Watercolour Materials & Techniques
A foundational workshop exploring the materials, tools, and techniques used in Jo Duckworth’s watercolour practice.
Designed for beginners and experienced artists who feel unsure about their materials, want to reduce confusion, and build confidence in how watercolour behaves and responds.
What you will explore
In this workshop, we work closely with the essential materials of watercolour painting, building a clearer understanding of how each element contributes to your work.
You will explore:
the different types of watercolour paper and how they affect your painting
brushes and their individual behaviours
paint quality, pigments, and how they interact with water
the balance between control and flow in watercolour
Through demonstration and guided practice, you will begin to see how materials influence outcome, and how small adjustments can shift your results.
This is a practical, hands-on workshop designed to support confidence, clarity, and ease with the medium.
Who this workshop is for
This workshop is for beginner and experienced artists who want to build a clearer understanding of watercolour materials and how they influence their work.
It is ideal for those who feel uncertain about their materials, want to reduce guesswork, or are looking to refine their foundation in watercolour practice.
It may suit you if you:
are a beginner wanting a strong and supportive introduction to watercolour materials and techniques
are an experienced artist wanting to refine your understanding of materials and technique
feel frustrated by inconsistent or unpredictable results
are returning to watercolour after time away
want to build confidence and clarity in your practice
enjoy learning in a calm, guided, and supportive environment
This workshop is not focused on finished artworks, but on understanding the materials and techniques that support your future painting practice.
What to bring / what is provided
All essential materials are provided for this workshop, including watercolour paints, paper, brushes, and additional tools used during demonstrations and guided practice.
You are welcome to bring your own materials if you would like to explore how they behave within your current setup.
Please bring:
an apron or old shirt to protect your clothing
a sketchbook (optional)
a notebook and pen if you like to take notes
a water bottle
any personal brushes or paints you are curious about
Everything else you need for the session will be supplied.
Workshop structure
This is a practical, hands-on workshop combining demonstration, discussion, and guided exploration.
We begin with an introduction to the core materials of watercolour painting, including paper, brushes, and paint, and how each element influences your results.
Jo will demonstrate key techniques and explain how different materials behave in practice, offering insight into how small adjustments can shift your painting outcomes.
You will then be guided through exercises designed to help you observe and experiment with materials in a supportive and unhurried way.
There is time for questions throughout the session, as well as space to explore your own materials if you choose to bring them.
The workshop is paced to allow for reflection, observation, and practical application, rather than rushed outcomes.
Why this workshop
There is an abundance of watercolour information available online, but much of it is fragmented and inconsistent.
This workshop offers a more grounded understanding of materials and how they work together in practice, drawn from Jo’s studio-based watercolour practice developed over more than 20 years.
It is designed to bring clarity where there is often confusion, and confidence where there is often uncertainty.
What you will leave with
By the end of this workshop, you will have a clearer understanding of how watercolour materials work together and how they influence your painting process.
You will leave with:
greater confidence in selecting and using your materials
a clearer understanding of how paper, brush, and paint interact
practical knowledge you can apply to your own painting practice
a more intuitive awareness of how watercolour behaves
renewed confidence in exploring the medium without uncertainty
This workshop is designed to support a stronger foundation in your practice, so you can approach watercolour with more ease, clarity, and trust in your process.
When & Where
Workshops are offered throughout the year by appointment.
Private workshops are held in Maleny, Queensland.
Shared workshops for 2–4 participants are held at selected venues in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, with the location confirmed at the time of booking.
Both full-day and two-session formats are available.
This workshop may also be incorporated into a personalised watercolour retreat experience in Maleny for those seeking a more immersive creative getaway.
Investment
Private Workshop
$850
A personalised full-day workshop for one participant, including all materials.
Shared Workshop
From $450 per person
Suitable for small groups of 2–4 participants. Shared workshop pricing includes materials and is confirmed at the time of booking.
If you are interested in booking this workshop for a group, please get in touch to discuss your preferred dates and group size.
Enquire or Book
If you feel drawn to this workshop, you are welcome to get in touch to discuss availability, workshop format, or to secure your place.