Watercolour Painting Courses 2011

Watercolour weeks with Richmond World Holidays 2011

2011-02-03T13:44:00.013Z

I am really excited about the six weeks I'll be leading watercolour painting with Richmond this year!

Here are the dates:
SAMOS, Greece - 19 May 2011
SCHLADMING, Austrian Alps - 18 Jun and 10 Sept 2011
TROGIR, Croatia - 25 Jun and 17 Sep 2011

See here for full information and to book you place!

Also, the new Richmond summer brochure is now out - so email or phone the friendly team today for your FREE copy!

Watercolour sketch

2010-08-09T21:21:00.000+01:00

Here is a small sketch I did my first day in the French Alps.

What the Richmond Watercolour Painting Course covers...

2010-08-09T17:41:00.000+01:00

For anyone thinking of joining me on one of Richmond's Watercolour Painting courses...here is a list of areas I cover (in no particular order)...

Washes
Colour
Sketching
Composition
Preparing paper
Wet-in-wet technique
Other techniques
Textures

Please visit the Richmond website to book your place on the next course in beautiful Croatia!

Simon Rivett - artist

2010-08-09T14:09:00.004+01:00

Here's another very cool landscape artist I've come across - Simon Rivett - who is an artist in the Outer Hebrides.

Love the style and colours.

Simon Pierse - artist

2010-06-29T15:45:00.003+01:00

Following last week's focus on painting mountains in La Rosière, I thought I'd post this link to the website of my former tutor (still at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth), Simon Pierse...an obvious dab hand at depicting mountains in watercolour!

Samos and La Rosière (June 2010) - painting courses

2010-06-27T15:10:00.062+01:00

I am thrilled at the feedback I received for my first two painting courses with the fantastic Richmond Holidays.

It was an absolute delight to be able to share my love of painting with such amazing people, in two wonderful settings. It was especially great to see people growing in their confidence and ability - I am so proud of you all and loved every minute! I've made some fantastic new friends!

Here is a selection of the feedback received, along with images of some of the paintings created, in case it persuades you to come and join Richmond on the remaining courses available this year:

Croatia - 18 September 2010

Samos - 07 October 2010

Samos painting feedback:

Painting on the terrace, Samos

"...I really enjoyed your week - you make a delightfully relaxed and encouraging tutor. The handouts are great - really useful. Your 'demos' were excellent and valuable..."

Margaret (Moy) Gill, Samos June 2010

Moy working on her painting in the warm sunshine...

...and the stunning final result

"...I just had to tell you that you really started something with me, Mel! Ever since you left Samos, I can’t stop painting flowers at every opportunity. Now I’m home it’s not so easy to find the time, but have attempted the impossible-to-draw orchid in our lounge, plus an easier Stargazer lily. I’m so grateful to you for getting me going – and persevering with me – cos I really love painting flowers! It’s also very restful – and slows me down! - and I really feel that the Lord has opened a door for me. Roger always knows if I’m painting, cos peace and quiet descends! THANK YOU SO MUCH!..." Carol Salter, Samos June 2010

Carol painting her hibiscus sketch...

...and the beautiful finished painting

"...The setting/environment and joy of experiencing the creativity was a real delight. The most difficult thing was to tear myself away from the course to visit the island. Thank you for making my holiday so enjoyable..." Keith Stevens, Samos June 2010

Keith spent many hours staring at this stone wall...

...to great effect!

La Rosière painting feedback:

A painting session in the chalet at La Ros

"...It was so good to learn new techniques and I feel more confident. I would recommend the course to others. Many thanks Mel..." Janet Greenwood, La Rosière June 2010

Janet working on her mountain techniques...

...and enjoying painting 'en plein air' at Le Chatelard!

"...You have a gift for helping even the most nervous beginner gain confidence. The techniques you teach always seemed so complicated before this course but I have enjoyed experimenting, practising and learnng and I now feel confident to carry on painting for pleasure whenever I have the opportunity. Your sense of humour is brilliant and you have made me laugh so much. Thanks Mel - it really was a pleasure learning from you and spending time with you..." Sally Masters, La Rosière June 2010

Sally doing a tonal painting - part of understanding lights and darks...

...and taking in the view at Le Chatelard!

(The toilet roll was purely for painting purposes!!)

