Marina Chugunova Mentorship Group 1098

Marina Chugunova’s Mentorship for Aspiring Artists

Develop your watercolour composition and colour through live small-group mentorship with conceptual realist artist Marina Chugunova. Open to watercolour.

Learn more about Marina Chugunova’s mentorship

Meet Marina Chugunova and explore their work

What you will learn in this mentorship

• This group is designed for artists who want to deepen their understanding of watercolor while developing a stronger and more personal artistic practice.
• Together, we will explore watercolor as a unique medium with its own strengths, limitations, and expressive possibilities. We will work on technical skills, composition, color harmony, and problem-solving, while also learning to recognize what watercolor can communicate that other media cannot. Understanding the distinctive language of watercolor can help artists make more intentional creative decisions, whether they work exclusively in watercolor or combine it with other media.
• Through artwork reviews, demonstrations, discussions, and personalized feedback, members will learn how to build successful paintings, overcome common challenges, and develop confidence in their creative process. We will also explore artistic identity, personal themes, visual storytelling, and the development of a meaningful body of work. As the group grows, its direction will naturally evolve in response to the interests and goals of its members, creating a collaborative space for both technical and artistic growth.

Mentorship Focus

1. Planning and Composition. How to break the painting process into clear, manageable stages. How to select effective reference photos. How to use references as inspiration and visual information rather than simply copying them. How to adapt composition to your artistic goals. How to simplify, rearrange, and strengthen a composition. How to modify colors and visual elements to better support your artistic vision.
2. Color and Light. The difference between value (light-dark) contrast and color contrast. How to create convincing light and shadow in watercolor paintings. How to experiment with color intentionally. What creates color harmony in a painting. How to work with a limited palette. How to identify and develop your own personal color palette.
3. Watercolor Techniques and Materials. What makes watercolor different from other painting media. How to use modern watercolor techniques, including wet-on-wet and glazing. How to combine different watercolor techniques within a single painting. Practical watercolor methods, tips, and studio shortcuts. How paper, brushes, and materials influence the final result.
4. Problem Solving in Watercolor. The most common watercolor mistakes and how to avoid them. How to recognize problems before they become difficult to fix. Techniques for correcting watercolor mistakes. How to make better technical decisions throughout the painting process.
5. Developing Your Artistic Voice. How to make artistic decisions that support your personal goals. How to move beyond copying references and create more original work. How to build confidence in your creative process. How to develop a more personal and meaningful artistic direction.

How This Mentorship Works

• Live online small-group mentorship
• Monthly two-hour session with your mentor where you’ll receive feedback, teaching, and personal support from your mentor
• Mentor assigns homework so you can practice the skills you’re learning and get feedback on your results
• Meet mid-month with your group for informal connection
• Private group chat between sessions
• Join weekly live events with the Mastrius community