The Art of Teaching and Learning Along the Way
Even after years of painting, I’m still learning. I want my students to see that even as a teacher, I’m still a student, too. It’s a reminder that we’re all growing, no matter where we are on the journey.
By Sophia Trinh
They say the best way to learn is to teach.
I started teaching watercolor classes on weekends because I wanted to help others develop a creative practice and make space for art outside of my day job. During the pandemic, I opened online classes and connected with students from all over the U.S. and even as far as Australia and South Africa. Since then, I have taught classes sizes ranging from one-on-one to over a hundred interns at Microsoft.
When I left my corporate job at Amazon, one of my intentions was to teach more one-on-one and group classes in my studio. Today, I will share some lessons I’ve learned from my teaching experiences both as a student and teacher.
Where It All Began
To understand my approach to teaching, we need to go back to where it all started: Seattle Waldorf School. That’s where I was first introduced to a paintbrush and the magic of wet-on-wet watercolor at the age of four.
I still remember those early lessons—exploring color by focusing on one color at a time. As a four-year-old, I found it frustrating to work with only one color for weeks. But when I finally combined red and blue to create purple, it felt magical.
Painting with one color at a time was intentional. The goal wasn’t to create a picture, but to observe how watercolor behaves—how it moves across wet paper, how it layers, and how it changes with dilution—before worrying about form or detail. For months, we practiced simple watercolor washes, exploring color interactions without the pressure to “make something.” It was about immersing ourselves in the experience of color itself, rather than focusing on the technical need to draw or paint an image.
Only after we played with primary colors did we begin experimenting with secondary colors, unlocking the magic of color mixing.
Start with How It Feels
Something I always remind my students: watercolor isn’t just about what you see, it’s about what you feel. Before we start painting, I want them to experience the tools.
One of the first exercises I do is simple: I hand them a round brush and a flat brush, then ask them to dip the brush in water and press it into their palm. This shows them how pressure changes the flow of water and how paint behaves when you press down hard versus when you gently release it onto the paper.
Tip: Firm pressure releases more water; soft pressure, less.
We also explore paper. I pass around different brands—Strathmore, Canson, Arches—all cold press. Why? Because texture matters. Feeling the materials connects you to the process before you even touch paint.
Let Go of Perfection
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned—both for myself and my students—is this: if it’s your first time painting, it’s unrealistic to expect perfection.
Even after years of painting, I’m still learning. And I remind my students of that by sharing some of my “failed” projects at the beginning of class. Below you will find images of paintings I have learned from.
From the map painting experiment I learned to move from light to dark. While I overworked this painting and made the mountains too muddy, it helped me develop the moon phase concept.
By sharing these, I want my students to see that even as a teacher, I’m still a student, too. Not everything works out—and that’s okay! Each draft you paint is another lesson to get closer to the refined painting you want. While the above examples show only three of my works that I consider to be learning opportunities, there are many more hidden in my closet that I may share in the future.
The Power of Sharing
Teaching large groups has shown me the value of sharing at the end of class. When students see each other’s work, something powerful happens: they realize that everyone is developing their own style and interpreting the techniques in unique ways.
For example, during my recent workshop at Refuge Outdoor Festival, a 3-day outdoor recreation and camping experience geared toward people of color, students had the chance to share their paintings with the group.
I’m always inspired by their willingness to try something new. In fact, about 80% of my participants are beginners, and for many, this is their very first time exploring watercolor as seen in their paintings below:
I love showing how portable watercolor can be. I always tell my students: you can paint anywhere—on hikes, airplanes, and trips—with tools like the Art Toolkit. At Refuge, I brought my Folio Palette down to the Snoqualmie River and painted on location.
What I love most about moments like this is that my students get to see me become a learner, too. I even challenged myself to paint people—a subject I usually avoid. It’s a reminder that we’re all growing, no matter where we are on the journey.
Final Thoughts
Teaching reminds me why I love watercolor and how art can help people come together and heal. Every class is a chance to learn—both for my students and for me. By sharing my own drafts and imperfect pieces, I create space to be vulnerable and allow myself to grow.
I’m grateful to all the students who have allowed me to be part of their creative journey, just as they’ve been an important part of mine.
Sophia Trinh
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