Alla Prima Watercolor and Plein Air Painting: Capturing the Moment

Explore one of the most fascinating traditions in outdoor painting through this special lecture and live demonstration featuring visual artist Irina Yushmanova, joined by Mexican watercolorist César Gordillo.

Plein Air painting transformed the history of art by allowing artists to capture light, atmosphere, and movement directly from nature. In this session, participants will discover how the Alla Prima technique creates expressive and spontaneous watercolor paintings completed in a single process.

Through an engaging conversation and a live demonstration, attendees will witness the creative process of a professional artist as water, pigment, and paper come together to form a finished artwork.

Program

• Artist Conversation (45 min)
  César Gordillo will interview Irina Yushmanova about her artistic journey, teaching experience, and approach to plein air painting.
• Live Demonstration (90 min)
  Irina will create an Alla Prima watercolor painting in real time, sharing her techniques, creative decisions, and working process.
• Questions & Answers
  An open discussion covering materials, techniques, creative challenges, and artistic development.

Event Information

• Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
• Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
• Location: Instituto Allende
• Admission: Free

An inspiring experience for art students, watercolor enthusiasts, urban sketchers, professional artists, and anyone interested in learning how to capture light and atmosphere through watercolor.

About Irina Yushmanova

Irina Yushmanova is a visual artist originally from Russia who has been based in Mexico since 2014. She studied at the Moscow Academy of Fine Arts and the Moscow Academy of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, institutions internationally recognized for their excellence in academic realism.

Her work spans watercolor, oil painting, drawing, and mixed media, combining academic precision with contemporary and impressionistic sensitivity. She has participated in numerous national and international exhibitions and competitions, receiving recognition for her artistic achievements.

Irina is the founder and director of Endorphine Art School and actively collaborates with the International Watercolor Society (IWS) through educational and artistic initiatives worldwide.

About César Gordillo

Mexican architect and watercolor artist César Gordillo is known for his exploration of light, atmosphere, and the emotional experience of landscape. His work combines the spontaneity of the Alla Prima approach with a refined mastery of watercolor transparency.

His artwork is included in major collections such as the Alfredo Guati Rojo National Watercolor Museum, the State of Mexico Watercolor Museum, and the Walter Anderson Museum in Mississippi, USA. He is a two-time recipient of the prestigious Tlacuilo Award, and his work has been featured in the international publication The Art of Watercolor.