Watercolor Wildlife in Positive and Negative

A course by Silvia Molinari , Painter

Painter. Plasencia, Italy.
Joined November 2021

Explore watercolor and monochrome techniques on dark paper to create a stunning wildlife piece in positive and negative

95% positive reviews (66)
1,987 students
Audio: Italian
Italian · Spanish · English · Portuguese · German · French · Polish · Dutch

Explore watercolor and monochrome techniques on dark paper to create a stunning wildlife piece in positive and negative

The vibrant colors and intricate details found in nature's plants and wildlife make it a rich source of inspiration for any artist, and Silvia Molinari is no exception. Specializing in watercolors, she draws on her natural surroundings to create compositions full of bright wildflowers and a wide variety of bird species. Her work can be found in many formats, from her regular collaborations with Gardenia Magazine and organizations like Lipu to illustrations for publishers like Topipittori and on display in galleries around the world.

In this online course, she teaches you how to paint a double watercolor portrait of an animal, first in color and then in monochrome. With Silvia as your guide, learn how to depict the same image in positive and negative, from the first sketch to mixing colors and bringing your diptych to life layer by layer. Grab your brush and get ready to capture the magic of nature on paper!

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What will you learn in this online course?

23 lessons & 15 downloads

  • 95% positive reviews (66)
  • 1,987 students
  • 23 lessons (4h 20m)
  • 15 additional resources (4 files)
  • Online and at your own pace
  • Available on the app
  • Audio: Italian
  • Italian · Spanish · English · Portuguese · German · French · Polish · Dutch
  • Level: Beginner
  • Unlimited access forever

What is this course's project?

Paint a double wildlife portrait in positive and negative using watercolors.

Projects by course students

Who is this online course for?

Anyone with a passion for watercolor and illustration who wants to learn to depict the wonders of nature.

Requirements and materials

Basic drawing skills, a keen eye, and a good dose of curiosity are recommended for this course. In terms of materials, you need white and dark watercolor paper, pencils, watercolor paints, white Ecoline, and paintbrushes.


Reviews

1,987 Students
66 Reviews
95% Positive ratings

Silvia Molinari

A course by Silvia Molinari

Teacher Plus
Painter

Silvia Molinari is a painter who loves portraying the flora and fauna of nature in her art. She began dabbling in watercolors in her youth, shortly before enrolling in the art institute, and has continued to hone her technique ever since.

Throughout her career, she has displayed her work in both individual and group exhibits, including the Emilia Romagna section of the Venice Biennale, the Affordable Art Fair in New York and Milan, and at the Ginza 1-Chome gallery in Tokyo. She regularly collaborates with magazines, organizations, and non-profits such as Gardenia Magazine and Lipu (Lega italiana protezione uccelli). She has also illustrated children's books for the publishers Edizioni Corsare and Topipittori and has been running watercolor seminars and courses since 2008.


Content

  • U1

    Introduction

    • About Me
    • Influences
  • U2

    Preparation

    • Tools and Materials
    • Prepare the Color
    • Spread the Color: The Plumage in Positive 1
    • Spread the Color: The Plumage in Positive 2
    • Spread the Color: The Plumage in Negative
    • Glazes and Effects for the Portrait of Birds 1
    • Glazes and Effects for the Portrait of Birds 2
    • The Pictorial Approach
  • U3

    Realization of the Diptych

    • Research and Choice of the Subject
    • Preparatory Drawing: Positive and Negative 1
    • Preparatory Drawing: Positive and Negative 2
    • Define the Palette and Prepare the Color
    • Painting in Positive 1
    • Painting in Positive 2
    • Painting in Positive 3
    • Painting in Negative 1
    • Painting in Negative 2
  • U4

    Shadows, Glazes, and Retouching

    • Adding Shadows, Glazes and Retouching 1
    • Adding Shadows, Glazes and Retouching 2
    • Final Details in Pencil
    • Alternative Solutions
  • FP

    Final project

    • Watercolor Wildlife in Positive and Negative

What to expect from a Domestika course

  • Learn at your own pace

    Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.

  • Learn from the best professionals

    Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.

  • Meet expert teachers

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  • Certificates
    Plus

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  • Get front-row seats

    Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.

  • Share knowledge and ideas

    Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.

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FAQs

Domestika's courses are online classes that provide you with the tools and skills you need to complete a specific project. Every step of the project combines video lessons with complementary instructional material, so you can learn by doing. Domestika's courses also allow you to share your own projects with the teacher and with other students, creating a dynamic course community.

All courses are 100% online, so once they're published, courses start and finish whenever you want. You set the pace of the class. You can go back to review what interests you most and skip what you already know, ask questions, answer questions, share your projects, and more.

The courses are divided into different units. Each one includes lessons, informational text, tasks, and practice exercises to help you carry out your project step by step, with additional complementary resources and downloads. You'll also have access to an exclusive forum where you can interact with the teacher and with other students, as well as share your work and your course project, creating a community around the course.

You can redeem the course you received by accessing the redeeming page and entering your gift code.

If you're a Plus member, when you complete a course you've purchased, you'll instantly get your personalized certificate. You can see all your certificates in the Certificates section of your profile. You can download your certificates as PDFs and share the link online. Learn more about certificates.
Watercolor Wildlife in Positive and Negative. Illustration course by Silvia Molinari

Watercolor Wildlife in Positive and Negative

A course by Silvia Molinari
Painter. Plasencia, Italy.
Joined November 2021
  • 95% positive reviews (66)
  • 1,987 students