{"id":3241,"date":"2026-09-11T15:39:21","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T13:39:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chevalier-de-lastree.com\/watercolour-workshop\/"},"modified":"2026-09-11T15:39:21","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T13:39:21","slug":"watercolour-workshop","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chevalier-de-lastree.com\/en\/watercolour-workshop\/","title":{"rendered":"Watercolour Workshop"},"content":{"rendered":"        <main class=\"rkdaq\" data-rkdaq>\n          <header class=\"rkdaq-hero\">\n            <p class=\"rkdaq-kicker\">Workshops to Pass On \u00b7 Eaux de Velours<\/p>\n            <h1>The Watercolour Workshop<\/h1>\n            <p>Learn to work with water, pigment and colour mixes, then create a real painting.<\/p>\n          <\/header>\n\n          <nav class=\"rkdaq-tabs\" aria-label=\"Workshop steps\">\n            <button class=\"is-active\" data-tab=\"bases\">1 \u00b7 Water & pigment<\/button>\n            <button data-tab=\"techniques\">2 \u00b7 Techniques<\/button>\n            <button data-tab=\"nenuphars\">3 \u00b7 A4 template<\/button>\n            <button data-tab=\"paysage\">4 \u00b7 Guided landscape<\/button>\n            <button data-tab=\"photo\">5 \u00b7 My photo<\/button>\n          <\/nav>\n\n          <section class=\"rkdaq-panel is-active\" data-panel=\"bases\">\n            <h2>Understanding water and pigment<\/h2>\n            <p>Before painting a landscape, learn to let the water do some of the work. Prepare a practice sheet, a round brush, two jars of water and one colour.<\/p>\n            <div class=\"rkdaq-lesson-grid\">\n              <article><span class=\"rkdaq-lesson-no\">01<\/span><h3>Even wash<\/h3><p><b>\ud83d\udca7 Water:<\/b> dry paper, well-loaded damp brush.<br><b>\ud83c\udfa8 Pigment:<\/b> one colour only.<br><b>\ud83d\udd8c Brushwork:<\/b> work in horizontal bands, keeping a small bead of water along the edge.<\/p><p class=\"rkdaq-tip\">Look for: an even surface with no dry joins.<\/p><\/article>\n              <article><span class=\"rkdaq-lesson-no\">02<\/span><h3>Gradient wash<\/h3><p><b>\ud83d\udca7 Water:<\/b> gradually add water to the mixture.<br><b>\ud83d\udd8c Brushwork:<\/b> begin with stronger colour at the top and work down without going back over it.<\/p><p class=\"rkdaq-tip\">Avoid: scrubbing an area that has started to dry.<\/p><\/article>\n              <article><span class=\"rkdaq-lesson-no\">03<\/span><h3>Preserving the light<\/h3><p>Deliberately leave areas of white paper. In watercolour, the brightest light is not painted: it is preserved.<\/p><p class=\"rkdaq-tip\">Exercise: create three small clouds simply by painting the sky around them.<\/p><\/article>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"rkdaq-wash\" aria-label=\"Example of a watercolour gradient\"><i><\/i><i><\/i><i><\/i><i><\/i><i><\/i><\/div>\n            <p class=\"rkdaq-note\"><strong>The Knight\u2019s rule of thumb:<\/strong> if an area still shines, it is wet. Once it turns matt, let it dry before touching it again.<\/p>\n          <\/section>\n\n          <section class=\"rkdaq-panel\" data-panel=\"techniques\">\n            <h2>Essential watercolour techniques<\/h2>\n            <p>These four techniques are enough to build a convincing landscape. Make a small practice square for each one before starting the painting.<\/p>\n            <div class=\"rkdaq-techniques\">\n              <article><div class=\"rkdaq-demo wet\"><\/div><h3>Wet-on-wet<\/h3><p>Wet the paper with clean water first, then add pigment. The edges soften and spread: ideal for skies, distant shapes and masses of trees.<\/p><small>\ud83d\udca7 plenty of water \u00b7 \ud83d\udd8c place the colour, do not scrub<\/small><\/article>\n              <article><div class=\"rkdaq-demo dry\"><\/div><h3>Wet-on-dry<\/h3><p>Apply pigment to dry paper. Edges stay crisp: perfect for the bridge, boat, reeds and details.<\/p><small>\ud83d\udca7 moderate water \u00b7 \ud83d\udd8c precise brushwork<\/small><\/article>\n              <article><div class=\"rkdaq-demo glaze\"><\/div><h3>Glazing<\/h3><p>Once a layer is completely dry, add a transparent wash over it. The colours build up without losing their luminosity.<\/p><small>\u23f1 let the previous layer dry completely<\/small><\/article>\n              <article><div class=\"rkdaq-demo lift\"><\/div><h3>Lifting & highlights<\/h3><p>While an area is still damp, rinse and blot the brush, then gently lift pigment to bring back a highlight.<\/p><small>\ud83d\udd8c clean, almost dry brush<\/small><\/article>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/section>\n\n          <section class=\"rkdaq-panel\" data-panel=\"paysage\">\n            <h2>Building a landscape \u2014 The Water-Lily Pond<\/h2>\n            <p>Look at the whole painting first, then build it from the softest shapes to the sharpest details. The aim is not to copy every leaf, but to create depth, water and light.<\/p>\n            <figure class=\"rkdaq-reference\">\n              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/chevalier-de-lastree.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/rkd-aquarelle\/assets\/nenuphars-reference.jpeg\" alt=\"Watercolour landscape of a pond with water lilies, vegetation, a bridge and a boat\">\n              <figcaption>Reference painting \u2014 look at the main shapes before the details.