"Coffee Cup" Friday 21st

Watercolour Tutorial: Coffee Cup with Beans

A Rich, Textural Still Life Full of Colour & Contrast

This week’s still life is a celebration of colour, texture, and thoughtful observation. We’ll be painting a white coffee cup surrounded by deep, glossy coffee beans, resting on a richly textured tablecloth. It’s a scene full of warmth and drama—perfect for those who love expressive, colour-driven painting.

We’ll explore how to paint white using colour, focusing on subtle shadows and reflected tones to give the cup form and depth. It’s a fantastic opportunity to slow down and really look—an exercise that will sharpen your eye and elevate your painting practice.

You’ll be introduced to two new tools—both everyday objects you likely already have at home—cleverly repurposed to create beautiful, unexpected textures. We’ll also demonstrate how to use wax resist as an alternative, giving you the freedom to choose the technique that suits your style best.

The coffee beans bring us back to a classic watercolour technique—but with a small twist. We’ll explore how to use it in a fresh, expressive way that adds rhythm and richness to the composition.

This tutorial is a thoughtful mix of technique and creativity—a great piece to get you thinking, experimenting, and enjoying the process.