Overview

Join the ICAA Chicago-Midwest chapter for interactive demonstrations and studio exercises on painting watercolor in the Beaux-Arts tradition. By applying traditional wash rendering methods to architectural drawings, students will receive an overview of topics such as watercolor tools and techniques and how to run different types of washes. Registration will include the option for participants to bring their own supplies, or to purchase a supply kit with the basic materials needed to complete the exercises.

Skill Level

This class is designed for the Beginning-to-Intermediate-level student. While some prior experience with watercolor will be helpful, it is not required.

Learning Objectives

Learn about the historic and contemporary roles of watercolor rendering in architectural design.
Learn about watercolor rendering tools and materials and how to use them.
Learn a step-by-step process for setting up wash renderings, including layout, drafting, and value studies.
Learn how to run the most common types of watercolor washes.

Format

This 6-hour class will combine an illustrated lecture with live demonstrations. The lecture will cover a brief history of architectural watercolors as well as examples of wash renderings and how those differ from watercolor sketches. The demonstrations will discuss watercolor tools, tips, and techniques and use them to apply watercolor pigments to architectural drawings. Drawings used for the final watercolor wash exercises will be provided to maximize the time available for running the washes, and will include a building elevation and bay detail.

Schedule

Saturday, August 3, 2024; 10-4 (CST)

10:00-11:00 Introduction to watercolor tools and materials

11:00-12:00 Demonstration and exercises: Running watercolor washes

12:00-1:00 Lunch (provided)

1:00-1:30 Value studies

1:30-4:00 Rendering exercises

Materials

The following materials will be available for purchase as a kit during the registration process. Students have the option of bringing their own materials instead. (In this case, similar materials are fine.)

Watercolor tubes (5ML): Raw Umber, Prussian Blue, Burnt Sienna, Lamp Black
- Watercolor brushes (#4 and #8, pointed round, synthetic)
- Drawing pencils (4B or 6B for value studies)
- Plastic jars or cups for mixing washes

Instructors

Craig Farnsworth, PLA, FASLA

Craig joined the Department of Landscape Architecture at Ball State University in 2019 as the Roan Distinguished Professor of Practice. Prior to that, he worked for over thirty years as a licensed landscape architect with much of that time spent in the Chicago region. He has also taught watercolor rendering and architectural drawing courses at Judson University and on-line for the ICAA Chicago-Midwest and Rocky Mountain chapters. In 2002, he received the E.V. Jones traveling scholarship for Rome studies from the ICAA. He also received the First-Place award in the ICAA Chicago-Midwest 2022 Design Competition.

Craig is a graduate of Ball State University (BLA, 1986) and the University of Virginia (MP, 1988). Instagram: Craig_Farns

Taylor Stein

Taylor is an Associate Partner at Craig & Company in Chicago, and has been part of their architecture studio for the past 9 years. Having learned the traditional methods of hand-drafting and watercolor rendering while earning a Bachelor of Architecture at the University of Notre Dame, he has continued to utilize his rendering skills both in the office and for independent endeavors. He has taught watercolor techniques at several of the ICAA’s intensive studios, and has returned to Notre Dame to give lectures and demonstrations on the subject on multiple occasions. Taylor was named the 2019 Luminarts Cultural Foundation Fellow in Architecture, a Christopher H. Browne Scholar for the ICAA’s 2023 Drawing Tour in Venice, and currently serves as the chair of the Education Committee for the ICAA Chicago-Midwest Chapter.

Traditional Architectural Wash Rendering in Watercolor ~ SOLD OUT

By Chicago ICAA

Traditional Architectural Wash Rendering in Watercolor ~ SOLD OUT