Ah, the joys of sketching! There really is nothing quite so inspiring to the artist than getting out there with a few simple materials and taking some quick "snapshots" of the locality. This workshop is designed to encourage you to do just that.

We shall be working round the picturesque and historic village of Castle Rising, working mainly in pen and wash. Daler-Rowney are sponsoring the course, so there will be a generous kit of FREE sketching materials for each participant. This will include a paintbox, brushes, sketch-pads etc. We shall be hoping for fine weather, but if not then we can still sketch, but in the comfort of the studio, working from my own reference material.

Ink has been used as a vibrant and exciting medium by artists over the centuries, from ancient times right up until the present day.  This course is an opportunity to explore both traditional pen and wash techniques and some more contemporary ones. 

Using brushes and pens, with waterproof and water-soluble inks, I'll show you how to bring new life to your paintings, using ink on its own and ink with watercolour washes.  Our subjects will be drawn primarily from the landscape and the course is suitable for artists of all abilities. 

Sponsored by Daler-Rowney, who will provide a FREE kit of art materials valued at £95.

Weekly Watercolour Classes in Spring and Autumn 2012

Spring term commencing Monday 16th January or Thursday 19th January for nine weeks. 10.30am - 12.30pm or 2pm - 4pm. Price £110

As I have done for around ten years now, I will be tutoring three watercolour weekly course during the spring and again in the Autumn. If you live within reach of Castle Rising these provide an enjoyable way to learn watercolour techniques and to socialise with other participants.

On Monday afternoons 2pm - 4pm there will be a Beginners group. The Autumn term is for complete beginners, and we'll cover everything needed to successfully paint in watercolour. A step-by-step course where you can expect to take home at least four simple but effective paintings. When you begin the course, you will receive a kit of materials sponsored by Daler-Rowney which provided pretty much everything you will need to start painting. Providing there is sufficient demand, the course will continue after the Christmas break, progressing on in carefully structured steps. A fun way to learn, painting pictures not doing exercises!

On Thursday mornings and afternoons I run groups for those who have had some experience of watercolour. We tackle a wide variety of subjects, and most of the time I demonstrate each step of the painting fully. In some sessions, there is an opportunity to work more on your own, but with advice always available from myself. We occasionally explore media such as ink pens and gouache but the emphasis is on watercolour, usually landscape based. Over the years there have been many Norfolk subjects, but others are drawn from my travels around the British Isles and in other parts of the world. We have also explored still-life, animals, and people, so there's plenty of variety each term.