Julia Woning was educated at the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam from 1990 to 1994. Graduated in Illustration and 2nd main subject (analogue) photography. Since then she has worked as an illustrator, portraitist, visual artist, drawing-painter teacher and author.
Immediately after her training as an Illustrator she joined TopDrawers-Amsterdam. The agency for illustrators. There she took the first steps as an illustrator and under the watchful eye of Mentor Ronald Bijlsma was able to realize many beautiful projects for various companies, Rabobank, Shell, KLM, Uitzendburo START, Safari, Bride and Groom Magazine, etc. the Rotterdam Advertising Prize 1996 with a bus shelter campaign for Hoge School Rotterdam.
In addition to her illustration work, she also tried to create her own art work. Her breakthrough came with the ‘Lovely Ladies’ paintings. “Since 2008 I have been making Lovely Ladies, cheerful female figures in everyday things. The Lovely Ladies are cheerful, recognizable and always and everywhere in a good mood. These voluminous figures are having a cup of tea with a cake, chatting by the fire or having a drink. I get inspiration from everywhere. I am always looking for cheerfulness, atmosphere, proportions, shapes, structures and combinations of colors in my work. Painting gives me peace, warmth and cheerfulness. I hope that a wide audience can see my work and get happy.
At the end of 2021 Julia presented a whole new series called NATURE at the Kunstkeuken in Valkenswaard. “I take inspiration from nature and bring it inside by making beautiful, colorful paintings of it. The worlds of birds, fish, plants, air, water and land comes together. In this way I create a new world with a new dimension. Relaxing to look at, but also a journey of discovery into a happy and balance world of color, animals and plants.”
Besides illustrating and creating paintings she creates portraits. Both free and on assignment. In various materials and in various styles, Julia tries to capture the true portrait of the person. Every time a quest to catch that person makes it very interesting. She gets satisfaction from the fact that people respond to her work, which is very valuable to her. Making people happy with her creations.
In September 2015, BBNC publishers launched my first coloring book “The one and only Lovely Ladies coloring book for adults” soon more followed and for coloring. They are cheerful, recognizable and perfect for coloring. The Lovely Ladies will put you in a good mood anytime, anywhere. Besides the and I illustrated many kinds of coloring books. The animal series, The Colorful Peoples of the World. From this series also came the idea to write a techniques Dutch book how to color and I wrote the COLOR techniques workshop book. Still a great success, so more Dutch books followed. Creative Drawing Techniques workshop, PanPastel® Workshop, Art Journal workshop and my latest book watercolor workshop. “I take you in my books as the ultimate guide to coloring and/or drawing – I accompany you from start to finish and through every step of the coloring and/or drawing process”. And then I got globle my PanPastel workshop book is translated in english and is now available all over the world there were you can buy your PanPastel® colors you can find my book! Enjoy and let me inspire you ;-)
Besides painting, illustrating and writing, Julia also gives demonstrations, workshops both online and in her studio in Bergschenhoek, Netherlans or on location.
Art Teacher:
1995 t/m 2006 I created the Van Beek art studio in Rotterdam and gave there my first workshops.
1997 Willem de Kooning Art Academie in Rotterdam (ABK): teacher for introduction to illustration.1997 Academie Beeldende Kunsten Rotterdam: zaterdag Docent voor introductie voor Illustratie.
1998 t/m 1999 Stichting het Polderhuis te Bergschenhoek drawing and painting classes for adults and kids.
2003 Workshop 6x CKV docent Lodewijk Rogier College Noordsingel te Rotterdam VMBO.
2005 Vakgroep docent illustratie ABK Willem de Kooning te Rotterdam.
2007 till now starting my own art studio
2016 till now ambassador for PanPastel and give demonstrations and workshops.
2016 till now ambassadeur for Derwent and give demonstrations and workshops.
2021 till now Daniël Smith Watercolors demonstrations and workshops.
Derwent® Ambassador
Since the end of 2016 Julia is a Derwent Ambassador. “I didn’t need to think twice about a collaboration. This brand has so much variation in products I love to create/work with it . I am the head of the Derwent-Colourstock design team and we have an enthusiastic design team. We create content for the brand on sociale media: Facebook and Instagram. In addition I give demonstrations and workshops in the Netherlands and Belgium for Derwent.
PanPastel® Ambassador
Since the end of 2016 Julia is a PanPastel® Ambassador. “I’m in love with PanPastel®. The smoothness, the velvety look, I love it. What surprised me the most is how great you can mix the colors, it is just like mixing paint. And you can get great results with PanPastel® on Pastelmat paper, that’s my favorite combination. I have written a book PanPastel®Workshop available in Dutch and in English. I love to give demonstrations and workshops in the Netherlands and Belgium for PanPastel®.
GelliArts® Ambassador
This year, I’ll be diving deep into the vibrant world of monoprinting using the iconic Gelli Arts gel printing plates. I especially love working with the larger plates, where I can truly express myself through bold, unique, and colorful prints.
Join me on this creative journey and get inspired — there’s so much beauty and creativity coming your way!
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