Welcome!

In this workshop, you will learn to paint this gorilla in watercolor. Rebecca will escort you through every step in the painting process.

Good News! If you are already enrolled in the Monthly or Annual Membership, no need to enroll. This tutorial will be available inside the Membership on Jan. 12.

Dates: January 13, 14, 15, 16, 2026

Price: $14. USD

What is Included in the Workshop?

  • Downloadable materials list, reference photo, and line drawing
  • Step-by-step video lessons 
  • Narration by Rebecca Rhodes


Each day, Rebecca will present a live broadcast at 11 am EST. If you cannot be with us live, it is ok. You can watch the replay video at your own pace until February 13, 2026. 

There will be so much to learn!

  • Building color with thin layers
  • Softening edges
  • Those eyes!
  • Contour, inward curve, shadow
  • Dark background
  • Optional fur


Workshop Schedule

Tuesday, January 13: Eyes, Beginning of Face (about 1 hour, 15 minutes)

Wednesday, January 14: Nose, Mouth, Refine Face (about 1 hour)

Thursday, January 15: Background, Fur (about 1 hour)

Friday, January 16: Final Refinements (about 1 hour)

Creating detailed and realistic paintings take time, but when you enjoy the process it's inspiring and a lot of fun. Allow yourself the freedom to experiment and learn, because that's how we grow. 

Take your time and enjoy the process. You can do this!

Your Instructor

Rebecca Rhodes

Your Instructor

Hi! I'm Rebecca Rhodes, watercolor artist and teacher in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. My goal is to empower, encourage, and equip - to help you learn to paint detailed, realistic subjects in watercolor so you can use these techniques to develop your own unique style! Before becoming a full-time artist, I enjoyed a 27-year career as a public school Music Educator. I love to teach and hope that you find these courses enjoyable and helpful. Always feel free to contact me if you have questions or suggestions at [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

Need Assistance?

  • Always feel free to reach out to me, Rebecca Rhodes, at [email protected]. I'm here to help, and would love to hear from you!


When does the course start and finish?

  • Dates for workshop: January 13, 14, 15, 16 2026
  • Each day, Rebecca will present a live broadcast at 11 am EST. If you cannot be with us live, it is ok. You can watch the replay video at your own pace until February 13, 2026. 


How Long Will I Have Access to the Lessons?

  • You will have access to the lessons until February 13, 2026. 
  • When access period ends, you will be notified via email and unenrolled from the workshop. 


What supplies/materials do I need to participate?

A list of the materials found in the lessons is found at the beginning of the course as well as links for purchase. If you don’t have something on hand, I encourage you to use your favorite materials.

What if I am Unhappy with the Course?

I would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact Rebecca Rhodes ([email protected]) within the first 30 days of purchase, and you will receive a full refund.

Can I download the videos to my own computer?

The videos are not available for download. All courses are hosted on the School website and as long as you have a high-speed internet connection you can watch them as many times as you like during the length of your membership.

Is the Site Secure? Our website is SSL certified and your information is safe.

Where do I share my paintings?

Take a photo or scan of your painting and share it to all of these places using the hashtag #rebeccarhodesart.

  • Our Private Facebook group "Realistic Animals in Watercolor"
  • Our Community
  • Your blog posts and website
  • All of your favorite social media (Instagram, your FB page, etc.)


COPYRIGHT

So many people are kind enough to ask permission before sharing their images - I appreciate this! Here is an overview of how you can use painting created based on these courses.

I've worked hard to create these tutorials for you. When you provide credit to our watercolor school, you are helping people to find us and to learn this style of painting. Thank you!

For more information, see the "Terms" at the bottom of this page.

Can I post my paintings from the courses on social media?

Yes! I encourage you to share your paintings on social media. By doing this, you are spreading the word about our course, helping others to find us. When you share your paintings, I'd appreciate if you would credit Rebecca Rhodes watercolor school and use the hashtag #rebeccarhodesart. Thanks so much!

Can I Sell or Exhibit my Painted Images from the Tutorials?

The paintings you produce as a result of taking Rebecca’s tutorials or based on reference photos are considered legally to be ‘Derivative Works’ and as such the copyright remains with Rebecca Rhodes Art and any other photographer whose work has been used for these.

You may share photographs of the paintings you create based on Rebecca’s tutorials online. Please credit Rebecca Rhodes’ Watercolor School whenever the work is displayed.

Selling: You may sell the physical paintings you create based on Rebecca’s tutorials (for instance in a local art exhibition.) Please credit ‘Rebecca Rhodes’ Online Watercolor School’ whenever the work is displayed for sale.

Prints, Cards: You may reproduce your own paintings provided the reproduction is for your own non-commercial use (for instance you can print it onto a Christmas card sent to friends and family.) Please credit ‘Rebecca Rhodes’ Online Watercolor School’ along with the reproduction. You may not reproduce your own versions of these paintings for commercial use, for instance to sell a print, greetings cards, mug, etc.

Should you find similar subjects, live or from photographs, you can use the techniques shown in the tutorials to create an original piece for exhibition sale or reproduction.

You may not teach the content from our watercolor school on your own site.

Please use the following wording to credit Rebecca Rhodes’ Online Watercolor School:

‘Painting produced using a tutorial at Rebecca Rhodes’ Watercolor School’.

For a painting completed via a Practice Pic or reference photo: ‘Painting produced using a photograph provided by Rebecca Rhodes’ Online Watercolor School’

See "Terms of Purchase" for more information.

Thanks so much for your consideration! If you need clarification, feel free to contact Rebecca at [email protected].

Feedback, Encouragement

Our watercolor school is a community of enthusiastic and friendly members, always willing to offer input and encouragement. Here are two safe places to share your work, receive encouragement, ask questions, and help others.

  • Join our supportive private Facebook group, Realistic Animals in Watercolor! As a member of the school, all you need to do is request to join, and you will be accepted.
  • If you aren't on Facebook, visit our Community, where you can share your paintings, ask questions, and receive/offer encouragement. It's free!


Let's get started!