Summer Day Workshop

 They came from far and wide to paint Summer Day--3 travelled from Derby, Anna came from Bristol and David came from nr Stockport with his wife-they made a weekend of it and stayed in the Dinham Hall Hotel-which was very good they told me this morning when they called by the market to see us! Davids wife had intended to go into town while David painted but she ended up staying and watching the workshop and she couldn't get over just how easy it was and how different all the paintings turned out!
We had a very easy-on workshop-everyone seemed to find it all quite simple to follow my instructions-- even the knife work on the waves didn't faze any of them! We had most of the picture finished before we stopped for lunch,,with just the foliage and poppies to add later--though some of the students added some pretty daisies too..all in all a great day, with great company!

Anna was amazed at how easy it was to complete the painting-she had quite a drive from Bristol to come and paint but she is coming back in April and June and I had a lovely message from her today saying how much she had enjoyed it and how it was worth the long drive! She used a mix of the browns and greens for the foliage and it did work very well...

First time for Christine who was bought along by her granddaughter Rhianna who has been before..Christine made a beautiful job of her painting--quite subtle...

Rhianna chose to just add daisies and left out the poppies---it worked just as well..the waves were just perfect too..

Liz has been down from Derby 3 times previous with daughter Diane..not long now til they get their artist brooches from me for doing 6 paintings! She loved how easy it was using the bush brush to create the grasses in the foreground!

Marianne was painting her 2nd picture-- good to see her looking so well--she had to cancel her previous booking because she had to have an op..

First time for Sharon..who came down from Derby with Diane and Liz..she seemed to find  it quite easy too...

Vanessa was bought the workshop as a present..she tackled it easily--hard to believe it was her first time!

David was also booked in as a present..

Another first timer,,Trina..again -no problems following my step by step instructions..

Diane adding the grasses to her painting--she has requested a painting for the future--I have promised to work on it and let her know when I'm happy with with it as a workshop subject...watch this space!

Wonderful results everyone..

Its amazing just how individual they all turn out!

Well done!

Lovely results!

Well done !

Well done both x

Birches Workshop

Adrian and \dawn were painting for the 3rd time today..they always creat a diptych on 2 canvas--always get brilliant results ,,

hard to believe that the splodges on every ones canvas could ever be transformed into beautiful foliage in such a short time--and I'm sure that in the beginning of the class-nobody believes it either!

There was a  wide range of choices for the students today-both in colour and canvas size,,,one of the reasons we allow an extra hour for this workshop!

it takes no time at all before the canvas are transformed,,

its always very interesting to watch everyone get their confidence as the time goes by,,

at times you could hear a pin drop--at others all you could hear was laughter!

Claire was painting for the first time--she chose the lovely soft sage green and cream combination--

Sarah and her Mum chose the lovely autumn colours and the huge 40in canvas

I love the monochrome tones--I think they are my favourite!

Jane adding her trees..

Jackie received her artist brooch from me today for attending 6 workshops--

adding the detail to the birches..

looking good--nearly finished now!

love the big bold trees!

you have to be quite brave to start covering over the first trees you do...

it always amazes me how they can get the finished painting to look like just one person has painted it-quite an achievement!

looking good Margaret..

Jane is nearly finished here..

just a few more to do!

I love the way the birches stand out against the autumn colours-very vibrant!

Margaret adding the final few trees..

a few more layers of trees yet..

its great when everyone gets photos of the progress they are making..

Well done everyone-will look forward to seeing you all again!

The Shrewsbury 5 !!!

Wonderful!

Shirley and Margaret

Dawn and Adrian...

Mellow Moods Workshop

First time for Joan..she was bought along by her daughter Lucy-who had seen me on Ludlow market years ago ,picked up a leaflet and lost it-and eventually found me via Google! Joan seemed to find every step quite simple and created a beautiful mystical painting..

Lucy also really enjoyed creating her painting-- we are going over to Wolverhampton to do her hen party--that will be lots of fun! We have done a few hen parties and its always a good laugh--and everyone has a lovely memento of the day to keep forever..

Helen was painting her 3rd painting---she tends to go for the subtle effect--which is is fine----that's the beauty of my workshops--you get to use your own initiative and choose exactly how you want your painting to look at the end--so if you want bold or subtle you can do it!

Norma and Dave came along a couple of years ago for the first time and painted "Yesterday" they then sent along some relatives as a surprise after--all enjoyed it very much! This subject is quite different to to that one as we use acrylic and oils..

Dave used the spring time colours to do his painting...its amazing how different they look from the autumn colours..

Martin is getting close to his artist badge now..

Anne is getting to be quite an expert now..she has done quite a few workshops with me...

Jackie will be having her Artist brooch next week when she comes to do the Birches workshop...she bought along her sister Karen for the 2nd time today..

Karen made a great job of her painting,,,there was lots of fun and chatter going on in the class with Hugh who was with us for the first time...and Karen and Jackie were creased most of the day :-)

Hugh with his masterpiece-he had to rush off before the group photos as he had a taxi picking him up..he absolutely loved his day-his son had bought him a gift voucher I had donated to the local British Legion club to raise money in an auction...he def had his own ideas on what he wanted in his painting--no waterfall for him--he wanted a stream... so a stream he had!

Cathy has got all the paints at home but didn't know what to do with them...I'm sure she will be having a go at home now..

well done!

Lovely! Well done!

Lovely results-well done!

See you all again soon!