Through teacher demonstration and practical work you will be guided, step by step, to complete a beautiful Flinders Ranges scene. Students will gain a better understanding of the process to create watercolour paintings using traditional techniques with a knowledge of colour, tone and perspective. Suitable for beginners and those more experienced. Materials cost approximately $60-$80 and will need to be purchased prior to class.
The Flinders Ranges in Watercolour
Course Description
Capture the rugged beauty and vast landscapes of South Australia’s Flinders Ranges in this immersive watercolour workshop.
Guided step by step by an experienced tutor, you’ll learn how to build a complete landscape painting using traditional watercolour techniques.
Through clear demonstrations and supported practice, you’ll explore how colour, tone, light and perspective work together to bring a scene to life on paper.
Suitable for all skill levels, this course is designed to build confidence while deepening your understanding of watercolour as a process.
Whether you’re new to the medium or looking to refine your technique, you’ll finish the day with a completed Flinders Ranges artwork and a stronger foundation in watercolour painting that you can apply to future projects.
Course Structure
The day begins with an introduction to essential watercolour materials and equipment, followed by guided practice in core techniques such as washes, wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, dry brush, and palette knife effects.
Students will experiment with controlling colour values through the balance of water and pigment, and practise painting individual landscape elements using a combination of techniques.
In the afternoon, the focus shifts to completing the Flinders Ranges scene.
The tutor will demonstrate each stage of the painting process, including sky, foreground, and background elements, before students apply these techniques step by step.
Ongoing guidance and demonstrations ensure everyone progresses at a comfortable pace while developing confidence and skill throughout the session.
Course Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand the basic materials and tools used in watercolour painting
- Apply traditional watercolour techniques such as washes, wet-on-wet and dry brush
- Control colour values using water and pigment
- Paint individual landscape elements with confidence
- Use colour, tone and perspective to create depth in a painting
- Complete a Flinders Ranges landscape using a structured, step-by-step process.
Course Requirements
Students will need to bring the following materials:
Watercolour Paint (tube paint only – not pans)
- Recommended brands: Van Gogh or Art Spectrum (other brands acceptable)
- Ultramarine Blue
- Cadmium Red
- Alizarin Crimson (or any cool red)
- Yellow Ochre
- Burnt Sienna
Brushes
- Large flat brush
- Small flat brush
- Medium mop brush
- Rigger or liner brush
Paper
- A4 – 4 sheets or A3/half sheet – 2 sheets
- Waterford Saunders 300gsm, cold pressed (medium or rough)
- Other high-quality watercolour paper is acceptable (please check it is 100% cotton for best results)
Additional Materials
- Watercolour palette
- Small misting water spray bottle
- Medium-sized palette knife
- Masking tape
- Paper towel
- 2B pencil
- Two water containers with wide openings
Your Tutor is Alan Louis Ramachandran
Alan Louis Ramachandran has been teaching at WEA since 2026.
Alan is a highly accomplished, multi award-winning watercolour artist with an established national reputation. Since immigrating to Adelaide, Alan has received 17 major art awards and more than 60 combined awards across a range of exhibitions and competitions.
His achievements include being a finalist in the prestigious Waterhouse Natural History Art Prize (2002), the Pro Hart Landscape Art Prize (2007), and the Adelaide Hills Landscape Art Prize. Alan has held five solo exhibitions and participated in six group exhibitions.
With extensive experience as an educator, Alan has delivered workshops and art demonstrations for art societies and community groups in both Adelaide and Perth. He has also taught at the Grampians and Central School of Arts, and regularly shares his expertise through workshops designed to inspire confidence, creativity, and technical excellence in watercolour painting.
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