At Chidiya Udd, I make art, teach illustration and help people find their way back to creative expression. I am keenly interested in how learning takes place and my fervent hope is to be able to nurture creative confidence in people. I love work that explores oral histories, gender and identity,
and belonging.
“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.”
― Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden
“Kavita’s classes were well planned and structured, and she came very prepared for them.
Each class had an internal logic and we we used watercolours in a different fashion each time, exploring different aspects of the medium's personality. I enjoyed both classwork and then putting in time later to complete the assignments. Kavita communicates unambiguously and of course it helps that she is very charming and likeable. I don't think I would have been so taken with the medium and paid attention to details otherwise had I for example decided to teach myself, by watching random videos online. I am indebted to Kavita for I'm very infatuated with watercolours currently and I have a feeling it will last” - Chitrakshi Jain
Paint with all heart & soul
Registrations are CLOSED!
Next cohort will open in 2024
Who is this for?
Those who love watercolours but don’t know where and how to begin.
Those who are across levels in their practice, from beginners to practicing artists.
Those looking for a gentle, nurturing creative space to express themselves.
Those who need a creative space to unwind, breathe and make painting a daily practice.
Those who would love to be part of a creative, supportive community.
Those looking for gentle guidance & mentorship
8 Sessions spread over two months
(Saturdays)
8 LIVE sessions with Kavita Arvind, with each session being 3 hours long.
Gentle guidance and clear feedback with demonstration videos, live demos, analysis of artists works.
Understand Color Theory, Composition and learn to make harmonious, vibrant artworks.
Live Zoom sessions begin at 4 pm IST
(Check what time this is for you here)
“You can never go wrong joining a course that Kavita offers. I first attended the Churgle Club with her and now The Secret Garden. Both have brought about a lot of change in my art practice.
In the Secret Garden, she taught us so many interesting techniques to approach botanical painting intuitively. We completed multiple projects and at the end of the course have many beautiful paintings to show for it. Kavita is someone who is constantly asking for feedback and making changes where necessary to meet the needs of the class. She is a patient and intuitive educator who creates a happy, calm and fun environment to learn. I am someone at a beginner level and if you are too, do not hesitate to sign up.”
- Anju Vijayrajan
Learning in a cohort
Learning in a cohort, with Kavita’s mentorship will help you stay committed and see through your art projects.
Paint alongside like minded creative souls
Learn from your peers and find a safe space to share your work
Become the uninhibited, expressive artist you always wanted to be
Find your tribe
Steady Guidance & Mentorship
Mentorship for the entire month
Gentle guidance and constructive critiques
Continuous feedback over Discord
Assignments through the week to learn and explore
“The Secret Garden was my second course with Kavita. I came back expecting what I'd got from TCC- that I'd learn the foundations well and be able to trust the process. I did get that, and more. With each session, we'd learn some fundamentals of form and technique, but what was most important is Kavita's insistence that we trust our own intuitions in applying them. Sessions and assignments were never monotonous, and seemed to have something for everyone, despite our different levels of familiarity with watercolours. I gained an ease with watercolour botanicals that I hadn't felt before despite being interested in them for quite a while. Sign me up for more!” - Shruthi Chandrasekaran
What will you need?
Good quality art materials, which I will provide you with references of.
You will have to set aside 30 minutes every day just for painting! Unless you show up and put in the work, you wont see progress.
A steady internet connection for online classes. Recordings will also be available to you in case you miss any live sessions.
Commitment is necessary!
Meet your Mentor
I have taught myself watercolours over the past 3 years, by showing up and experimenting constantly. And now this beautiful medium, which used to terrify me, is the one I love the most! Painting botanicals has taught me many things, to see, to breathe, flow and to be in the present.
I understand how difficult it is to learn something new, I understand in the deepest sense, how vulnerable we are when we make art, when we fail and when we gather the courage to try again.
I see you. I have your back.
Frequently Asked Questions
The charges for this course is INR.20000 (Rupees Twenty Thousand Only) This is a flat fee and there are no discounts.
Yes you absolutely can! I have created this course keeping in mind the beginner and each session and assignment is carefully designed with just that in mind!
Recordings of each session will be made available to you. You will have access to these for 8 weeks after the course is over. Don’t worry if you miss a session. But do try to attend these sessions, the learning that takes place in a live session is invaluable!
You have to be 16 years and above to be able to take up this online course.
The medium of watercolours is one of patience, time taken and of being in the flow. You can attempt this at your own pace. But unless you practice everyday, work on your assignments, you will not see enough progress.
I will send you a list of good quality materials before the course starts. These are readily available in art stores or can be ordered on Amazon. The materials that I recommend are the ones I use for my own art, and include colour pencils, the right kind of paper, watercolours and brushes.
You absolutely will make steady progress and get better with each day of drawing and making. With my mentorship and gentle feedback your work will grow and evolve. But you will have to put in steady practice. There are, unfortunately, no shortcuts to mastery :)
You can cancel your participation within 3 weeks of the start date of a course and I will fund you in entirety. However, I cannot issue refunds or change dates for cancellations during the middle of a course.
This is a one time flat fee. There are no discounts.
Send me an email at kavitarvind@gmail.com with your question/s and I will get back to you!
