as our starting point, looking closely at the soft washes, blooms, pigment variation, edges and little imperfections that give watercolor its character.
I’ll show you what I’m noticing and why, and then we’ll recreate those same qualities using our digital brushes.
It’s a lovely way to understand how watercolor actually behaves, rather than simply trying to copy how it looks.
We’ll use real watercolor examples as our starting point, looking closely at the soft washes, blooms, pigment variation, edges and little imperfections that give watercolor its character.
I’ll show you what I’m noticing and why, and then we’ll recreate those same qualities using our digital brushes.
It’s a lovely way to understand how watercolor actually behaves, rather than simply trying to copy how it looks.
We’ll look at how to simplify a photo, choose the parts that really matter, and leave out the details that don’t.
I’ll show you how to combine ideas from different references and make little artistic changes so the finished piece feels more like your own.
The goal is to help you look at a reference and think, “I know what I want to do with this.”
We’ll look at how to simplify a photo, choose the parts that really matter, and leave out the details that don’t.
I’ll show you how to combine ideas from different references and make little artistic changes so the finished piece feels more like your own.
The goal is to help you look at a reference and think, “I know what I want to do with this.”
We’ll keep our palettes simple and harmonious, then build colour gradually with light, transparent layers.
I’ll show you how to let colours sit beside each other, overlap in places, and still keep that lovely fresh watercolor feel.
You’ll also learn when to stop blending, when to leave an edge alone, and how a few thoughtful colour choices can make the whole painting feel brighter and more alive.
We’ll keep our palettes simple and harmonious, then build colour gradually with light, transparent layers.
I’ll show you how to let colours sit beside each other, overlap in places, and still keep that lovely fresh watercolor feel.
You’ll also learn when to stop blending, when to leave an edge alone, and how a few thoughtful colour choices can make the whole painting feel brighter and more alive.
We’ll work with lovely blooms, drips, splashes, soft edges, crisp edges and areas that simply fade away.
I’ll show you where adding a little detail really helps, and where leaving things loose makes the painting feel more natural and expressive.
You’ll start to see how less really can be more, and how those little imperfect moments are often what make watercolor feel so beautiful.
We’ll work with lovely blooms, drips, splashes, soft edges, crisp edges and areas that simply fade away.
I’ll show you where adding a little detail really helps, and where leaving things loose makes the painting feel more natural and expressive.
You’ll start to see how less really can be more, and how those little imperfect moments are often what make watercolor feel so beautiful.
Throughout the course, I’ll talk you through the little decisions I’m making as I paint, so you’re not just following along without knowing why.
We’ll look at things like where to add contrast, when to soften an edge, when a color needs adjusting, and when a painting already has enough going on.
The goal is to help you become more confident making those same choices in your own artwork, so you’re not always relying on a step-by-step guide.
Throughout the course, I’ll talk you through the little decisions I’m making as I paint, so you’re not just following along without knowing why.
We’ll look at things like where to add contrast, when to soften an edge, when a colour needs adjusting, and when a painting already has enough going on.
The goal is to help you become more confident making those same choices in your own artwork, so you’re not always relying on a step-by-step guide.
Start with simple watercolor studies and gradually move into more detailed paintings, building your skills naturally as each project becomes more challenging.
Use the included guides when you want to focus on watercolor, or draw the projects yourself for additional practice and creative freedom.
Complete six magical projects. From character to full scene, each designed to build your skills and grow your illustrated fairytale.
Learn how to observe, simplify and interpret real photographs instead of simply copying and begin turning reference into artwork of your own.
Take what you’ve learned and try it independently with additional paintings designed to reinforce the skills from each lesson.
Learn the little techniques behind the projects, from color picking and working with layers to knowing where to add detail, where to soften, and when to stop.
See the finished artwork while you paint, giving you a clear visual guide for color, detail, composition and the overall loose watercolor look.
Learn fresh colour, transparent layering, white space, soft and defined edges, blooms, texture and how to keep your paintings beautifully loose.
