I had been painting for about 6 months when I joined the Watercolor Floral Sanctuary course. I can paint flowers using drawings, but had been struggling with loose florals. My hope was that this course would help with that. Sushma's style of teaching, her willingness to let us watch how she paints, and her habit of narrating her thinking as she paints is extremely helpful in developing the abilities needed to paint loose florals. Her constant reminders that loose florals are an interpretation of what we see when we look at flowers was so helpful. It is a constant reminder to me that I need to focus less on the details and more on interpreting the way flowers are structured and the way that they move and exist in nature. Also, learning about the color wheel and how colors complement one another was eye-opening. I now understand why artists create a color pallet before painting a composition and how they balance color in their works so that their compositions are pleasing to the eye. I have found this course to be challenging and I have been encouraged to slow down and really look at flowers in different ways so that I can depict what I see on paper. Thank you, Sushma!
-Tracy
If there was one thing I had always wanted to learn, it was how to paint. I couldn’t be happier that I listened to my instincts and decided to take the course, it was the best decision ever. It changed everything.
Taking the course online, at my own pace and in my own time, was perfect for me. The week-by-week program is such a great approach because you have something to look forward to each week and you don’t feel overwhelmed.
Since taking the course, I have been painting constantly, flowers, photographs, anything that inspires me. Even now, I still hear your gentle voice in my mind, guiding me and reminding me of your beautiful tips and encouragement. Your calm presence and kindness make such a difference.
Sushma, thank you for guiding me toward the path I needed so deeply. You will always be my first inspiration and a teacher I will carry with me in everything I create, helping me believe in myself. Endless thanks to you. I truly hope to follow many more of your courses in the future.
-Emilie Declerck
I accidentally stumbled upon the elevate workshop and signed up for it. Loved what I learned, and decided to sign up for Watercolor Floral Sanctuary. Your course did not disappoint. I love how you teach! You broke down the basics to a very simple level and I really began to enjoy even the endless practice sessions. I especially found the third module on how watercolor works, how to use different consistencies for different effects, and understanding color theory- very useful.
Studying different flowers and how to tackle them using different techniques was another highlight!
-Veena
1. I got more confidence about painting without drawing everything out first.
2. Sushma regularly takes flowers and reflects on what she wants to capture about that flower before she starts painting. From that, I have learned a lot about how to do that when I approach a different flower (or any other object). It’s really informed my painting with underglaze on pottery (which is more like gouache than watercolor).
3. Sushma really shows how to paint loosely, and her process makes it easier to do it too.
4. I’ve learned a lot about the colors on my palette.
Sushma Hegde is a superb teacher. She is encouraging, thorough, shows lots of examples and every detail about how she works. You can copy her paintings and then feel free to try new things before moving on. She demonstrates her creativity by just doing things as she demonstrates a painting. Her course starts off with simple techniques and builds up to much more complex ones. That process makes it easier to make progress (or if you are not a beginner, to skip ahead). She also gives lots of good feedback to students in the real-time zoom sessions. I am so glad I took this course!
-Candy Sidner
August 2025 delivered to my door a box of my first watercolor paints and brushes! YouTube and FaceBook tutorials became my nightly ritual... In November I happily stumbled upon Sushma Hegde's 5-day Elevate workshop and discovered a teacher whose gentle encouragement and clear instructions showed me that there is an artist inside me just waiting to find a way out. I didn't hesitate, at the end of the 5 days, to register for the Watercolor Floral Sanctuary course. My skills have steadily (or at least mostly steadily) improved over these months, and painting almost daily is now a required part of my life. I have a long way to go to be accomplished as a painter, but I am not afraid to paint whatever catches my imagination! Yesterday, it was the spring violets in my garden - and now they bloom on my dining room wall, keeping company with some 25-30 other paintings.
-Sharon Erickson
I always wanted to try loose water color florals, but was intimidated.This course broke down complex techniques like water to pigment ratio ,the concept of color palette, basic to complicates strokes, floral compositions, etc. , into very easy and enjoyable steps.I am now more confident in picking up the brush and creating my own work. Sushma is a truly amazing teacher. Her explanations and her encouraging words has always helped me to move forward.
