TWO CLASSES BUNDLE:
TREE CLASS AND ARCHITECTURE CLASS
IN WATERCOLOR AND MIXED MEDIA
Tree Class
Watercolor and Mixed Media
Recorded online Live class - 3 hours 30 minutes
Dive into the world of watercolor with this in-depth workshop recording! In this session, we explore techniques to create stunning sketches and a final artwork inspired by nature.
What You’ll Learn:
🌿 Create 4 sketches and composition studies using watercolor and additional materials like drawing pens, fountain pens, and watercolor pencils.
🌳 Master the techniques I use to paint expressive effortless looking trees, working on smaller sizes (A4 or 8x10”).
🎨 Bring it all together in a larger artwork (A3 or 12x16”) as an improvisational piece, incorporating everything we’ve learned.
Architecture Sketching Class
Watercolor and Mixed Media
Recorded online Live class - 3 hours
In this class I show 2 different and simple but very effective visual techniques for architecture sketching that help to deal with two main problems in painting architecture:
How to manage the space of painting from loaded with details complicated reference - how we decide what to paint and what to ignore, how to create a composition.
How to paint architecture subject that looks flat and/or boring - how to decide which visual contrasts to use to show the best of the subject, how to build the composition in this case.
For this in first part I show examples and explain the approach, we sketch thumbnails and make all needed decisions prior the painting.
And then we paint two different architecture scenes: one with flat and boring subject and second from the scene with a lot of details and visual information.
This class is suitable for both beginners and experienced artists looking to enhance their skills and find new creative approaches.
Two different approaches:
1. How to paint architecture subject that looks flat and/or boring - how to decide which visual contrasts to use to show the best of the subject, how to build the composition in this case
2. How to manage the space of painting from loaded with details complicated reference - how we decide what to paint and what to ignore, how to create a composition
Both approaches work with no getting into linear perspective and get lost there. So if architecture is a bit scary subject for you, these 2 could make your creative process easier and get more satisfaction in a result!
MATERIALS WE USE IN A CLASS:
Paper
- 2 sheets of A3 (30x40 cm or larger) 300 gsm cold press, 100% cotton watercolor paper
- For sketches: loose sheets or a sketchbook for working with graphic materials
Paints
Your usual watercolor paints set
Colors - complete freedom of creativity, the class is not limited to specific colors.
All the colors that I use could be replaced with others.
I would talk about and explain my general approach to colors choice and explain why it is not so important to have exactly the same colors.
In Architecture Class I use French ultramarine, Opaque orange and Opaque red - for example cadmium orange, cadmium red.
However for your convenience you will find colors that I use almost in all my paintings in class materials as PDF file after registration.
Brushes
- Hake brush with a wide soft hair for wetting the paper.
- Also your usual work kit: it is important that you have brushes that are convenient for you to work with in several sizes - both for large washes and for details
- It is advisable to have a liner brush with a small diameter and a long hair - it can be a classic rigger or you could use Chinese calligraphy brushes of different sizes.
For your convenience you will find PDF file with brushes I use in class materials after registration.
Other Tools
- Water bowl (x2).
- Spray bottle with clean water.
- Pencil: 2B–4B or charcoal for sketches, and a kneaded eraser or regular eraser.
- Fountain pen or liners in different sizes (3,5 will be good)
- Watercolor pencils and/or markers.
This setup ensures you’re fully equipped for exploring both watercolor and graphic techniques in architectural sketches!
What my students say
Carl
What can I say about Sophia Rodionov, Artist and creative. Well I signed up for a 3 hour architecture course in January having followed her work for a short while on Instagram.
All the communication and instructions leading up to this were perfectly clear and understandable, showing plenty of care and diligence for her 'brand'.
On the day the tech all worked fine through Zoom and we all got started. I thoroughly enjoyed the first part regarding composition and framing. Sophia's work resonates with me as I paint a lot of architecture myself and needed to take my sketching and drawing on a level. I didn't realise this course would have such an impact. I am not a trained artist and could tell Sophia was. It really helped me understand composition better and reinforced some ideas already in my head but also gave me the tools to work with.
The explanations were clear with chances to ask questions. No pressure to show work or even have your camera on or join in. I did though and made it so much better for me.
Thank you Sophia for a wonderful insight into your creative world. Nothing was too much trouble and wish you the very best going forward. Hopefully I'll be around again for more, all things permitting.
I highly recommend Sophia's courses if your interested in improving your art and like her style. Relaxed, calm, knowledgeable and confident. All you need in a mentor and tutor. Thank you.
Anthony
I sat through Sophia's online Architecture Zoom session, but had to take a break in the middle, which was no problem as the course was recorded and I was able to catch up watching the full 3 hours in my own time during the following week. The course itself was very informative for me, as I have no formal training but so far only copied others to improve my skill. The difference with Sophia's approach was refreshing as she explained very well the thought process required to produce an attractive piece of artwork, but also to apply to any future projects. I am now looking forward to applying the principles she taught to produce work that I can say is in my own style, rather than a copy of someone else's. The session was informative and detailed and technically good, and source materials were also provided. I can recommend Sophia's teaching skills to anyone wishing to develop the thought processes required to develop your own approach to art.
Sewall
Dear Sophie, I just wanted to express my gratitude for the Architectural Painting workshop you hosted on Saturday. I was only able to stay "live" for the first painting, but have been watching and studying the recording, and will be putting your advice into practice soon. I very much appreciated your advice on composition and how to interpret a reference photo. I find myself trying to capture everything in a reference, and you really opened my eyes as to how to let go of some of that and express things more individually and uniquely and less photorealistically. You also showed me that proportion and perspective don't have to be as challenging as I tend to make them.
And your unique style of expression is so interesting. Your paintings are so beautifully rendered.
Parisa
Hey Sophia! It was a great class! I learned a lot in three hours and mostly your material was new to me! I'm so glad I gifted myself your class and I'm so excited that you have taught me exactly what I was looking for. I was feeling stuck for so long and this is now just a turning point to me.
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