Depicting a Shopfront in Watercolour

Dates:

Tuesday 21st July – Wednesday 22nd July 2026

Timings: 11am – 5pm

Course Overview:

You will create an attractive full-colour painting of a shopfront in strong light and shade. We will cover drawing skills, one point perspective, understanding shadows, colour-mixing and different ways of applying watercolour. You will be taken through a structured approach which you can apply independently if painting your own architectural subject matter. A choice of carefully selected reference photos will be provided.

Who’s this course for?:

Beginner (some basic knowledge of subject)

Intermediate (some knowledge & experience)

A little drawing experience in any subject matter is recommended, as is a reasonable level of patience!

Watercolour experience is helpful but not essential.

What you’ll explore?:

*Drawing architecture: assessing relative measurements by eye, building from the centre out and aligning.

* One point perspective.

* Understanding and depicting shadow shapes to create a sense of form.

*.How to simplify signage and lettering.

* Different methods of applying and handling paint: laying flat washes and using wet-in-wet methods.

*Colour mixing

Learnings you’ll walk away with:

*A watercolour painting of a shopfront

*Knowledge to mix the colours you want.

*A basic understanding of one point perspective, when and how to use it.

*A systematic method you can apply to painting other architectural subject matter.

*Improved skills in applying watercolour paint.

Materials and supplies required:

A4 or A3 cartridge sketch pad ideally with tear out pages.

Approx. 6sheets of A4 or A3 tracing paper (not greaseproof paper).

Approx. 4 sheets of A4 or A3 watercolour paper (cold-pressed surface) Recommend Bockingford, Langton or Saunders Waterford. Avoid cheaper cellulose watercolour papers.

Selection of drawing pencils (e.g.HB, 2B, 4B, 6B).

Two coloured pencils (any colour).

Eraser (ideally a putty rubber).

30cm ruler.

Pencil sharpener or scalpel.

Roll of masking tape.

Set of watercolour paints. You will need a warm and cool version of red, yellow and blue (suggested: cadmium red, alizarin crimson, lemon yellow, cadmium yellow, ultramarine blue, cobalt blue, plus viridian or winsor green).

n.b. Cotman sketcher’s pocket set should contain the colours you need.

If you have a wider selection of colours than those listed above please bring.

Minimum 3 watercolour brushes: 1 wash brush ( flat or round headed) and 1 medium(size 5 – 8) round headed brush, plus one small round-headed (pointed) brush (size 1-3)

Palette

Optional: coloured pencils, set square, drawing pens, mechanical or very fine pencil, pair of bulldog clips, art masking fluid, white gouache paint.

What to wear:

This won’t be a messy class so please wear what you’re comfortable in. If you’re concerned about getting paint on your clothes you may want to bring an apron.

Please note: 

This workshop runs from 11.00am to 5.00pm. Due to a pre-arranged event taking place beforehand, please arrive between 10.45am and 11.00am. We kindly ask that you do not arrive before 10.30am.

About the tutor:
Emily Burton holds a BA in Graphic Design, specialising in illustration, and an MA in Drawing. With nearly twenty years’ experience teaching a wide range of art courses, she brings both expertise and enthusiasm to her classes.

Emily enjoys working with adults of all levels, valuing the humour, life experience and curiosity they bring. Her teaching is clear and structured, yet responsive to the needs and individuality of each student. She aims to create a supportive environment that nurtures confidence while also challenging those with more experience.

In both her teaching and personal practice, Emily encourages rigorous observation and creative experimentation.

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