-Mrittika Maitra
I was very hesitant to pay for an art course, specially because I had a bad experience before. On that occasion, I noticed the teacher wasn’t really interested in teaching, the most important goal for the instructor was to get more money out of us, either by selling their materials or getting a monthly subscription. With Sushma everything was different, even during the “Free Workshop Challenge“ she was kindly answering questions, and the main goal of the workshop was for us to learn, not selling her course or her book, or specific supplies.
That’s why I decided to buy it, and it’s been so therapeutic to attend to the weekly meetings and hear all the questions and answers!
And of course there’s Sush 🥹 always there for all of us! Answering clearly and trying to clarify every doubt! Even if that means stay a little bit longer, or show up on her birthday to teach us!
As a teacher she’s the best! And as a human being she’s even better!
That’s what makes her special, and a great teacher, her main goal is to transmit her knowledge, and if one way is not enough, then she’ll look for another way to do it. Always approachable, always honest, always willing! Making you feel comfortable and confident!
Inside this course you will feel at home☺️ I know I do, and for that, I’ll be forever grateful 🙏🏼
-Luna
I’m incredibly grateful to Sushma Hegde for helping me rekindle my childhood love for painting. Her Watercolor Floral Sanctuary course has been a true game changer for me. From understanding the basics of watercolors to confidently creating my own compositions, this course has guided me every step of the way.
Sushma's teaching style is both inspiring and easy to follow, she breaks down complex techniques into simple, understandable steps that make learning a joy. I’ve not only improved my skills but also gained a much deeper appreciation for the art of watercolor painting.
Thank you very much Sushma, for making the world of art so accessible and for helping me rediscover my creative passion!
-Samyuktha G.
I have painted watercolour 1.5 years learning by IG an YouTube when I joined the course WFS. I really enjoyed Sushmas course from the first brushstroke. As a self tough artist Sushma teaches with her own experience remembering what is important when you are a beginner as well if you have painted a while. She is pedagogical while giving all the time practical examples and explanation's what she does and makes it easy understandable.
She is encouraging us to enjoy the process of being creative in our own way. Most of all she gave me so much positive energy with her warm and shining personality. Thank you Sushma.
-Jeannette Tärnbrant
I have been trying to learn watercolor for many years. I am a retired high school art teacher and I always avoided watercolor. I was much more comfortable with acrylic which is totally different from watercolor. Before this course, all my watercolor were overworked and lifeless. Thank you Sushma for being such an organized, creative, knowledgeable and inspiring teacher. So at 72 I finally am beginning to be happy with my watercolor paintings.
-Pat
Her weekly Zoom sessions are incredibly soothing. Watching her patiently address every single query with warmth and clarity is truly calming. She explains each brushstroke, every shade, and the right color consistency. Even a complete beginner, with practice, can create something beautiful.
Although the course is online, the connection feels deeply personal. Sushma mentors us in a way that makes us feel like artists growing, evolving, and maturing with every module and every session.
This course is truly therapeutic.
-Chhavi Kochhar
This course gave me self confidence that I can paint and it will be good, I can better myself and will keep on trying till I make it the way I wanted. Thank you so much Sushma for your encouragement. The way you teach makes it very simple.
-Nutan Saxena
The most valuable part of the course is the step by step instruction. When teachers say to “just do it intuitively” it doesn’t mean anything to me and I cannot proceed. You give incremental skills and help your students build skills on top of skills. This type of “direct instruction” is perfect for me.
Your WFS is just like taking multiple university courses and having to pay tons of tuition dollars but yours is better because of the personal attention you give, your level of expertise, your passion for painting and nature, and your highly organized syllabus format. You introduce new skills in chunks we understand and I’m building skills on top of skills! I’ve been looking at some of my work and thinking, “I honestly cannot believe I painted that!!!” Thank you sososo much.
-Julie McCalister
I started this course because I felt a lack of technical knowledge regarding painting flowers, and I learned so much already. I am happy to have this course for ever available, because if I need to dive in again, I always can. Sushma is a very patient teacher and shows exactly how to paint. Every week a meeting is great, because in those meetings she answers all your questions. I can recommend it to everybody who wants to learn to paint flowers in a relaxed way.
