It was a quiet January night, and I was at home preparing 20 sketches by hand, carefully transferring the images using charcoal transfer paper. I was getting ready for my wine and watercolor class at Longoria on State in Santa Barbara, and though I wasn’t sure what to expect, I knew one thing—I was excited!
Back in Berlin, I used to teach private watercolor classes, and ever since moving to Santa Barbara, the idea of teaching again had been lingering in my mind. Then, one evening at my favorite winery, it hit me—why not combine great wine with an art class?
Wine and painting already go hand in hand, but what if we actually painted wine-related artwork? It’s a beautiful home decor idea, and considering how many wine lovers live in California, it felt like the perfect theme.
I knew my students would have varying levels of experience, and watercolor can be an intimidating medium. To make the class more approachable, I focused on simple images and skipped the sketching phase altogether. Instead, I created pre-made sketches for my wine and art class, allowing students to dive straight into the painting process.
My goal wasn’t perfection—it was to help my students enjoy the process, experiment with color application, and, hopefully, make at least one person fall in love with watercolor. If that happened, I’d consider the class a success!
Teaching a group of 20 at my wine and painting class was no small task. Some students had painted before, while others had never picked up a brush. The biggest challenge was making sure everyone felt comfortable and engaged.
One key message I shared was that watercolor isn’t about control—it’s about collaboration. You don’t just create with watercolor; you co-create with water, allowing it to flow in unexpected ways, and that’s where the magic happens.
The atmosphere that night was incredible, and every student created something beautiful. My biggest takeaway? I absolutely love teaching, and this experience confirmed that I want to do it again.
If you’re in Santa Barbara and interested in attending a future wine and watercolor workshop, let me know—I’d love to paint with you!
Santa Barbara Artist
Valeria Chepilev —
Santa Barbara Artist
Valeria Chepilev —
Santa Barbara Artist
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