As well as 6-week courses, monthly workshops and private tuition, I run weekly classes.
 
Until now I've set a monthly theme for these, which has been working very well. It has challenged people and encouraged them to try subjects they would not normally attempt.

The result has been that people who have been attending regularly have got really good, and I mean REALLY GOOD! 

So in 2020 I am planning a change. Instead of changing the subject matter each month people will be able to paint whatever they like - but, I am in the process of planning new, advanced challenges to encourage people to try different techniques and ideas, with the intention of taking them even further!

As an elected member of the Suffolk Art Society I am exhibiting with other members at The beautiful historic church of St Peter and St Paul's in Lavenham. The exhibition runs from Saturday the 25th May until Sunday the 9th June. 

At the time of writing a dozen framed paintings and a dozen unframed paintings have sold already. The display is updated all the time as pictures sold can be taken away immediately and the artists bring new ones to replace them.

Art Drop Day was started by Jake Parker, a cartoon artist in America "to feel a little more connected to each other through the act of creating and giving". The idea being that we create art, post hints where it has been left on social media and wait for it to be found.

I wanted to do it last year but had missed the date. So this year I painted a little picture, dropped it off in the countryside and now I am leaving you a clue as to its whereabouts so you can rush off and find it.

Hint:- I climbed high up over boulders to a windy cliff edge. I then crawled through a wet cave on my hands and knees to place the painting there. Now off you go....

OS grid reference SK 244 835

​I am doubtful that it will ever be found but I am assured there are more adventurous people than me! 

A varied selection of original Paintings, Prints and Greeting cards will be on display at The Pheasant in Gestingthorpe throughout March. 

Small original paintings or prints make affordable and thoughtful gifts. My original paintings are often impossible to repeat and my print runs are kept deliberately small, adding to their uniqueness and value. Prices range from around £50-£350 for a framed original painting.

Each Limited Edition print is signed and numbered by me. The cost is £35 for a framed print. Alternatively, if you would prefer to have a print framed yourself the cost of a Limited Edition Print mounted ready for framing is £25. 

If you are unable to see the display at The Pheasant prints are available to buy via my website (by clicking the image in any of the Galleries)  contact me directly if you wish to collect them in person.

Prints can be ordered in many standard sizes. Here on my website I have listed print sizes as fitting a 10" x 12" standard frame.  If you would prefer a smaller, or larger, size please contact me to discuss your requirements.

Eleanor

 The WATERCOLOUR Book : How to Paint Anything is based on my six week course. Having been painting for some time I identified six key areas in which beginners to watercolour struggle, only to realise that these key areas remain a challenge to all artists to a greater or lesser extent.

The book covers all aspects of watercolour painting, from choosing and buying essential equipment to exciting ways in which ordinary inexpensive household items can be adapted to produce amazing results.

Watercolour has the reputation of being the most difficult medium to work in but with this book you will quickly achieve successful results.

I concentrate less on teaching how to paint a particular subject and more on teaching technique, giving you the ability to paint any subject you like. There are exercises to help you gain confidence and better understand the paint and its unique qualities. This is the secret to painting in watercolour. Everything has been broken down and explained to help you build up a workbook of reference material which you can refer back to in the future. There are step-by-step demonstrations with photographs of my own workbook.

​This is a reference book filled with comprehensive information, advice and explanations for both experienced artists and beginners.

Click the image to take you to Amazon.co.uk or instead, subscribe to my online course for £10 a month, less if you subscribe in a block booking. 

There is nothing to lose as I am giving everyone a 14-day money-back guarantee if not satisfied.

For more information about this please click here. 
​

In my review at the end of 2014 I said I'd not be setting myself any new challenges - that I'd be taking 2015 "one day at a time". I lied. I immediately set myself numerous challenges, as is my way. 
 
Feeling a sense of failure about six months into the year I moved my own goal posts and am ashamed to say that I have still not succeeded in accomplishing some of my goals for the year. 
 
One would think I'd learn from this, but no. I now feel in order to regain some self esteem I must finish the tasks I set myself this year as well as the new (probably unrealistic) targets for 2016.

Original paintings, Limited Edition Prints and Greeting cards will be on display in The Blue Room at The Bell Inn, 10 St James's Street, Castle Hedingham, Essex, CO9 3EJ throughout September.