-Rien van Huisseling
I was trying to paint on and off but my paintings were always lacking something! That lacking something has been sorted by you. I have learnt almost everything a beginner has to learn. Everything was explained with utmost clarity. I am your forever student now. Thanks a lot dear Sushma for being such a great teacher.
-Moninder
Sue Hume
"I've taken several watercolor painting courses over the years, and this one is by far the best. Sushma is a delightful, talented instructor who is both an excellent artist and teacher. This course covers everything (and I mean everything) a watercolor floral artist needs to know. The videos are top quality enabling you to see clearly what Sushma is doing. Not only do you get the many teaching videos, but also several weeks of live zoom calls with Sushma where she answers questions and provides further explanation of various techniques.
It's a course every watercolor floral artist should take."
Hilde M
"Without this course I’d be still running in circles trying to figure out how to paint with watercolor (water-paint ratio, how to hold a brush for different results - details vs loose) and compose appealing floral art. Most definitely loosened up my style and I learned to go with the flow of the painting and not stress over details.
One of my favorite quotes from WFS from Sushma is “don’t worry if you don’t succeed on the first try, we can always paint again”. So true! We love painting, why would we want to master it all at once, it’s the process that makes it fun and interesting."
Prachi Dongre
"After completing any course or class, I always had a question, what should I paint next? This course has given me an answer to that question. WFS gave me various resources and ideas that I can capture in a painting. From color theory, light and shadow effects, shapes, different techniques, how and where to find references, how to create your own sketches- the course is very comprehensive.
I was an intermediate student when I joined course and still the amount of knowledge and insights I have gained from the course is incredible.
This is one investment I will not regret."
“I was telling my friend the other day that even if I had the option to take this whole course in-person with Sushma, I would still take this online version. I can go back over and over, watch every brush stroke and learn how Sushma moves her brush and explains every step. And each time I watch the lessons I learn something new, even if I had watched it before! It's packed with information”
Maria Francesca
“This course takes us from nothing to something. Better brush movement, and sketching have helped increase my confidence to create composition and study the color theory more. I found that I have more confidence now. ”
Marini
“Thank you so much for creating a great class! Your explanations are easy to understand for a total beginner and this class actually lets me create something that I'm happy with and that looks pretty. That really makes the process of learning a new skill so much more enjoyable.”
Valie
“Absolutely loved Sushma's class. Haven't picked up a paint brush in 4 months and this was the perfect class to start painting again. Sushma reminds you to forget about perfection and let loose while you lose yourself in the art of creating.”
Michelle H
"What I appreciate most is how clearly you explain watercolor techniques, including why something might go awry and how to respond when it does. That kind of guidance is incredibly reassuring, especially with a medium as unpredictable as watercolor.
Teaching is an art in itself, and that really shows in your approach. You are not only a skilled artist but also a patient, thoughtful teacher who makes the learning process feel encouraging rather than intimidating. This course has rekindled my joy in painting, and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn watercolor in a supportive, well-explained, and confidence-building way.
The most valuable part of the course for me was learning the fundamentals of watercolor, from understanding paints, brushes, paper, and color mixing to learning why the medium behaves the way it does. Knowing how to troubleshoot when something goes awry, rather than feeling stuck or discouraged, gave me confidence and made the entire process more enjoyable and freeing."
Babita
This course, Watercolor Floral Sanctuary is the best! Just to clarify, I have tried other instructors with little success. When I attempted flowers before I was really lost and unable to follow. I thought watercolors are just not my thing and it was very disappointing. Then i found this course with Sushma.This course is so full of information starting from basics all the way to advanced and including unexpected bonus surprises! Sushma truly is so caring about each person. She makes sure to answer questions and give feedback which is extremely helpful. I feel so much happier with my progress because of her guidance. I will definitely continue to paint each module and practice as i find myself painting almost every day!. I fully appreciate this course as it really makes me happy and I highly recommend it. Sushma has a wonderful gift and I am so happy she shares her knowledge with us as well as her experiences and developments throughout her journey. Thank you Sushma I appreciate you.
