Bluebell Painting at Holyford Woods - Friday 23 April 2027, 10-4 (£70)

Working outdoors is a fantastic skill that has a different set of requirements to painting in the comfort of a studio. In this class, I will show you my outdoor painting techniques in Derwent Inktense pencils, focusing on capturing the beautiful Holyford Woods, right in the middle of bluebell season! You will learn the materials you need for effective plein air painting in a sketchbook or nature journal (less than you think) and how to negotiate overwhelm when there is so much to see.

We will be meeting at the layby near Seaton Tower Services (What 3 words: ///pots.tomorrow.plodding) at 10 am. There is adequate parking here for many cars - your own transport will be needed as this day has two locations.

The morning will be spent exploring and making "thumbnail sketches" in colour of either aspects of the landscape or individual bluebells. An A5 Seawhite sketchbook will be provided for you to keep.

At lunch we will head to Umborne Bridge Studio. Bring a packed lunch or buy something from Seaton Tower Services on the way back. 

The afternoon will then be spent finishing one (or more) painting(s) based on reference photos and samples of Spanish bluebells from my garden (it is illegal to pick the native ones). Tuition will be provided throughout (group tuition in the morning, then one-to-one through the afternoon as we work on a painting or journal page based on the morning's exploration)

Suitable for any artistic ability level, including complete beginners, all materials provided.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a partly outdoor workshop, there are some steep slopes in Holyford Woods - I recommend you scope the area first, good mobility will be required. There are no facilities at Holyford Woods.