This course provides the students with a solid understanding on the fundamentals of drawing and painting with watercolors. It focuses on observation, with an emphasis on the creative interpretation of nature and open air painting. The workshop offers some studio sessions, but mostly landscaping work around Granada, presenting its historical legacy and natural views to the amateur painter.
Additional requirements:
Students will need to purchase the follow materials:
A Journal or Sketchbook
Pencils (5H, 2HB, 2B, 4B, 6B)
Graphite pencils (2HB, 2B, 4B, 6B)
Good quality Paper, with different colours and textures (Canson Paper, Ingres, Fabriano, Arches, Magnani...)
Watercolour paper
Soft brushes
Watercolour painting tubes Ultramarine Blue, Cadmium Medium Yellow, Madder Lake Crimson
Colour mixing palette
Paper cloth
*A board will be provided to each student. Total cost of materials should cost approximately $25-30 USD.
Additional student cost:
$25-30 USD
Attendance policy:
Attendance is strictly mandatory, within the specific attendance policies of the Granada center.
Learning outcomes:
By the end of course, students will be able
To draw with a greater freedom of expression and understanding of techniques and methods.
To create one’s own work of art, both by drawing on the values and expertise of artists from the past as well as by engaging with personal and unique styles, talents and personal histories.
To interpret basic artistic theory and form.
To use critical skills in order to describe, analyze, interpret and evaluate one´s works and the works of others.
To optimize the use of the history, the architecture and the landscape of Granada as a source of inspiration for creative expression.
To develop a personal connection with Granada and Andalusia, and to channel it into new avenues towards personal development.
Method of presentation:
The course consists of a combination of drawing, painting sessions and tutorials. Demonstrations will be given in order to introduce the students to various techniques. The students will learn how to sketch, draw, and paint with watercolors by practicing throughout weekly sessions. The course is divided into two sections: The first one, working with still life at the studio; the second, working outdoors in Andalusian gardens, monuments and other locations in and around Granada. The course takes the students from a beginning or intermediate level through the various steps of approaching watercolor: Tools, composition, and art subjects. There is a particular focus on learning to mix color in order to be able to explore the potential of the medium. Individual guidance is given to the students, helping them to develop their personal style.
Required work and form of assessment:
JOURNAL: Students must keep a journal as testimony of their preparatory and observational work done while they are in Granada; journals must have a written component, with annotations and reflections, as well as critical reactions to the required readings, and some recommended readings. It will also serve as a permanent sketchbook. Journals will be checked weekly and discussed in class, since they are the ongoing proof of students’ effort, progress, application of techniques, and ability to filter visual information. They will be evaluated twice.
PORTFOLIO: Students, in agreement with the instructor, will work on various drawing and painting projects, leading to a final portfolio and an open exhibit of selected works.
PAPER: Students must write a 5-7 page paper studying the work of one major artist of their choice.
Journal review 40% (15% mid-term review, 25% final review)
Portfolio of class projects 30%
Written study about one major artist 20%
Active class participation 10%
content:
Form, value, line and proportions will be studied as means of determining space, shape, volume and composition. The lessons include the study of the watercolor painting technique, the study of color theory (tone, light, value as well as interaction of color) and the analysis of the structure of a painting. Furthermore, the workshop will permit students to fully understand, appreciate and enjoy the city of Granada, and have a record of their own personal relationship with the city and its surrounding area through their paintings.
Month 1: Drawing Techniques
Week 1
1. Materials and drawing methods
2. Basic compositional skills. Study of still life
Weekly assignment: Two complete drawings in pencil
Reading: ABDELOUAHAB, Farid. Cuadernos de Viaje. Crónicas de tierras desconocidas: Introducción.
Week 2
3. Shade and light: “chiaroscuro”
4. Techniques in shading
Weekly assignment: Two complete drawings in pencil
Week 3
5. Observing and analyzing a master artist
6. Drawing created by each student based on the analysis of a master artist’s work
Weekly project: Major artist (basic study towards paper)
Week 4
7. Negative-positive values: The use of toned papers.
8 . Detailed final drawing. Location: Museo de Bellas Artes, Granada/ Museo de la Fundación Gómez- Moreno/ Museo de la Alhambra
Weekly assignment : One complete drawing and exercises on personal sketchbook
Month 2: Introduction to Watercolor Techniques
Week 5
9. Introduction to watercolor techniques
10. Color exercises and color graphs
Mid-term journal/sketchbook and portfolio revision
Reading: THE ROYAL WATERCOLOUR SOCIETY. The Watercolour Expert: Insights into working Methods and Approaches: Colour and Wash
Week 6
11. Cold colors
12. Composition with cold colors
Weekly assignment: Two watercolors
Week 7
13. Warm colors
14. Composition with warm colors
Weekly assignment: Two watercolors
Week 8
16. Wet on wet techniques. Location: Casas del Chapiz, Granada
17. Open air exercises. Location: Casas del Chapiz, Granada
Weekly assignment: Two watercolors
Month 3: Open air Painting, directly from landscape
Week 9
18. Landscape: Definition, elements. Alhambra views. Location: Carmen de la Victoria
19. Open air sketches. Location: Lecrín Valley
Weekly assignment: Two watercolors
Reading: VARELA SIMÓ, Juan M. Dibujar la Naturaleza: Introducción.
