Skill-sharpening challenges 

  • Paint a detailed subject like a bird in the foreground, and a blurred background. This task can be challenging, because it can involve masking fluid and the wet on wet technique. Sketch your bird, then use masking fluid to protect your bird as you use the wet on wet technique for the blurred background. Once the blurred background is dry, rub off the masking fluid and paint your detailed bird. The painting examples below are by Shelley Prior.

    Example 1

    Example 2

    Example 3

    Example 4

    Example 5

  • Get out your big 1-2 inch flat brushes and large round brushes to paint a large watercolor painting. This task can be challenging because of the time it can take, achieving smooth gradients over large areas isn't easy, and you may not be used to the larger brushes.

    Example 1

    Example 2

  • Make a painting around the size of a business card. Use a small round brush. Pro tip - a cheap plastic brush can make some believable leaves and trees.

  • Make your painting look better than the photo. Sometimes a reference photo needs the saturation to be turned up, or objects to be taken out or added in. Here are some helpful articles to help you outpaint your photo.

    1. Dramatize a drab subject

    2. Manipulate Your Reference Photo for a Better Painting

    3. How to simplify a reference photo to make a line drawing for a painting

    4. Using Reference: 7 Reasons It Greatly Improves Your Art

    5. Paint From Photos: Tips for Choosing and Using Reference Photos in Painting

    6. How to Choose the Perfect Reference Photo to Paint From

    7. How to Make Your Paintings Look More Realistic

  • Paint a landscape with believable consistent lighting. Focus on getting the colors right so that your painting looks like a photo from far away. Check out Thierry Duval work.

    This task challenges you to focus on your color palette.

  • Paint realistic thunder clouds using the wet on wet technique and tissue paper.

  • Use only 3 colors to make a painting. This task involves careful planning with a limited pallette.

  • Use only 2 colors to make a painting. This task involves careful planning with a very limited palette.

  • Use only 1 color to make a painting. This task involves careful planning with a very limited palette. Pro tip - pick a black and white reference photo with a lot of contrast, text and depth.

  • Paint a whole painting within one hour. Time starts as soon as you touch the paper with the paint.

  • Paint a whole painting within 30 minutes. Time starts as soon as you touch the paper with the paint.

  • Paint a whole painting within 15 minutes. Time starts as soon as you touch the paper with the paint.

  • Make a spot the painting challenge and trick someone into thinking your painting was a real object.

  • Paint a white object, in front of a white background.

  • Paint a black object in front of a black background.

  • Paint the best you can with dollar store watercolor materials. You can watch me do this here.

  • This will involve overlapping clouds with closer clouds and making clouds appear flatter, less detailed, and smaller as they get further away.

  • Water can be translucent and reflective. In this challenge, show what's under the water and show what's reflected onto the water. Check out this example from Ms. Rukiye Garip (Example 1)

    Example 2

  • Paint a realistic eye. This task requires attention to details and textures.

  • Use the 80/20 rule to make your painting seem to glow! Dull down 80% of your colors with grey, and let 20% of your painting have vivid bright colors.

  • Make a painting with both warm and cool colors like this example.

    Example 2

    Example 3

    Example 4

    Example 5

    Example 6

    Example 7

    Example 8