About Eleanor Mann, artist and tutor
Suffolk artist Eleanor Mann paints watercolours using pure transparent pigments. She is fascinated by how the medium of watercolour enables her to create light and atmosphere in her paintings. She is inspired to paint an infinite range of subjects, ensuring that her portfolio is varied. She has become particularly known for her paintings of Venice, Boxing Hares, Church Windows, Churches in Snow, and the River Stour.
Having had no formal training, Eleanor believes that painting is not an inborn talent but requires diligence and hard work. She has sought guidance from other artists whose work she admires. Exploring different mediums and styles has enriched her technical knowledge and encouraged her to develop as an artist. Not wishing to become formulaic in style, she continues to explore fresh ways to express her vision by experimentation. It is through these experiments that she continues to grow and develop.
Eleanor is passionate about passing on the knowledge she’s gained. She is an experienced watercolour tutor and currently runs weekly classes as well as teaching workshops and giving private tuition throughout the year. Drawing on the difficulties she experienced whilst teaching herself to paint, Eleanor has written three six-week courses teaching watercolour techniques. She loves being in a position to inspire people to paint and help them to realise their own artistic potential.
During the pandemic in 2020 Eleanor made her three 6-week courses available via an online subscription so you can learn to paint using her techniques in your own time and from the comfort of your home.
She has also published an e-book for Kindle The Watercolour Book: How to paint anything which is a comprehensive watercolour course teaching techniques which can be applied to any subject matter. This is also available to download as a PDF.
You can read testimonials from some of her students on this website.
Eleanor is a Professional Associate of the Society for All Artists and has been selected as a member of the Suffolk Art Society. She has given talks and critiques to art societies.
Her work has been published in various art books and magazines including the SAA’s Paint magazine, the Visions of Sudbury book and the Focus magazine.
Eleanor’s paintings are regularly exhibited around Suffolk and Essex and she has been invited to exhibit at the Sudbury Summer Art Fair.
As well as original paintings, her work is also available as prints and cards. A continually changing display of framed, original paintings and prints of her work are on permanent display at Equilibrium Therapies, Sudbury.
Having had no formal training, Eleanor believes that painting is not an inborn talent but requires diligence and hard work. She has sought guidance from other artists whose work she admires. Exploring different mediums and styles has enriched her technical knowledge and encouraged her to develop as an artist. Not wishing to become formulaic in style, she continues to explore fresh ways to express her vision by experimentation. It is through these experiments that she continues to grow and develop.
Eleanor is passionate about passing on the knowledge she’s gained. She is an experienced watercolour tutor and currently runs weekly classes as well as teaching workshops and giving private tuition throughout the year. Drawing on the difficulties she experienced whilst teaching herself to paint, Eleanor has written three six-week courses teaching watercolour techniques. She loves being in a position to inspire people to paint and help them to realise their own artistic potential.
During the pandemic in 2020 Eleanor made her three 6-week courses available via an online subscription so you can learn to paint using her techniques in your own time and from the comfort of your home.
She has also published an e-book for Kindle The Watercolour Book: How to paint anything which is a comprehensive watercolour course teaching techniques which can be applied to any subject matter. This is also available to download as a PDF.
You can read testimonials from some of her students on this website.
Eleanor is a Professional Associate of the Society for All Artists and has been selected as a member of the Suffolk Art Society. She has given talks and critiques to art societies.
Her work has been published in various art books and magazines including the SAA’s Paint magazine, the Visions of Sudbury book and the Focus magazine.
Eleanor’s paintings are regularly exhibited around Suffolk and Essex and she has been invited to exhibit at the Sudbury Summer Art Fair.
As well as original paintings, her work is also available as prints and cards. A continually changing display of framed, original paintings and prints of her work are on permanent display at Equilibrium Therapies, Sudbury.
Artist's Statement
I live in Suffolk, known for its famous artist Thomas Gainsborough.
My paintings reflect my love of architecture, the local countryside and wildlife. I see beauty in ordinary things, preferring the wild flowers that grow along verges or in hedgerows to the more cultivated varieties.
Watercolour is a very versatile medium; it can be soft and gentle or bold and dramatic. I find myself working in many different ways to achieve the result I want but my favourite method is building up glazes of transparent paint which can create incredible luminosity and light in a picture. I find capturing atmosphere through the depiction of light makes the most ordinary everyday subjects look extraordinary in paint.