Week 10
20. Views at an angle and perspective.
21. Studies with perspective. Locations: Plaza de Bib Rambla, Plaza de la Universidad, Calle Escuelas.
Project: Architecture
Week 11
22. Nature and City: Natural and human landscape. Location: Fundación Rodríguez-Acosta/ Carmen de los Mártires, Granada
23. Studies on Nature and Architecture. Location: Fundación Rodríguez-Acosta/ Carmen de los Mártires, Granada
Project: Landscape
Week 12
24. Historical sites: Towards a romantic view of landscape. Locations: Acera del Darro, Paseo de los Tristes , Albayzín
25. Final sketchbook and portfolio revision
Required readings:
ABDELOUAHAB, Farid. Cuadernos de Viaje. Crónicas de tierras desconocidas. Editorial Planeta, 2006
CALERO CALERO, Francisco, ed. Viajeros por la España romántica: Colección de cincuenta litografías de los pintores David Roberts, John Frederic Lewis, Nicolas Chapuy, Rouargue, Pérez Villaamil. Editor Guillermo Blazquez, 2008
DA VINCI, Leonardo. Notebooks. Oxford World’s Classics, Oxford University Press, 2008
THE ROYAL WATERCOLOUR SOCIETY. The Watercolour Expert: Insights into working Methods and Approaches. Octopus Publishing Group, 2004
VARELA SIMÓ, Juan M. Dibujar la Naturaleza. Editorial Serbal, 1997
VAN GOGH, Vincent; DE ORAÁ, Francisco; GARCÍA LÓPEZ, David.Cartas a Théo. Alianza Editorial, 2009
Recommended readings:
Drawing
DOVER ART LIBRARY SERIES. Dover Publications Inc.
- American Drawings and Prints: from Benjamin West to Edward Hopper, 2009
- Old Masters Landscape Drawings: 44 works, 1993
FIGURA, Starr; LOWRY, Glenn D. Lucien Freud: The Painter’s Etchings. The Museum of Modern Art, New York, 2007
NEW, Jennifer. Drawing From Life. The Journal as Art. Princeton Architectural Press, 2005
On Painters and Landscape
BORGHESI, Silvia. Hopper: Realidad y poesía del mito americano. Electa España, 2000
CREPALDI, Gabriele. Turner y Constable: Naturaleza, luz y color en el romanticismo inglés. Electa España, 2000
DELACROIX, Eugène; DAGUERRE DE HUREAUX, Alain. Viaje a Marruecos, acuarelas. Bibliothèque de l'Image, Paris, 2000
GAUGUIN, Paul; JIMÉNEZ CARRILLO DE ALBORNOZ, Mª Dolores; MORÁN TURINA, José Miguel. Escritos de un salvaje, Edit. Istmo, 2000
LLORENS, Tomás. Sargent-Sorolla (Catálogo de la Exposición). Fundación Thyssen-Bornemisza, 2006
QUESADA DORADOR, Eduardo; SÁNCHEZ MESA MARTÍN, Domingo. Paisajes de Granada de Joaquín Sorolla. Universidad de Granada, 1997
Brief Biography of Instructor:
Ana Hernández Walta has a Bachelor´s and a Master´s in Fine Arts, both from the University of Granada. She taught drawing and painting for several American programs in Florence, spent a year as a visiting language assistant a Bowdoin College, and has been teaching Islamic Art and Architecture at IES Granada since 2005. In addition to her academic work, she is an accomplished painter. http://anahwalta.wordpress.com/
This course provides the students with a solid understanding on the fundamentals of drawing and painting with watercolors. It focuses on observation, with an emphasis on the creative interpretation of nature and open air painting. The workshop offers some studio sessions, but mostly landscaping work around Granada, presenting its historical legacy and natural views to the amateur painter.
Students will need to purchase the follow materials:
*A board will be provided to each student. Total cost of materials should cost approximately $25-30 USD.
$25-30 USD
Attendance is strictly mandatory, within the specific attendance policies of the Granada center.
