THREE CLASSES BUNDLE:
TREE CLASS and ARCHITECTURE CLASS
and ABSTRACT LANDSCAPE CLASS
IN WATERCOLOR AND MIXED MEDIA
Tree Class
Watercolor and Mixed Media
Discover the beauty of trees through watercolor and mixed media in this recorded live class, where I guide you through my complete artistic approach to painting trees with confidence and creativity.
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What Youâll Learn:Â
 Understanding Different Types of Trees â Explore how to approach various tree shapes.
 Composition & Golden Ratio â Learn how to arrange trees effectively within your artwork using strong composition principles, including the golden ratio for balance and harmony.
 Essential Techniques in Watercolor & Mixed Media â Master a variety of watercolor techniques combined with drawing pens, fountain pens, and watercolor pencils to enhance textures and details.
 Creating Textures & Natural Effects â Discover how to bring tree trunks and foliage to life using different materials and layering methods.
 Effortless Painting Approach â Learn how to achieve a loose, expressive style that looks natural and effortless.
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Whatâs Included in the Class:Â
- 4 Sketches & Composition Studies (A4 / 8x10â) â Practice different tree types, composition ideas, and techniques.
- Final Large Artwork (A3 / 12x16â) â Apply everything youâve learned in an improvisational painting session, using all the techniques from our studies.
- Step-by-Step Recorded Live Class â Learn at your own pace with unlimited access, so you can revisit lessons anytime.Â
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This class is designed to give you a solid foundation in painting trees, so you can confidently create your own tree paintings from reference or imagination.
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Access is NOT time limited!Â
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Click below to join the class and start painting today!
Architecture Sketching Class
Watercolor and Mixed Media
Recorded online Live class - 3 hours
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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:Â
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!
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Abstract Landscape Class
Watercolor and Mixed Media
Pre-recorded lessons + recorded online Live class 3 hours 30 minutes
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 Class Structure
 Part 1 â Self-Paced LearningÂ
You get access to three prerecorded lessons that you can watch at your own pace. Each lesson comes with guided homework assignments to help you practice.
What youâll learn in Part 1:
*Â How to Work with References â Choosing inspiring starting points, combining multiple references effectively.
*Â Composition Made Easy â Simple steps to create strong and engaging compositions.
*Â Exploring Mixed Media â How to combine watercolor with dry materials (graphite, pencils, crayons) and layer gouache/acrylic to create contrasts and textures.
* Hands-on Homework â Selecting references, sketching compositions, choosing color palettes, and practicing texture techniques.
Part 2Â â Recorded Live Zoom Session (March 1, 2025)
In this 3-hour live session, we create a series of 4 paintings together, applying the techniques learned in Part 1. I demonstrate step by step, and you can either follow along with my references or use your own. Â
GET THE BUNDLE AND START CREATING!
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MATERIALS WE USE IN A CLASSES:Â
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Paper
- Â 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 & dry materials:
- 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.
- In Abstract Class we also use the following:
- Watercolor pencils and/or watercolor crayons.
- Several acrylic markers - colors you love. If you don't have any and need to buy - it could black and white thinest nib, plus 1-2 colors you love a lot in thicker size of nib 3-5mm
- If you have acrylic inks or liquid watercolor or other inks, you can use them also. There is no need to buy, if you don't have any.
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.
- 1-3 synthetic brushes for gouache or acrylic, it could be flat brush in one size, if you have more - take one flat in a bigger size and one round size 6-8
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: 2Bâ4B 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.
- Paper towels
- Plastic card or palette knife
- Printing roller
- Wooden stick
This setup ensures youâre 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.Â
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. Â
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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