Dru Blair: Watercolor Portrait Workshop - Mar 2026
Watercolor Portrait
WORKSHOP with
Dru Blair
Simple Step By Step Instructions
Dru Blair shows you how to paint a Masterpiece from start to finish using traditional watercolor and contemporary methods.
Color Theory
Comprehensive and easy to understand. Learn all you need to know about color in one day.
Love the beauty of
Watercolor painting?
In just 5 days, you will learn how to create a
monumental painting using traditional brushes
and perhaps a wee bit of airbrush.
Controlling the water
In this workshop, we will create a photorealistic portrait in watercolor. You will learn all about layering, brushes, surfaces, and preparation.
New to traditional brushwork?
No problem. Dru and his staff will teach you all you need to know step by step. You will be amazed at his clear and simple methods.
Supplies included
We take care of everything in the classroom, from paint, to paper to airbrushes. All you need to bring is your desire to learn. You are also welcome to create this project on your own watercolor panel or paper.
Creating a Masterpiece is easier than you think
If you are a beginner, don't worry. We've got your back. We will show you techniques that make it easy for anyone to paint like this. You might not believe that you can do this, but we'll guarantee your success.
Learn what makes a painting beautiful.
There's a certain quality in the watercolor work that isn't seen very often these days. Understanding how they painted will help add more beauty and quality to all your paintings. Beauty sells.
Color theory that solves all your color matching challenges
Fear of color will be a thing of the past. Learn all about controlling hue, saturation, and value, and how to take your painting to the next level!
The tools you need
We aren't just limited to teaching you all about the brush. We include a variety of other art tools to help you make your present and future artwork the best possible.
Over 44 Hours of instruction
You've probably heard that our classes run late. That's because there is so much content that we want to share with you. There are no distractions in Blair, and it's easy to focus on your painting. Many students would paint all night if they could.
What you will learn
01
Where to begin
When faced with a new painting, it's often difficult to know where to start. We will take you step by step through the painting from the beginning all the way to the end.
02
Transfer and layout of the figure
Solid composition is a common quality to all of the great master's paintings, yet it is the most overlooked. Here you will learn how Mucha assembled his compositions.
03
The unique characteristics of transparent watercolor paint
How much water do you need? Each color has unique characteristics which need to be considered first. .
04
Choosing the right paint
Overwhelmed by choices? No worries. We will guide you on selecting the best products.
05
Working like an illustrator
Approaching a painting like an illustrator will help you become more efficient and successful at realizing your goals. Learn how you can apply these habits to your work.
06
Color Theory
Our original theory was initially conceived in the eighties, and is now practiced in some form all over the airbrush world. This is a practical approach to color and color mixing that actually corresponds to the way paint behaves. It is both simple and comprehensive in scope.
07
How to use the Color Wheel
The color wheel is a compass. We will show you how to choose the right color wheel and how to use it correctly. It can be your best aid when mixing and matching colors.
08
How to match color....perfectly
Color can be intimidating, but fear of color will be a thing of the past after we show you how to match a color dead-on every time. You will love this process, especially if you are tired of painting in shades of grey.
09
Blending techniques
Watercolor requires different approaches when blending. We will show you how to use them.
10
Choosing a harmonious color palette
There are so many color choices out there, and it can be quite confusing. We will help take the mystery out of color selection, so that you can create something beautiful.
11
Transferring your image to the painting
There are 5 different ways to draw your source image onto the canvas. We will show you all of them.
12
Creating drama with light
Classic painters were masters at lighting figures. We will show you how and why they used light to tell their story.
13
Creating highlights
Watercolor can be a bit challenging when it comes to highlights. Dru will show you his approach.
14
Brush Types
Each has its advantages and disadvantages. We will go over all of them, and show you when to use each in your painting.
15
Tool introduction
We don’t limit your training to just the brush and airbrush. There are many tools that can enhance your painting, and we want you to be able to enjoy having the best of them in your arsenal including Ai. You will also learn the results for each tool, so you will know which tool is best for each situation.
16
Negotiating techniques that work
Negotiating a price for your work is probably the most stressful part of being an artist. We will show you negotiating methods that will help remove the stress when working with a client.
17
Selling your work
Learning about the business of art and marketing allows you, as an artist, to earn money for your creations. You will learn about pricing, galleries, copyright, prints, giclées, originals, and artist representatives.
State of the Art Classroom
unlike any other on the planet
Color corrected lighting. Central Ventilation
On-site lodging on a 120-acre campus
nestled in a National Forest
What students are saying
I attended Dru's workshop with the hope of learning to paint, I left with the ability to "see" and a system that allowed me to develop my own understanding of painting and colours. Your system has given me the freedom to explore my own creativity.
Paul MacDonald
(Airvengers) Australia
Dru's teachings showed me how to create great detail and gave me the ability to achieve PHOTOREALISM in my artworks. Thank you for pioneering the world of photorealism in airbrushing, I doubt I would have got here without your long nights and many experiments .
David Naylor
Spain
Dru's workshop influenced the way I paint and gave me some new concepts, knowledge and skills to implement into the way I worked today I recommend it!
Mitch Lowther
(Airbrush tutor) Australia
Excl. postage