"...A fantastic week which gave a perfect balance of teaching of technique and practicals which was suitable for all levels of ability..." Rebecca Lynch, La Rosière June 2010

Rebecca (at the back) familiarising herself with her palette colours...

...and practising washes!

La Ros news

2010-06-27T12:34:00.001+01:00

I'm just returned home from my trips to Samos and La Ros. The painters in La Ros were just as wonderful and I've made some great new friends!

Pics from the trip will follow once I've got organised!

M

Samos news...

2010-06-10T19:25:00.001+01:00

I have just finished teaching the painting course at Samos - an amazing week with fantastic people - photos and info to come soon so watch this space!

I'm currently sitting in Geneva airport (following flights from Samos via Athens) waiting for the team to arrive so we can all transfer to La Rosiere in the French Alps. I somehow managed to get an hour on the airport wireless so I'm killing some time! Hello Switzerland! I'm very much looking forward to being a student on Eileen Fletcher's photo-coaching course next week, before taking the painting course the following week. Check out her amazing photos of Croatia on her blog.

Judging by the scenery as we landed, it's going to be a very beautiful and restful place!

It's only 8.25pm here (9.25pm in Samos) and I'm beginning to flag...zzz...

Right, signing off for now!

Getting ready!

2010-05-03T17:16:00.000+01:00

Well it's just one month today until I fly out to Samos to take the first Richmond painting course.

I'm starting to get everything ready so I know where all my bits and bobs are, rather than the usual last-minute holiday-packing rush.

Here is a photo of my watercolour palette and the colours I'm using.

I use Windsor and Newton Artists' Water Colour tubes but these can be expensive. The regular pans are absolutely fine (and what I used to happily use until my interest grew).

You don't have to use the same exact colours at all, though most are standard as part of any watercolour set you buy. The only one I don't think serves much purpose is the white, which makes colours look milky. You can see I don't use it. I only have a couple of 'greens', as these can easily be mixed from the blues/yellows.

Do consider bringing an extra pan of any colours you are likely to use the most - I would suggest Sap Green and French Ultramarine are good ones to have backup pans for.

I'll need to give it a clean!

My palette colours (worth doing so you know what's what!)

Debra Stroud - artist

2010-04-04T19:51:00.001+01:00

Debra Stroud is one of my favourite contemporary painters...the atmosphere of light and colour in her seascapes is particularly stunning.

I was very blessed to have been given one of her limited edition prints by my sister and brother-in-law as a joint Christmas/birthday present - an amazing gift!

Richard Pearce - artist

2010-04-04T19:35:00.002+01:00

I came across this painting blog today - check it out - some lovely work (mainly sea/light paintings) - very photographic.

A taster!

2010-02-06T21:02:00.041Z

Just to give you an idea of the amazing scenery you'll get to see and paint, here are a few photos taken by the talented Eileen Fletcher (who will be taking the Photo-coaching weeks).

Croatia is a new resort for 2010 and as soon as I get some photos, I will post them here!

Samos, Greece

A quiet cove with beautiful turquoise sea and bright reflections
in the lovely light

A pretty boat, sparkling sea and dramatic views of Turkey
in the background

A charming beach house off the beaten track

La Rosière in the French Alps

Beautiful alpine flowers and a cloud nestling
on the mountain

Vibrant greens and blues and deep shadows

A mountainside chapel built as an answer to prayer by

two sisters whose three brothers returned safely from the
First World War

Overview of Painting Course materials

2010-02-06T17:16:00.010Z

The following is a general overview of materials to bring for your Painting Week. Have a read through, and do not hesitate to ask me any questions you might have.

NB. No materials are supplied - you will need to bring your own equipment and supplies.

Paints: a Cotman pocket box of paints contains the 12 colours which most artists use. i.e. Lemon yellow, Cadmium yellow, Alizarin crimson, Cadmium red, Ultramarine blue, Cobalt blue, Sap green, Viridian green, Yellow ochre, Burnt sienna, Burnt umber, Chinese white. It would be a good idea to replace the Chinese white pan with a Cerrulean blue pan.

Lemon yellow Cadmium yellow

Alizarin crimson Cadmium red

Ultramarine blue Cobalt blue

Sap green Viridian green

Yellow ochre Burnt sienna

Burnt umber Ceruleum blue

Cotman paints are student quality and are perfectly adequate for beginners and improvers. Artist's quality are much more expensive.

Cotman boxes are available from all art stores as well as W.H.Smith. Tube colours are an alternative but may cause problems for starters.

