Online Art School «Artefacto»
NEW ONLINE COURSE
by konstantin sterkhov
From Studio to World Stage: Your Route to Fabriano and Urbino
Join Konstantin Sterkhov and prepare your painting for Fabriano or Urbino in 2 months – with mentorship and recorded lessons from world-class masters.
*The criteria for exhibitions are applicable for the year 2025.
LIFETIME ACCESS |
NEW ONLINE COURSE
by konstantin sterkhov
From Studio to World Stage: Your Route to Fabriano and Urbino
Join Konstantin Sterkhov and prepare your painting for Fabriano or Urbino in 2 months – with mentorship and recorded lessons from world-class masters.
*The criteria for exhibitions are applicable for the year 2025.
LIFETIME ACCESS |
For many artists, participating in a major exhibition feels like a distant dream — something reserved for professionals with years of experience and endless connections. But that’s not true. This course is here to prove it.
Under the personal mentorship of Konstantin Sterkhov — internationally acclaimed watercolor artist, curator, and exhibition juror — you’ll learn exactly how to prepare and apply for world-class exhibitions such as Fabriano and Urbino. In just 2 months, you’ll be ready to submit your own application.
How do you stand out and get accepted? Which of your artworks will speak to the curators? How do you write an authentic artist statement and prepare your pieces for submission? You’ll find the answers, create 5 expressive artworks, and complete a refined application ready for the world stage — with expert guidance at every turn.
This course is for you if:
You have good paintings but aren’t sure which one is “exhibition-ready”
You're uncertain how juries actually select works
You fear rejection or feel “not ready” to apply
You struggle to write an Artist Statement that truly represents your voice
You’ve studied techniques, but still don’t know how to move from learning to showing.
Course Table of Contents
Module 1 – Focus & Strategy
This module will lay the foundation for your entire journey: you’ll define your focus, understand the logic behind the selection process, and start preparing the work you will later refine and submit. You will analyze winning artworks, see what makes them successful, and understand how to use this knowledge to create your own pieces.
This module includes a Zoom painting session with Konstantin, lesson on exhibition selection and painting lesson from Konstantin, video about the Fabriano in Acquerello exhibition, and an insightful conversation with Anna Massinissa, the founder and curator of the prestigious exhibition organised by InArte Fabriano.
Module 2 – Personal Review & Refinement
This module will help you see your artwork through the eyes of a professional curator and make the precise improvements that can turn a good painting into one ready for an international exhibition.
It is all about refinement, clarity, and making confident creative decisions before submission.
This module contains a Zoom feedback session from Konstantin and lesson “Still Life with Fruits and Berries” – practical lesson on refinement and artistic precision.
Module 3 – Artist Statement & Application
In this module, you will see how to present your work professionally and confidently – through words, images, and application materials that reflect your artistic vision.
You will learn how to write a strong Artist Statement, photograph your work with quality that meets exhibition standards, and avoid common mistakes that often lead to rejection.
This module includes a Zoom session with Konstantin Sterkhov – lecture and mini-workshop where Konstantin explains how to craft a clear and meaningful Artist Statement that reveals the essence of your work, lesson “Secrets of a CV and Artist Statement That Work”, lesson “Interior and Loose Brush Work – Sketching Approach in Major Painting”, checklist “How to Photograph Your Work Professionally”, and an example of a successful application.
Module 4 – Final Steps & Submission
In the final module, you’ll bring everything together – your painting, your statement, and your confidence.
During his Zoom session, Konstantin will walk you step by step through the technical side of submitting to Fabriano and Urbino: how to prepare your files, fill in the forms correctly, and make sure every detail meets the exhibition standards. You will explore the emotional side of waiting for results – how to stay motivated and proud of your work and reduce stress.
To make this stage lighter and more inspiring, Konstantin will do a short demonstration, showing a simple sketch made without pencil outlines – a reminder that art is always about freedom and joy, even in the final moments of preparation.
What you’ll achieve during the course:
01
Learn the real selection criteria and differences between Fabriano and Urbino exhibitions
02
Explore the most common reasons for acceptance and rejection in juried exhibitions
03
Create a unique artwork based on your reference and receive professional feedback
04
Evaluate your artwork critically and refine it to meet professional exhibition standards
05
Write an effective Artist Statement, fill out the application form, and prepare professional photos for submission
06
Become a self-assured creator who understands how the international art world functions and get ready to represent your country at Fabriano and Urbino
Meet your instructor:
Konstantin Sterkhov
- An artist with over 30 years of painting experience and 20 years of teaching practice.
- A participant of оver 200 international and 10 solo exhibitions, member of the jury for various international competitions, including “Fabriano”.
- His paintings are placed in museums, private and corporate collections worldwide.
- A participant of such prestigious international exhibitions as “World Watercolor Masters”, “National Watercolour Society, Royal Society of Marine Artists”, “Fabriano”, “Royal Institute of Painters and Watercolour”, “Reinterpretation”.
- A brand ambassador of the leading producers of art materials (Daniel Smith, Roubloff).
- A member of the Watercolor Society of Finland.
Live sessions with Konstantin Sterkhov
All sessions are live on Zoom, each lasting around 2+ hours. Sessions include 2 painting demos (in the 1st and 4th sessions), feedback, and Q&A. Recordings are available for all participants.
Session 1.
A View from Within: How to Get Selected for Fabriano & Urbino
“November 5”
Understand how Fabriano and Urbino differ in focus, format, and selection
Learn what juries really look for in submitted works
Make a painting that reflects the standards and mood typically appreciated by curators of exhibitions.
