THE ART OF CREATIVE PRACTICING
In my courses, you'll always have my enthusiastic permission to take inspiration and copy the included exercises and illustrations as part of the creative process! After all, my intention is to help you become a better artist. By studying and replicating the course content, you'll acquire valuable techniques, develop a deeper understanding of telling stories without words, thoughtful compositional content, along with formulating essential processes that cultivate your creative voice. Practicing the art of copying, or what I like to call creative practicing, will help you establish a strong foundation and open the door to discovering your one-of-a-kind signature style. - Danielle
IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES
In the time we spend together, I'll teach you how to draw and paint bonsai trees. With a series of guided breakdown exercises, you'll draw textures, dimensional pottery, rocks, and miniature bonsai trees. Next, you'll apply patterns to colorful watercolor washes and paint billowy boughs of greenery. When the exercises are complete, you'll apply what you've learned to illustrate a series of beautiful bonsai trees. By the end, you'll have gained a better understanding of how breaking down your illustrative process allows you to create a series of works with new techniques and confidence!
All my courses include detailed videos and coordinating handouts and worksheets. In this course, the curriculum includes technique-based exercises using pencil and watercolor, thoughtful mark-making with delicate details, and a series of bonsai trees nestled in dimensional pottery, a meditative tree-fort, and a diorama.
LET'S CULTIVATE!
Join me as I explore how to mix delicate pencilwork, soothing watercolor techniques, and a variety of bonsai-inspired ideas into imaginative illustrations. By the end of the course, you'll have a series of competed pieces along with a greater confidence in organic watercolor illustration.
Work in Reverse.
Learn how to organically create repetitive patterns from interesting watercolor washes. Psst... this is one of my favorite things to do when I need to loosen up and get inspired.
Let's Hide.
Let's integrate serene treehouses into our compositions. There's nothing better than tucking in an imaginary place to hide out amongst the twisted branches and rustling leaves.
Small shifts.
A simple branch perched on a bark-colored rock in a mossed-pebble bowl with subtle shifts in color is created by mixing the previous color with the next repeatedly.
The Art of Bonsai. The following is a sampling of the curriculum and a list of supplies for this course. Most of the supplies I use are artist-grade and are a more significant investment than student-grade. I highly encourage you to use what you have and take notes while watching the videos for the first time. Then, invest in the supplies that will truly enhance your own art.
XO, Danielle
Example Curriculum
Creative Essentials are the short list of basic supplies that I use in all my classes.
- Artist-grade watercolors (pan or tube)
- Watercolor-only brushes
- Artist-grade paper (140 lb., cold press)
- Mechanical Pencil (.3 mm lead) and white vinyl eraser
- White ink marker
- Tube of Artist-grade traditional white gouache
- Mixing palette (white porcelain dish works as well)
- Clear Jar/clean water
- Paper towels
- Table Salt
Course-specific Supplies are tools and materials that I use during this course. As always, I highly encourage you to use what you have, make notes, and only invest in what you really need to add to your creative toolbox.
- Clear Drying Glue
- High Flow Acrylic Paint (Golden Titanium White and Carbon Black)
- Lollypop Sticks (Wilton Lollypop Sticks)
- Mixed-Media Journal (Watercolor Dori from The Messy Nest on Etsy)
- Scissors
- Ultra-Fine Point Permanent Black Marker (Sharpie)
Please note that the supplies used in this course may not be available where you live or may have been discontinued based on the original course release date. If you’re having trouble finding a specific supply, you can try searching for art supply substitutions online. There are many resources available that can help you find alternative supplies that you can use instead. You’ll find the brand-specific creative tools and supplies that I currently use tucked away in all the corners, shelves, and drawers of my studio on the STUDIO page of my website.
Kind Words.
The Art of Bonsai was such a beautiful mixture of structure and whimsy. I learned so much about perspective drawing the dimensional pottery and had so much fun filling my containers with graceful bonsai trees. Danielle is a fabulous teacher, the handouts are top-notch, and a year later I'm still painting and drawing these wonderful trees. Highly recommend! - Jennifer M.
Meet your Instructor.
Hello, I’m Danielle Donaldson. With my trusty mechanical pencil (and eraser), a plethora of watercolors, a penchant for imagination-filled detail, and sprinkle of mixed media experimentation, we’ll adventure together and make some creative magic.
Helpful Handouts.
All courses include a coordinating Handout Packet in PDF format that serves as a tangible reference of the video content and includes insight into my creative process. It also provides an opportunity to continue growing your creative skillset after the course is complete.
CURRENCY. This course is priced in USD. REFUND POLICY. Because you have immediate access to the content of this course, I am unable to offer a refund. QUESTIONS? Send an email to support@danielledonaldson.com. Please allow 48 hours for response.
Frequently Asked Questions
For details about course access, downloading your materials, and technical support, please visit the FAQ’s page.