Step-by-Step Watercolor & Sketching Tutorials | Erika Lancaster
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An Affordable + Comprehensive Membership Designed to Help You Truly Grow as an Artist

Join hundreds of students inside my Patreon membership, where I share my most in-depth lessons and behind-the-scenes art education.

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Whether you’re just starting or ready to take your skills further, this membership offers clear guidance, structure, and encouragement to support your growth.

Inside the Becoming Artists membership, you’ll find everything you need to:
-Build strong sketching and watercolor skills, step by step
-Develop a solid understanding of core art fundamentals
-Stay consistent with your art practice
-Connect with a warm, supportive community of fellow artists


There are three membership tiers available ($1, $6, and $15), so you can choose the level of support that fits your needs. You can easily upgrade, downgrade, or cancel at any time with just a few clicks, no questions asked.

Learn more about the different membership options and the resources you’ll get access to here.

Below, you’ll find a selection of popular classes from my Patreon library.
All of these are real-time, fully narrated, and include downloadable outline sketches, reference photos, and supply lists.


Examples of Lessons in Budding Artists Library ($6 tier)
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Stack of Pancakes with Blueberries
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*Intermediate*

​This lesson covers:

-Layering watercolor for realism
​-How to paint transparent syrup
​-How to save highlights for a shiny look

​
Check it out here


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Lavender Field + House
*Intermediate*

​This lesson covers:
-Combining wet-on-wet
and wet-on-dry for depth

-Splattering for texture
-Glowing warm light effect

Check it out here

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Line + Wash Murano Island Houses​
*Beginner*

​This lesson covers:

-Must-know pen and ink drawing tips
-How to combine ink and watercolor for loose, vibrant line and wash art
​-Watercolor blooms and bleeds

​
Check it out here

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Puffin + White Flowers
*Intermediate*

​This lesson covers:

-Painting grass + white flowers
-A recipe for vibrant blacks
​-Wet-on-wet for variegated effects

​​
Check it out here

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Golden Labrador
*Advanced*

​This lesson covers:

-How to paint loose but believable fur
-Techniques for glowing, realistic eyes
-Using white gouache for whiskers


​​​Check it out here

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​Kingfisher
*Intermediate*

​This lesson covers:
-How to paint believable bird eyes
-How to paint bird feathers
​-Bloom technique for background textures


​
​​Check it out here

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Realistic Graphite Apple
*Intermediate*

​This lesson covers:
-Tips for creating accurate shapes and proportions in line drawings

-How to layer graphite for realism
-Techniques for realistic textures


​
​​​Check it out here

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Window with Flowers
*Beginner*

​This lesson covers:

-Bloom and bouncing techniques
-Using the pre-wetting technique for soft effects
-How to paint vibrant shadows
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​
​Check it out here

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Milk Can Still Life
*Intermediate*

​This lesson covers:

-How to paint shiny metal
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-How to paint "whites"
​-Painting believable fabric

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​Check it out here

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Converse Sneakers
*Intermediate*

​This lesson covers:

​-How to paint "whites"
-Bloom technique for expressive effects and color harmony
​-"Vignette" style background


​
​Check it out here

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Retro Gumball Machine
*Intermediate*

​This lesson covers:

-Painting transparent glass
-Using masking fluid to protect complex highlights
​-Creating depth through layering


​
​Check it out here
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Lighthouse Scene with Splashing Water
*Intermediate*

​This lesson covers:

-How to paint splashing water and rocks
-How to paint "whites"
-How to paint simple skies


Check it out here


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Red Barn + Yellow Flowers Scene
*Beginner*

​This lesson covers:

-Tips for successful pencil sketches for watercolor paintings
​-How to paint a simple but realistic sky
-How to use gouache to add colorful flowers

​
Check it out here

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Birch Tree Snow Scene
*Beginner*

​This lesson covers:

-How to paint snow and vibrant shadows
-Bleeding technique
-How to paint birch and evergreen trees

​
Check it out here

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Blooming Pink Rose
*Intermediate*

​This lesson covers:

-Painting leaf veins with the negative painting technique
-Bleeding technique
-How to layer watercolor for depth


​​Check it out here

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Poppy Field + Path
*Beginner*

​This lesson covers:

-Wet-on-wet and timing for soft effects
-Painting evergreen trees
-Using Aerial Perspective for depth in nature scenes

​​
Check it out here


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Desert Mountain Scene
*Intermediate*

​This lesson covers:

-Must-know tips for successful pencil sketches for watercolor paintings
​-How to combine warm and cool colors in a sky
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Combining wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry for depth


​​​Check it out here


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Russian Blue Cat
*Intermediate*

​This lesson covers:

-How to paint loose but believable fur
-Pre-wetting technique for soft effects and lost edges
-Techniques for glowing, realistic eyes


​
​​​Check it out here

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Lavender + Monarch Butterflies
*Beginner*

​This lesson covers:

