The subject matter was chosen to reflect the panoramic views that The Pheasant enjoys, but with some artistic interpretation to allow for as many different watercolour techniques as possible to be included. 

Fortunately the weather was good (better than it looks in the photographs) and it was a very enjoyable day. James provided us with home made biscuits with our morning coffee as well as a delicious two course lunch with wine and coffee.  

This was the first time some of the artists had painted, and I have never tutored a workshop "en plein air" before so it was a new experience for us all. I was very impressed at the speed with which everyone picked up some of the more difficult aspects of painting. Everyone went home with two finished paintings, and hopefully some new found skills that they can put to good use in their gardens or on holiday.

If you would like to receive information on future events, or you know someone that might, you can subscribe here. 

Finally, during July, my original framed paintings, framed prints and cards will be on display at The Pheasant.
Address: Gestingthorpe, Essex, CO9 3AU. Opening times: 12-2:30pm and 6:30-9pm.

Eleanor

More criminal birds!

Following my 'trip down memory lane' with my painting of a Blue Tit on a milk bottle I have been looking at, in order to paint, more of our native British birds.

Other examples of my paintings are available in the gallery  Animals and Birds and also in the gallery of New Paintings.

More of my landscape paintings can be seen in the gallery, Landscape Paintings and in the gallery of  New Paintings.

This piece is from a painting holiday I, and four other artists, went on to Limoux, in the Aude department of France, in 2013. 

One damp, gloomy day we took a trip to Saint Hilaire, in the Cathar region, to visit the Abbey there. 

The inspiration for this painting came from that journey - which was spectacular. I was relieved not to be driving (thank you, Dora). 

The steep hills were covered with vineyards and surrounded by pine trees with the occasional breathtaking view toward the Pyrenees. In fact I was drawn to the Pyrenees from the moment I spotted its peeks through the clouds as the plane came in to land: Like a child seeing the sea for the first time I was continually on the lookout for them during our stay.

I run twice yearly workshops in Henny for those wanting to learn how to paint in watercolour, improve their painting skills, or just have some ‘me time’ doing something they enjoy with like-minded people.

My aim is to teach different techniques at each workshop. I hope the various techniques covered will enable students to have a set of skills that are transferable to any subject matter of their choice.  

I chose the Stour Valley as the subject matter for this workshop.  I chose it because it's local to us and lends itself well to different interpretations, styles and colours. I try to choose a subject that is not too demanding to draw, leaving students free to concentrate on painting.

The students went home with one large and one small painting.

The techniques in this workshop included:-

• Mixing three primary colours to create a variety of realistic greens found in the landscape.
  
• Mixing neutral or "muted" colours with the aid of the colour wheel and colour theory.
  
• Using masking tape and paper to reserve areas.
  
• Graded washes.
  
• Flat washes.
  
• Wet-on-dry.
  
• Wet-onto-wet.
  
• Using a natural sponge to create texture and foliage.
  
• Various ways of holding the brush to create a variety of marks.
  
• I also talked briefly on the subject of composition and the necessity to stand away from your work to assess it as they came up in conversation.
  

Other workshops at Henny include Painting Autumn Wreaths

"Thanks very much Eleanor, excellent day – thanks too for your patience and understanding not to mention really helpful thought and preparation, can’t wait for the next time!"
Peter