Contemporary Watercolour, from Figurative to Abstract
The course “Contemporary Watercolour” offers an in-depth theoretical and practical exploration of the watercolour technique, understood as an autonomous and complex pictorial medium. Each lesson is characterised by a theoretical–practical approach, combining life drawing exercises (still life, the human figure, museum drawing), technical demonstrations, and references to art history, with a particular focus on modern and contemporary artists.
The work focuses on the relationship between drawing and painting, on the control of water and execution time, and on the conscious use of colour — from the construction of 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.
Extension: the start of the course has been postponed to March 14.
Course type: group – in person
Participants: Max 15
Schedule: weekly, on Saturdays from 9 AM to 1 PM
Duration: 10 lessons – total 40 hours
Cost: €590.00 in a single payment or two instalments of €300.00
Materials: to be purchased by the student
Requirements/supports: none
Language: Italian
Instructor: Giulia Di Pasquale
Location: RUFA – Via Degli Ausoni, 7 – Rome, Room B13
Registrations open: October 5, 2025
Registration deadline: March 13, 2026
– Study of materials and fundamental watercolour techniques.
– Study of still life from life: observation, sketching, and colour mapping.
– Colour theory: colour wheel, hue, saturation, and brightness.
– Composition and image balance.
– Master copy and pictorial interpretation.
– Drawing from life in a museum context.
– Life drawing with a live model. Study of the body as a structure of volumes and forces.
– In-depth exploration of personal expressive language.
MATERIALS:
Materials for the drawing component:
– Sketchbook;
– Graphite pencil, grades: 2B or 4B;
– White eraser; kneaded eraser;
– Pencil sharpener;
– Charcoal and/or sanguine;
– Fine black marker (Pentel Brush Sign Pens are excellent, but any equivalent is fine);
– One roll of yellow paper masking tape.
Materials for technical experimentation:
– No. 7 watercolour sheets (300 g/m², fine/medium grain), at least 30 × 40 cm (the higher the cotton content of the paper, the more suitable it will be);
– WATERCOLOURS (tube paints are recommended, but pans are also suitable). Winsor & Newton “Cotman” watercolours are perfectly fine;
– White gouache;
– Soft round brushes in various sizes (16/14 – 8/6 – 4/2). Da Vinci or Tintoretto brushes offer excellent value for money;
– Flat brush with soft bristles;
– Natural sponges; droppers/pipettes;
– Cloths for cleaning brushes; two small bowls/glasses for water.
– Optional mediums: ox gall and masking fluid.
March 14, 2026
March 21, 2026
March 28, 2026
April 11, 2026
April 18, 2026
May 9, 2026
May 16, 2026
May 23, 2026
May 30, 2026
June 6, 2026
Make-up dates*
April 11, 2026
April 18, 2026
*“Make-up dates” refer to additional sessions proposed by RUFA in case of cancellation due to circumstances related to the instructor, the Academy, or force majeure. Make-up sessions are not provided for student absences.
BIO – Giulia Di Pasquale (Rome, 1999) is a visual artist. She lives and works in Rome. She obtained both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Painting at RUFA – Rome University of Fine Arts, graduating with honours. She later qualified to teach graphic, painting, and scenographic disciplines at the Academy of Fine Arts of L’Aquila.
She is currently an Academic Tutor for a student with Down syndrome and teaches watercolour within RUFA short courses.
From 2024 to 2025, she taught painting disciplines at Spazio Studi Flaminio High School in Rome.
In 2024, she worked as an academic assistant to RUFA Painting professors Guido D’Angelo and Fabrizio Dell’Arno.
Her artistic practice has been presented in numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout 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 has also been awarded the Morlotti – Imbersago Prize and Uno sguardo contemporaneo sul Farnese, curated by the Institut Français.
From 2020 to 2023, she was a collaborator and member of the collective project KHLAB – Kaspar Hauser Laboratory.
RUFA Students and Alumni: 50% discount
Former Short Courses and RUFA Summer 2024–25 students: 10% discount
University students: 5% discount (upon presentation of student ID)
Course packages/groups/family: contact corsibrevi@unirufa.it for customised options
For all enrolled participants, regardless of specific requirements, discounts are available based on the registration date:
Very Early Bird: until October 31, 2025 → €501.50 (–15%)
Early Bird: from November 1 to December 23, 2025 → €531.00 (–10%)
All students with certification under Law 104/92 are entitled to a 20% discount on the registration fee, regardless of the time frame selected. To apply, please send the documentation to the secretariat at corsibrevi@unirufa.it.
Enrolment in a short course entitles students, for the duration of the course, to access a number of partner offers with local businesses.
The discounts apply both to the purchase of creative materials and to lunch breaks at establishments near the campus.
Each year, the Short Courses Office will provide a list of affiliated businesses.
For information about the course please fill in the form and we will contact you.