Instruction + Community + Accountability + Inspiration
= ARTISTIC GROWTH
The Watercolor Atelier Program is built around consistent practice—developing the habits that lead to lasting progress.
You’ll build clarity, control, and a deeper understanding of the medium, while beginning to express your own voice.
Work alongside a small group of peers in a focused, supportive environment.
A limited enrollment, six-month program.
Success rarely comes from working occasionally—it grows from what we do consistently.
The Watercolor Atelier Program is designed to provide that consistency through structured lessons, demonstrations, and discussion that keep artists motivated, inspired, and moving forward.
Students don’t just learn how to paint a particular subject—they develop the ability to see as an artist. By strengthening their understanding of value, shape, edges, and design, painters gain the tools needed to make thoughtful decisions and approach their work with greater clarity and confidence.
Students don’t just learn how to paint a particular subject—they develop the ability to see as an artist. By strengthening their understanding of value, shape, edges, and design, painters gain the tools needed to make thoughtful decisions and approach their work with greater clarity and confidence.
“If you’re a watercolor painter who wants to take your watercolor practice to the next level, you should seriously consider Dan Marshall’s Watercolor Atelier Program. No matter where you are in your watercolor journey, you’ll definitely leave this six month program as a significantly better painter than you are today – I did!
In the six month Watercolor Atelier, you’ll explore foundational watercolor concepts and skills through a graduated series of instructional lectures, painting demonstrations, and exercises. As much as the atelier program has a single shared curriculum, however, it is not a one-size-fits-all experience. Dan also provides students with personalized direction, recommendations, and curriculum modifications in monthly individual meetings. I’ve tried a number of online watercolor learning platforms, and can honestly say that Dan Marshall’s Watercolor Atelier Program is the best one by far!”
Lyn Malone
Some of the concepts you will explore
Testimonials
The Program
Each month there are 2 major focus points – A Foundational Art Skill and Specific Watercolor Technique
These ideas are then built on, strengthened, repeated and incorporated into every painting produced
FOUNDATIONS
Communication
•
Drawing
•
Composition
•
Color Theory
•
Tone
•
Edges
TECHNIQUES
Pigment Management
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Washes
•
Brush Control
•
Color Mixing
•
Textures
•
Mark Making
The Schedule
First Tuesday of the Month
Topics of the Month Live Lecture/Demo – 2-3 hours starting at 4pm mountain time – Access to the recording
•
Middle Week of the Month
Private, Individual Direction – Scheduled at your convenience – Live on zoom that you can record – 45 min duration
•
Last Tuesday of the Month
Group Meeting to Review the Monthly Topics, Work & Progress – live on zoom – recorded – 2 hours
Each demonstration serves as a framework—not something to copy, but something to work through.
By applying the same processes, you’ll begin to understand the decisions behind the painting—how value, edges, and structure come together—so you can carry those ideas into your own work.
The exercises are there to build consistency, while giving you space to explore your own direction, style, and voice.
What's in the WAP Program?
All meetings are live, you can expect a highly personalized experience with real
one on one interaction and support from Dan
- Hi touch Interaction with Dan
- Focused Personal Attention
- Monthly Live Session-Multiple Demos
- Private Individual Direction through Critique
- Monthly Accountability Challenges
- End of Month Group Critique Discussion
- Members Only Access to WAP Pages within the website
- Private bulletin board to post, view and comment on each others work
- Additional 6 month Access to all WAP content
- Free Access to 1 Masterclass Replay of your choice from the Masterclass Replay Library (a $125 value)
- Free Access to 1 Monthly Masterclass during the 6 month period of the WAP
(a $200 value)
All of this is included for only around $300 a month!
Examples of Dan's demonstrations from previous WAP sessions
In addition to working from your own references, expect to paint these types of demo studies
The Winter Session will be open for registration
Fill out the form below to get on the list for the Winter Session
THIS PROGRAM REQUIRES COMMITMENT- ONCE ENROLLED, ATTENDEE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL REMAINING PAYMENTS
NO REFUNDS OR PLAN CANCELLATIONS WILL BE GIVEN FOR ANY REASON
FAQ's
This is the granddaddy, top tier, Cadillac of the online watercolor learning experience! This program teaches a fine art approach to developing your watercolor skills- not mere tricks or copying of paintings.
If you’ve taken a workshop with me before, this will be a different learning experience and deep exploration of watercolor concepts with the added bonus of having a group dynamic and the opportunity to develop long term friendships and community with other artists on the same journey.
Each month, Dan will begin with a demo/lecture geared to the topic of the month. Students are required to complete a demo mastercopy and versions from their own reference incorporating the discussed skills/techniques for the following week’s critique. Students can expect to finish the 6 month program with an improved confidence, control of the medium and ability to see more clearly as an artist.
Yes.
Classes and individual direction/critiques are recorded and available to watch the next day.
You will have 6 months of additional access to all content after the program ends
Live group meetings are generally held the first and last Tuesday of the month, 6-9pm & 7-9pm eastern (respectively)
The first and last week of the month with a week mid month to schedule your personal time (approx 45 min)
There will be shifts in the scheduling due to Dan’s travel schedule, posted on the WAP Homepage
By all means sign right up! It is very common for artists to repeat the program to further deepen their mastery of foundational principles. All the demos and technique references will be different. Dan continues to grow and evolve his teaching style so no 2 versions of the program will be the same. There is also now a Continuing Atelier program available.
My recommended list of palette colors & all the materials I like to use can be found HERE
About Dan Marshall
Daniel Marshall is a prominent watercolor artist currently based in Denver. Growing up on the East Coast and having previously lived in California, his work retains a strong connection to coastal life. His frequent travels to both coasts allow him the opportunity to keep these themes current in the wide range of subjects he enjoys painting.
Daniel has been an award winning professional artist and leading name in the tattoo industry since 1995, redirecting the majority of his creative energy to fine art painting in watercolor since 2013. He’s been featured in Watercolor Artist Magazine, Southwest Art Magazine, American Art Collector and Plein Air Magazine. He is also a regular contributor, writing articles about plein air painting, experiences and watercolor instruction.
Daniel is represented by the Huse Skelly Gallery in Balboa Island, California. Daniel is a much sought after instructor, teaching watercolor workshops regularly and doing demonstrations for art groups throughout the country
He is an avid plein air painter, being inspired by and painting the majority of his works on location. This has helped him to develop a confident style with an immediacy and freshness infused into each painting.
