{"title":"Full-Length Projects","description":"\u003cp\u003ePut your new skills into practice with complete step-by-step watercolour projects.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"cotton-reels","title":"Cotton Reels","description":"\u003cp\u003eThere’s something wonderfully tactile and nostalgic about old wooden cotton reels, and in this tutorial we’ll use them to explore wood grain, reflected light, thread texture and those lovely bands of shine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe’ll begin by mixing beautiful warm buff and brown wood colours from our primary palette, along with fresh greens and other thread colours. I’ll show you how to work wet in wet, dropping darker colour into a pale glaze and lifting areas back out to create light and texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe’ll also look at those all-important elliptical shapes, then use delicate marks to suggest the strands of cotton without trying to paint every single thread. Finally, we can add a few playful loose ends of colour to bring the whole study to life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can begin with just one reel as a simple practice piece before building up to the full arrangement. It’s a charming project packed with useful techniques – and a lovely reminder that even the most ordinary objects can make beautiful paintings.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Begin With Billy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56864313934210,"sku":"cotton-reels","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0549\/4587\/4136\/files\/Cotton_Reels_Thumb_96014b9f-cb1d-44ce-acba-a48717f74f0e.jpg?v=1788478896"},{"product_id":"wooden-spoon","title":"Wooden Spoon","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this tutorial we’ll paint a beautifully aged wooden spoon, using a surprisingly rich range of browns mixed entirely from our simple primary palette.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’ll show you how to create everything from pale golden wood to warmer chestnut tones, cooler greenish browns and deep shadows. Then we’ll work wet in wet, gently pulling those colours along the spoon and allowing them to blend softly while preserving the light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe’ll add the subtle grain and age lines of the wood, learning how quick, confident brush marks can suggest texture without making the painting feel overworked. We’ll also look at how lighting changes the character of an everyday object and how taking your own reference photographs can give you completely different moods to paint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a lovely study in colour mixing, texture and observation – and a great way to practise a new material before using it as part of a larger composition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Begin With Billy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56864315310466,"sku":"wooden-spoon","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0549\/4587\/4136\/files\/Wooden_Spoon_Thumb_5b91a625-dec1-485a-a746-74c5d5562f23.jpg?v=1788480681"},{"product_id":"wooden-composition","title":"Wooden Composition","description":"\u003cp\u003eNow it’s time to bring some of our individual studies together into a more complete still life, combining a wooden pear-shaped box, spoon and cotton reel in one beautifully coordinated composition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough the objects are quite different, they’re united by the lovely theme of wood. I’ll show you how to mix a whole family of browns – from warm yellow-browns and rich nutty tones to cooler, greener shades – so that each object keeps its own character while still belonging to the same painting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe’ll build the forms carefully, using light, shadow, reflected colour and subtle changes in tone to make each object feel solid and three-dimensional. Along the way, we’ll revisit many of the techniques we’ve already practised and begin thinking more about how separate objects work together as a composition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese early studies are all about developing control and confidence. Take your time, enjoy the beautiful wooden textures, and watch a collection of simple shapes gradually become a convincing little still life.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Begin With Billy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56864315605378,"sku":"wooden-composition","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0549\/4587\/4136\/files\/Wooden_Composition_Thumb_7d0b7a4a-c6b7-4cae-951f-a3f11d384ad1.jpg?v=1788482093"},{"product_id":"three-simple-things","title":"Three Simple Things","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this little project we’ll begin to loosen up and let go, bringing together a wooden pear, an orange block and a fresh apple in a softer, more atmospheric way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than carefully painting each object separately, I’ll show you how to start with a gentle wash across the whole composition and then gradually build the subjects through layers of transparent colour. It’s a technique I often enjoy using in my sketchbooks and it creates a wonderfully light, ethereal feeling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe’ll mix our colours first, work with glazing and drying between layers, then introduce just enough sharper detail to give the objects structure without losing that lovely softness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a perfect short project for a busy day and a really nice bridge between careful exercises and freer painting. You don’t need to use my subjects either – once you understand the approach, you can choose three simple things of your own and have fun experimenting.