The elusive nature of watercolour intrigues and fascinates me. The challenge that watercolour presents is an attraction for me rather than a deterrent. I have an analytical mind. I am not satisfied to accept "happy accidents"; I want to know why and how watercolour paint behaves as it does. This curiosity motivates me to explore this medium further, continually challenging myself in my paintings.
The more I paint, the more I realise there are no limits to what can be achieved with watercolour. This is what drives me - the possibilities of what might be.
Eleanor
Some kind words:
My paintings reflect my love of architecture, the local countryside and wildlife. I see beauty in ordinary things, preferring the wild flowers that grow along verges or in hedgerows to the more cultivated varieties.
Watercolour is a very versatile medium; it can be soft and gentle or bold and dramatic. I find myself working in many different ways to achieve the result I want but my favourite method is building up glazes of transparent paint which can create incredible luminosity and light in a picture. I find capturing atmosphere through the depiction of light makes the most ordinary everyday subjects look extraordinary in paint.
The elusive nature of watercolour intrigues and fascinates me. The challenge that watercolour presents is an attraction for me rather than a deterrent. I have an analytical mind. I am not satisfied to accept "happy accidents"; I want to know why and how watercolour paint behaves as it does. This curiosity motivates me to explore this medium further, continually challenging myself in my paintings.
The more I paint, the more I realise there are no limits to what can be achieved with watercolour. This is what drives me - the possibilities of what might be.
Eleanor
Some kind words:
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"I am loving my new painting. Thank you so much. Apart from the dogs, it was the first thing I looked at when I got home from holiday."
G Munns "We just wanted to let you know that we're both thrilled with the painting we commissioned. We stared at it for ages last night - the more we look at it, the more we love it. Thank you!"
M & T Summers "Thank you very much for sending the print so quickly. It is beautiful and my cousin loves it! Thanks for your excellent service." -Shirley Boghossian.
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"It was lovely to see your beautiful work again!
I gave my husband his 25th Wedding Anniversary present from me which was the fabulous painting that I purchased from you. It's adorable and is going to go on my bedroom wall when we get home." M Byham "I really love the painting I bought from you, it is so serene and tranquil with a mystical depth that I can travel into in meditation.
Just perfect! S.Tolhurst "Just to let you know I have received the painting and it's absolutely beautiful. Many thanks."
M Millington |
"I purchased two prints of Eleanor's watercolour paintings of Venice for my daughters. Eleanor captured the ethereal movement of the water and the beauty of the architecture in her paintings perfectly, reminding us of our visit to that amazing place in a way that no photograph could achieve."
S & L Bixley "My portrait of Marilyn Monroe captures her sultry beauty perfectly, as if she is wooing one. As you can imagine, she sits above my study desk.
Eleanor is clearly very gifted." Paul Bixley "Love my dear, jolly little pig painting. Thank you."
J Cassidy |
"My wife was overjoyed to get the painting for her birthday. She shed a tear when she unwrapped it! What does it feel like to be responsible for evoking such pleasure, well done you!"
S Nichols "I just wanted to say that I am thrilled with my watercolour of The Hare - you have captured him perfectly. I have followed your career for many years and am stunned by the clarity of your work and the diverse methods you use in your watercolour paintings to best capture and depict your subject." Sharon Buthlay Author |
"Eleanor Mann's delicate, haunting, lyrical artworks capture the wonder and uniqueness of the seasons across our local area. Sometimes it's easy to forget there is beauty in everyday life but these jewel-like, lyrical paintings remind us to open our eyes and share her vision.
Pure and poetic, these intriguing paintings shimmer with all the force of nature evoking the spirit of the landscape through colour and form. Some crackle with energy, others, subtle and pervasive, seem to hint at mysteries ancient and eternal. They trace the inscrutability of nature and life."
Extract taken from Focus Magazine December 2012 written by Elaine Symonds.
Pure and poetic, these intriguing paintings shimmer with all the force of nature evoking the spirit of the landscape through colour and form. Some crackle with energy, others, subtle and pervasive, seem to hint at mysteries ancient and eternal. They trace the inscrutability of nature and life."
Extract taken from Focus Magazine December 2012 written by Elaine Symonds.