Welcome to Tina’s Water Colour Project 1, a beautiful and engaging lesson where children will learn to paint a classic Irish thatched cottage. This project is designed especially for beginners who may never have painted such a detailed watercolour scene before.

In this lesson, Tina guides students step by step to create a charming cottage complete with a wooden door, a rambling rose trailing from a flowerpot, and tall trees framing each side of the building. The project combines simple techniques to achieve a wonderfully atmospheric scene that children will be proud of.

Supporting Teachers
We understand that some teachers may feel unsure about teaching watercolour if it’s new to them, but Tina’s clear instructions make it approachable for everyone. Each step is broken down carefully, from sketching the outline to layering washes of colour, adding texture to the thatched roof, and painting the delicate roses.

Tips for the Best Experience
Tina recommends using the “Play and Pause” method while showing the video lesson. Simply play a section, then pause so each child can complete that step before moving on. This gives everyone time to work at their own pace and helps avoid any frustration.

Here are a few suggestions to help you present this project smoothly:

Before you start, briefly show the finished painting to inspire the children.

Allow time to practice mixing a few of the main colours on scrap paper.

Encourage children not to worry about making their picture look exactly like Tina’s—each painting will have its own character.

Have tissues or kitchen paper handy for dabbing excess water or correcting small mistakes.

Remind children to take their time—watercolour is all about building up layers patiently.

By the end of the lesson, your students will have learned new skills in drawing, composition, and painting—and they will have created their own simple, beautiful Irish cottage scene. Enjoy the process, and remember: Play and Pauseoften, so everyone can savour each step!