, keep up the great work!

The Watercolor Atelier Program with Dan Marshall

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Program Overview

The Watercolor Atelier Program (WAP) is designed to encourage a consistent practice and develop strong habits to progress in watercolor and art. Develop YOUR personal voice and strengthen control & understanding of the medium. Join a small number of your peers on this journey that fosters community interaction and artistic growth. 

Enjoy two group sessions, and one 1-on-1 class per month.

This program is for artists interested in developing their skills as watercolorists. Professional artists and hobbyists are both welcome regardless of their skill level.
Mentorship Program Design
Interactive Learning
Live Lectures/Demos & Private Meetings

Personalized Feedback
Receive private critiques and feedback in a 1 on 1 session each month.

Complete the Program
Enroll at the beginning of the program, and enjoy the companionship of a steady group of peers who complete the program by your side. 
Preview Demo Lesson
Participate in live classes hosted via zoom. Each month will include the following Rotation:

The First Monday of the Month: Enjoy a group meeting which includes instruction & a demo

Mid Month: Enjoy individual direction in a 1 on 1 private meeting with Dan

Last Monday of the Month: A group meeting which includes a group critique, month in review, and an intro into the next month.

Write your awesome label here.

Write your awesome label here.

Write your awesome label here.

Write your awesome label here.

Write your awesome label here.

Program Details

The Watercolor Atelier Program (WAP) is designed to encourage a consistent practice and develop strong habits to progress in watercolor and art. Develop YOUR personal voice and strengthen control & understanding of the medium. Join a small number of your peers on this journey that fosters community interaction and artistic growth. 
In Dan's WAP he believes that artistic growth comes from a combination of Instruction, Community, Accountability and inspiration! Success doesn't come from what we do occasionally, but what we do consistently.

Traditionally, in the atelier method, students start by painting simple subjects and progress into painting more complex works. At each stage of the process the student needs to demonstrate a degree of competence before advancing to the next stage. Students must redo an exercise if the concepts put forth need more attention. However, we won’t be quite so strict here, but will work to progress in that spirit. The program will involve completing master copies as well as applying the techniques discussed to your own personal compositions. Other exercises are designed to instill regular art habits and encourage your personal art growth. Each month there are 2 major focus points- a foundational art truth and watercolor techniques. These ideas are then strengthened, repeated and incorporated into every painting we produce.

Each month there are 2 major focus points- a foundational art truth (communication, drawing, composition, color theory, tone, edges) and watercolor techniques (pigment management, washes, brush control, textures, mark making). These ideas are strengthened, repeated and incorporated into every painting produced. 

Format: This is a 6 month program. Each Session has a limited amount of seats.
Live Group Sessions / 1 on 1 Meetings / Critiques / Class Recordings / Bonus Demos / Private Community Discussion

Tuition: $300 per month ($1800 collected over a six month period)

Time and Day:
Mondays 4 PM PST / 5 pm MST / 7 PM EST 
1st Monday: Live Lecture/Demo 3+ hours in length. 
Mid Month: 1 on 1 - Private Meetings - 1 hour long each.
Last Monday: 2 hour Recap & Group Share.

Class Begins April 7th, 2025. Final Class September 29th, 2025.

Applications are open! Enrollment begins March 17th.

What if I can't make it to live sessions?

Each live session will be recorded and uploaded to the course for you to rewatch. At the end of the six month program, students will enjoy a six months of access where they can rewatch all of the lectures and critiques from the live classes, plus any additional lectures and demos Dan provides throughout the session.

If you submit your homework by the due date, your mentor will provide a critique during class as usual, and the recording of that critique will be made available for you to view. If you reside in a different time zone and anticipate being unable to attend classes live, please inform your mentor in advance about your situation. Sentient works with artists globally, so this is a common occurrence. Both the Sentient team and your mentor are more than happy to assist you.

What if I decide to leave the program early?

This program requires both a financial and time commitment from you and your mentor. We expect mentees to demonstrate the same level of dedication and priority that they expect from their mentor. Please note that no refunds will be issued for completed payments. If you wish to terminate your payment plan and exit the program, a mandatory early exit fee of $100.00 will apply.

By accepting a seat in this program, you are committing to it fully. Choosing to leave, for any reason, not only disrupts your mentor's time but also takes away an opportunity from other applicants who were denied participation in favor of your placement.

How long will I have access to mentorship recordings?

Students will have access to mentorship recordings for the duration of the program plus six months after the program ends. At the conclusion of that time period students will no longer have access to the mentorship recordings as Sentient will be preparing for a new term and a new student group. This practice is consistent with optimal learning. Sentient Mentors do not advise students to become overly focused on the same lectures and critiques for a long period of time as this ultimately hinders growth and confidence. 

If a student quits the program early they will lose access to the recordings at the end of their pay period. Please email the sentient team if you are uncertain as to when that will take place for you.

Can I repeat this program?

By all means sign right up! All the demos and technique references will be different. No two versions of the program will be the same.
Understanding Watercolor

Brush Control

Mark Making
Composition

Drawing for Watercolor
Understanding Manipulating

Controlling Tone
Timing

Edges

Atmospheric Perspective
Color Theory

Establishing Mood
Communication

Designing a Painting
Past student
The [Atelier] course started with some basic concepts, techniques and built on that from month to month with each demonstration focused on the new techniques while reinforcing those from past months. The program provided invaluable personal time with Dan to talk through my version of the demo, feedback on my own paintings completed from personal reference photos, and some private instruction.

The program is also designed to build solid painting habits so that I can continue to grow and improve as an artist.  I came away from the Atelier program with a much better understanding of how and when to apply the concepts and techniques I had been exposed to in previous classes in addition to more confidence.  All of which has translated into a significant improvement in my paintings.  I would highly recommend working with Dan, I feel that my paintings improved significantly over the course of the Atelier program.  Dan is a great teacher and he is genuinely interested in seeing his students progress as artists.
Meet your instructor

Dan Marshall

Dan Marshall is a nationally acclaimed watercolor artist, instructor, and demonstrator based in Denver, Colorado. Renowned for his plein air painting, Dan captures the immediacy and essence of landscapes, primarily creating his works on location. His art reflects a deep connection to the American West, inspired by rustic farms, working ranches, and the breathtaking scenery of Colorado and New Mexico. 

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