Hydrangeas and foxgloves in watercolours

Next doors Hydrangeas kept grabbing my attention when I walked by.
I thought they would make a great watercolour subject, so Saunders Waterford 200 lbs paper was taped down, masking fluid was loosely painted in with a colour shaper. Then the fun began, Opera Rose, sung, lemon yellow zinged and Cobalt turquoise and Blue did the lead in. All wet in wet.

When the paint was dry the masking fluid was gently rubbed away. A few pencil marks showed the way, lots of negative shapes helped to bring positive flowers into full bloom.

The joy of watercolours, I feel is never quite knowing and letting the painting dictate.

Hydrangeas in watercolours 

I enjoyed my flower experience so much, the Foxgloves demanded I have a go.

 With just a few more blooms to paint 

Painting in watercolors

Ullswater

Painted in Watercolours

I'm loving painting these tonal views of the Lake District. With no pre sketching it's straight in with the brush and paint. Lots of thinking where the brush mark will go mind, and masses of clean water. 

It's a great way to start and understand the flow and excitement of watercolour painting. A few brushes, paper and a few tubes of paint is all you need. Quite a cheap hobby I think!!

If you fancy having a go at watercolours and no idea where to start or what paper to use, my online course is ideal.With personal feedback  on every project 

it's a great way to start painting watercolours and get the Bug!

Suddenly nature and the landscape take on a whole new meaning

It's fantastic.

Online watercolour course £55.00 for six projects with

colour tags, sketches, step by step instructions and material list.

Pastel Online course

The first project an easy seascape.

Fancy painting in  Pastels, no idea where to start, what paper or Soft, Hard or Oil Pastels?
This unique Pastel course will guide you through techniques, materials, composition and how to create subtle yet dramatic paintings. Fancy a change from watercolors, this is the perfect medium.

Painting in pastels has given me so much confidence with tonal values, painting light and dark and creating the images I see in the Landscape.The pastel course includes six projects with individual feedback with each painting you produce.

I know you will be delighted with your paintings that you will produce, it will open up a totally new dimension to your work.

Number two a tonal lake scene,

Three and we see a little tree action and reflections

Poppy power is number four, I know you will love this one

Number five, warm subtle shades to create a harmonies and evening glow.

Finishing with a scene that brings everything you have learned together.

With regular email updates this six project course is going to be so exciting and 

a perfect start to Pastel painting.

Autumn Morning Derwentwater

Autumn Morning Derwentwater

Painted in Watercolours

This full imperial size Original painting measures 30 x 21 inches

For sale on Etsy  

Quite daunting painting on this scale. The first brush stroke is the one that causes the heart to race. You glance at the brush, then at the paper and it's like jumping into

 a deep pond of watercolour wash! 

But all worth the journey, watercolour washes are given room to move, flow and merge together 

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

Summertime Pastels

Derwentwater painted in Pastels

 Fisher 400 paper

Summertime Fells, Derwentwater

Painted in Pastels

Fisher 400 paper

 

Delighted with a massive capital ' D 'to see my article about Pastels in this months 'Leisure Painter ' magazine. One of my favourite mediums and probably my favourite Lake.

I've realised that I do paint the seasons as they pass by. The colours that inspire me everyday help to bring the paintings to life. It also helps to paint things you love, I feel that these precious feelings help to give a plain piece of paper some meaning.

I've painted now daily for around fifteen years, you would think that I would be all 'painted up' and looking for new inspiration. But for those that paint, you'll know ideas are endless, and time is the culpit. I do often run around with many ideas popping in my head to be painted.

 

I will keep you posted with the new Pastel Online course due to begin in September.

Pastel and watercolour workshops

A quick update for 2016  Workshops and Courses.

With lots of Pastels and exciting new Watercolour techniques 

Loose and Colourful 

2016 New Dates

To reserve a course or workshop

 just send me an email lakelandart@hotmail.co.uk

 Watercolour Weekend at  Grasmere

Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st February 2016  

Learn to paint  wonderful watercolours in the studio at the Glenthorne looking on to the Grasmere fells. Lots of techniques, colour mixing and landscape painting will be covered in this two day course.

Suitable for Beginners and Intermediates with Single and Double ensuite rooms  available.

Price £225.00 including Bed and Breakfast ( Friday and Saturday evening) staying at the Glenthorne Hotel, Grasmere

 Pastel Weekend at  Grasmere

Saturday 30th April and Sunday 1st May 2016  

A pastel workshop for Beginners with  indoor demonstrations in the studio and outdoors  looking on to the Grasmere fells from the Glenthorne

All you need to learn to start pastel painting will be covered in this two day course.

Suitable for Beginners and Intermediates with Single and Double ensuite rooms  available.

Price £225.00 including Bed and Breakfast ( Friday and Saturday evening) staying at the Glenthorne Hotel, Grasmere

  Watercolours and Pastels  at Grasmere

Monday 9th to Thursday 12th May 2016

 Watercolours and Pastels painting magical  Bluebell woods near to Rydal water and Grasmere Lake. Indoor demonstrations and workshops in both mediums and plenty of outdoor on location painting.

 Suitable for Beginners and Intermediates with Single and Double ensuite rooms  available.

Price £395.00 including Dinner Bed and Breakfast.This popular course fills quick

 Summer  Watercolours at Grasmere

Monday 27th to Thursday 30th June 2016

 Wonderful, Colourful,  Watercolours experiment with new techniques and colour mixing indoor and outdoor demonstrations in the beautiful Lake District. Lots of Flower meadows, Foxgloves, streams stunning scenery to paint.

Suitable for Beginners and Intermediates with Single and Double ensuite rooms  available.

Price £395.00 including Dinner Bed and Breakfast.

  

Summer Watercolours and Pastels

Monday 8th to Thursday 11th August 2016

A course for the beginner or Intermediate in  Pastels and watercolour  exploring different papers and techniques. Indoor demonstrations, workshops and plenty of outdoor on location painting in the grounds of the Glenthorne and nearby locations,with a visit to the Lake Artist exhibition.

Suitable for Beginners and Intermediates with Single and Double ensuite rooms  available

Price £395.00 including Dinner Bed and Breakfast.

Autumn Colours with Pastels Grasmere.

Monday 10th to Thursday 13th October 2016

A   Pastel workshop suitable for beginners and Improvers painting indoor and outdoor on location with many demonstrations and stunning Autumn colours to capture.

Price £395.00 including Dinner Bed and Breakfast with Single and Double ensuite rooms  available

Email Jane at  lakelandart@hotmail.co.uk for more information or to reserve a place

See Here for more information.