What I Learned While Creating My Lover’s Eye Watercolor Class
Every time I teach a class, I’m reminded that as much as I teach, I learn. Explaining my process forces me to slow down, reflect, and gain clarity in ways I don’t always expect. This was definitely the case while working on my latest class, “Japanese Watercolor Secrets:Painting a ‘Lover’s Eye’ with Hidden Katakana & Haiku.”
Honestly, this class has been on my mind for a while. Eyes are such a huge part of my watercolor commissions, so creating a class focused solely on them felt like a no-brainer. But as I broke down my process, I stumbled upon a few “duh” moments and some insights that surprised me.
The 5 Key Areas (Shh… It’s a Secret!)
I’ve identified 5 key areas that make all the difference when painting realistic eyes. I go into detail about them in the class, so I’ll keep it a secret here (just a little incentive to watch!). But trust me, once you start noticing these areas, your eye paintings will shift in a way you can’t unsee.
The “Duh” Moment: It’s All About the Layers
I had this moment where I thought, “Wow, how did I not consciously realize this before?” Yes, we all know to leave the whites of the paper for highlights around the eye area. But beyond that, it’s the layering process that really shapes the form:
Start with light washes—more water, with yellows, a hint of reds, and a touch of blues to build that underlying warmth.
Gradually shift to less water and more pigment (more red of the skin tone) as you add layers, but here’s the catch: still work wet-on-wet to keep that softness.
For those deeper lid folds (both upper and lower+ add more blues of the skin tone), switch to wet-on-dry. That contrast in technique gives the eye depth and structure.
Simple, right? But realizing it and articulating it was like an aha moment.
Anatomy for Painters—Finally!
Another thing I realized: I could never find an eye anatomy image that actually highlighted the parts I focus on when painting. So, I made my own. (see above;) I created an image called “Eye Anatomy for Painters” that maps out exactly what I consider while working. It’s not a medical diagram—it’s made for artists who want to see the eye the way we paint it. Or is it just me? lol
Why This Class Felt Inevitable
Given how central eyes are to my work, this class was bound to happen. But creating it wasn’t just about sharing techniques—it was about unpacking the small, often overlooked things that make a painting come alive. I hope you’ll find value in the class, not just in learning to paint an eye, but in seeing how much meaning and emotion can be tucked into such a small space.
If you’d like to dive in, you can access the class here—you’ll get a one-month free trial, and yes, it supports me too.
Oh, and I don’t know how long I will have this product available, but I am currently opening my commissions for small eye paintings. Check them here.
Thanks for reading. I hope this blog (and the class) gives you something new to notice in your own work.
A youtube video on this would be released on 11th of Feb.
https://youtu.be/24d002hSaW4
Until next time,
Miwa
