Abstract Painting Based on Landscape

Art lies in the eye of the beholder… but art is also about visual language - the artist as a communicator.

What goes on in the creative mind and how does emotional connection to an artwork, designed to communicate something from inside the artist which they cannot physically see, successfully communicate with others?

This course is designed to enable participants to build a process which they can use as a tool for beginning abstract painting work based on mind-mapping and collage.

We will gather at the Artists' retreat with teas, coffees and locally made scones with homemade jam, giving ourselves time to get introduced and set up for the day ahead.

There will be a studio session around colour theory and colour mixing, the power of composition and divisions of the canvas.

There is a huge fun element and an opportunity to reflect and explore colour and form, texture and space in your compositions.

A tour of the garden and pond area will serve as factfinding investigations on how we can relate our experiences through abstract visual form.  

Lunch will be served around the table with vegan based soup and breads, a tour of the garden and preparations for our afternoon adventures.

The afternoon will be spent pulling together your paintings into a more completed form, with at least one completed painting and a few projects to show for your day's efforts.  We invite you to bring your own writings or photographic references of walks and ideas to use as part of your process.

Those who choose stay at our Artists’ Retreat Accommodation are very welcome to access the art studio in the evenings, the outdoor seating area and gardens, and the fire bowl.

Our Cottage Gallery exhibits the artwork of resident artist Sinéad Smyth, including drawings and paintings both old and new. Works are available for sale on enquiry. You can view Sinéad’s latest work at www.sineadsmyth.com

Cost €90. 10am-4.00pm. 6 participants. Tea and coffee provided. Light lunch provided.

Please bring your own materials. We can supply materials at a reasonable price, but you would need to let us know in advance.

A suggested Materials List will be emailed four weeks in advance of your course. Please let us know of any dietary requirements on booking.

Resident artist Sinéad Smyth will lead the course.

Accommodation

We have reduced rate accommodation in two twin rooms (for up to four people) at our Artists' Retreat during our art course weekends. It's reduced because the living room/kitchen and toilet areas are used by other course participants during the day.

Our reduced Painting weekend 2024/25/26 rates are €50 per person sharing, €75 for two nights (Fri & Sat). Or €70 per person single room supplement, €100 for two nights (Fri & Sat). Please contact sinead@artstaysdonegal.com to book as booking is not available on the website for these weekends.

If our artists’ retreat accommodation is already booked, we can recommend other local places to stay nearby.

You can view our rooms here: artstaysdonegal.com.

Cost €90. 10am-4.00pm. 6 participants. Tea and coffee provided. Light lunch provided.

Please bring your own materials. We can supply materials at a reasonable price, but you would need to let us know in advance.

Resident artist Sinéad Smyth will lead the course.