Cynthia
I can't express in words how much I have enjoyed this course. I have learned a great deal and am just beginning to see how I can apply what I have learned into all my painting. I have not even finished the course but know that I can and will go back to it forever which is one of the reasons that I signed up .. Sushma is a excellent teacher and explains everything so well. This is the best money I have ever spent on myself. Thanks again !!!
Georgine Schildknecht
"I loved the structure, building on each lesson before going onto the next. It was also really great to see that you make mistakes yourself and that sometimes things don't always go the way you want. You're human too! You were also so accessible, I felt a real connection with you through the Q&A sessions."
Sarah
"Your constant encouragement helped me build confidence in each painting. We practiced how to paint leaves and petals and learned about using just a handful of colors to create numerous other colors! You critiqued my paintings which helped me a whole lot."
Loretta R Dos Santos
"This course is expansive covering basic steps all the way to painting a floral composition putting everything together! This would be a great class if you are new to painting or have been painting on and off for a few months and are tired of u tube videos!"
Leah
"I would recommend taking this course even if you do not know how to paint. The way that Sushma describes and explains how to paint was so easy to learn from. I’m glad that I took her course. "
Sadia
"I loved your explanations of each module. They are simple to understand and your comments while you are painting help me a lot. Seeing how you combine colors to make subtle changes and how you use the different brushes are great. "
Susan
"To be honest, I dint expect this level of detail when i signed up for the course, but once the modules began I realized how amazing it is. This watercolor course is totally beginner friendly, the instructions are explained in great detail"
Divya Raavi
"I started this course as a complete beginner after recently retiring. The last time I painted was in high school, decades ago. I loved the detailed instructions on which paints, which brushes, how to hold a brush and how to slowly add water. I have improved a lot from my first attempt. Really enjoyed the course."
Garima
"For me the way Sushma teaches was the most valuable part of this course. She is kind and expressive and it shows in her work. I really loved the color mixing and composition. I appreciated her encouragement and willingness to show her own mistakes. I also appreciated her encouragement overall as it is so easy to give up when frustrated. "
Jacky
"Joining this course is a decision you will never regret making!"
Veena
"A fabulous course led by an amazing teacher, suitable for all levels of experience. If you love flowers and painting them, this course is for you."
Catherine
"Sushma is the best! She is very patient, thorough, and, of course, talented! I would highly recommend this course especially if you want to learn and practice the basics of brush and water control."
Janice
"I really enjoyed the pace of instruction and the patience with which Sushma answers each question from the participants. She is very thorough in her instruction, and her suggestions for improvement are presented in a very kind and helpful manner. "
Karen
"I have been painting on and off for 5 years now and collected a lot of art supplies I probably won't use. I would have loved this course to have been my introduction to Watercolour, it would have saved me so much time and money. I love the paintings I have created in this course. I believe Sushma's supplies and method of approaching Watercolour will have the absolute beginner painting beautiful florals in no time at all."
Linda Franklin
"I was reluctant to join the Watercolor Sanctuary course. I didn't think I had the time and I was a total beginner! Sushma is a patient and very through teacher. Her gentle and reassuring approach makes it easy to follow and learn so many new and different techniques. I have used her book AND her course now, and since the course is a lifetime access I'm delighted I can learn from the bite sized modules at my own pace and go back to the excellent quality instructional videos over and over. I feel so lucky that I found this course."
Debra Landy
"I had a wonderful time taking the watercolor floral sanctuary class with sushma hegde.it was a great learning journey from painting simple flowers to complex compositions. lifetime access and detailed teaching in a structured way makes it so easy for me to follow the steps at my pace.complex techniques were explained in such a simple and clear way that learning felt effortless and enjoyable.what i appreciate the most about sushma is her constant encouragement and motivation which made me feel confident and inspired to try new things.i also admire her patience in giving feedback for every painting we submitted.i am so happy i chose to do this class.thank you so much sushma!"
