Watercolor Tutorial: Lavender in Mason Jar Intermediate Watercolor Lesson

If you’re looking for a watercolor tutorial that helps you grow your skills, this mason jar lesson is a perfect challenge to take on. Designed for beginner to intermediate watercolor painters, this step-by-step tutorial focuses on layering techniques, lifting pigment, and learning how to paint realistic light and transparent glass.

You’ll discover how to build depth with transparent washes, create glowing highlights, and control values to make a simple mason jar feel three-dimensional. These are foundational watercolor techniques that every artist needs — whether you’re just getting comfortable with your brushes or ready to refine your control.

This 50-minute watercolor lesson is relaxed and easy to follow. Paint along at your own pace, or speed it up for a fun challenge.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJJ9R3HwGkM

Materials

• round acrylic brush size 8

• white paper towel

• 8x10in watercolor paper 140lb cold press with inkjet printed sketch (download below)

• paynes grey or indigo

• sap green

• ultramarine blue

• viridian green

• violet (or mix ultramarine and crimson)

• white gouache (opaque watercolor)

• (optional) acrylic paint pen

Download and print the mason jar sketch directly onto watercolor paper using an inkjet printer. Let the ink fully dry before you begin painting.

If you’re in Maryland, Northern Virginia, or Washington, DC and want more personalized instruction, I also offer private watercolor lessons in person at your home, a local park, or a cozy coffee shop. Group events are available too. Check out those here.

Grab your paints and enjoy learning how to capture light in watercolor.