My new paintings have been reproduced as Limited Edition Prints. In many cases the Edition has been Limited, by me, to 50 or 100 prints adding to their uniqueness and value. Each one is signed and numbered by me. They cost £35, framed, and will be available from The Bell Inn during September.

Alternatively, if you would prefer to frame them yourself the cost of a Limited Edition Print is £25 mounted, ready for framing. 

They are available to buy via my website (by clicking the image in any of the Galleries) or contact me directly if you wish to collect them in person.

Prints can be ordered in many standard sizes. Here on my website I have listed print sizes as fitting a 10" x 12" standard frame.  If you would prefer a smaller, or larger, size please contact me.

The Society for All Artists asked me if I'd be willing to do a product review for MaimeriBlu watercolours.

I was sent a set of five, 15ml tubes to test. The colours sent were:- Cadmium Yellow Deep, a rich opaque colour with an orange bias. Cadmium Red Light, again opaque with an orange bias. Cobalt Blue Light, a semi opaque colour, and two earth colours; Burnt Sienna and Burnt Umber both semi opaque. 
(Right to left in the example below.)

James and Diana Donoghue, owners of the The Pheasant in Gestingthorpe, hosted a watercolour workshop following the BBC's recent series,"The Big Painting Challenge". As one of their resident artists I was invited to tutor it.

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 

My studio/gallery is open for visitors.
Address: Stone Cottage, 6 Church Street, Belchamp St Paul, Suffolk, CO10 7DJ
Open by appointment or on specially arranged weekends.
More details

Blank Greeting cards and selection of Limited Edition Prints are also available for sale at The Tourist Information Centre in Sudbury.
Address: Sudbury Tourist Information Centre, The Library, Market Hill, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2EN
Opening times: Mon – Thurs 9.30am – 4.30pm, Fri 9.30am – 4pm, Sat 10.00 – 3.30pm
Telephone: 01787 881320 

Original framed paintings and unframed prints are being exhibited for sale at Ne-Lea's, a traditional café set in a newly expanded business centre.
Address: Stour Valley Business Centre, Brundon Lane, Sudbury CO10 7GB.
Opening times:  8am-3pm.
Facebook Page

I have a permanent display of framed originals and framed prints at Buckley's Tea Rooms.
Address: 7A, St.James Street, Castle Hedingham, Essex, CO9 3EJ.
Opening times: Tuesday-Saturday.
Website

Another permanent display of framed originals and framed prints can be seen at Equilibrium Therapies. 
Addresses: Dorrington House, Rosemary Lane, Halstead, Essex, CO9 1HW
and:-
Oak Lodge, Station Road, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2SP.
Website

The Bell Inn, 10 St James' Street, Castle Hedingham, Essex, CO9 3EJ has a selection of my paintings as cards for sale on display permanently.
Website

Blank Greeting cards are also available for sale at The Art and Framing Centre.
Address: 8 Friars Street, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2AA.
Opening times: 9-5:30pm, Monday-Saturday.
Telephone: 01787 310900

The Pheasant in Gestingthorpe are organising a  "Big Painting Challenge" day with me as the tutor. Follow the link above or visit their Website for further information. Address: Gestingthorpe, Essex, CO9 3AU.

Original paintings and prints of this and other birds and animals are in the gallery.

...although it is subjected to a daily re-arrangement at the moment. I expect the novelty will wear off and I'll get back to painting pictures again!

Opening days and times will be sorted out shortly but VIP's will receive a special invitation.

The original painting can be seen in the Landscape Gallery and prints can be purchased there via PayPal.

I was invited back to do another workshop at Henny last Tuesday. It was my third workshop with this lovely group of ladies, many of whom only get the chance to paint at my workshops.

My workshops are for those wanting to learn how to paint, improve their painting skills, or just have some ‘me time’, doing something they enjoy. 

I provide all the materials needed for the day. Concentrating on teaching different aspects of painting at every workshop, so no two are the same, I demonstrate techniques giving people a set of skills that are transferable to any subject matter.

Helpful Harry, known also as Hairy Harry, assists Eleanor to package up her first original painting for shipping to Australia.

Unfortunately that didn't go well. The package had to be unpacked and re-packed at The Pi Hut for a more professional finish!