Paint with brushes created from real watercolor samples, including beautiful washes, blooms, drips, splatters and natural pigment textures.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved drawing and painting. I’ve had the absolute joy of working as a professional artist for a couple of decades now, and being able to share what I’ve learned with other artists is something I genuinely love.
I’m trained as both a traditional and digital artist, and I really enjoy bringing those two worlds together. Watercolor has always been especially lovely to work with because it doesn’t have to be perfect—it can be soft, loose, a little unpredictable, and full of personality.
I created this course for anyone, including complete beginners, who would love to feel more confident painting loose watercolor in Procreate. My hope is that you’ll not only enjoy creating the projects with me, but also begin to understand how to look at a reference, simplify what you see, make your own artistic choices, and create beautiful watercolor paintings that still feel like you.
These projects progress from beginner to advanced techniques, preparing you to paint beautiful loose watercolor with confidence.
Before moving into the larger projects, you’ll begin with three focused practice studies: Starfish, Cherries and Wildflowers. In each one, we’ll work from real traditional watercolor examples and look closely at what gives them that beautiful, natural feel: transparent layers, pigment variation, blooms, crisp and softened edges, fresh colour and areas of untouched white paper. Then we’ll recreate those same qualities digitally in Procreate, so you can understand not just what the finished piece looks like, but why it looks like watercolor. Each practice builds on the last, giving you a chance to get comfortable with the brushes, techniques and decision-making before moving into more detailed projects.
In the Watercolor Rose project, you’ll begin moving beyond simple practice studies and start making more of your own artistic decisions. Using real rose photographs for inspiration, you’ll learn how to simplify a complex flower into the shapes, shadows, colour changes and overlapping petals that really matter, rather than trying to paint every single detail. We’ll build the rose gradually from a rich, loose centre into larger, softer petals, using white space, layered colour, brushwork and watercolor stamps to create a natural, expressive finish. This project is a beautiful introduction to interpreting a reference rather than copying it, helping you understand how to capture the feeling of a subject while still making the finished painting your own.
In the Watercolor Pear project, you’ll take the next step by learning how to build a complete composition from several different reference photos. Rather than copying one image, you’ll combine a pear, leaves, flowers and little botanical details into one balanced piece, making choices about placement, shape, colour and negative space as you go. You’ll continue working with soft washes, layered colour, watercolor stamps and loose brushwork, while learning how to keep the painting fresh and varied instead of flat or overworked. This project is especially valuable for building composition skills and artistic confidence, helping you see how separate references can be simplified, rearranged and brought together into something that feels completely your own.
In the Watercolor Pear project, you’ll take the next step by learning how to build a complete composition from several different reference photos. Rather than copying one image, you’ll combine a pear, leaves, flowers and little botanical details into one balanced piece, making choices about placement, shape, colour and negative space as you go. You’ll continue working with soft washes, layered colour, watercolor stamps and loose brushwork, while learning how to keep the painting fresh and varied instead of flat or overworked. This project is especially valuable for building composition skills and artistic confidence, helping you see how separate references can be simplified, rearranged and brought together into something that feels completely your own.
In the Loose Watercolor Cat project, you’ll learn how to take a more complex subject and simplify it into a loose, expressive composition. Using several real cat reference photos, we’ll combine the features we like most and focus on just part of the face, allowing areas of fur and form to softly disappear into the watercolor. You’ll practice building rich colour with multiple layered tones, creating believable fur by following its natural direction, and balancing a few more defined focal areas, especially around the eye, with softer edges, loose flowers, washes and drips. This project is especially valuable for learning selective detail and controlled looseness, helping you understand that you don’t need to describe everything for a painting to feel complete and full of life.
