When art becomes a way of entering life
Travel slowly. Observe deeply. Paint what the heart remembers
Follow watercolor artist Bigcat (David Xu) as he captures the places and moments that inspire him. If his expressive style speaks to you, join his FREE Beyond the Brush workshop on Sep 19 —discover his creative process, innovative art tools, and paint alongside him.
Sketch to Watercolor — and Beyond...
A self pace course
with 1 Live Feedback
Why do some paintings feel effortless?
The essential starting point for anyone looking to master drawing and watercolor painting without the usual frustration.
What to expect?
• Build strong structure with a simple, effective sketching approach
• Develop fluid, confident lines and dynamic compositions
• Use line design to create sketches worth framing
• Use a sketch as value studies, and turn it into an expressive watercolor
• Work with a limited palette — using warm & cool tones for depth and harmony
• Ideal for beginners and artists wanting stronger fundamentals, fast results
BEYOND THE BRUSH
by Bigmao (David Xu)
Sep 19 (Sat)
7am PT | 10am ET
4pm CET |7:30pm IST | 10pm China
FREE Watercolor Demo +
Art Tools Discovery
Turn your travel memory into expressive watercolor with an exploration of innovative art tools.
What to expect?
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Turn Vacation Inspiration into a lasting visual memory.
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Capture the Moment — use brilliant color and expressive marks to convey mood and fleeting impressions
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Bigcat’s Innovative Tools — see his artist-designed tools in action and how they shape his process
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NEW Ruhong Yuanyi Calligraphy Brushes — absorbent, elastic, and firm.
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More Creative Finds — palettes, bamboo palette knives, sketchbooks and more
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Summer Vibes Challenge
July - August
🎉 Celebrating the World Watercolor Month
Let's Celebrate World Watercolor Month with our Palette Exchange community!
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Create paintings inspired by the colors and joy of summer.
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Paint anything that reminds you of summer— a romantic sunset beach, boats in the torquoise water, a summer garden, or a quiet cafe, or treasured moments with friends.
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Share and take reference photos in our Palette Exchange WhatsApp group, our IG posts, or use your own photos for inspiration.
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Post your paintings in our Palette Exchange WhatsApp group or PE with a sun icon.
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Submit before July 16 and win a chance for personalized feedback by a guest artist on Jul 17-18.
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Selected artworks will be featured on Palette Exchange's Instagram throughout the summer.
Traveler's Palette
Watercolor Comprehensive course
Capture your travels with confidence—guided by 6 inspiring artists and 2 curators.
Aug - Nov 2026
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What to expect?
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Learn unique painting philosophies from both Eastern and Western masters
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Explore diverse styles, techniques, and tools
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Turn every journey into memorable artwork—wherever your travels take you
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Capture the essence of a scene with simple, compelling compositions, depth, values, light and shadow
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Find joy in sketching urban stories and scenic landscapes in your travel journal
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Build confidence to paint freely and develop your own expressive visual language
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Want to take your art further? At Palette Exchange, we make it enjoyable and engaging while world-class artists share intuitive and effortless approaches to help you build confidence and make stunning art
stress-free and with a Smile!
Artists
Zhifang Shi
USA/China
Traveling Artist,
Design professor
Ink and watercolour
Dancing lines in urban streets
Cindy Briggs
USA
Watercolour artist
Fine professor
Finding balance between control and spontaneity
Zhigang Zhu
China
Watercolour artist
Essence of spirit & quiet intensity
Andy Evansen
USA
Watercolour Artist/Instructor
Master in Luminous & Expressive Landscape
Suzchiang Tan
Malaysia
Watercolour artist
Re-invent beauties in
abstract nature & cityscapes
Zhenwei Wang
China
Watercolor artist
Light, atmosphere & quiet romance
Painter & designer
Prasad Beaven
England
Watercolour artist
Nature Abstract
Artist, Sahaja Yogi
Qiaoshan Yu
China
Watercolour artist
Founder and instructor of Beijing Liuyitang Art Cente
Hanbing Hua
China
Artist/Fine art professor
Chinese Ink & Watercolour
Portraits, landscapes, floral
Javid Tabatabaei
Canada
Artist/Watercolor master
Portraits, landscapes, urban scenes
Xiqiang Fei
China
Watercolour artist/architect
Misty water villages &
Charming old city lanes
Lei Li
China
Watercolour artist
Fine art teacher
Plein Air painting
Ink & Wash
Amit Kapoor
India
Artist/Watercolor master | Landscapes, portraits, figurative
Courses
SEASONAL COURSE
Master classes with multiple world-renowned artists in one package
ARTIST SIGNATURE SERIES
MASTER SINGLES
Purchase to gain access to a single Masterclass session
Various theme courses with your favorite artists
What makes us unique
Welcome to Palette Exchange
A place where art connects us from every corner of the world! What began as a small group of passionate about painting has blossomed into an international online art community.
Cultural Fusion
Experience a unique blend of Asian art influences, incorporating well-integrated Chinese ink painting and Western watercolor techniques.
Challenge and Growth
Embrace challenges and engage in potential offline events, perfect for those looking to expand their horizons, explore new techniques or styles, or even prepare for exhibitions.
Learn from the Best
Accelerate your progress with expert guidance from top artists sharing their expertise in watercolour techniques to elevate your artwork to a new level.
Close Artist Interaction
Benefit from up-close and personal interactions with artists, fostering strong community bonds and encouragement from fellow students.
Community-driven Learning
We tailor lessons to members' needs, encouraging lively exchanges, instant Q&As, and feedback from artists in a supportive, respectful environment.
Our Mission
We blend cultures, styles and ideas in a harmonious way, just like mixing colours in a palette. Together with renowned artists, we strive to foster harmony and unity across cultures through the power of art.
Language Accessibility
Overcome language barriers with professional translation services, allowing students to learn from talented artists with limited English proficiency.
Relaxed and Joyful Sessions:
Enjoy painting in a fun, stress-free environment, completing beautiful artworks while sharing laughter.
Testimonials