Brushes: I recommend three brushes, No 10, No 7 or 8 and a No 3. Beginners could get by without a flat. There are many brushes on the market. Synthetic/prolene brushes are fine. Sable are very expensive and unnecessary. Pro Arte brushes are recommended.

Example of prolene brushes from the Pro Arte range

Also recommended is a 1/2" hake for skies (A hake brush is an oriental-style wash brush on a long flat handle, bound in a traditional method). Please avoid cheap ‘children's' paints and brushes of squirrel hair or ox hair with no points.

Another handy little brush is the 'Rigger' (also known as a Liner). It is a pointed, slim brush with long hair and has excellent colour-carrying capacity. Liners are shorter and narrower. Useful for delicate lettering, highlighting, outlining, and long continuous strokes...for example, masts on boats.

Recommended paper is '140 lb' (NOT the actual weight of the sheet of paper). Most watercolour pads are of this weight. Bockingford, Saunders, Arches, Whatman and Daler Rowney Langton are options. Buy a pad, then you will have a stiff backing and will not need to bring a lightweight board. Beginners need to know that cartridge paper, while OK for drawing in pencil or pen, is unsuitable for watercolour painting.

An easel is unnecessary and too bulky for travel. I recommend you take a light weight board, hard board or a proprietary board from a shop. Size approx 16" by 12". You may tape your paper to the board with masking tape. This also automatically provides a white border to a finished painting!

The extras required are: A putty rubber, masking tape, a roll of kitchen paper, a plastic water container (you can use a margarine tub or a used water bottle), a 2B pencil is adequate, a small sketch book (a 10" by 7" of cartridge paper is very suitable) and a small natural sponge.

And finally - bring some elastic bands - very handy to hold your paper down and stop it flapping about or flying away!

Overview of your Painting Week

2010-02-06T17:04:00.006Z

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11

Whether you are new to painting, a keen amateur or a seasoned Picasso, I would like to warmly welcome you to come and join me on one of Richmond's much-loved painting holidays, made bigger and better for 2010! There is something to suit everyone! If you like the idea of painting among friendly, like-minded people in a warm, relaxed atmosphere, this is the holiday for you.

The Course

The friendly, hands-on course will cover a range of topics - from colour and palette basics, to composition and application. Subject matter will vary between still life, landscapes and architecture - or whatever you'd like to paint! So come and enjoy a peaceful and relaxing break, developing your painting skills while taking in the local colour and stunning landscapes of Richmond's resorts.

Window Arch at Zefirios Hotel, Samos
(pencil, watercolour, and ink)

I have been on several Richmond holidays, including a couple of painting courses, which I enjoyed immensely and hope to emulate!

There will be instruction for five days, with tuition every morning from 10-1pm then a break for lunch. An afternoon session will be available and optional, though no new instruction will be offered during the afternoon.

You are welcome to paint with either watercolours, oils, pastels, acrylics or pen and wash. I can give instruction in each.

The cost to join our painting classes is just £35 for the week. This can be paid before you go or once you arrive at resort. You may like to budget for lunches on the days when the group will operate away from the hotel and its immediate area.

NB. No materials are supplied - you will need to bring your own equipment and supplies (see next blog post).

Intro & dates for Richmond Painting Weeks

2010-02-06T16:56:00.003Z

Hi and welcome to the Richmond Painting Courses blog!

My name is Mel and I'm privileged to be leading the Painting Weeks this year. I'll write some more about my background and about the course shortly.

The painting course is just one of many great Themed Weeks you can enjoy in 2010! See the Richmond website for more information and to order your copy of the new brochure. Read all about the Painting Week here. Maybe even combine a Painting Week with a Photo-coaching week for a fantastic, creative holiday!

For this year, the painting weeks will be held as following:

• Samos – 03 Jun and 07 Oct
• French Alps (La Rosière) – 19 Jun

and new for 2010:

• Croatia - 18 Sep

If you're reading this I expect you're thinking about booking a painting week or have booked and want to find out more. This is the place to be! Feel free to ask any questions or make any suggestions about what you might like from your week...I will aim to take as much into consideration as I can.

Over the coming weeks and months I will share various bits of information to do with your week, as well as to do with painting and other creative stuff so hopefully you'll find this blog inspiring as well as informative!

For those of you who have booked, I look forward to meeting you!

Blessings

Mel :o)