A NEW COURSE BY Konstantin Sterkhov
From Studio to World Stage: Your Route to Fabriano and Urbino
You have a painting you are proud of, and you wonder whether it could hang at an international exhibition in Italy.
In 8 weeks Konstantin Sterkhov, watercolor artist with 200+ international exhibitions, helps you get it ready and send it to Fabriano and Urbino
8 weeks • 4 live Zoom sessions with Konstantin • Lifetime access
Live with Konstantin from October 26 · Enrollment closes on October 18
At a Glance
Konstantin Sterkhov · 200+ international exhibitions · Jury member, Biennial International Prize «Fabriano Watercolour» · His work is held at the Museo della Carta in Fabriano
What does a jury see in the first 10 seconds? Konstantin shows you, and then helps you prepare your painting for that moment.
You learn to look at your painting the way a jury does, you hear from Konstantin what to change, and you apply as part of the Artefacto school group, with Konstantin’s support.
In 8 weeks you go from «I hope it’s good enough» to an application sent.
Is This Right for You?
You look at your best works and each one seems possible, yet none seems certain. You need an expert eye to tell you which painting is ready and what it still needs
You read the requirements and still can't tell what makes a jury say yes. You need to see accepted and rejected works side by side and hear the reasons for each decision
Every year the deadline passes and your painting stays in your studio. You need feedback before you submit, so you send your work knowing it is ready
Your idea works on your usual paper, and the exhibition asks for a fixed format. You need to rebuild the composition so it keeps its strength in the new frame
The first round taught you the rules. This time all your energy goes into the painting itself, with a new live session on format and composition and Konstantin's final feedback on your new work before you send it
THIS COURSE IS NOT FOR YOU IF
We keep the group small, so we are honest about who this course suits
01
You are new to watercolor
You need to be able to finish a painting on your own
02
You want a technique course
This course prepares your work for an exhibition and does not teach watercolor from the basics
03
You want to paint without a goal or a deadline
This course works toward a real application with a real deadline, and every module moves your painting closer to it
KONSTANTIN'S APPROACH
For Konstantin, the exhibition format is an artistic decision, not a technical frame
- You might choose the paper size first and then try to fit your idea into it. Konstantin starts from the idea: he sketches it in the three exhibition formats, horizontal, vertical and square, and shows why it works in one and loses its strength in another
- You leave with three principles to check any composition against: empty space as an element, the weight of contrast and the diagonal of focus. Before you send your painting, you run four quick tests in your studio: from 3 meters away, as a phone preview, upside down and with your eyes half closed
Course program
Four modules, four live sessions with Konstantin, one goal: your application sent
Module 1. Focus and Strategy
Live with Konstantin:
A View from Within: How to Get Selected for Fabriano and Urbino · October 26 · around 2 hours,
lecture and painting demo
You see how Fabriano and Urbino differ and what a jury notices in the first 10 seconds,
with real accepted and rejected works as examples. You leave knowing which painting or idea you will take to the exhibition
Recorded lessons:
«Mastering Exhibition Selections: Behind the Scenes of Success and Rejection» by Konstantin Sterkhov, and an interview with Anna Massinissa,
founder and curator of Fabriano in Acquarello
Paintings from the recorded lessons
Module 2. Personal Review and Refinement
Live with Konstantin:
The Final Touch: From a Good Painting to an Exhibition Piece · November 4 ·
around 2 hours, live feedback on participants’ works
Konstantin looks at your painting and names the 2 or 3 changes that will lift it to exhibition level.
You stop guessing and know whether to refine this work or start a new one
Recorded lessons:
«Still Life with Fruits and Berries» by Tatiana Anisimova
Paintings from the recorded lessons
Module 3. Format and Design
Live with Konstantin:
Building for the Frame: How to Compose a Painting That Fits the Format · November 23 · around 2 hours,
painting demo and live review of student sketches
You watch Konstantin build one idea in three exhibition formats and see student sketches reviewed live.
You choose the format that makes your painting strongest
Recorded lessons:
«Interior and Loose Brush Work: Sketching Approach in Major Painting» by Gerda Mentens
and «Secrets of a CV and Artist Statement That Work»
Paintings from the recorded lessons
Module 4. Final Steps and Submission
Live with Konstantin:
Ready to Shine: Your Final Step Before the Exhibition · December 9 · around 2 hours, final feedback and open Q&A
Konstantin gives final feedback on the work you plan to send and answers your questions.
