Mastering Brushstrokes - Part 1 (Udemy.com)
Master key brushstrokes that lie at the core of watercolor, oil, and acrylic painting.
Created by: Jill Poyerd
Last updated June 2026
What you will learn
- Gain a thorough understanding of a broad range of brushstrokes
- Develop a toolbox of strokes for reference when creating works of art
- Learn how each brushstroke impacts form
- Learn the history behind brushstrokes and paint application
- Expand your creativity by increasing your knowledge base
- Understand how brushstrokes are affected by painting medium
How it compares
Against the other 175 rated Udemy courses in Digital Painting on CourseDuck:
- Rating4.8 out of 5higher than 92% of them
- Reviews2,385#15 of 176 by number of reviews
- Length6.3 hourslonger than 73% of them
- Last updatedJune 2026more recently than 92% of them
Course Description
"This is the best online course I've ever taken. Jill has provided general and detailed information in a way that is easily understood and clearly defined." - Rebecca S.
"I feel like I learned more watching and listening to this course than any other class that I've ever taken. Thank you!" - Bonny E.
Brushstrokes are at the core of being an artist, and an individual's brushwork is one of the things that sets them apart from other artists. Using her approachable, easy-to-understand teaching method and lots of hands-on activities, artist Jill Poyerd breaks down historic and contemporary brushwork into twenty-two unique brushstrokes, using both oil and watercolor paint in her demonstrations.
This course is part one of a two-part series and covers twelve of the twenty-two strokes. They are broken down by style of application and include a brief history, examples of how they're used in masterpieces, visual demonstrations, and student practice exercises. By combining technical learning with visual and hands-on examples, students will gain a thorough understanding of each brushstroke variation. Part one covers invisible strokes, direct painting, strokes that use light amounts of paint, and strokes that use thick, impasto paint.
Note: Demonstrations are given in both watercolor and oil paint. Acrylic painters simply have to apply the knowledge depending on how they use that medium, whether thick (like oil) or thin (like watercolor).
Instructor Details
- 4.8 Rating
2,385 Reviews
Jill Poyerd
Jill Poyerd, NWS, is a contemporary realist whose award-winning work can be found in private collections both nationally and internationally. She has been featured in national publications, is the author of the portrait painting book Fearless Portraits, and is a signature member of several prestigious art societies, including the National Watercolor Society. Jill works in both watermedia and oil paints and has exhibited extensively throughout the Mid-Atlantic region as well as in national shows. In addition to her work as an artist, Jill is an active member of the arts community. She has curated many multi-medium group shows and is the founder of the Fine Art Professionals of Northern Virginia. Additionally, she produces art appreciation videos for her highly successful YouTube Channel where her videos inspire and inform an international audience of over 5 million viewers.
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Reviews
By Pat Lawrence on 6/4/2026
This is a lot of information. I loved that but need to go through it again to remember it all. I really enjoyed painting the same picture with the different strokes though I left a few out because I'm only working in watercolor for the moment. I especially liked the bonus information at the end. The history of styles was very interesting. The information about the paints and paper will help me make choices in the future. I'm a beginner so have spent money on both before I had a chance to know better. I will be working with some of the lesser grades as I experiment and get better with certain techniques and will enjoy redoing some of the works on the professional paper with professional paints. Thank you very much for everything you put into this for the students.
By Tina on 1/10/2026
Bellissimo corso.Anzichè trattare tutto in maniera dispersiva,affronta una tematica come la pennellata in modo completo ed esaustivo. Ottimi anche i riferimenti e i confronti tra le varie vernici e carte da acquistare. Interessante anche la storia delle pennellate nei vari artisti che si sono succeduti nel tempo . Acquisterò anche la seconda parte di questo corso ,nonostante l'imprecisione della traduzione in italiano .
By Ellen Gill on 12/25/2025
I didn't get a lot out of watching the instructor make random strokes on paper. The object painting could have included more discussion around making the strokes suit making the object look like the object. I liked the look at historical paintings.
By Elaine Gidzinski on 11/8/2020
Muito bem organizado, e com informaes uteis e pertinentes para quem iniciante no tema.
Well done organized, with useful data for whose is beginner in the subject.
By Patrick Garry on 11/8/2020
Very thorough lessons, straightforward, simplifies the technique, high quality videos. I love the art history incorporated into the lessons. The 3 videos on art history at the end of the course were beautiful and interesting. Weirdly, the instructors vocal quality was soothing to listen to. It seems to suit a sort of meticulous, careful person, which seems to be indicated by the content of the lessons, which were rather analytical and scientific. That is not to say the instructor was not expressive. She was, as is witnessed by her object paintings. This course was very helpful to me as a second course in just learning how to paint watercolor.
By Ingrid Goyarts on 10/26/2020
Het is een zeer gevarieerde cursus, erg volledig. N juweel!!
By Hannes Woolls on 10/21/2020
wow amazing to say the least I have learned so much, highly recommended
By Michele Oddone on 10/17/2020
Wonderful in depth course. Very clear and the quality of the videos and examples is great. I highly recommend the course.
By Fran Judd on 9/24/2020
It was too basic for me.
By Sherry Rakonza on 9/23/2020
A bit slow
By Karen Van Maar on 9/18/2020
So far its basic review but the topics are covered well and easy to understand
By Martha Williams on 9/14/2020
Thorough information on how to use the video tech.
Quality Score
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Overall Score : 96 / 100