<\/figcaption>\n            <\/figure>\n            <div class=\"rkdaq-steps\">\n              <article><b>Step 1<\/b><h3>The sky<\/h3><p><strong>Technique:<\/strong> wet-on-wet. Wet the sky with clean water. Add a very diluted blue at the top and leave white reserves for the clouds.<\/p><p>\ud83d\udca7 plenty of water \u00b7 \ud83c\udfa8 very little pigment \u00b7 \u23f1 let it dry<\/p><\/article>\n              <article><b>Step 2<\/b><h3>The distance<\/h3><p>Lay in very pale blue-greens. Keep details and contrast low: distant areas should remain light.<\/p><p>\ud83d\udd8c soft strokes \u00b7 \ud83c\udfa8 blue + muted green<\/p><\/article>\n              <article><b>Step 3<\/b><h3>The trees<\/h3><p>Work in masses rather than leaf by leaf. While the first layer is still damp, drop cooler greens into the shadows.<\/p><p>\ud83d\udca7 damp \u00b7 \ud83c\udfa8 several greens \u00b7 keep the variation<\/p><\/article>\n              <article><b>Step 4<\/b><h3>Water and reflections<\/h3><p>Use horizontal strokes. Echo the colours of the sky and banks in the water, lighter and more diffused.<\/p><p>\ud83d\udd8c horizontal strokes \u00b7 preserve flashes of white paper<\/p><\/article>\n              <article><b>Step 5<\/b><h3>Water lilies & vegetation<\/h3><p>On dry paper, place the large leaves as irregular ellipses. Vary their size, value and direction. Add the flowers afterwards.<\/p><p>\ud83d\udd8c wet-on-dry \u00b7 work from large shapes to small ones<\/p><\/article>\n              <article><b>Step 6<\/b><h3>Bridge, boat and finishing touches<\/h3><p>Only now add the sharpest lines and darkest accents. A few well-chosen details are enough to make the whole landscape convincing.<\/p><p>\ud83c\udfa8 stronger pigment \u00b7 \ud83d\udd8c fine brush \u00b7 know when to stop<\/p><\/article>\n            <\/div>\n            <p class=\"rkdaq-note\"><strong>Tip:<\/strong> take a photo of your painting after each stage. On screen, it is easier to spot an area that has become too dark or too detailed.<\/p>\n          <\/section>\n\n          <section class=\"rkdaq-panel\" data-panel=\"nenuphars\">\n            <p class=\"rkdaq-kicker\">3 \u00b7 A4 TEMPLATE<\/p>\n            <h2>Prepare a real painting, not an abstract diagram<\/h2>\n            <p>The template now starts from the actual reference painting. First observe the composition and the light and dark masses, then open the generator to create a numbered template from this image.<\/p>\n\n            <div class=\"rkdaq-reference-layout\">\n              <figure class=\"rkdaq-reference-image\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/chevalier-de-lastree.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/rkd-aquarelle\/assets\/nenuphars-reference.jpeg\" alt=\"Reference watercolour of the Water Lilies\">\n                <figcaption>Reference model \u00b7 The Water Lilies<\/figcaption>\n              <\/figure>\n              <aside class=\"rkdaq-reference-guide\">\n                <h3>What to look for<\/h3>\n                <ol>\n                  <li><strong>Reserved whites:<\/strong> sky, reflections and very light petals.<\/li>\n                  <li><strong>Main shapes:<\/strong> water, vegetation, banks and foliage.<\/li>\n                  <li><strong>Values:<\/strong> from pale washes to dark accents.<\/li>\n                  <li><strong>Details:<\/strong> only after the glazes and shadows.<\/li>\n                <\/ol>\n                <button type=\"button\" class=\"rkdaq-reference-launch\"\n                        data-reference-src=\"https:\/\/chevalier-de-lastree.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/rkd-aquarelle\/assets\/nenuphars-reference.jpeg\">\n                  Create a template from this model\n                <\/button>\n                <p class=\"rkdaq-note\">The button opens <strong>5 \u00b7 My painting<\/strong> with this image already loaded. You can then crop it, choose the level of detail and generate the numbered A4 template.<\/p>\n              <\/aside>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/section>\n\n          <section class=\"rkdaq-panel\" data-panel=\"photo\">\n            <h2>Turn my photo into a painting template<\/h2>\n            <p class=\"rkdaq-privacy\"><strong>Your image stays with you.<\/strong> It is processed directly in your browser and is not stored on the website.<\/p>\n            \n            <div class=\"rkdaq-photo-start\">\n              <button type=\"button\" class=\"rkdaq-photo-reference\"\n                      data-reference-src=\"https:\/\/chevalier-de-lastree.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/rkd-aquarelle\/assets\/nenuphars-reference.jpeg\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/chevalier-de-lastree.