Tony Moy & Daniel Govar: "Comic Art in Watercolor" 2027

What You’ll Explore

This 4-day workshop is designed to give students a repeatable, reliable approach to watercolor, to build consistency across projects and strengthens their overall portfolio. Each day focuses on a distinct phase of the process, with a mix of lecture, demonstration, and hands-on lab time. Students will choose a sample project from a category such as book cover, comic page, or movie poster as an example, and will apply each day's lessons directly to that project, with a goal to have a thoughtful and unique portfolio piece at the end of the workshop. Throughout the week, there will be ample opportunity for one-on-one feedback and individualized guidance. The pace and content will remain flexible, adapting to the skill levels and needs of the group.

Day 1: Foundations, Preparation, and Process

The workshop opens with the big picture: why a consistent process matters and how to set yourself up for success. We'll cover tools, materials, and the core washes that form the backbone of watercolor painting.  Students will practice basic techniques and finalize their project choice, with guidance on how to prepare references, transfer and ready illustrations, and approach their chosen subject. The focus is on building a solid foundation before adding complexity.

Day 2: Technique and Control

Day two moves into layering, edges, and value, the skills that give watercolor depth and dimension. Through demos and hands-on practice, students will learn how to build up paintings gradually, control edges, and create texture. Lab time allows them to apply these techniques directly to their projects, with the instructor circulating for one-on-one feedback. The goal is to develop control and confidence in the medium, make decisions, and working through thumbnails and creating conceptual watercolor sketches.

Day 3: Special Effects and Atmosphere

On the third day, we explore the dramatic side of watercolor: rain, lightning, superpowers, lasers, and atmospheric effects. Students will learn how to create mood and drama through masking, splatter, dry brush, lifting, and contrast. These techniques may be applied to their ongoing projects, adding a new layer of expression and visual interest. The emphasis is on experimentation and learning how to recover from mistakes along the way.

Day 4: Refinement, Details, and Presentation

The final day focuses on finishing strong. We'll discuss when a painting is done, how to evaluate your own work, and how to fix common problems. Students will learn techniques for refining details, adding highlights and shadows, and preparing a piece for presentation. The day concludes with final lab time to complete projects and an informal group review. The goal is for each student to leave with a finished (or nearly finished) piece and a clear process they can repeat in their own work.    

MATERIALS

Students are expected to bring their own preferred brushes, paints, palettes, paper, water container and other basic art supplies (pencils, erasers, tablets - as needed by individual students who may want to draw digitally). Additional and extra watercolor supplements (paper, paints and brushes) will be provided by the course to be shared as needed.

Meet the Artists

Tony Moy is a watercolorist, comic artist, and educator based in downtown Chicago. With over twelve years of teaching experience, including time on faculty at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Tony brings a clear, approachable style to his instruction. He believes the best learning happens when students feel encouraged to experiment, make mistakes, and ask questions.

As a working professional, Tony has created artwork for Disney - Star Wars, Dungeon Crawler Carl, Marvel Snap, and Hit Point Press, and his published comics work includes variant covers for Batman / The Maxx (DC/IDW), X-Files (IDW), Dungeons & Dragons, Image Comics, and Zenescope Comics. His current project, 4forty2nd, is a watercolor graphic novel about the Japanese American 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Original artwork from the project was exhibited at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco.

Tony is a brand ambassador for M. Graham watercolor paints, and his teaching emphasizes practical technique, material knowledge, and the joy of working with a medium that rewards both patience and spontaneity.

Visit Tony's Website   ·   Follow Tony on Instagram @tony_moy

Daniel Govar is a former animator for SYFY, a comic creator, a Children's Book illustrator, a Fantasy novel artist, a Star Wars illustrator, and a father. His clients have included Marvel, Sony, DC, Valiant, Dynamite, Amazon, Heavy Metal, Topps, Simon and Shuster, Grim Oak Press, Wraithmarked, and Naamco/Bandai. He’s worked on major properties in a variety of capacities; as an animator, an interior/cover artist, a storyboarder, and a concept artist. Some properties include Star Wars, The Avengers, Captain America, Wolverine, Guardians of the Galaxy, Spider-man, Punisher, Grimm, Thanos, and Lord of the Rings. He illustrated the self-published comics Lovecraft, Relaunch, So Dark, and recently through CEX - Tuskers. He has also done covers for Valiant and Heavy Metal, and has been working on Star Wars over the last year for major Topps sets (not sketchcards).

Daniel’s illustration work is in everything from watercolor, pencil, ink and other traditional mediums as well as digital. Aside from Star Wars, Daniel has recently completed illustrating covers and interiors for Naomi Novik's popular fantasy novel series, Temeraire, and is finishing work on 500 Dragon paintings for the world of Eragon.

