Book San Francisco watercolor classes & outdoor workshops
Guided plein air workshops and creative sessions designed to help you slow down, look closely, and discover your own way of seeing, while enjoying the pleasure of painting, either on your own or alongside others.
San Francisco watercolor classes are focused painting sessions where we explore the city while learning to sketch and paint from life. Workshops take place in gardens, iconic viewpoints, studios, and museums, including the San Francisco Botanical Garden, Sharon Art Studio, Crissy Field, and SFMOMA. Through close observation, color, and painting from life, these classes help painters of all levels become more attentive to what they see and more confident in expressing it.
Personal expeditions (1:1)
Find your voice in watercolors.
Capture what you see — not just an outline, but a feeling — in this 1:1 outdoor watercolor sketching session. You’ll paint directly from life in watercolors, letting go of perfection and capturing the spirit of a place with a simple line-and-wash approach.
This is a focused one-hour mentoring session designed to help you see more clearly, simplify what’s in front of you, and develop your own way of working in watercolor.
No experience required.
This one-on-one urban sketching session is tailored to your level and interests, helping you sharpen your eye, steady your hand, and begin developing your watercolor style.
During the session we may focus on:
Simplifying complex scenes into clear shapes
Building confident drawing structure
Using watercolors effectively
Deciding what to leave out and what to emphasize
You’ll leave with a finished sketch and a clearer process for painting from life.
Choose your San Francisco location
• San Francisco Botanical Garden
• Alamo Square, Painted Ladies
• Ferry Building farmers market
• Chrissy Field by Golden Gate Bridge
Details
• Duration: 1 hour
• Format: Private mentoring session (1:1)
• Level: Beginner to experienced
• Location: Outdoors in San Francisco
Price: $125
Gift cards available.
Small group expeditions (2-4 people)
Get inspired together.
Get to know your friends—and the city—in a whole new light during this outdoor sketching session. Paint side by side with guidance and encouragement as you capture iconic local scenery in glowing color and expressive lines.
Perfect for friends, visiting guests, couples, or small celebrations looking for a creative way to experience San Francisco together.
No experience required. This small group session is tailored to your group, with simple pointers and pro tips to help everyone relax, observe more closely, and develop their own watercolor style.
If drawing feels intimidating, I can also provide lightly pre-drawn pages so you can focus on watercolor and enjoying the experience.
Choose your location
We meet outdoors at an iconic setting such as:
• Sunset Dunes at sunset
• San Francisco Botanical Garden in bloom
• Alamo Square and the Painted Ladies
• Ferry Building farmers market
• Chrissy Field with Golden Gate Bridge views
Details
• Group size: 2–4 people
• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Format: Outdoor watercolor expedition
• Level: No experience required
Price: $250 per group
Gift cards available.
Workshops and classes
May-October 2026
6 individual classes
May-September are SOLD OUT. October has two available spots.
Beginner Watercolor: Paint What’s in Bloom
San Francisco Botanical Garden
Last Saturday of the month 10 AM
Book here each class
September 2026
Paint what’s in Bloom: Dahlia Dell Special Edition
San Francisco Botanical Garden
Saturday September 5th, 10 AM
Book here
New workshop coming!
SFMOMA, San Francisco
September 20th, 2pm
Limited capacity; stay tuned for announcement!
September-November 2026
Watercolor Line & Wash Techniques: Colors of Fall Class
SOLD OUT in 2 minutes. Thank you!
Sharon Art Studio, San Francisco
8 weeks · Mondays
Watercolor - Inktober Line & Wash with Fountain Pens
SOLD OUT in 3 minutes. Thank you!
Sharon Art Studio, San Francisco
What people are saying
“I expected to learn watercolor. Instead, I walked away learning something about myself.”
— Sarah F.
Personal Expedition, Crissy Field
Read Sarah’s story: “One Big Swoosh”
“What a perfect fit! Your enthusiasm, expertise, and appreciation were evident throughout, and the attendees clearly benefited. You are a wonderful teacher.”
— Bella Mello
Manager of Public Engagement, SFMOMA
“The feedback for your program was glowing. The Gardens is so excited to be partnering with you to put on more of these watercolor classes.”
— Ethan Rappeport
Program Assistant, Gardens of Golden Gate Park
Get your materials
Materials are separate from tuition, you have two flexible ways to get the right tools:
Option A: Bring Your Own (with consultation) Best for artists with existing gear.
If you have your own tools, we can absolutely use them!
Once you book, we’ll do a quick check of your inventory to ensure your paper and paints will work for our specific techniques.
Option B: Fill the Gaps (with my curated Amazon list) Best for those who have some items but need specific upgrades.
Need a better brush or the right paper? I have curated a specific list of my trusted tools on Amazon.
You get the exact items I use without the guesswork, delivered to your door before class.