Session 2.
The Final Touch: From a Good Painting to a Remarkable
“November 19”
Get feedback from Konstantin, see your strengths and areas for improvement
Receive clear, professional guidance on final edits essential for your success
Learn how experts evaluate artworks during exhibition selection.
Session 3.
Let Your Art Speak: Writing a Statement That Captures Attention
“December 4”
Learn how to craft a clear and expressive Artist Statement that truly reflects your creative intent
See how to photograph your painting so it looks professional and convincing to the jury
Learn from real examples of successful and unsuccessful applications and get practical tips for preparing your own materials for submission.
Session 4.
Ready to Shine: Your Final Step Before the Exhibition
“December 18”
Learn about the final steps of submission to the Fabriano and Urbino exhibitions – see how to complete the online forms and check every detail before sending your application
See what happens after your work is selected, how to prepare it for shipping and display, and how to stay calm and motivated while waiting for results
Enjoy a short demonstration without pencil outlines.
Standard
Perfect for independent artists who want to prepare for exhibitions
Recordings of 4 Zoom sessions with Konstantin Sterkhov
- 4 video lessons from professional artists to help you prepare for your “performance” — presenting your work to the world
- 5 finished artworks (3 with K. Sterkhov and 2 with another authors)
- LIFETIME access to the learning materials
- Downloadable materials: guides, checklists, references
- ❌No live participation or feedback
- Bonus Recorded session with a national representative for insider exhibition insights
- Bonus Recorded Talk with the Curator & Founder of the Fabriano Exhibition
- Bonus: 100 ArtiCoins
*The criteria for exhibitions are applicable for the year 2025.
Premium
For committed artists ready to grow under Konstantin Sterkhov’s personal mentorship
- 4 video lessons from professional artists to help you prepare for your performance
5 finished artworks (3 with K. Sterkhov and 2 with another authors)
- LIFETIME access to the learning materials
- Recording of all sessions
- Access to a closed participant chat
- Downloadable materials: guides, checklists, references
- Certificate of Completion
- Bonus Recorded session with a national representative for insider exhibition insights
- Bonus Recorded Talk with the Curator & Founder of the Fabriano Exhibition
- Bonus: 200 ArtiCoin
SOLD OUT
*The criteria for exhibitions are applicable for the year 2025.
Standard
Perfect for independent artists who want to prepare for exhibitions
Recordings of 4 Zoom sessions with Konstantin Sterkhov
- 4 video lessons from professional artists to help you prepare for your “performance” — presenting your work to the world
- 5 finished artworks (3 with K. Sterkhov and 2 with another authors)
- LIFETIME access to the learning materials
- Downloadable materials: guides, checklists, references
- ❌No live participation or feedback
- Bonus Recorded session with a national representative for insider exhibition insights
- Bonus Recorded Talk with the Curator & Founder of the Fabriano Exhibition
- Bonus: 100 ArtiCoins
*The criteria for exhibitions are applicable for the year 2025.
Premium
For committed artists ready to grow under Konstantin Sterkhov’s personal mentorship
- 4 video lessons from professional artists to help you prepare for your performance
- 5 finished artworks (3 with K. Sterkhov and 2 with another authors)
- LIFETIME access to the learning materials
- Recording of all sessions
- Access to a closed participant chat
- Downloadable materials: guides, checklists, references
- Certificate of Completion
- Bonus Recorded session with a national representative for insider exhibition insights
- Bonus Recorded Talk with the Curator & Founder of the Fabriano Exhibition
- Bonus: 200 ArtiCoins
SOLD OUT
*The criteria for exhibitions are applicable for the year 2025.
You have no risks – we support you!
No risk for you*
In case after 1–2 lessons of the coursе you realize that is not for you, YOU WILL GET YOUR MONEY BACK!
*within 14 days after payment
Freedom & Mobility
Make your own schedule and go through the lessons at a comfortable pace – whenever and wherever you like
Certificate of completion (for Premium Plan)
Upon completion of the course for the students of Premium plan we issue a certificate. The certificate could be used as a proof of your qualification's upgrade at work (if it is related to arts) and for your private affairs as a recognition of your mastery in painting.
How is your learning process organized?
BEFORE COURSE
Full course program
List of course materials
Friendly community of beginner and professional artists
AT COURSE
Recorded video lessons
Watch lessons at your own pace
Closed students' chat
AFTER COURSE
Certificate of completion
Own portfolio
Skills and knowledge practiced
Part of our art community
Which materials do you need
for the course?
- Watercolor paper А3 preferably cold pressed, 300 g
- Brushes: Big round or cat tongue №12-14, medium round pointed №7-10, wide flat №30-35
- Paints: Yellow Ochre, Raw Sienna, Sedona or Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine, Verditer Blue or Cobalt Blue, Neutral Tint, Manganese Blue or Phtalo Blue, Burnt Umber, Pirrol Scarlet, Pirrol Orange, Turquoise Ultramarine or Veridian, Lavender, Wisteria
- Hardboard and a paper tape to fix the paper if the paper is not fixed in a block
- Pencil, eraser, wax crayon or candle, masking fluid or a masking pen, container for water, napkins
- Hairdryer
Examples of Konstantin's works
Frequently asked questions
Contact us
For customer care:
info@artefactoschool.online
Our working hours:
Monday — Friday
7 am — 6 pm Central European Time (CET)
Artefacto Learning Platform Limited
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