You see how the application works step by step and learn how to ship your painting after selection
Recorded lessons:
«Inside Fabriano», an interview with Lea Nixon, UK National Leader of Fabriano in Acquarello,
on how the national selection works and what curators look for in submitted works
Lessons and materials open right after enrollment. Premium and Alumni participants join the Zoom sessions live, Standard participants receive the recordings
Meet Your Instructor:
KONSTANTIN STERKHOV
«I don't look at what you painted wrong. I look at what you were trying to say – and whether it got through»
- 30+ years painting · 20+ years teaching · 200+ international exhibitions · 10 solo shows
- Jury member of the Biennial International Prize «Fabriano Watercolour» · Repin Academy graduate · UK Global Talent visa as an artist
- Works in permanent museum collections in Italy, Mexico, Finland, and Russia, including the Museo della Carta in Fabriano
- Brand ambassador for Daniel Smith and Roubloff · Author of 11 watercolor books
What you will achieve
A clear choice
You know which of your paintings is ready to send, and why
The jury's view
You know the selection criteria and the most common reasons for rejection
A stronger painting
You know what to change in your work and why, so every edit brings it closer to exhibition level
The right format
Your composition fits 38 x 56 or 30 x 30 and keeps its impact
An application sent
You apply to Fabriano and Urbino before the deadline, with Konstantin's support behind your work
A next step
You know how the selection works, what to improve and where to show your work next, whatever the result
Support and feedback
You prepare your application with Konstantin's guidance and a group of artists working toward the same deadline
Live feedback from Konstantin (Premium and Alumni)
- Two Zoom sessions where Konstantin reviews participants' works in a small group of up to 20 artists. You ask your questions live, and every review in the group teaches you something, because you see how Konstantin reads other paintings too
Closed chat with Konstantin
- Share your progress and ask questions between sessions, together with artists preparing the same applications
Certificate of completion for Premium and Alumni plans
- Issued when you finish the course. Recognition of your work — usable professionally if your work touches the arts, and worth having either way.
LAST YEAR'S WORKS
Choose Your Plan
Standard Plan
149 USD 249 USD
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
- Downloadable materials: guides, checklists, references
- LIFETIME access
- No live participation or feedback
Recorded session with a national representative for insider exhibition insights
Premium Plan
269 USD 549 USD
For committed artists ready to grow under Konstantin Sterkhov’s personal mentorship
- 4 LIVE small-group Zoom sessions with Konstantin Sterkhov (2 demo, 2 feedback + Q&A)
- Recordings of all sessions
4 video lessons from professional artists to help you prepare for your performance
Access to a closed participant chat
- 5 finished artworks
- Downloadable materials: guides, checklists, references
- Certificate of completion
- LIFETIME access
Recorded session with a national representative
Last year Premium sold out. This year the group is limited to 20 artists
Standard Plan
149 EUR 249 EUR
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
- Downloadable materials: guides, checklists, references
- LIFETIME access
- No live participation or feedback
Recorded session with a national representative for insider exhibition insights
Premium Plan
269 EUR 549 EUR
For committed artists ready to grow under Konstantin Sterkhov’s personal mentorship
- 4 LIVE small-group Zoom sessions with Konstantin Sterkhov (2 demo, 2 feedback + Q&A)
- Recordings of all sessions
4 video lessons from professional artists to help you prepare for your performance
Access to a closed participant chat
- 5 finished artworks
- Downloadable materials: guides, checklists, references
- Certificate of completion
- LIFETIME access
Recorded session with a national representative
Last year Premium sold out. This year the group is limited to 20 artists
Risk-Free Learning. We Care About You
Money-back guarantee
100% guarantee. Watch the recorded lessons, and if the course is not for you, you get your money back
* Any time before the first live Zoom session
Every session recorded
Miss a live Zoom? The recording appears in your account within 24 hours
Never exhibited before?
The course takes you through your first application step by step, with Konstantin's feedback before you send it
FAQ
Still have questions?
Our team is here to help. Not sure which plan is right for you? Just reach out — we'll guide you in a few minutes.
Contact us
You finished a painting and thought that this one could hang next to the works at an international exhibition. Then the deadline passed, and the painting stayed in your studio
This year you have 8 weeks, Konstantin’s guidance, and a group of artists working toward the same deadline