Paint the Light Not the Details: Watercolor with Jean-François Arnaud

2026 August 21-23 10 am-5 pm EST Instructor: Jean-François Arnaud All levels welcome! Join us for a three-day watercolor workshop with Jean-François Arnaud. He has developed a simplified and expressive approach to watercolor that is both effective and intuitive. His approach is based on a limited palette of four primary colors: royal blue, cadmium yellow, cadmium red, and indigo. This simplification of colors, inspired by his background in printing, helps to better understand color construction and achieve greater chromatic harmony. With just these four colors, you can paint almost anything. However, a successful painting is not just about color—strong drawing skills are essential. Trained at the École des Beaux-Arts in Angoulême, he places great importance on the accuracy of lines and the structure of the subject. His teaching revolves around two main pillars: mastering a simplified yet effective technique and developing a keen eye for composition and expression. Students will be painting from images provided by the instructor. Students can use printed out images or they can work from a tablet or phone if they prefer.  There will be a one-hour lunch break each day. Lunch is on your own.  For those traveling from out of town, please contact us if you need accommodation recommendations and we will be happy to help! Daily Schedule: Day 1: The Method and the Importance of Values We will start by exploring my method: organizing the palette, breaking down colors, and structuring values. After a demonstration, you will create a small-format study to familiarize yourself with this approach. In the afternoon, we will work on a more developed composition, focusing on value perception—one of the foundations of Impressionist painting. Understanding values allows you to structure an image before even adding color. Day 2: Simplification and Composition In the morning, we will do a visual memory and gestural exercise to help loosen up your brushwork. Then, we will work on a subject in miniature before expanding it to a larger format. This exercise will introduce a key concept for plein air painting: simplification. Knowing how to refine a scene, prioritize elements, and decide what to emphasize is essential for painting with spontaneity. We will also cover how to compose a well-balanced and dynamic image, avoiding unnecessary details. Day 3: Letting Go and Artistic Expression This final day will focus on finding your artistic voice and allowing your brushwork to flow freely, while still maintaining discipline in the process. I will guide you through this journey, helping you not just to become a painter, but to become an artist. Do you see the difference? This is precisely what the École des Beaux-Arts in France teaches: to develop individuality and artistic singularity. CLICK HERE for materials list Materials can be purchased at our on-site store. Students in the workshop will receive a 20% discount. About the Artist Jean-François Arnaud is a French watercolorist based in Florida. With a background in fine arts and printing, he has developed a unique approach that combines technical precision with expressive spontaneity. Inspired by Impressionism and mode painting, his work focuses on the balance between structure and fluidity, allowing colors to vibrate and shapes to emerge naturally. Passionate about teaching, he shares his knowledge through workshops, helping students simplify their technique, refine their composition, and express their individuality. We are unable to issue refunds or exchanges for this visiting artist workshop unless the workshop is cancelled by Townsend Atelier.  However, in  the event we can fill a cancelled spot with someone on our waiting list, we can issue a refund less the cancellation fee.