In the Loose Watercolor Highland Cow project, you’ll bring together many of the skills from earlier lessons in a more detailed and expressive animal portrait. Using real reference photos, we’ll study the cow’s features and fur, then make our own artistic choices to create a younger, sweeter version with larger eyes, softer proportions and plenty of personality. You’ll learn how to paint convincing shaggy fur by following its natural direction, balance more structured facial details with loose, flowing watercolor, and blend the body into flowers, blooms, drips and softer edges. This project is especially valuable for learning how to combine realism with artistic interpretation, showing you how to keep a complex subject believable while still letting the painting feel loose, whimsical and full of character.
In the Loose Watercolor Highland Cow project, you’ll bring together many of the skills from earlier lessons in a more detailed and expressive animal portrait. Using real reference photos, we’ll study the cow’s features and fur, then make our own artistic choices to create a younger, sweeter version with larger eyes, softer proportions and plenty of personality. You’ll learn how to paint convincing shaggy fur by following its natural direction, balance more structured facial details with loose, flowing watercolor, and blend the body into flowers, blooms, drips and softer edges. This project is especially valuable for learning how to combine realism with artistic interpretation, showing you how to keep a complex subject believable while still letting the painting feel loose, whimsical and full of character.
In the Bonus Peacock project, you’ll bring together everything you’ve learned in one of the most detailed and expressive pieces in the course. Using several real peacock references, we’ll study the face, body and feathers separately, then combine that information into one finished composition rather than copying a single photograph. You’ll practice balancing more structured areas with loose watercolor effects, layering colour and texture through the feathers, and making your own artistic choices, including shifting the natural colouring into a brighter blue, green and purple palette for a more whimsical result. We’ll then soften the more detailed areas with flowers, drips, splashes and wet watercolor effects, helping you learn how to combine structure, colour, interpretation and looseness in one cohesive painting.
There’s no need to rush or hit any deadlines, just work around your schedule. Take your time, rewind and watch as many times as you like. Our lovely testers went through the course over the course of a month and got stunning results!
You’ll have life time access to all of the course content, so you can come back and re-watch anytime.
Relax and have fun while we hang out in the studio! I wanted to create and film this course as though we were sitting beside each other, drawing and painting together. I like to let you know what I’m thinking so that you can learn not just how to do something but why, and in doing so, make decisions with confidence. These lesson will help you improve your skills and boost your confidence like you never thought possible, and we’ll have a great time together.
I’m so very thankful for these wonderful artists that combed through every aspect of the course to ensure the maximum quality and value.
“I absolutely loved this digital art class! The video was very easy to follow, and I appreciated being able to pause whenever I needed extra time to catch up.
The instructor has such a calming and reassuring voice, which made the entire class relaxing and enjoyable.
The brushes included in the pack are amazing and they make digital artwork look just like beautiful, traditional watercolor. I highly recommend this class!”
GeGe Penley - @gegepenleydesigns⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
““As someone who has struggled with watercolor my whole life. Way before digital art. I was excited to take Kris Lauren’s Loose Watercolor Masterclass. And it did not disappoint.
While it was uncomfortable to let go of the control in my art, her techniques, teaching style, and brushes helped me to relax and have fun. I created art I never thought would be possible.
If you’re interested in a watercolor technique that’s fun, easy to learn, and produces amazing art, this is the class for you.””
Jenn Windrow - @jennwindrow⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“My first thought about this course was: "this is seriously a masterclass, how could I, a beginner at painting in Procreate, ever manage to paint something so beautiful? No way..." But that's what challenges are for, so perhaps not full of enthusiasm, but rather full of apprehension, I started the course.
Reality turned out to be a bit different than I had expected. The course is indeed not the easiest if you've never worked with digital watercolors, and each lesson raises the bar and gets more difficult. But Kris's calm voice, her detailed and clear instructions, and her certainty that the student will succeed gave me wings! During the course, I improved my sketching, and painting my own rose, pear, or even the cat convinced me that this new way of painting is it – now I only want to paint this way! I even painted my own adorable Highland cow, which I consider to be nothing short of a miracle!
