Crazy last few years.....

Wow the last few years have been absolutely crazy. When I shut down the in person classes I only thought it would be for a couple of months. Who knew it would be years later that they would finally start up again. I'm starting a new venue come September at Ardleigh House Community Centre and I cant wait to be back in the classroom with my regulars. I have done a few sessions at West Horndon Art Group, which is always a pleasure....

It was a bit scary to be back in person and I kept my mask on the whole time. I think I'm more relaxed now that things have calmed down. However it was so lovely to see everyone creating in front of me. I also forgot how exhausting it was, a complete shock to my system after working from the comfort of my studio for so long!

I started zoom classes to keep my learners doing something creative and to stop me going insane with home learning. It's been such a positive experience that I'm going to keep doing them on a Tuesday. It's great teaching from the comfort of your own home with slippers on and a coffee to sip on. The learners said it was good to see me working up close, sometimes in a large room it can be a struggle to see properly but online you have me up close and personal : )

 

The weekly practice of drawing and painting is great to develop skills. In the past most of my time is taken with learners and helping them with their artwork that I didnt have the chance to complete work but I've noticed that through zoom I draw and paint so much on my own work and it's really helped me to develop and find my own voice. Which I know sounds really cheesy but the main thing I've learnt is that by drawing and painting weekly you'll discover what you like and what you don't which will direct you to your own style. In class we experiment, for example adding ink pens on top of watercolour. One learner has found her style and finds this too bold so uses soft pencils instead, keeping it soft and muted in her style. So go experiment and see what happens plus you'll have lots of fun along the way.

If you're interested zoom classes will be running on Tuesday mornings, 10-12. Inperson classes will be starting in September, exciting!

 

 

Painting elephants......

This is something I've wanted to do for ages especially after reading Handa's surprise to the girls and seeing the gorgeous illustrations. I still love reading that to the girls so we can look at the amazing watercolour paintings. 

I took inspiration from Hazel Soane painting in coloured layers starting with Yellow Ochre, adding Crimson then finishing with Blue. I was really pleased with him...there's something really joyful about elephants : ) 

If you're local and want to join us painting elephants i'll be in the Visitor Centre at Hornchurch Country Park this Thursday 12.45-14.45 £10.

There's still some places....

 if you fancy coming along to get creative.....

Watercolour class what we've been up to.....

This year I was excited to start a new 10 week watercolour class at Havering Adult College. So far we're half way through and I thought I'd share what we've been up to.

We started off with a simple landscape image.....

 Then we looked at a tonal study, this was taken from a trip to New Zealand. I love derelict buildings and this was a great example. Painted in Payne's Grey, my new favourite colour to use.

We then took a limited palette to complete a tree. The great thing with watercolour painting is the different effects you can use. I love wet on wet backgrounds where the colours blend beautifully. Then using a dry brush for images and layering different colours.

We had some fun experimenting with wax resists the salt technique. 

And more fun with masking fluid and the alcohol technique.....

After half term we're going to look at an architectural detail using a photo I took of St.Paul's. Sometimes the hardest thing with art is knowing when to stop. I started this painting with loose wet on wet colours blending into one another and I loved the effect but then I kept going, adding more and more detail.

So I went back and started again with a loose sketchy style which I love.

If you like the look of what we're up to and want to come and have a go the next course is on 19th April. Click here for more details.
If it looks a bit complicated, not to worry as I break down every image step by step and demonstrate all the techniques so anyone can attempt it from complete beginners to those wanting to brush up their skills.

Watercolour class.....

Last year I was lucky enough to teach some art classes for Havering Adult College which I am absolutely loving. I have a Tuesday morning watercolour class at the Bower Park Centre and we started off experimenting with Brusho. 

I loved playing with all the colours and here some of the results. If you've never experimented with Brusho it is great fun as you literally watch the colours explode on your paper, however because of this you can't really control them and you never know what you're going to end up with. This can either be exciting if you go with the flow or a little frustrating if you had an idea in your head of how you wanted it to go.

We also did a simple seascape image, this was taken at Holywell Bay in Cornwall where we had an amazing holiday in the summer. It definitely brings back happy memories when I see this.....

We also attempted a country landscape image....

And to finish the course, just in time for Christmas we painted a festive little robin. The other students finished theirs with backgrounds and the snowy log he was stood on which completed the picture so when I get the chance I shall take inspiration from the students and try to finish him maybe in time for next Christmas!

When teaching art it's amazing to see the creativity in the classroom and the fact that everybody's work looks completely different as they add their own styles and interpretations. I was really proud of what they achieved especially as most had not picked up a paintbrush since they were a child. I'll try to get some pictures of their amazing work to share.