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Begin With Billy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56864316686722,"sku":"three-simple-things","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0549\/4587\/4136\/files\/Three_Simple_Things_Thumb_4bebaea7-92b7-47a3-83ad-526bcf528f24.jpg?v=1788501151"},{"product_id":"fly-agaric-toadstool","title":"Fly Agaric Toadstool","description":"\u003cp\u003eThere’s something completely magical about a fly agaric toadstool, and in this tutorial we’ll capture that wonderful fairy-tale quality in watercolour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’ll begin by showing you how I use masking fluid to preserve the little white spots on the cap, before mixing some beautifully delicate pinks, blues and lilacs to capture the cool reflected light of an autumn day. We’ll then build those gorgeous richer reds and subtle shadows while keeping the painting fresh and luminous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs we work down into the stalk and surrounding ground, we’ll add texture and character with grasses, tiny dashes and loose flicked marks. You can keep the setting beautifully simple or have fun adding your own little touches – perhaps some earth, extra grasses or even a tiny worm if you’re feeling inspired!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a wonderfully playful project filled with colour, light and texture, and the finished painting would make a gorgeous little greetings card too.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Begin With Billy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56889069961602,"sku":"fly_agaric_toadstool","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0549\/4587\/4136\/files\/Fly_Agaric_Toadstool_Thumb_79597c6f-61f3-4559-99fa-1d4566428aea.jpg?v=1788503785"},{"product_id":"feather","title":"Feather","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to Begin with Billy. I hope you have found the site fun so far.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis week's tutorial is a feather. I haven’t tried to be accurate to the entire structure; instead, we look at capturing the light and feel of the feather. Play with the colours, lift the light, and finish with some flicks of paint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce you have tried this, do seek out some other feathers and repeat the process to help you master the steps. Have fun, don’t fuss, and allow each stage to dry to keep your paper rested and perfect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSoon we will be flying to the painting table.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeace and gentle rain\u003cbr\u003eBilly x\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Begin With Billy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56924790948226,"sku":"feather","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0549\/4587\/4136\/files\/Feather_Thumb_f6ff40c9-a218-4b6c-8ed2-8f003e239d62.jpg?v=1789978576"},{"product_id":"vintage-eggcup-and-egg","title":"Vintage Eggcup and Egg","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHello lovely watercolour explorers, I'm excited for this week's tutorial of a vintage egg cup and egg.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you feel slightly hesitant about painting this project, don't panic!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach of my little paintings that I add to Begin with Billy can be slowed down and taken in nice, simple steps. For those of you who want to really improve dramatically, and I'm imagining that's most of you, repetition is the key. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, I think it's a really good idea to draw up the egg cup and egg about 3 times across the page; this way you can do the first stages on each of the studies, giving you three opportunities to practise, as well as 3 practice paintings. This is how I began. I would repeat certain subjects several times, each time repeating the process and each time improving.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is why the projects are nice and small. These little projects aim to stretch you and help you put into practice all the lovely processes that you have been practising from the basic techniques section.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can see that I have taken a few liberties with the colours, keeping the colour mixing simple rather than trying to match the colours precisely. As you gather confidence with both your colour mixing and your painting skills, you can be more precise. At this point, our aim is to get us close to the tone and colour as we can without stressing too much.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI would like to take this opportunity to say another warm welcome to all my new school members. Hi, and thank you for joining Begin with Billy, and to all my existing Botanical school members. I do hope you are enjoying the site and finding time to play. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWarm wishes, peace, and happiness.\u003cbr\u003eBilly xx\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Begin With Billy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56963072557442,"sku":"vintage_eggcup_and_egg","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0549\/4587\/4136\/files\/Vintage_Eggcup_and_Egg_Thumb_3a198c4c-d9d6-49b8-8590-4646602b28b2.jpg?v=1791184310"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0549\/4587\/4136\/collections\/Fly_Agaric_Toadstool_Thumb_b130d231-2f14-41ba-a76b-9ab4171a3298.jpg?v=1788503847","url":"https:\/\/billyshowell.com\/collections\/full-length-tutorials.oembed","provider":"Billy Showell School of Art","version":"1.0","type":"link"}