Kyoto on-Location
Watercolor Workshop

Enjoy a relaxing, artistic day in Kyoto's most beautiful locations.

This workshop series is for both beginners and experienced watercolorists who would like encounter the amazing sights of Kyoto City in a different way.

These experiences are perfect for tourists who are visiting Kyoto's rich cultural offerings for the first time, for residents who want to take a moment to slooooow down, and for anyone interested in painting outdoors and on-location (en plein air).

Beginner Workshop

Duration: 2 hours

Cost: 10,000 yen per person

It's totally OK if you've never picked up a brush! We will go over basic art and watercolor techniques such as how to load your brush to control the lightness or darkness of the pigments, the color wheel, color glazing, wet-on-wet, and dry-on-wet. Techniques and tricks for painting outdoors will be discussed, and we will practice handling the brush.

We will then briefly tour an outdoor location (to be determined by all parties involved), work step-by-step on how to choose composition, sketch, and successfully finish your painting. I will offer tips and techniques in both painting and working on location.

Please see "info on both workshops" below for more details.

Booking request

Intermediate/Advanced
Workshop

Duration: 3 hours

Cost: 12,000 yen per person

This workshop is for those who are already familiar with basic watercolor techniques and have never painted outdoors or are interested in getting more comfortable doing so. This will be at a relaxed pace.

We will begin with a brief tour of the location of choice, decide on the most suitable area to work, and start with a sketch of the subject. I will offer suggestions of composition and subject, if desired.

We will discuss best practices for painting outdoors and ways to assure a successful outing.

I will also offer tips and techniques in both watercolor and on-site painting, depending on the participant's previous experience.

Please see "info on both workshops" below for more details.

Booking request

Info for Both Workshops

Locations: If participants have a specific location in Kyoto City they would like to visit, please specify this in the query. Otherwise, please see below for location suggestions.

Travel kits: If you do not have a travel watercolor kit, I sell kits for 2,000 yen each. It includes:

a travel-sized 12-color paint set
a watercolor sketchbook
a nylon water brush pen
a pencil and eraser
a pencil case

They will be yours to keep.

Please specify if you'd like a kit in the query below. You are also welcome to bring your own supplies!

What else to bring: Please bring a hat to shield your head as you work, hydration, and snacks!

Accommodations: There are a limited number of portable stools to use while on location. If you would like to use one, please request it in the query.

I am fluent in English and know a little Japanese. Sorry.

Working on-site: Since these workshops will be held outdoors and in public spaces, I cannot control every aspect of the events. Please expect a fair bit of walking and please wear casual clothes appropriate for standing outside for a couple of hours.

Some locations may require a separate admission fee, which is to be paid by the participant,

In the event of rain and other inclement weather, we will discuss alternative workshop days.

Payment methods: I will request payment once a booking has been confirmed. Payment can be made via bank transfer, PayPal, or PayPay.

Let's paint beautiful things in Kyoto!

Some examples of places we can go:

Arashiyama

with its beautiful mountains and many shrines and temples. There's of course the Bamboo Forest, though it tends to be quite crowded with tourists. There are many other beautiful things in this area off the tourist radar.

Higashi Honganji

A Buddhist temple only a few minutes' walk away from Kyoto Station. It is a huge and gorgeous space, with the added bonus of a street market right outside its gate!

Toji

Extremely iconic, for good reason. It's one of those buildings that screams "Kyoto" when you see it.

Ginkakuji/Kinkakuji

Both offer unique vantage points that are a lot of fun to paint!

Random, beautiful streets

One of the things I love about Kyoto is that you can turn a corner and find a perfect road that brings so much comfort and inspiration!

Kamogawa, the Philosopher's Path,

the Botanical Garden, Kamishichiken . . .

There are so many great places to paint!

About the Instructor

Marguerite Dabaie is an illustrator, graphic designer, and fine artist. They are American-born and they now call Kyoto their home. They apprenticed with a watercolor master for 1.5 years and have worked in the medium for almost 30 years.

They find great enjoyment and fulfillment in slowing down, admiring the beauty around them, and focusing long enough to paint it. It is, they think, a form of meditation. They are excited to impart this feeling onto other people.

Portfolio website

Kyoto on-Location Watercolor Workshop