Description
Through this interactive course we will turn the way we look at objects upside down and in the process discover that negative painting is far from negative! We will learn to reveal our subject by painting the space and air around it rather than by painting the object itself. Negative painting is especially powerful in watercolour, as we will struggle to paint white or pale objects on a white paper. By painting the air around the object, we can capture its light and form. With step by step guidance, we will first explore what negative painting is and why it is so important. We will move onto guidelines for successful negative painting, before pulling all our learning together in a study of autumn leaves. A pdf of notes and examples is included to act as a reminder of the course content.
What's included in the price?
Seven videos and multiple reference files.
What you will need
For this course you will need: A sheet of watercolour paper approximately 30x30cm (10x10 inches), the heavier the better as we will be doing multiple washes – at least 140lb Not/Cold pressed surface. Watercolour paint in autumnal colours eg quinacridone gold, gamboge, sap green, cadmium red, alizarin crimson, burnt Sienna, burnt Umber. If you are more a Spring or Summer person, you can easily change your palette of colours and turn the seasons around in your painting A round brush, size 8/10 Salt, cling film/Sarin wrap if required Hairdryer (each layer needs to dry thoroughly) Two pots of water Pencil and eraser Water spray bottle, kitchen towel We are going to use leaves to develop the idea of negative painting. Just a silhouette is fine (use Google), it doesn’t have to be a real leaf.
Duration
Maker
Liz lives and works in a small village in Berkshire. She has been showing her work through exhibitions and galleries since 2009. A selection of her paintings are published by Artko, Artwall and Wraptious. Her first book, 'Painting watercolours on canvas' was published by the Crowood Press in June 2019 and her fifth is due to be published in late 2023. She writes for The Leisure Painter and other art magazines and teaches extensively on YouTube. She aims to help you see the animals and flora we so often overlook and by so doing to nurture a more caring attitude to the environment.
Suitable for
- Adults
- Seniors
- Teenagers
- Wheelchair users
- Limited mobility
- Intermediate level
- Suitable for beginners
FAQs
Regretfully under 18s cannot be accommodated. I do not hold a DRB and therefore a parent or guardian would need to be present at all times by law. Many of my students are teachers or parents of teenagers and come to escape! The way I teach is very student led and I have found this does not suit those in education as it is very different from the classroom style. In my experience it changes the dynamic of the day and therefore I only teach adults on my workshops.
Unfortunately while Knowl Hill is level access, it is not wheel chair accessible. There are uneven paths and steps on the property due to its age. There is a single step between the studio and the toilet. The toilet is not adapted. If you have any access issues or need extra support, please discuss before booking and Liz will do whatever she can to accommodate you.
These will be sent out with course information, once you have confirmed. But if you want to look at the venue in Knowl Hill, please go to their website www.micklemsfarm.com. There is lots of parking. If the weather is nice we should be able to paint outside too. If numbers fall below five, I may move the course to my conservatory, which can accommodate four painters easily. I will give you as much notice as possible.
The course starts at 10.00, but please try and arrive 15-20 minutes before hand. We should be finished by 4.00/4.30. Timings are flexible to accommodate the speed at which people work.
Tea and coffee are available all day. If you need a special milk, please bring your own. Please bring your own lunch.
All materials are provided so that everyone has the right things to work with and get the most out of the course. While you are welcome to bring your favourite supplies if you want, no reduction can be offered.
If people are beginning, then they don’t want to have to buy everything before they know if they are going to enjoy it. If more experienced, all art materials are not created equal. Should someone bring lower quality materials, they may struggle to achieve the results they are after. If someone forgets things, there are no art shops nearby to buy stock. It is safer and less frustrating to have everything supplied.
Your enthusiasm! All art materials will be supplied unless otherwise stated. Wear old clothes and bring an apron if you like. You might be asked to bring an image you want to work from, depending on your course. If you have favourite brushes or colours, of course feel free to bring them.
Everything – paper, brushes, paint, water…. Tea, coffee, biscuits. Bring yourself and a willingness to have a go.
It’s normal to be nervous, but as everyone is in the same boat, the nerves will disappear in a flash. If you come on your own, you immediately have something in common with everyone else so it is easy to relax. Your tutor will do everything possible to make sure you have a great time and learn a lot. You might be exhausted at the end of the day, but no longer nervous!
The groups are kept small so that you get lots of attention. All materials are supplied, so that you can work with artist quality supplies. Your tutor is a professional working artist, with experience in teaching everyone from beginners through to professionals. The workshops are held in a beautiful location, so there is peace and quiet to concentrate on yourself. They are relaxed and fun, tailored to your needs and experience.
This course is taught online
