“Shadows on the Teche” Watercolor Rendering Series – Class 3: Plan

Please join the ICAA Louisiana Chapter and Designer, Charles Shafer of Skurman Architects, for a virtual half-day studio introducing the techniques of Beaux-Arts architectural watercolor wash rendering. The class will cover the basic skills of stretching and painting techniques on a classical plan of "The Shadows on the Teche." Topics to be covered include the use of line weights, light, shade, shadow, and reflected light to produce a formal rendering.

Materials Required/Recommended (*Required are found in BOLD*):

Setup:

• Good Direct or adjustable downlight ~3000K temperature
• Large Flat Work Surface @ Countertop Height if Possible
• Cold Pressed Watercolor Paper - Arches brand or similar - 90lb or 120lb large enough to accommodate drawing, border, and 1-1.5 inches for taping / stapling
• Extra Watercolor paper for color testing - comes in small blocks. Scraps and exposed borders of working sheets are also usable.
• Rigid board at least an inch bigger on all sides than your WC sheet - use wood if stapling
• 4 Big books that you can make into two equal height stacks
• 10 or more small glass or WHITE ceramic containers - lids helpful but not necessary
• Roll of Paper Towels
• Masking Tape (Scotch 2380 if you can get it)
• Drafting pencil, Lead, Sharpener
• Straight edge
• Exacto Knife or Similar
• Mr Clean Magic Eraser
• Staples and Staple Gun if stapling
• 1 Plastic Trash Bag
• Small or medium 45 degree triangle

Paper:

• One 22x30 sheet of 90lb cold press WC paper cut in half to make (2) 11X15 sheets. Can be found at any typical art store.
• Prior to the class we will send the drawing scaled at 3/16” = 1’-0” on 11x17 to be traced or drawn directly onto the watercolor paper.

Brushes:

• 3-4 round watercolor brushes evenly distributed across sizes 2-14
• Animal hair preferred
• Should flick to sharp point when wet - don't be afraid to test in the store
• 1 cheap mixing brush ~ size 10
• 1 4-5" long flat canvas wetting brush or other large brush (optional)
• Ruling Pen (optional)

Paints:

• Smallest tube size is fine.
• As you continue painting, you may find you're going through New Gamboge fastest.
• Winsor Newton Professional WC Paints recommended.
• Palette paints can be used to make washes, but tube paints are easier.

Essential Paints:

• Winsor Blue - Red Shade
• New Gamboge
• Alizarin Crimson
• Lamp Black

Optional Earth Tones:

• Yellow Ochre
• Burnt Sienna
• Light Red
• Burnt Umber

Time Savers:

• Hooker's Green
• Winsor Violet

Prerequisites:

• Draw or trace Plan of The Shadows on the Teche on prepared Watercolor paper. The Plan and a video of how to prepare the paper will be emailed to you upon signing up.

Cost:

• $25.00 for ICAA student members with student ID
• $50.00 for ICAA members
• $60.00 for general admission

Charles Shafer is a graduate of the master's program at the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture. He is a two time recipient of the Castagna Foundation Fellowship for Graduate Study of Architecture. He has worked as an artist and designer both on individual commission, and for various firms in the U.S. and France. In practice at Skurman Architects in San Francisco, Mr. Shafer specializes in the integration of new technology such as virtual reality, computer rendering, and BIM with traditional design practices. At Notre Dame, Shafer studied Ecole de Beaux Arts techniques primarily under Richard Economakis: world renowned traditional architect, and regular collaborator with the Prince's Foundation. A native of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, and a former high school science teacher, Shafer values a diversity of perspectives on architecture and the word. Since humans everywhere seek beauty and connection, especially at this difficult time, Shafer believes that painting - and by extension, traditional, place-based architecture - can address our needs, as perhaps the most humanistic conveyance of beauty available to us.

**The third class will be recorded. The class will be accessible via Dropbox link to paying participants until June 2021. The link will be sent out within a week after the class.

This event is hosted by an ICAA Chapter. Please check the Chapter website or contact the Chapter directly, for the most up-to-date details including dates, times, and pricing.