loose, luminous, no frustration
Online watercolor lessons for adults
Private, one-to-one watercolour lessons on Google Meet — for complete beginners, for people coming back after years away, and for anyone tired of muddy colours and lost whites.
What you'll learn in watercolour lessons
Watercolour has a reputation for being unforgiving. Most of that comes down to a handful of things nobody explained — water, timing and the order you paint in. We work on exactly those.
Washes
Flat and graded washes that dry even, and how much water your brush really needs.
Layering
Building colour in transparent glazes so your painting gets richer, not muddier.
Wet-on-wet
Soft skies, blooms and blends — and knowing when to stop touching the paper.
Keeping your whites
Planning the light before you start, so it's still there when you finish.
Underneath it all is drawing: proportion, perspective and value. I'm an architect by training, so if a painting goes wrong because of the drawing under it, we fix that too.
How an online watercolour lesson works
Every lesson is 50 minutes, one-to-one on Google Meet — nothing to install. We look at what you've painted, I share my screen and paint next to you so you see the technique happen, then you paint while I watch and nudge. You leave with homework for the week.
No fixed syllabus: we paint what you want to paint — landscapes, flowers, travel sketches, the view from your window.
Materials? A simple watercolour set is enough to start. Once I know your goals, I'll tell you exactly what to buy.
What adult students say
Aliya is clearly very knowledgeable. She teaches proper technique and I'm amazed at how well I can draw when shown how!
Amazing teacher. She always comes up with new ideas and I feel real progress after every lesson.
Aliya inspired me to believe in myself and my skills. I stopped drawing over 10 years ago, and she helped me get back to it!
Prices
Demo lesson
Your first lesson — we try it together and plan where you want to go.
Ten lessons
A block built around your goals. Lessons never expire.
Single lesson
One lesson on whatever you need most that week.
Prices are in US dollars, paid through Wise or a bank transfer — payment details. Prefer another currency? Message me on WhatsApp.
Watercolour lessons — common questions
I've never painted before. Can I start with watercolour?
Yes. Most of my students start with zero experience. Lessons are built around your current level, and we begin with the basics of water, paint and brush.
Is online as good as an in-person class?
For watercolour it works very well: I paint on screen next to you, you hold your work up to the camera, and we correct it together in real time — one-to-one, so the whole 50 minutes is about your painting.
What materials do I need?
A simple watercolour set, a brush and watercolour paper are enough to start. I'll tell you exactly what to buy once I know what you want to paint, so you don't spend money on things you won't use.
How soon will I see progress?
Most students notice a clear difference within four to six lessons.
What if I'm not happy with the first lesson?
Then don't book a second one, and I'll refund the demo.
Your first watercolour is 50 minutes away
Bring a set of paints, some paper and a glass of water.
Book the $18 demo lesson