Are you ready to loosen up, make expressive marks, and enjoy the freedom of abstract painting?
Marks & Rhythm is designed to help you develop confidence in abstract painting while discovering your own visual language through mark-making.
In this course we explore how simple marks, textures, and layers of watercolour can come together to form expressive abstract paintings.
Through warm-up exercises, sketchbook explorations, and painting projects on loose watercolour paper, you’ll learn how to loosen up your process and build paintings that feel natural, balanced, and full of movement.
Watch the Trailer to Get A Feel for the Course
A glimpse into the abstract process you'll explore.
Join for $60 USD (regular price $75)
Your 20% discount will be applied when you enter ABSTRACT20 at checkout.
Get instant lifetime access to all lessons when the course begins on 31 March 2026.
What We’ll Explore Together
A gentle introduction to mark-making: loosen up with simple warm-up exercises and explore shapes and marks in a relaxed, playful way.
Sketchbook explorations: work in a small sketchbook to generate ideas, build momentum, and develop your abstract style.
Expressive abstract paintings: create larger paintings inspired by your warm-ups and sketchbook pages.
Thoughtful, start-to-finish lessons: follow each project from beginning to end with gentle guidance and reflections along the way.
Working with watercolour: explore my palette, colour choices, and how I mix and apply paint to create both bold and subtle effects.
Building confidence through practice: discover how repetition, variation, and simple shapes can help you develop your own visual language.
What's Included When You Sign Up Today
Around 3 hours of beautifully filmed lessons, including warm-up exercises, ten sketchbook demonstrations, and four abstract painting projects. You’ll also find a bonus lesson where I share how I set up my everyday watercolour palette.
Lifetime access to all lessons, so you can learn at your own pace and return whenever you like.
Access to a private, password-protected classroom where you can ask questions, share your work, and receive personalised feedback.
An invitation to join the Laura Horn Art Facebook Group, where you can connect with artists around the world and continue your creative journey.
Why Take This Course?
This course is for you if:
- You’d love to loosen up and explore abstract painting in a way that feels playful and freeing.
- You’re curious about how simple marks, textures, and watercolour layers can come together to form expressive paintings.
- You want clear, encouraging guidance to help you build confidence with abstract ideas and mark-making.
- You enjoy learning step-by-step through warm-ups, sketchbook explorations, and painting projects.
- You’d like to explore how repetition, variation, and simple shapes can create rhythm and movement in your work.
- You’re looking for a gentle pathway into painting that focuses on exploration and simple principles, rather than rigid rules.
- You’d love to finish with fresh ideas, new techniques, and a deeper sense of freedom in your painting.
No previous experience with abstract painting is required.
If this feels like what you’ve been looking for, I’d love to see you in the classroom.
What Makes This Course Special?
“I’m new to this. Will I be able to follow along?”
Absolutely. Marks & Rhythm is designed to be approachable for all levels, including complete beginners. The lessons are gently guided and focus on simple shapes, marks, and colour combinations that create the building blocks for abstract paintings.
Throughout the course you’ll receive clear explanations of supplies and techniques, along with plenty of encouragement to explore and develop your own ideas.
“How is the course structured, and is it worth the investment?”
Marks & Rhythm includes around three hours of beautifully filmed content, packed with practical painting demonstrations so you can see the process unfold step by step.
Throughout the course you’ll see me demonstrate:
• Two warm-up exercises
• Ten small, doable sketchbook spreads
• Four portrait-format abstract paintings on paper
• Four square-format abstract paintings on paper
Every lesson is carefully edited for clarity, so you can quickly understand the ideas and start painting.
“I’ve taken your other classes. Is this different?”
I’ve shared abstract painting lessons in the past, but this course reflects how my process has evolved in recent years.
While my style is still very much present, my work has become more intuitive, layered, and organic. Marks & Rhythm captures where my abstract practice has arrived, with a greater focus on expressive marks, movement, and allowing the painting to unfold naturally.
This is a course that has been quietly developing over time, bringing together ideas I’ve been refining in the studio over the past year, and I’m so excited to finally share it with you.
I've had the joy and privilege of teaching over 50,000 students across the globe through my online classes.
Meet Laura, your teacher
Hello, I'm Laura. I'm a mixed media artist from Adelaide, South Australia. Over 10 years ago, I picked up a paintbrush. I had two young children, and like many mothers, I felt a little lost among all the nappies.
As soon as I reconnected with my creativity, I felt a spark. I quickly fell in love with all things art—the yummy supplies, the supportive community, and the sense of purpose and satisfaction that came from doing something I truly loved.
I followed my passion and built a beautiful, messy life around it. Things rarely went to plan, but I amazed myself with the things that I could do. From selling my work at markets and cafes to running a retreat in Bali, licensing my art to top brands, and hosting a top-rated art podcast.