By the end of course, students will be able
The course consists of a combination of drawing, painting sessions and tutorials. Demonstrations will be given in order to introduce the students to various techniques. The students will learn how to sketch, draw, and paint with watercolors by practicing throughout weekly sessions. The course is divided into two sections: The first one, working with still life at the studio; the second, working outdoors in Andalusian gardens, monuments and other locations in and around Granada. The course takes the students from a beginning or intermediate level through the various steps of approaching watercolor: Tools, composition, and art subjects. There is a particular focus on learning to mix color in order to be able to explore the potential of the medium. Individual guidance is given to the students, helping them to develop their personal style.
JOURNAL: Students must keep a journal as testimony of their preparatory and observational work done while they are in Granada; journals must have a written component, with annotations and reflections, as well as critical reactions to the required readings, and some recommended readings. It will also serve as a permanent sketchbook. Journals will be checked weekly and discussed in class, since they are the ongoing proof of students’ effort, progress, application of techniques, and ability to filter visual information. They will be evaluated twice.
PORTFOLIO: Students, in agreement with the instructor, will work on various drawing and painting projects, leading to a final portfolio and an open exhibit of selected works.
PAPER: Students must write a 5-7 page paper studying the work of one major artist of their choice.
Form, value, line and proportions will be studied as means of determining space, shape, volume and composition. The lessons include the study of the watercolor painting technique, the study of color theory (tone, light, value as well as interaction of color) and the analysis of the structure of a painting. Furthermore, the workshop will permit students to fully understand, appreciate and enjoy the city of Granada, and have a record of their own personal relationship with the city and its surrounding area through their paintings.
Month 1: Drawing Techniques
Week 1
1. Materials and drawing methods
2. Basic compositional skills. Study of still life
Weekly assignment: Two complete drawings in pencil
Reading: ABDELOUAHAB, Farid. Cuadernos de Viaje. Crónicas de tierras desconocidas: Introducción.
Week 2
3. Shade and light: “chiaroscuro”
4. Techniques in shading
Weekly assignment: Two complete drawings in pencil
Week 3
5. Observing and analyzing a master artist
6. Drawing created by each student based on the analysis of a master artist’s work
Weekly project: Major artist (basic study towards paper)
Week 4
7. Negative-positive values: The use of toned papers.
8 . Detailed final drawing. Location: Museo de Bellas Artes, Granada/ Museo de la Fundación Gómez- Moreno/ Museo de la Alhambra
Weekly assignment : One complete drawing and exercises on personal sketchbook
Month 2: Introduction to Watercolor Techniques
Week 5
9. Introduction to watercolor techniques
10. Color exercises and color graphs
Mid-term journal/sketchbook and portfolio revision
Reading: THE ROYAL WATERCOLOUR SOCIETY. The Watercolour Expert: Insights into working Methods and Approaches: Colour and Wash
Week 6
11. Cold colors
12. Composition with cold colors
Weekly assignment: Two watercolors
Week 7
13. Warm colors
14. Composition with warm colors
Weekly assignment: Two watercolors
Week 8
16. Wet on wet techniques. Location: Casas del Chapiz, Granada
17. Open air exercises. Location: Casas del Chapiz, Granada
Weekly assignment: Two watercolors
Month 3: Open air Painting, directly from landscape
Week 9
18. Landscape: Definition, elements. Alhambra views. Location: Carmen de la Victoria
19. Open air sketches. Location: Lecrín Valley
Weekly assignment: Two watercolors
Reading: VARELA SIMÓ, Juan M. Dibujar la Naturaleza: Introducción.
Week 10
20. Views at an angle and perspective.
21. Studies with perspective. Locations: Plaza de Bib Rambla, Plaza de la Universidad, Calle Escuelas.
Project: Architecture
Week 11
22. Nature and City: Natural and human landscape. Location: Fundación Rodríguez-Acosta/ Carmen de los Mártires, Granada
23. Studies on Nature and Architecture. Location: Fundación Rodríguez-Acosta/ Carmen de los Mártires, Granada
Project: Landscape
Week 12
24. Historical sites: Towards a romantic view of landscape. Locations: Acera del Darro, Paseo de los Tristes , Albayzín
25. Final sketchbook and portfolio revision
Drawing
On Painters and Landscape
Ana Hernández Walta has a Bachelor´s and a Master´s in Fine Arts, both from the University of Granada. She taught drawing and painting for several American programs in Florence, spent a year as a visiting language assistant a Bowdoin College, and has been teaching Islamic Art and Architecture at IES Granada since 2005. In addition to her academic work, she is an accomplished painter. http://anahwalta.wordpress.com/