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If you would like to go on the waiting list for future workshops, please contact me.

A watercolour Christmas card workshop will be held in Sudbury on the 7th December from 10am to 3/4pm. I am keeping the cost the same as last year, £65 (if you have your own equipment). If you need to borrow equipment from me for the day the cost is £75.

This year I have seen unprecedented numbers of people wanting beginner courses so this workshop will be suitable for beginners as well as those of you with some experience.

All my classes and courses are small and friendly; making you feel at ease. I will be demonstrating how to paint each card step-by-step covering topics like colour mixing, creating form, painting washes, and special watercolour effects culminating in some unique paintings. 

If you have any questions, or you would like to book a place for yourself or a friend/relative, please email me at [email protected]

The image above demonstrates some of the possibilities - which and how many cards we have time to paint at the workshop will depend on how much tuition is needed, so will vary.  

Another en plein air workshop at Hedingham Castle. With Covid-19 and the restrictions it has imposed on us I have felt very lucky to know the man that can arrange these workshops for me at this fantastic venue. 

We were lucky with the weather again, bright and sunny conditions for most of the day. It did rain (well, pour) but fortunately for us it was lunch-time and we all sat, sheltered under the bridge, to eat. 

That will be the final workshop of 2020 as the weather is too cold to be outside for any length of time now. I am looking forward to Spring when hopefully we can resume workshops once more.

This was my first trip out after shielding for 6 months - a watercolour workshop outside in the grounds of Hedingham Castle. 

It was THE most beautiful day and we had the luxury of having whole place to ourselves. This is what the same workshop looked like last year...

Wet! And cold - we all ended up at The Bell Inn drinking hot coffees to warm up.

You can't plan the English weather when it comes to planning an en plein air painting workshop but fortunately for me everyone makes the best of it and they never complain.

Following the very successful "Beginners to watercolour workshop" I ran earlier this year, I am running a new workshop entitled "Moving on in watercolour" at The Old Bank Studio in Harwich on Sunday the 8th September 2019. 

During the day, which starts at 10am, I will be demonstrating step-by-step the two paintings pictured above.

A delicious 2-course homemade lunch is included in the price and the day ends with one of Nigel Caleno's legendary cream teas at 4:30pm. 

Both these pictures are fun to paint and are suitable for beginners and more advanced painters. The emphasis of the day is to explore some of the more in-depth aspects of this beautiful medium to improve existing skills or learn new ones. 

The list of equipment needed is small; just 6 colours of paint, 2 brushes, and watercolour paper. Everything else can be found in or around your home.

Daffodils, primroses, blossom and tulips – colour in abundance, at last. The perfect workshop if you’d like to paint a card for Mother’s Day or buy the workshop as a present for your mother.
 
Demonstrations and individual guidance will be given.
 
Workshops are run on the second Wednesday of every month. Click on the link to browse the monthly themes. 

I run Watercolour Workshops or Taster Days from my studio, providing tuition for up to six people.

Whether you are a complete beginner, or a more experienced artist, I can tailor the day to suit your needs ensuring you get the most from your time.

These small original paintings will be available to buy shortly, if you are interested please contact me. More examples of my flowers and fruit paintings can be seen in the gallery.

"Thank you so much for a really lovely day. It was perfect. Great company, great food and even Robert thought my painting looked good which, of course, is down to you. Thanks again and we will be back (if you'll have us!)". MH

If you are interested in joining a watercolour workshop or weekly class below is a list of the basic equipment needed. I hope it is helpful.

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

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 

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.