I fell in love with these brushes and the dripping paint stamps! Kris is my master, my fairy godmother in this digital painting adventure, and I am immensely grateful to her because, thanks to her, my dreams are coming true! Thank you!”
Angieszka Rydzewska - @odelie_u⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“If you want to learn how to paint so it looks like real watercolor this course is exactly what you need.
The course is well-structured, and with the homework interspersed, the difficulty level increases nicely. Kris not only teach you to paint and use the brushes efficient but also teach you how to look at references photos and sketch them with ease.
It was a privilege to be able to test this course and I've learned a lot.”
Beau - @beauxartistic⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“This course is a real must-have for anyone who wants to learn how to create more complex digital watercolor drawings in a clear, step-by-step way.
When I started this course, I couldn’t imagine that I would be able to create drawings like this. Kris explains every step in detail, including which colors and brushes to use. What I especially love about this course is that you don’t just learn to copy a drawing, you learn how to create your own artwork independently.
You’ll learn so many different techniques, all explained in a clear, gentle, and encouraging way. The whole course feels very comforting and enjoyable while you’re learning more advanced techniques.
I highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to take their digital watercolor skills to the next level!”
Angelique van Hees⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I have been using Procreate for about 2 years now and have done many courses, tutorials and watched many a you-tube video to help further my learning but after taking this class, I can honestly say it far surpasses any course I have ever taken!
Kris’s unique way of teaching, her calming voice and the clear tutelage that she gives has put her to the top of the list of excellent and talented artists. What makes this course so unique is not only does it contain the canvas, the brushes, and guides to create these remarkable designs, but you also get the ability to sketch right along with Kris to further you artistic abilities. It starts out very detailed for the real beginner and increases with each lesson so you don’t feel lost at anytime.
I highly recommend this course for anyone who is looking to create something that you will look at and say “Wow, I did that!””
Dawne Valentino - @jdvalentino777⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A small sample of custom brushes help you follow every painting technique easily.
Paint on a textured canvas designed for authentic watercolor character.
Make choosing beautiful harmonious colors wonderfully simple.
These projects help you build confidence on your own between lessons.
Finished artwork references guide color, detail, composition, and style.
Beginner-friendly drawing guides let you focus completely on painting.
Join our private Procreate Facebook group to share, learn, connect.
Learn to simplify real references and create original watercolor artwork.
Loose Watercolor Masterclass is a relaxed, skill-building course designed to help you create soft, expressive watercolor artwork in Procreate. You’ll start with simple practice projects and gradually build into more detailed florals, fruit and animals while learning fresh color, transparent layering, beautiful edges, white space and how to keep your paintings loose. Using real reference photos, painted project references, optional drawing guides and custom brushes made from real watercolor samples, you’ll learn how to simplify and interpret what you see rather than simply copy it. Extra practice projects help you build confidence on your own, so by the end you’ll have both a beautiful collection of paintings and the skills to create from your own inspiration.
Your watercolor journey is waiting to unfold, one brushstroke, one color, one beautiful painting at a time. Join me and discover the joy of painting more loosely, trusting your creative instincts, and creating expressive artwork that feels fresh, natural, and completely your own.
I can’t wait to see what you create!
Be sure to tag me on Instagram:
@pretty.little.lines.com
Q. Will the course be live or is it pre-recorded?
A. The entire course is pre-recorded and there will be no live sessions. So feel free to do the whole course in your PJ’s if you wish!
Q. Are there subtitles?
A. Yes, there are 12 subtitles available in English, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Japanese, Russian and Spanish.
Q. How long will I be able to access the course?
A. Forever! You’ll have lifetime access to the course, so you’re welcome to take as long or as little time as you like to complete the course and come back and revisit anytime.
Q. What tools will I need to do this course?
A. In class, I will only be demonstrating using Procreate. If you want to follow along with me, you’ll need a pressure sensitive iPad, the Procreate App (v. 5.2.5 or newer), and a pressure sensitive stylus (Apple Pencil). This course can be completed in other drawing programs like Photoshop, Fresco, etc. or you may also use traditional tools, a pen or pencil and paints if you feel comfortable, but there will be no instruction on how to use any other programs or traditional painting methods.