-Using wet-on-wet for soft variegated effects and depth
-Using masking fluid to protect highlights and create visual textures
​-Scrubbing technique to soften edges


​
​​​Check it out here

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White Ice Skates
*Beginner*

​This lesson covers:
​
-How to paint "whites"
​-Splattering for visual texture

-How to paint shiny metal

​
​​​Check it out here

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Boats + Dock Scene
*Intermediate*

​This lesson covers:
-Using masking fluid to protect complex highlights

​-Splattering for visual texture
-Repeating colors for color harmony


​
​Check it out here

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Hungarian Vizsla Dog Portrait
*Intermediate*

​This lesson covers:

-How to paint loose but believable fur
-Techniques for glowing, realistic eyes
-Using white gouache for whiskers

​
Check it out here

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Burger + Fries
*Intermediate*

​​This lesson covers:
-Layering watercolor for realism
-Painting different textures
-Painting metallic, reflective objects


​
Check it out here

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Tea + Cookies Still Life
*Intermediate*

​This lesson covers:

-How to paint "whites"

-Saving highlights for shiny look
-Using wet-on-wet techniques for softer details

​​Check it out here

​
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Dusk Snow Scene with Walking Figures
*Beginner*

​This lesson covers:

-Must-know tips for successful pencil sketches for watercolor paintings
​-How to combine warm and cool colors in a sky
-
Combining wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry for depth

​
Check it out here

​
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Christmas Street Lamp
*Intermediate*

​This lesson covers:

-How to paint glowing light effects
-Using the pre-wetting technique for soft variegated effects
-Splattering with white gouache for falling snow effects

​​
Check it out here

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Strawberries + White Flowers
*Advanced*

​This lesson covers:

-How to paint white flowers using masking fluid
-How to save complex highlights with masking fluid
-Mixing vibrant grays


​
​​Check it out here

​
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Red-Crested Cardinal
*Beginner*

​This lesson covers:

-How to paint realistic bird eyes
-Techniques for believable feathers
-Bloom technique for expressive effects and color harmony


​
​​​Check it out here

​
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Still Life with Clementines
*Beginner*

​This lesson covers:

-Tips for creating accurate shapes and proportions in line drawings
​-How to paint subtle textures and shadows
-Painting leaf veins with the negative painting technique

​​​​Check it out here

​
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Red-Eyed Tree Frog
*Beginner*

​This lesson covers:

-How to layer watercolor for realism
-Combining wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry techniques for depth and balance
-Painting cast shadows for depth


​
​​​Check it out here

​
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Mallard Duck in Lake
*Intermediate*

​This lesson covers:

-How to paint calm water and reflections
-How to paint white feathers
-How to layer watercolor for depth
​

​
​Check it out here

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Boats + Dock Scene
*Beginner*

​This lesson covers:
-Essential urban sketching and building facade drawing tips
-How to combine ink and watercolor for balanced results
-Wet-on-dry watercolor washes


​​Check it out here

​Here’s why artists love learning on my Patreon (instead of just YouTube)

YouTube is great for inspiration, but Patreon is where the real growth happens.


Here’s what you’ll get inside the Becoming Artists Membership that you won’t find on my
YouTube channel:


✅ Real-time, fully-narrated tutorials
No more guessing what I’m doing or fast-forwarded explanations. Every tutorial on Patreon walks you through each step slowly, clearly, and intentionally- just like we’re creating side-by-side.
→ Plus, you’ll get downloadable outline sketches, reference photos, and supply lists to make the process even smoother.


✅ Direct access to me for questions and support
Feeling stuck or confused? Send me a message or email- and I’ll personally respond, prioritizing all Patreon member questions. You’ll never feel like you’re learning alone.


✅ A private, supportive community
Skip the noisy comment sections. Inside our members-only forum, you’ll find a warm space to connect with fellow artists, share your work, and cheer each other on. Growth is so much easier when you’re not doing it alone.


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Join the fun here!
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​What members in the Becoming Artists community are saying:

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Cancel Anytime Guarantee
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You can cancel your membership or upgrade or downgrade your tier at any time, directly from your membership dashboard. It takes just a few seconds, no questions asked. Once canceled, you won’t be charged again.

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Secure Checkout​

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The Becoming Artists membership is hosted on Patreon, a trusted and well-known platform used by creators and supporters worldwide. Patreon uses industry-standard security and encryption to keep your information safe and provides a secure payment process.

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You’re Never Alone​

While many online art courses offer solid content, it’s rare to have direct access to the instructor. Inside my membership, I’m active in the community Monday through Friday, offering feedback, answering questions, and supporting you along the way. I take real pride in being present and available for my students.
For more details, you can visit the Patreon FAQ page here,
or email me at [email protected].
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​I'm always happy to help!
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©  2026  Erika Lancaster.  All rights reserved.
  • HOME
  • BLOG + FREEBIES
  • PATREON
  • YOUTUBE
  • COURSES
  • MY ART TOOLS
  • GALLERY
  • 1-on-1 Online Art Mentorship