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
Throughout the course, you'll have access to monthly pre-recorded video lessons, weekly downloadable packets with hand-illustrated handouts, and bonus botanical content. The course emphasizes the concept of creative muscle memory, which involves practicing the same drawing and painting techniques, materials, and approaches to cultivate intuitive artistic abilities. I'll share detailed drawing processes for the greenery-filled illustrations in video format, and the final drawings will be included in the handouts to further improve your drawing skills.
In addition to the drawing practice, you'll also paint your illustrations using a full-color reference sheet. While the painting portion of the course is based on handouts, there will be monthly watch-and-learn (music only) painting videos that use the detailed drawings as a guide to enhance your watercolor skills.
COUSE OVERVIEW
An extensive Welcome PDF Packet, filled with insights and information to prepare for a positive creative growth experience.
Twelve video and packet lessons that include pre-recorded instructional drawing videos, twelve pre-recorded watch-and-learn painting videos (music only, 3X speed) with a coordinating PDF Packet that includes a line-art-only illustration, full-color illustration with list of supplies, photo references, and a Tiny Tail Notecard.
Using what you have learned from the previous packets and video content, you'll receive an additional 40 Independent Practice Packets that include a line-art-only illustration, full-color illustration with list of supplies, photo references, and a Tiny Tail Notecard with a sweet short story to inspire.
COURSE COLLECTIONS
The Greenthumb Collection provides lessons on compositions, perspective, techniques, and elements through instructional drawing and painting videos, as well as an Independent Practice Packet.
The Houseplant Collection features adorable house-shaped planters overflowing with houseplants.
The Seed Packet Collection includes charming seed packets with flowers and hand lettering, along with a bonus handout.
The Botanical Blossom Collection offers a full-size photo reference, line art, and insights on simplifying flowers for small-scale illustrations.
The Shed Collection showcases detailed one-point perspective structures filled with plants, tools, and miscellany.
The Weed Collection presents a composition of a vintage garden tool intertwined with a weed, complete with photo references.
LET'S GROW!
The Potting Shed is a comprehensive course that focuses on drawing with thoughtful compositions, perspective drawing, and a variety of garden-inspired illustrations. By the end of the course, you'll not only develop a substantial set of illustrative skills but also have a foundation for creating characters with your own signature style.
Add Perspective.
Use less detail, in this case pencil without watercolor, to the branches and leaves that you want to recede making the colorful bits pop!
Try Outlining.
Take your drawing up a notch by limiting the tracing to just the outline of the entire shape. Use it as reference to fill in the rest by hand!
Tie It Together.
Opera Pink demands attention. Use it where you want your viewers eye to go first. Then mix a bit of it in with other colors to tie everything together.
The Potting Shed. 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.
Danielle’s drawing style is just plain charming. Her courses take you along her thought process - why she put a line here or a shadow there. She uses her trusty mechanical pencil for drawings and adding what she calls “visual tension”. Who knew this step could be so magical! Her courses are informative, easy to follow along and she’s created wonderful handouts for everything. Taking her year-long ones, I’ve definitely seen a huge improvement in my drawing and watercolor skills and in truth my overall confidence. Thanks Danielle! -Holly 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 [email protected]. Please allow 48 hours for response.
FAQ'S
How long do I have access to this course?
The course comes with lifetime access and all lessons are downloadable as well.
What is included and how long are the videos? Scroll up to Course Curriculum. In addition to the videos, courses always include coordinating (PDF) Handout Packets.
Is this course suitable for all levels? All levels are always welcome! I try to teach to the middle in my courses. That means beginners might need to practice more and rewatch the videos more than once to grasp techniques and concepts. Advanced artists can use the content to elevate their style by taking bits of the course and infusing them into their own style.
Is high speed internet needed for the course?
Yes. You'll need a good internet connection to watch/download the videos.
Should I buy all of the art supplies used in this course? I highly encourage you to watch the videos and review the handouts prior to investing in new supplies. If you have fallen in love with watercolor and want to continue working with them, I do feel that to get the most out of watercolor-based art, you should consider investing in artist-grade paint, paper, and brushes.
Please visit my STUDIO page on my website to explore the current tools and supplies I use to create my art.
Do you have an online community for your courses? The Danielle Donaldson Art Room is a private Facebook group for participants in all of my courses. You'll find the information to join once you have signed up and have access to the course.
I have a question about this course and can't seem to find the answer. I am happy to help! Please email me at [email protected]. Please allow 48 hours for a response prior to reaching out again.
