Painting holiday in Grasmere

The base is the Glenthorne Hotel in Grasmere. 

I love running my painting courses from this relaxed beautiful location nestled just a few minutes away from the village centre. We had some gorgeous weather, in fact I think it could have been the best in all of the fourteen years I've been painting at the Glenthorne. 

I organised the course around the Bluebells, quite risky when ten days earlier we had fresh snow. With the gorgeous hot weather, it seemed that the Bluebells had all flowered at once and the display was magnificent. The Herdwicks also stole the show. We had a little lamb born before our eyes, Sylvie from Paris had never seen such a sight.

Having a couple of different  locations each day, a steady and beautiful ramble to each. 

Wandering along the Lake shores, spotting wildlife and choosing what to paint, was the hardiest decision of the day. 

Sitting peacefully in Bluebell woods, surrounded in fragrance and warm sunshine drying the paints, it really doesn't get much better than this for an artist.

We did have a few critiques along the way, Mother Duck brought the Chicks along, the Swans really wanted to be the focal point and even the Cuckoo sang with delight.

Mother Herdwick paddled the river with Twins in tow, we didn't see the Kingfisher, but heard it's strong tune, brushes stopped creating masterpieces and we gazed up and down the river banks.

A wonderful course with intrepid enjoyable artists, many ideas, sketches, painting and photographs all to remind us of a special time spent in Sunny Lakeland

If you would like to join me on a painting course in Grasmere, with gentle walking to beautiful painting locations, some indoor work, if the weather is not too brilliant. I have a course in August and also Autumn watercolours in October, both are suitable for beginners and Improvers with single en suite rooms.

www.lakelandartcourses.co.uk

Painting in the Lake District

Here I am demonstrating Bluebells and Silver Birch with watercolours, in the studio at the Glenthorne. We use the studio quite a bit on my courses, usually having a chat in the morning about painting ideas, before we head off on location, there are some lovely secret hideouts about ten minutes away. 

Walking down the quiet lanes looking for something wonderful to paint. Light on the fells, an old lakeland cottage, a gushing waterfall or maybe the hidden stepping stones with the Kingfisher dashing brightly by. 

After a few magical hours we might head back to the studio. A hot drink is the first call and then settle down to some serious painting or just pick up lots of handy tips.

By the way, Can you see the masking tape ? I use tape probably much more than masking fluid, I tear it into many different shapes and use it like a stencil ? I got the idea after watching Maitisse tear strips of paper into negative and also positive shapes. B &Q is just fine, just make sure it's low tack.

I use Arches paper mostly and find this is great with masking tape, Bocking ford can tear more easily.

I have a few places left on the following courses with Single and Double ensuite rooms, groups are small but painting at Grasmere is fantastic,  why not come along.

Fabulous flowers in watercolours  Monday 21st to Thursday 24th March £395.00

Bluebells and Rydal water in watercolour and Pastel Monday 8th to 11th May

£395.00

Summer Watercolours Monday 7th to Thursday  10th August £395.00

 All courses include, Breakfast and all meals.

More details Here for Lakeland Art Courses

Lakeland Sketchbook

A few photographs from a damp day in the Lakes.

 You may think it's not as inspiring as a glorious sunny day. Students often feel deflated when they see the rain and think I am crazy taking them out on location, but I think it can be much more dramatic and certainly atmospheric.

So here I sat, just out of the gale force wind, blowing fiercly down the lake. The Launch had been cancelled due to adverse conditions. I had to hold onto everything and time was the essence. But how uplifting it is to paint against the weather, it was just a quick sketch, and so enjoyable. Not quite a Turner and fastened to the mast, but I do love to see wild conditions rather than a Blue sunny day. Mind there is nothing quite like sitting in the warm sunshine with the lake gently lapping at your feet!

Not Sunflowers! Fancy having a go at both of these with a watercolour base and a little pastel.
I'll keep you posted.

 Learn to paint watercolours on my online watercolour course with lots of personal feedback with each project www.watercolourcourse.co.uk