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/rkd-aquarelle\/assets\/nenuphars-reference.jpeg\" alt=\"\">\n                <span><strong>The Water Lilies<\/strong><small>Use the reference model<\/small><\/span>\n              <\/button>\n              <div class=\"rkdaq-photo-or\"><span>or<\/span><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<div class=\"rkdaq-controls\">\n              <label>Photo <input type=\"file\" accept=\"image\/jpeg,image\/png,image\/webp\" data-photo><\/label>\n              <label>Difficulty\n                <select data-level><option value=\"12\">Sketch \u00b7 12 colours<\/option><option value=\"24\">Simple \u00b7 24 colours<\/option><option value=\"36\">Detailed \u00b7 36 colours<\/option><option value=\"48\" selected>Very detailed \u00b7 48 colours<\/option><option value=\"64\">High fidelity \u00b7 64 colours<\/option><option value=\"68\">Maximum detail \u00b7 68 colours<\/option><\/select>\n              <\/label>\n              <label class=\"rkdaq-check\"><input type=\"checkbox\" checked data-whites> Preserve whites<\/label>\n              <button data-generate disabled>Create my painting<\/button>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"rkdaq-crop\" data-crop hidden>\n              <h3>Choose the area to paint<\/h3>\n              <p>Move the image within the frame and adjust the zoom. Only the visible area will be transformed.<\/p>\n              <div class=\"rkdaq-crop-stage\" data-crop-stage>\n                <canvas width=\"560\" height=\"792\" data-crop-canvas><\/canvas>\n                <div class=\"rkdaq-crop-frame\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n              <\/div>\n              <label class=\"rkdaq-zoom\">Zoom\n                <input type=\"range\" min=\"1\" max=\"3\" step=\"0.01\" value=\"1\" data-zoom-photo>\n              <\/label>\n              <p class=\"rkdaq-crop-help\">Click and drag the image to choose the framing.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n            <p data-status aria-live=\"polite\">Choose a photo to begin.<\/p>\n            <div class=\"rkdaq-results\" data-results hidden>\n              <figure><figcaption>Colour model<\/figcaption><canvas width=\"794\" height=\"1123\" data-color><\/canvas><\/figure>\n              <figure><figcaption>Numbered A4 template<\/figcaption><canvas width=\"794\" height=\"1123\" data-number><\/canvas><\/figure>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"rkdaq-generated-palette\" data-generated-palette><\/div>\n            <section class=\"rkdaq-progressive\" data-progressive hidden>\n              <div class=\"rkdaq-progressive-head\">\n                <div>\n                  <p class=\"rkdaq-kicker\">WATERCOLOUR MODE<\/p>\n                  <h3>Paint my picture step by step<\/h3>\n                  <p>Keep the colour model as your reference. The colours are grouped into successive layers: main shapes, nuances, shadows and then details.<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n                <label>Number of steps\n                  <select data-step-count>\n                    <option value=\"3\">3 steps<\/option>\n                    <option value=\"4\" selected>4 steps<\/option>\n                    <option value=\"5\">5 steps<\/option>\n                  <\/select>\n                <\/label>\n              <\/div>\n              <div class=\"rkdaq-step-tabs\" role=\"tablist\">\n                <button type=\"button\" class=\"is-active\" data-step-btn=\"0\">1 \u00b7 Base<\/button>\n                <button type=\"button\" data-step-btn=\"1\">2 \u00b7 Nuances<\/button>\n                <button type=\"button\" data-step-btn=\"2\">3 \u00b7 Shadows<\/button>\n                <button type=\"button\" data-step-btn=\"3\">4 \u00b7 Details<\/button>\n                <button type=\"button\" data-step-btn=\"4\" hidden>5 \u00b7 Accents<\/button>\n              <\/div>\n              <div class=\"rkdaq-step-layout\">\n                <div class=\"rkdaq-step-canvas-wrap\">\n                  <canvas width=\"794\" height=\"1123\" data-step-canvas><\/canvas>\n                <\/div>\n                <aside class=\"rkdaq-step-copy\">\n                  <div data-step-copy><\/div>\n                  <div class=\"rkdaq-step-palette\" data-step-palette><\/div>\n                <\/aside>\n              <\/div>\n              <div class=\"rkdaq-actions\">\n                <button type=\"button\" data-step-download>Download this step<\/button>\n                <button type=\"button\" data-step-print>Print this step<\/button>\n              <\/div>\n            <\/section>\n            <div class=\"rkdaq-actions\" data-photo-actions hidden>\n              <button data-photo-print>Print the template<\/button>\n              <button data-photo-download>Download the A4 template<\/button>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/section>\n        <\/main>\n        \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"iawp_total_views":3,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3241","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chevalier-de-lastree.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3241","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chevalier-de-lastree.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chevalier-de-lastree.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chevalier-de-lastree.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chevalier-de-lastree.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3241"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/chevalier-de-lastree.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3241\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chevalier-de-lastree.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3241"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}