Paint Venice in Watercolor with Artist Derek Gundy
Join us for a special watercolor workshop inspired by the enchanting architecture of Venice. In this learning opportunity, you'll learn to paint architectural elements, focusing on the interplay of light, shadow, and water reflections.
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Derek Gundy has made it clear that Italy is one of his passions in his painting - having traveled throughout Northern Italy many times, the artist's metaphor for a return visit can happen through the painting process.
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Workshop Participants will learn how to simplify subject matter while also implying beautiful details & patterns, crafting successful light & shadow, & water reflections in the ancient canals of Venice.
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Derek will design a brand new painting especially for this workshop that will include similar elements used in "Choices" (below). Windows, Doors, Light, Shadow, Water, & the beautiful decay of Venice will all be part of your painting.
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This workshop is suitable for intermediate to advanced watercolorists looking to challenge themselves and refine their skills. If you have questions about whether this workshop is suitable for you, you can contact Derek directly with your questions at classe@blackbarnfineartstudio.com
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Learn to paint architectural elements in light & shadow like this:
Watercolorist Derek Gundy
"Choices" Watercolor of Manin Home in Venice, Italy
If you've had some experience with watercolor, and have quality materials and the desire to learn, you can achieve success in this workshop.
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While drawing skills are helpful, Derek will be providing the line drawing for the special painting everyone will do, so you can dive right in to learning the watercolor technique, instead of having to build the entire thing from scratch.
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Time is another element (over the days) that will give us the ability to build a successful painting.
"Father & Daughter" - watercolor of Campo Manin in Venice (same building in "Choices") in the distance.
Reflections are different than shadows and they have very different rules to learn. The water affects the way that reflections are distributed - and it is a very important visual element of Venice.
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What better medium to paint water with than watercolor? Venice is a huge city built on the waters and mud flats of a lagoon, and is decaying as part of the location. Watercolor lends itself beautifully to this aesthetic.
"Palazzo Franchetti" Watercolor of Palace
on Grand Canal near Academia Bridge.
"Calle Larga Rosa" - Watercolor Painting of Laundry Day in Castello neighborhood of Venice, Italy
"A Glimpse of the Lake" - Watercolor Painting,
Varenna, Lake Como, Italy
Recommended Supplies For Shades of Italy Workshop
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Paints
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Students who have some experience & watercolor likely have plenty of colors for this class - there will be several exercises in the class, but the main project will consist of a detail of Derek's Venice Painting "Choices" - recently featured on M. Graham's limited edition watercolor set - Shades of Italy - Venice Reflections. If you own this new set, these would be the exact colors used in the painting. If you have similar colors that will work fine as well.
You don't need to have these exact colors for the workshop, but these M. Graham Colors in this set are the EXACT colors I created this painting with.
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Individual Colors in the set: Napthol Red, Prussian Blue, Sap Green, Burnt Sienna, Ivory Black, & Tartan Blue
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Other Colors I enjoy using (but not necessary): Cobalt Blue, Hansa Yellow, Payne's Gray
Brushes
You can certainly bring what you have - but here are some of my favorites
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1/2" Cat's Tongue Brush (also called oval wash sometimes) - I love this type of brush because it can cover large areas well but also has a point for thinner brush strokes
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Flat brush - sometimes i will use these to paint bricks or more rectangular building elements - close to 3/16" or 1/4" might be helpful for this workshop
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#6, 7, or 8 medium size round watercolor brush - great all purpose brush
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#0 Watercolor Brush - liner or rigger - much longer hairs and these are great for details
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I use Silver Brush and you can buy their brushes directly on their website, or also find them on other websites where art supplies are sold. Please get in touch with me directly if you have questions about brushes or any of the supplies at classes@blackbarnfineartstudio.com
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Other Essential Supplies
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Gator Board - large enough to tape your watercolor paper down to - a 14x20 piece would be an appropriate size for the main painting in the workshop
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Painter's Tape
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Watercolor Paper - Arches 140# Hot Press - this is what I use and I recommend you use the same paper
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Watercolor Palette - make sure you have one with some larger areas for mixing
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We have paper towels & yogurt cups for water
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Please bring your lunch on both days - we have a refrigerator & microwave on site that you may use.
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