Learning watercolor on your own is possible – the internet is full of tutorials and we have published dozens of beginner guides and technique tutorials on this site. But there comes a point where personalised feedback from an experienced artist makes a dramatic difference. A teacher can spot habits you cannot see yourself, demonstrate techniques in real time, and push you past plateaus that no YouTube video can.
Sri Lanka has a small but dedicated community of professional watercolor artists who teach. Here is a guide to the classes and workshops currently available.
Led by: Master Artist Sanjeewee Senevirathna
Website: sanjeewc.com
Location: Thriwarna, 127, Sanasa Ideal City, Gampaha, Sri Lanka
Contact: +94 77 631 4241 | sanjeeweeart@gmail.com
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
Sanjeewee Senevirathna is one of Sri Lanka’s most recognised watercolor artists and painting lecturers. He serves as the Country Head of IWS Sri Lanka (the Sri Lankan branch of the International Watercolor Society) and is the Country Leader of the Fabriano Sri Lanka community. Sanjeewee has held several solo exhibitions locally and has participated in numerous international exhibitions, winning several international contests.
In 2025, he was invited as an International Guest Artist at the prestigious Penang International Watercolor Festival, representing Sri Lanka on the global watercolor stage. His work focuses on landscapes and he regularly conducts live painting demonstrations at venues like the Good Market Shop in Colombo.
Basic Watercolor Class (Local Students)
A comprehensive academic exploration of watercolor painting. The basic class covers:
Basic Watercolor Class (Foreign Students)
The same comprehensive curriculum adapted for international students. Contact the academy directly for scheduling and fees.
Master Class (Local Students)
Advanced instruction for students who have completed the basic class or have equivalent experience. Focuses on refining technique and developing personal artistic style.
Plein Air Workshops
Outdoor painting sessions where students paint landscapes from life. These workshops teach you to work with natural light, changing conditions, and the challenges of painting outdoors – skills that are particularly relevant given Sri Lanka’s tropical climate.
Mastering Watercolor Landscape Painting – Colombo 2026 (Physical Course)
A specialised course focused entirely on landscape painting in watercolor. Physical attendance in Colombo. Check the website for current dates and registration.
Thriwarna is the most structured watercolor academy in Sri Lanka. Under Sanjeewee’s guidance, you receive academic-level training rather than casual workshop instruction. The progression from Basic to Master Class means you can develop systematically over time. His international recognition and IWS leadership mean you are learning from someone who understands watercolor at a global standard.
Led by: Artist Asanka Anujeewa
Social Media: Facebook
Asanka Anujeewa offers classes focused on portraiture, figurative work, and landscape painting. These are essential subjects for watercolor artists who want to move beyond basic techniques into more challenging and expressive work.
Contact Asanka through his Facebook page for class schedules, location details, and fees.
Most classes require you to bring your own materials. Before enrolling, ask the instructor for a recommended materials list. If you are starting fresh, our starter kit guide covers everything a beginner needs. At minimum, you will need:
Classroom sessions offer controlled lighting and a comfortable workspace. Plein air (outdoor) workshops teach you to handle real-world conditions – changing light, wind, and insects. Both are valuable. Start with classroom instruction to build fundamentals, then progress to plein air when your basic techniques are solid.
Always check whether a class is designed for beginners, intermediate, or advanced students. Joining an advanced class as a beginner leads to frustration; joining a beginner class when you have experience leads to boredom. Thriwarna’s structured Basic to Master Class progression handles this well.
Classes typically meet weekly or fortnightly. Between sessions, consistent practice is essential. Here are resources to supplement your learning:
If you are enrolling in a class and need to stock up on materials, check our guide to where to buy art supplies in Sri Lanka. For watercolor-specific materials, browse the Watercolor.lk store where every product is curated for watercolor use. For Fabriano papers recommended by some instructors, visit Ranasinghe and Somapala in Colombo 13.
Prices vary by instructor and course type. Contact each instructor directly for current fees. Academy-structured courses like Thriwarna tend to offer more comprehensive instruction per rupee compared to one-off workshop sessions.
Not for beginner-level classes. Thriwarna’s Basic Class starts from the fundamentals and assumes no prior painting experience. For portrait and figurative classes with Asanka Anujeewa, some basic drawing and painting experience is beneficial.
You can learn a great deal from online resources – our beginner’s guide and technique tutorials cover the fundamentals thoroughly. However, in-person instruction offers something online cannot: real-time feedback on your brush handling, water control, and colour mixing. Most serious watercolorists benefit from a combination of self-study and periodic in-person instruction.
Sanjeewee Senevirathna offers classes for foreign students through the Thriwarna Academy, which may include online components. Check his website for current online offerings. Additionally, his YouTube channel features demonstrations and educational content.
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