Workshops by Julia Barminova in Eindhoven

THE ARCHITECTURE OF LIGHT - 5 March

A Watercolour Workshop in Architectural Painting & Urban Sketching

Architecture is one of the most fascinating subjects in watercolour — a combination of structure and atmosphere, precise drawing and expressive washes, solid forms and constantly changing light.

In this workshop, we will bring together two essential skills: architectural drawing and watercolour technique. You will learn how to understand the structure of  objects, simplify complex subjects, work confidently with perspective and proportions, and use light and shadow to create depth, volume and atmosphere.

The workshop is inspired by the experience of painting while travelling. I love observing cities through the eyes of an artist — looking beyond individual details and searching for the rhythm, light and character of a place. Whether you are painting at a café table, on a busy street, by the waterfront or back in the studio, the challenge is often the same: how do you capture a complex architectural scene without getting lost in the details?

Throughout the workshop, we will explore how to select a subject, build a strong composition and simplify architectural forms before moving into watercolour. We will look at perspective and proportions, the relationship between light and shadow, and the ways in which colour and expressive washes can create a convincing sense of space and atmosphere.

Rather than trying to reproduce every window, brick or ornament, we will focus on learning to see the bigger picture — understanding what is essential, what can be simplified and what can be left out.

This workshop is designed for anyone who wants to feel more confident painting architecture in watercolour — whether in the studio, from travel references or directly on location.

What you will gain from the workshop:

• A stronger understanding of perspective, proportions and architectural drawing;

• The ability to simplify complex urban subjects and create clear, balanced compositions;

• A deeper understanding of light and shadow and how they create volume and depth;

• Practical watercolour techniques for depicting architecture, textures and atmosphere;

• Greater confidence in painting architectural subjects both in the studio and en plein air.

The goal is to learn not only how to paint architecture, but how to see it — as an interplay of structure, space, colour, light and shadow.

PAINTING ATLANTIC - 6-7 March

A Watercolour Workshop in Seascapes, Water & Movement

Watercolour is a unique medium for capturing the ever-changing nature of the sea. Its transparency, fluidity and unpredictability echo the qualities of water itself, making it possible to convey everything from quiet reflections and gentle ripples to the energy of breaking waves.

In this workshop, we will explore the connection between the nature of watercolour and the nature of the sea. You will learn how to use the unique qualities of the medium to create depth, movement and atmosphere, and how to choose the right approach for different states of water.

The sea has always been one of the central subjects of my work. During my travels, I have painted in fishing villages, harbours and major port cities, observing how constantly water changes with the weather, light and surrounding landscape. Now, living close to the Atlantic Ocean in Portugal, I have the opportunity to observe these transformations every day.

From calm anchorages and transparent shallows to surf and powerful ocean waves, each state of water presents a different artistic challenge. Throughout the workshop, we will study how to convey the dynamics of waves, the texture of foam, reflections on the surface and the transparency of still water, finding a balance between control and the natural freedom of watercolour.

Rather than simply copying the appearance of water, we will focus on understanding its structure, movement and rhythm — and on finding the watercolour techniques that allow us to express them naturally.

This workshop is designed for anyone who has dreamed of painting the sea in watercolour, as well as artists who want to deepen their skills and gain greater confidence in the genre of seascape painting.

What you will gain from the workshop:

• A deeper understanding of how to use the unique qualities of watercolour to depict different states of water;

• Practical techniques for creating depth, transparency, reflections and movement;

• An understanding of how to paint waves, foam, spray and the changing surface of the sea;

• Greater freedom in balancing expressive washes with carefully chosen details;

• Confidence in painting seascapes both in the studio and en plein air.

  
  

Day 1: Painting the Surface of the Sea

On the first day, we will focus on the sea’s surface — reflections, ripples, transparency and the play of light across moving water.

You will learn how to work with colour relationships and gradients, create a convincing sense of depth, and use the transparency of watercolour to suggest the subtle movement of calm water. We will explore how small changes in tone, colour and brushwork can transform a flat painted surface into water filled with light and space.

Day 2: Crashing Waves and the Sea in Motion

On the second day, we will turn to the energy and movement of breaking waves.

We will explore how to understand the structure of a wave before painting it, how to convey its direction and force, and how to depict foam, spray and splashes without losing the freshness of the watercolour. We will combine bold, expressive washes with carefully selected details to create a convincing sense of movement and the dramatic beauty of the sea in motion.

The goal is not only to learn how to paint water, but how to understand its movement, recognise its changing character and translate the experience of the sea into watercolour.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Julia Barminova is a watercolour artist whose work is deeply connected to travel, architecture and the sea. Since 2012, she has been developing her practice in watercolour, combining classical drawing principles with a personal approach to colour, light and the expressive possibilities of the medium.

Her inspiration comes from travelling to fishing villages, coastal towns and major port cities around the world, where she observes and paints the relationship between architecture, water, boats and the changing atmosphere of a place. Her series “Islands in the Stream” reflects this long-standing fascination with maritime environments and life around the water.

Now based in Portugal, Julia finds continuous inspiration in the Atlantic coast and the daily presence of the ocean. Alongside her studio practice, she teaches watercolour through workshops and demonstrations internationally, sharing an approach that combines observation, strong drawing foundations and the freedom of watercolour.

At the heart of her teaching is the idea that technique is not an end in itself, but a way of learning to see more clearly — and of translating the experience of a place, its light and atmosphere, into painting.