Visit Daniel's Website  ·   Follow Daniel on Instagram @danielgovar

Starting Price — All-Inclusive

Workshop Tuition: $800

All Inclusive with Tuition, Room, Meals: From $2,360 per person

Single occupancy · all-inclusive · 5 nights · best prepaid rate

•      Includes workshop instruction, lodging at The Landgrove Inn, three meals daily, the welcome reception, and gratuity (taxes additional)

•      5 nights lodging + full board at $312/night (single, prepaid) = $1,510

•      Workshop fee = $800

•      Bringing a companion? Add just $114/night for their lodging, meals and gratuity — see the FAQ. Also taking the workshop? Just add another workshop fee.

Prefer to spend a little less time away? You can check out on the final workshop day for 4 nights instead of 5 — subtract $312/night (single occupancy). See the FAQ.

What’s Included

A simple “show up and paint” package — full room and board, with everything handled:

•      Four days of instruction and programming

•      Lodging at The Landgrove

•      Three meals per day, including 3-course dinners

•      Welcome reception on the first night

•      Gratuity included (taxes additional)

All meals are shared together as a group — a big part of the Landgrove experience and what makes these retreats feel like a true creative community.

A Day at Landgrove

Arrival day

•      Check-in from 3 PM

•      Welcome reception (wine/beer + hors d’oeuvres) 5–6 PM

•      Introductory 3-course dinner 6–8 PM

Workshop days

•      Breakfast (communal) 8–9 AM

•      Morning painting session

•      Lunch (communal) 12:30 PM

•      Afternoon painting session

•      3-course dinner (communal) 6–8 PM

Departure day

•      Breakfast 8–9 AM

•      Check-out by 11 AM

The Landgrove Setting

You’ll stay in a peaceful historic inn surrounded by the Green Mountain National Forest — an inspiring setting that helps you slow down and settle into deep creative work. When you want to explore beyond the studio, you’re close to classic Vermont: Manchester (Southern Vermont Arts Center, Northshire Bookstore), Weston (Weston Theater Company, the Vermont Country Store), plus scenic drives and mountain towns nearby.

Our Cancellation Policy

This policy applies to both the Flexible and Prepaid rates.

If you cancel more than 60 days before your arrival:

• Refund: Receive a refund, less a $75 cancellation fee.

• Transfer: Transfer your deposit to another workshop at no additional charge.

If you cancel 31–60 days before your arrival:

• Refund: Receive a refund, less a $250 cancellation fee.

• Credit: Receive a credit toward a future stay, with no change or cancellation fee.

If you cancel 30 DAYS OR LESS before your arrival:

• Refund: Receive a refund, less a $500 cancellation fee.

• Credit: Receive a credit toward a future stay, with a $250 change fee.

Because our workshops require us to make commitments to our artists well in advance, our cancellation policy helps ensure that we can fairly compensate our artists. We appreciate your understanding and support of the artists who make these workshops possible.

Mini-FAQ

Can I check out earlier?

Yes. The package runs through the morning after the final workshop day, but you’re welcome to check out one day earlier—on the final workshop day, and thereby subtract $312 for the last night. Check-out of your room is by 9 AM if doing so, before the morning workshop session. When inputting your dates to book, just change your check-out date to one day earlier.

Can my partner or a friend come along?

Absolutely — companions are welcome and very much part of the experience. The second guest in your room is booked as a companion, with lodging, all meals and gratuity included, for $114/night more than going solo. Many spouses and friends join just for the stay — exploring the forest, nearby towns, the pool, or a book by the tavern fire — while still sharing every meal.

Can my partner or friend also take the workshop?

If your companion also wants to paint, add “Additional Workshop Registration” at checkout, or contact us.

What about dietary needs?

Add any dietary requirements in the Special Requests field at checkout and we’ll prepare accordingly. All meals are shared together as a group.

How do I get there?

The nearest airports are Albany, Hartford, Boston, and Rutland VT. Train stations are in Albany NY and Brattleboro VT (recommend Albany if travelling from NYC). For transit from an airport or train station we recommend Mountain Drivers (802.772.5223, mtndrivers.com).

What should I bring?

The supply list is included will be provided ahead of the workshop and covers everything you’ll need to bring. Tables and studio space are provided.

How many students?

Workshops are intentionally small — this one is capped at 15 — for real personal attention and a close-knit group.

Can Vermont locals attend without staying at the inn?

If you're a local and would want to commute to the workshop daily, we will take bookings for up to two workshop participants until 60 days before the workshop (within 60 days we open all available workshop spots for locals). The cost for local attendees is the workshop fee, plus one of the following meal plan options (including gratuity):

• Workshop Lunches ($27.50/day)

• Workshop Lunches & 3-Course Dinners ($81.00/day)

Ready to Book?

Book This Workshop, use the booking widget on this page, or give us a ring at 802.824.6674.