Watercolour

From figurative to abstract

The Watercolour course offers an in-depth theoretical and practical exploration of the watercolour technique, understood as an autonomous and complex painting medium. Each lesson adopts a theoretical and practical approach, combining life-drawing exercises, technical demonstrations and references to art history, with particular attention to contemporary artists.

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From mark to colour

The work focuses on the relationship between drawing and painting, on controlling water and execution time, and on the conscious use of colour, from building the colour palette to composition, image balance and the design process, from the initial sketch to the final work.
The course encourages a critical reading of the artwork and a conscious practice of pictorial language.

At the end of the course, participants will receive a certificate of attendance, which may be used for the possible recognition of 1 CFA academic credits.

Course type: group – in person
Participants: Max. 15
Attendance: weekly, Saturdays from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm
Duration: 8 lessons – 32 hours total
Cost: €490.00 – in a single payment or two instalments of €250.00
Materials: to be purchased by participants, see the Programme section
Requirements/materials: none
Language: Italian
Lecturer: Giulia Di Pasquale
Campus: RUFA – Via Degli Ausoni, 7 Rome
Scheduled annual sessions: Autumn Session > 17 October – 5 December 2026, Spring Session > 13 March – 5 May 2027

– Study of the fundamental materials and techniques of watercolour.
– Life study of still life: observation, sketching and colour mapping.
– Colour theory: colour wheel, hue, saturation and brightness.
– Principles of composition and image balance.
– Copying a masterwork and pictorial interpretation.
– Life drawing in a museum.
– Life drawing of the human figure: studying the body as a structure of volumes and forces.
– Development and exploration of a personal expressive language.

MATERIALS:
Materials for drawing:
– sketchbook;
– graphite pencil (2B or 4B grades);
– white eraser and kneaded eraser;
– pencil sharpener;
– charcoal and/or sanguine;
– fine-tip black marker (e.g. Pentel Brush Sign Pen or equivalent);
– one roll of yellow paper masking tape.

Materials for technical experimentation:
– 5 sheets of watercolour paper (300 g/m², fine or medium grain), minimum size 30 × 40 cm; a higher percentage of cotton makes the support more suitable;
– watercolours (preferably in tubes; alternatively, pans). Winsor & Newton Cotman watercolours, for example, are recommended;
– white gouache;
– soft round brushes in various sizes (16/14 – 8/6 – 4/2); professional-quality brushes such as Davinci or Tintoretto are recommended;
– soft-bristle flat brush;
– cloths for cleaning brushes; two small bowls or glasses for water;
– optional: natural sponges; dropper or pipettes;

WINTER SESSION

OCTOBER
17/10/2026
24/10/2026
31/10/2026

NOVEMBER
07/11/2026
14/11/2026
21/11/2026
28/11/2026

DECEMBER
05/12/2026

SPRING SESSION

MARCH
13/03/2027
20/03/2027

APRIL
3/04/2027
10/04/2027
17/04/2027
24/04/2027

MAY
8/05/2027
15/05/2027

Giulia Di Pasquale (Rome, 1999) is a visual artist. She lives and works in Rome. She graduated with highest honours from both the Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Programmes in Painting at RUFA. She subsequently obtained her teaching qualification in graphic, painting and set design disciplines at the Academy of Fine Arts in L’Aquila. She currently works as an Academic Tutor for a student with Down syndrome and teaches watercolour in RUFA Short Courses. From 2024 to 2025, she taught painting disciplines at the Spazio Studi Flaminio secondary school in Rome. In 2024, she worked as an academic assistant to RUFA Painting lecturers Guido D’Angelo and Fabrizio Dell’Arno. She has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Italy, including at the Museo della Permanente in Milan, Palazzo Costantino in Palermo and MAS in Bologna, as well as at KOU Gallery, Studio Buccia, Spazio Y and La Nuova Pesa in Rome. She was selected as the winner of the calls for the Morlotti – Imbersago Award and Uno sguardo contemporaneo sul Farnese, curated by the French Institute. From 2020 to 2023, she was a collaborator and member of the collective project KHLAB – Laboratorio Kaspar Hauser.

RUFA Students and Alumni: 50% discount
Former RUFA Short Courses and Summer Academy students: 10% discount
University students: 5% discount (upon presentation of a valid university student record)
Course packages/groups/families: contact corsibrevi@unirufa.it for tailored solutions and free guidance on the best combination of courses for each semester

For all applicants, with no specific requirements, discounts are available based on the enrolment date:

Session	Courses	Early Bird
Autumn Session	1 August → 17 September	–10%
Autumn Session	15 November → 10 December	–10%
Spring Session	15 January → 15 February	–10%

All students holding certification pursuant to Italian Law 104/92 are entitled to a 20% discount on the enrolment fee, regardless of the selected enrolment period. To request it, the relevant documentation must be sent to the administrative office at corsibrevi@unirufa.it

Enrolment on a short course gives students access, during the month in which the course takes place, to selected discounts available through participating local businesses.
These discounts apply both to the purchase of creative materials and to lunch breaks at venues located near the campuses. If interested, please request the latest updated file.