Jessica Lily

Atlanta Artist & Graphic Designer

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Online Watercolor Portrait Classes Are Here!

Paint Your Friends & Family!!

Whether you are just beginning or returning to the joy of painting people you love—these two new portrait classes were created with care, clarity, and creative momentum in mind.

Two Ways to Learn:

Self-Paced Portrait Class

Learn on your own time, at your own pace—with gentle guidance and supportive instruction along the way.

Paint along with the demo materials provided, or with your own photo of your friends and family!

Includes:

  • 4 pre-recorded video lessons (5+ hours of content)
  • Paint A-Long with reference provided, or with your own photo of your loved ones
  • A curated webpage of resources: materials, references, guides & YouTube “reading list”
  • Personalized email feedback as you work through each stage

Registration Open Now

Early Bird Cost: $59
Cost after June 15th: $79

Register Online Now

2-Day Live Portrait Workshop Online

+ Portrait Painting Giveaway!

Join me in real time for a portrait painting experience where I’ll walk you through my process live online.

One participant’s photo will be selected for the class demo— and they will receive the finished painting as a gift!

Includes:

  • Live video portrait demo using one student’s reference
  • Paint A-Long with reference provided, or with your own photo of your loved ones
  • Real-time feedback and Q&A at the end of each live session
  • Class replay recordings if you miss one
  • All resource materials including a YouTube “reading list”, handouts, materials list and more!
  • Entry into the original painting giveaway 

2 Day Online Workshop: June 28th & 29th, 4-7pm EST each day

Registration Open Now

Early Bird Cost: $79
Cost after June 15th: $99

Limited spots available, 4 participant minimum

Register Online Now

Want both?

Can’t decide between the live and self-paced class? You don’t have to.

Get both versions and save!

You’ll receive instant access to the self-paced class (with all 4 recorded lessons and bonus materials), plus a spot in the live class with personalized feedback and live demo sessions.

It’s the best of both worlds – learn at your own pace, then go deeper with live support.

Early Bird Cost: $109
Cost after June 15th: $139

Register Online Now

“If I could give a score of 6 I would! Jessica is an excellent teacher and an amazing watercolorist. She knows her craft and has the ability to meet the students at their level. Highly recommend taking this class. I learned a lot!” – Elizabeth

“This was a fabulous class! Everything was well organized and prepared in advance. It was very inspiring to see the teacher?s beautiful work on display in the room. I appreciate the demonstrations so we could see exactly how to mix and apply the paint. It left me excited about continuing to use watercolor! Many thanks.” – Wini

“I learned a lot from Jessica. She is an excellent teacher.” – Debbie

“This was a fun, but challenging art class. I?m new to watercolor, and Jessica does a great job encouraging all of us. When I got home and looked at my painting, I was quite proud. This is a great chance to spread your wings to learn a new skill.” – Marty

“Loved it! Jessica is such an encouraging and supportive teacher. And sooo talented! I also loved the setting.” – Judy

“Learned a lot as a complete novice. Instructor was encouraging!” – McKenna

“Love these events!!! I?ve learned so much and the vibes are good. Everyone is so nice I like the affirmation cards in the beginning!” – Carsen

Do I need to have experience with watercolor or portraits to take this class?

Nope! This course is designed to be beginner-friendly and skill-building. You will learn my step-by-step process for painting portraits in watercolor, starting from the very beginning—drawing, transferring, mapping values, layering color, and adding final details. You can work at your own pace, and I’m here to support you through it all.

What’s the difference between the self-paced and live version?

The self-paced class gives you 4 pre-recorded video lessons (with over 5 hours of instruction), downloadable resources, and feedback via email as you go.

The live class includes two live Zoom sessions where I’ll walk through the portrait process using one student’s photo as a demo, as well as all of the resources. You will get live feedback, real-time Q&A, and a more connected experience. Bonus: the student whose photo is chosen will receive the final painting as a gift!

How do I get feedback on my work?

You can email me photos of your progress at any stage, and I’ll send thoughtful feedback within about a week. I’ll include notes, encouragement, and specific guidance on what’s working and where to focus next. Full feedback instructions are included in the course.

What materials do I need?

There’s a complete materials list linked at the top of the course page. Many students use what they already have on hand. If you’re just starting out, don’t stress – basic materials will work beautifully, and the full list includes suggestions at different budget levels.

Can I use a photo of my own, or do I have to use the demo photo?

You can absolutely use a photo of someone you know—just make sure it has clear lighting and you can print it. If you’d rather start with the demo photo, that’s totally fine too. Many students do both!

What if I fall behind or need to take a break?

That’s totally okay. There’s no expiration date on your access to the videos or resources – your videos will be available for at least one year from your purchase, as long as the student videos are available online. You can pause and return whenever you are ready. Your progress is yours to pace.

What’s the time commitment?

Each lesson is around 60–90 minutes of video instruction, plus painting time. Some students like to complete the whole course in a weekend; others spread it out over weeks. You can move through the class at whatever rhythm works best for your life and energy.

Is there a refund policy?

Because the self-paced class includes instant access to all materials and videos, all sales are final. If you need to cancel before the live class begins, yes full refunds are available. Once the course begins, there are no longer refunds available, but classes are recorded so you can still paint along. If you are unsure which version is right for you, feel free to email me with questions before signing up.