Yashvina Shah
Students Work
“JOIN! I have told both my daughters how amazing this course is. Sushma, to be honest, you underpriced this course. You offer more in WFS then the local university near me and for a lower price. I have admired your work for a few years and last year bought our book, and I feel privileged to be participating in this course." - Debbie Brown
“I’ve found Sushma’s approach to teaching so supportive and welcoming. It’s not about rushing or feeling overwhelmed—whether you’re just starting out or have been painting for a while, you’re encouraged to take your time and enjoy the process. It’s been a great space to grow at my own pace." - Susan Eden
“Watercolor Floral Sanctuary helped me overcome the frustration of not knowing how to start painting on a blank sheet of paper. I’m now more confident of my skills and have the courage to paint floral compositions on larger sheets of paper. The clear instructions and supportive community have made the process enjoyable and rewarding. I’ll recommend this course to anyone who wishes to improve their skills and explore their potential and creativity." - Chan Mei Yee
"I never realized how much I needed this creative escape until I started. It’s time well spent and takes me 'out of my head' for an hour or two each day. This course is like a treasure in my pocket, always there when I need it, helping me grow as an artist. Thank you so much, Sushma, for all your hard work in creating it."
- Delores Barnes
“If you are eager and serious to learn how to paint loose flowers, then this is the course for you to invest in. You'll see endless possibilities on how to be creative!
Her instruction on each module makes it easy for anyone to understand and follow through. So grateful that we can always go back to any lessons and repeat our work until we are satisfied with the results" - Grace Labrado
Pam Gillespie
"Best teacher ever! The course was so thorough. So much practical information. Like how to fix a mistake or what size brush to use. Or even, what do I paint first in the composition.
Sushma has the perfect personality of a friendly, kind instructor. Once or twice I felt like, I can’t do this but Sushma kept us on track with her encouragement.
She truly is a gifted artist who shares what she has learned over the years of her journey into art."
Emilee Foster
"This is a wonderful course, and Sushma takes you on a journey with basic techniques to more challenging ones. She is always encouraging creativity, and gives wonderful examples as well as opportunities for us to explore on our own using the techniques she has taught us.
Having access to all the modules and being able to review over and over again, is something you couldn’t have with an in person class, and that has proven to be beneficial."
Sandhya Shanbhag
"Sushma has a knack for explaining complex techniques in a clear and understandable manner, which made it easy for me to grasp even the most intricate aspects of watercolor painting.
What I appreciated most was the feedback and guidance provided throughout the course. By the end of the course, I not only felt more confident in my watercolor skills but also inspired to continue exploring this beautiful medium further."
"This course is the best money I ever spent" - Pamela Gillespie
"Your WFS is just like taking multiple university courses and having to pay tons of tuition dollars but yours is better because of the personal attention you give, your level of expertise, your passion for painting and nature, and your highly organized syllabus format." - Julie McCalister
Hannah Clements
"Sushma teaches everything about painting loose colorful flowers and leaves. She includes supplies and equipment, brush strokes, color mixing, many types of specific flowers, composition and how to design a painting with many flowers in it, lighting , textures, negative painting, and so much more. Sushma’s teaching style is clear and methodical with lots of explanations so the student has every opportunity to understand the technique. Questions are also welcomed."
Sheila Agustini
"Sushma is the best mentor! She poured her heart into teaching the students, no gatekeeping, she provided zoom sessions to give us feedback every week and she took time to acknowledge everyone in the course. Joining WFS is one of the best decision I’ve ever made in my watercolor journey! Thank you so much!"
“If you are passionate about painting florals, this course is a must for you. There is so much to unpack and each time you revisit the modules, you will gain new insights. Certainly worth every penny I invested in my creative journey!” Vrinda Sarma
“I highly recommend Watercolor Floral Sanctuary to all students. The modules progressively increase in complexity and my favourite was learning how to paint clustered flowers through negative painting. I wouldn't have been able to paint these flowers without the step by step guidance provided in the course.
I've have fallen in love with painting once again. Thank you Sushma” - Malavika
“This course contains so much information and excellent lessons. Plan on 2-3 hours per week watching the videos and then more time practicing the lessons. It's more like a college level course that you are getting!” - Lynn B
Students Work