Q. Are there any special brushes I’ll need?
A. For Procreate, Photoshop & Affinity users, all of the digital brushes you’ll need are included in the course. If you’re using a different software, then you’ll need to use your own brushes. These are not physical brushes, but digital brushes that are made for software programs.
Q. I’m a beginner, is this for me?
A. Yup, I know you can do it! It’s great if you have a very basic knowledge of Procreate, but I’ve walked through everything step-by-step with beginners in mind. If you don’t feel prepared, you can take my FREE Procreate for Beginners class alongside this course.
Q. Do you offer any money back guarantee?
A. Sure do! If you finish the whole course and feel you haven’t gained any benefit or learned anything then email me within 30 days of purchase for a full refund. Please note that it must be within the 30 days and the whole course must be completed, no exceptions.
Your guide to creating beautiful, expressive loose watercolor artwork in your own way. I’m so excited for you to discover just how lovely loose watercolor can be. I’ll see you in class!
Loose Watercolor Masterclass 
My first thought about this course was: “this is seriously a masterclass, how could I, a beginner at painting in Procreate, ever manage to paint something so beautiful? No way…” But that’s what challenges are for, so perhaps not full of enthusiasm, but rather full of apprehension, I started the course.
Reality turned out to be a bit different than I had expected. The course is indeed not the easiest if you’ve never worked with digital watercolors, and each lesson raises the bar and gets more difficult. But Kris’s calm voice, her detailed and clear instructions, and her certainty that the student will succeed gave me wings! During the course, I improved my sketching, and painting my own rose, pear, or even the cat convinced me that this new way of painting is it – now I only want to paint this way! I even painted my own adorable Highland cow, which I consider to be nothing short of a miracle!
I fell in love with these brushes and the dripping paint stamps! Kris is my master, my fairy godmother in this digital painting adventure, and I am immensely grateful to her because, thanks to her, my dreams are coming true! Thank you!
I have been using Procreate for about 2 years now and have done many courses, tutorials and watched many a you-tube video to help further my learning but after taking this class, I can honestly say it far surpasses any course I have ever taken! Kris’s unique way of teaching, her calming voice and the clear tutelage that she gives has put her to the top of the list of excellent and talented artists. What makes this course so unique is not only does it contain the canvas, the brushes, and guides to create these remarkable designs, but you also get the ability to sketch right along with Kris to further you artistic abilities. It starts out very detailed for the real beginner and increases with each lesson so you don’t feel lost at anytime. I highly recommend this course for anyone who is looking to create something that you will look at and say “Wow, I did that!”
This course is a real must-have for anyone who wants to learn how to create more complex digital watercolor drawings in a clear, step-by-step way.
When I started this course, I couldn’t imagine that I would be able to create drawings like this. Kris explains every step in detail, including which colors and brushes to use. What I especially love about this course is that you don’t just learn to copy a drawing—you learn how to create your own artwork independently.
You’ll learn so many different techniques, all explained in a clear, gentle, and encouraging way. The whole course feels very comforting and enjoyable while you’re learning more advanced techniques.
I highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to take their digital watercolor skills to the next level!
I absolutely loved this digital art class! The video was very easy to follow, and I appreciated being able to pause whenever I needed extra time to catch up. The instructor has such a calming and reassuring voice, which made the entire class relaxing and enjoyable. The brushes included in the pack are amazing and they make digital artwork look just like beautiful, traditional watercolor. I highly recommend this class!
If you want to learn how to paint so it looks like real watercolor this course is exactly what you need.
The course is well-structured, and with the homework interspersed, the difficulty level increases nicely. Kris not only teach you to paint and use the brushes efficient but also teach you how to look at references photos and sketch them with ease. It was a privilege to be able to test this course and I’ve learned a lot.