Make a Mess & Master Watercolor & Gouache

Painting Classes

Discover the magic of watercolor and gouache in my relaxing, hands-on classes! Perfect for all levels to create vibrant, beautiful paintings with ease.

Peggy's Picks

 

Watch my classes that have been featured in publications like the Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, and The Today Show!

 

Conquer the Blank Page : 4 Watercolor Projects to Crush Creative Block

Overcome creative block with 4 of my go-to watercolor projects. Develop a creative ritual, experiment with pigments, and embrace the freedom to paint without limits.

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Wildflower Wonderland in Gouache

Dive into a gouache adventure painting vibrant wildflower meadows. Master color blending, depth, and expressive brush techniques that bring your landscapes to life.

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Vintage Wildflowers: 14 Days of Watercolor

Challenge yourself with 14 days of vintage wildflower watercolor lessons. From loose brushstrokes to stunning compositions, explore curated colors and antique-inspired designs.

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Modern Folk Art Botanicals

Combine drawing and painting in folk-inspired floral designs. Hand-draw symmetrical flowers, build cohesive color palettes, and gather inspiration to create intricate patterns with simple techniques.

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Watercolor Polaroids: Summer Sunsets

Capture summer scenes in tiny watercolor compositions. This class is great for finally mastering techniques like washes and layering, while crafting balanced, vibrant mini-paintings that tell a story in a darling Polaroid-sized frame.

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Lush & Loose Florals in Watercolor

Paint loose, expressive florals in this relaxing watercolor class. Embrace the beauty of imperfection as you master fluid brushstrokes, experiment with color, and create dreamy, flowing blooms that capture the essence of nature. Perfect for adding a free-spirited touch to your floral art!

COMING SOON

Student love 💕

YOU ALL make art the best experience.

"Approachable & actionable"

Peggy is super approachable and actionable. She guides through the "messy part" of the painting very well, which can be a nerve-wracking time when following along with other artists.

Katie W
"Always covers so much info..."

This class was so much fun!!! I love Peggy’s teaching style and she always covers so much information. Learning how to paint “blob” flower shapes and refine them into detailed blooms with pen was extremely helpful, as well as the encouragement to experiment with color palettes.

Holly H
"You taught me so much more than painting..."

Thank you for this awesome class! You taught me so much more than ’just’ painting. Over the course of the class I learned to let go time and again, to trust myself more, to start over without feeling bad about it; and, finally, I actually was content with what I made!

Lisa K
"Easy to follow along"

I’m so glad I took this class! Loosening up is really hard for me. Peggy does a wonderful job demonstrating her technique making it easy to follow along. Her fun personality shines throughout the class. Highly recommend!

Kelly P
"Pushed me to try new things"

This class is really fun. It pushed me to try new things and I love that. I'm a beginner and I didn't feel like this was too advanced. It got me to try new techniques and forced me to loosen up a bit and just go with the flow.

Amy W
"Exactly what I've been looking for"

Wow...just wow! I'm absolutely blown away by Peggy Dean! I love the style and clear instructions. This is exactly what I've been looking for.

Caroyln D
"I felt so free..."

Thank you so much, Peggy! This was a glorious and fun class. I felt so free painting this with you! And I’ve really come to understand putting together palettes together so much better - because of your playful style! I’m finally, finally so much LESS stressed now when thinking about what colours go together! I’m actually excited about it for the first time ever (it’s always been scary for me).

Christine P
"Choose your own adventure"

This class is really fun and an easy way to get started painting! I like the guidance but also the freedom to choose your own adventure (e.g., colors, patterns, styles) along the way. Will take again in the future!

Gigi O
"Inspiring & very doable"

Quick inspiring and very doable lessons. Peggy Dean is a great teacher, easy to follow and her relaxed approach keeps lessons from feeling intimidating and the florals are gorgeous!

Gina F
"Inspiring & very doable"

Quick inspiring and very doable lessons. Peggy Dean is a great teacher, easy to follow and her relaxed approach keeps lessons from feeling intimidating and the florals are gorgeous!

Gina F
"Class act"

Compared to all other watercolor classes, Peggy is the best instructor. Her speed, her clarity, and her style of painting made this class enjoyable and easy to follow. I love that she keeps the class short but she isn't speaking quickly and jamming a bunch of information into a two minute clip. Class act. So professional.

Melissa L

"Peggy possesses a rare combination of being an exceptional professional and a talented teacher. She has the ability to simplify complicated subjects and present them in a clear and concise manner.

I have taken numerous courses, but hers stand out as the best."

- ASSI H

I teach the way I learn

The most transformational courses are the ones that stir your passion and open doors

You see your art not just as a hobby, but as an integral part of who you are and who you can become. What you may lack is a roadmap to take you from where you are to where you yearn to be.

This is where I step in. My classes are designed to playfully guide you through the challenges of creativity, overcoming self-doubt and blocks with the wisdom I've gained over the years.

Your art deserves your best self.
And I'm here to help you become just that.
Too much freedom can cause a lack of stimulation for new ideas.

This means the creative mind needs active limitations

These programs run once a year, and trust me, you don't want to miss them.

6 weeks of guidance, workshops, and ongoing prompts

✔️ that will push you outside your comfort zone

✔️ help you create work that you LOVE

✔️ and most importantly, give you permission to create

 

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Create more than you consume

The beauty behind making something with our hands is in the imperfections. Learning how to master flaws and channel them into distinguished character is what makes your art special and unique to you.

I help creatives break elements down into unconventional, yet straightforward fundamentals that will give you a unique foundation that you can confidently build your craft upon.

More mediums? More topics? Yes please

 

Drawing classes

Enhance your drawing techniques for capturing nature, architecture, and dynamic scenes while improving your composition, perspective, and detailing.

BROWSE DRAWING CLASSES

Calligraphy & lettering classes

From my unique fundamentals to building cohesive alphabets to ornamental flourishes, these quick and easy classes will take you from a beginner to a lettering master!

BROWSE LETTERING CLASSES

Procreate classes

Unlock your digital art potential with Procreate classes tailored for all skill levels. Learn Procreate techniques for illustration, digital painting, and lettering, including layering, brush customization, and blending.

BROWSE PROCREATE CLASSES