Tapping into my creativity gave me clarity, confidence, and a sense of calm—and it can do the same for you.
Let Me Guide You Step by Step
With gentle instruction, a welcoming community, and plenty of room to grow, Marks & Rhythm is here to support your creative journey.
Currency: While I'm based in Australia, all courses are priced in USD—the most widely recognised currency for a global audience. If you're purchasing in another currency, the amount will be converted at checkout by Stripe (for credit card payments) or PayPal. You can check an approximate conversion rate at xe.com.
Refund Policy: Once the course goes live on 31 March 2026, I'm unable to offer refunds, as all lessons are available immediately and the videos are downloadable. However, I understand that life happens. If something unexpected comes up, please reach out—I’m always happy to consider individual situations with care. You can email me at laurahornart@gmail.com.
Materials & Supplies
The Supply list may look quite extensive, but please don’t feel you need everything to begin.
This list is here to support you, not overwhelm you. You’re invited to use what you have, substitute freely, and keep things simple — often a limited selection of materials leads to the most beautiful and personal results.
The course follows a gentle progression, helping you build confidence as your ideas develop from simple marks into finished paintings.
Warm Up Exercises
We begin with simple, exploratory exercises that activate your creativity and introduce key ideas around mark-making, rhythm, and composition. These exercises help take away the pressure of the blank page and encourage a more playful approach.
Sketchbook Explorations
Next, I’ll show you how valuable working in a small sketchbook can be. You’ll see how sketchbooks allow you to explore more freely, notice emerging ideas, and begin developing your own visual language.
Paintings on Paper
In the final section, we take ideas from our sketchbooks and develop them into larger, finished abstract paintings on paper. You’ll learn how to build on your earlier explorations and create pieces that feel balanced, cohesive, and true to your style.
Move Through the Lessons at Your Own Pace
There’s no set order you have to follow. You’re welcome to move through the lessons one by one or skip ahead to the project that’s calling your name. Trust your instincts and make this course your own. You’ll have lifetime access, so you can revisit the lessons anytime you need a creative reset.
The main projects in Marks & Rhythm include:
Making a Mess: Letting Go of the Blank Page
Abstract Grid Studies
Using a Small Sketchbook for Abstract Exploration
Continuing Your Sketchbook Practice
Rhythmic Mark-Making Paintings
Unexpected Tools, Expressive Marks
Organic Nest Paintings
Textural Stripe Paintings
Love from past students……
Bree Edge
I don't think it is too bold of me to say that my art improved immediately. I now have people regularly asking to purchase my work, which is incredibly rewarding. These classes have helped to feed my creativity immeasurably, and I am forever hanging out for the next one!
Xueling Lee
Laura presents incredibly useful tips in a structured way, while still providing space and encouragement for students to pursue their own creative instincts. I used to think abstracts were beyond me, and thanks to Laura, I now only paint abstracts! I’ve watched all her classes literally countless times, and yet each time, I still find something new.
Gunjan Bhargava
Laura Horn is a brilliant teacher. I have taken all of her classes. They are like meditation to me and have given me skills in mixed media, abstracts, botanicals and so much more. I am waiting eagerly for her new course to begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the course start?
The course starts on 31 March 2026. At this time, all lessons will be available to view and/or download in the classroom.
How long do I have access?
You’ll have lifetime access. After enrolling, you can return to the videos and resources anytime, and you’re welcome to download the lessons to keep forever.
What level is the course suitable for?
The course is designed for beginners and more experienced artists. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re looking for fresh ideas, the lessons are taught in a calm, approachable way that makes it easy to follow along.
Do I need all the supplies listed?
Not at all. You can start with what you already have and add materials as you go. Each class includes its own supply list inside the classroom, and many students like to watch the lessons first before deciding what to use. My teaching style is flexible and encourages you to adapt the projects to suit your own preferences.
Do I need high-speed internet?
You’ll need a reliable internet connection to stream or download the video lessons.
Why are your classes priced in USD?
Most of my students are international, and pricing in USD keeps things consistent. My teaching platform is US-based as well. Your bank or PayPal will convert the amount to your local currency at checkout, and you can use a converter like xe.com if you'd like an estimate beforehand.
Is there an online community?
Yes. After joining, you’ll receive details on how to request access to the Laura Horn Art Facebook community—a warm place to share your work and connect with others. You’re also welcome to use the hashtag #laurahornartclasses.
What is the refund policy?
Once the course goes live on 31 March 2026, I'm unable to offer refunds, as all lessons are available immediately and the videos are downloadable. If something unexpected comes up or the course isn’t what you hoped for, please reach out. I’m always happy to consider individual circumstances with care.
You can contact me at laurahornart@gmail.com.
Join for $60 USD (regular price $75)
Your 20% discount will be applied when you enter ABSTRACT20 at checkout.
Get instant lifetime access to all lessons when the course begins on 31 March 2026.