DEVON UK . . . 2 DAY WORKSHOP

DEVON UK 2 DAY WORKSHOP

Watercolour Portraits

13th & 14th October 2016

Delighted to be asked to give a workshop at the East Devon Art Academy

www.eastdevonart.co.uk

 Limited places available

Please contact me and I will send you the relevant info or visit their website

2 Day workshop in Holland - last few spaces

I am pleased to announce I will be back in Holland this year giving another 2 day workshop.

The workshop will be held at the Hotel de Valk, in Franeker.http://www.hoteldevalkfraneker.nl

If you would like to attend the workshop, please contact me through the contact page on my website. 

The joy of teaching . . .

There seems to have been so much going on lately to keep me from remembering to update my blog, so it may take me a while to catch up with it all.

My demo painting "Eyes of Blue"

Among other thing I have been teaching, which is something i'm trying to do more of . One of the many friends I've met online over the years is very talented lady, Pat Elliott. Not only is Pat an Author, an Artist, but an amazing healer as well. I had known Pat for quite some time and recently started having Reflexology treatment from her, this I can highly recommend, hands that heal don't come close to describing what Pat has done for me. If you live in the south of the UK, look her up, you won't be disappointed.

Back to the teaching day. Pat wanted a days tuition on how to paint portraits in Watercolour, so off I went and spent the most wonderful day with her. The sun was shining and as it turned out to be one of the hottest days of the year, we painted all day in her summerhouse.

I started the demo using a ref photo from the Wetcanvas photo library. Painting a little at a time showing Pat various techniques that I use, along with encouraging her to include part of herself in her painting. This is a little difficult to do at first when learning to paint in a different style, but does come when you learn to relax, play and take chances.

I was amazed how quickly Pat picked things up and her eagerness to learn was inspiring to me . What she achieved at the end of the day was outstanding, especially when taking into account, the ref she used was a very small snap shot.

This is Pat's painting as it stood at the end of the day. Isn't it amazing. So much more than a portrait painting, the emotions captured here are uplifting.

Pat's painting from the tuition day. @Pat Elliot  

 It was wonderful to read that Pat had kept up the hard work soon after I left and carried on playing and practicing the techniques, combining her already vast knowledge. This was a painting she produced on her own, developing the composition herself as she was already a much practiced artist. It was great to see her post a comparison to a much earlier painting, something we should all do with our own work every so often.

It gives me such a thrill to know i've helped in any way. When seeing a student paint with eagerness and enjoyment, it gives me added inspiration in my own work.

Archie ©Pat Elliot - 

Pat's previous painting @Pat Elliot 

The most important thing I can advise anyone learning is to play. Not everything will turn out as wanted, just take the bits you liked and carry them on to the next painting. It is the only way to move forward.

Watercolour Portrait Workshop in Bandouille, France.

I am absolutely thrilled to announce that I will be tutoring a Watercolour Portrait Workshop at the beautiful Bandouille in France.
Come join me for the Week commencing 1st June 2014.
Details and booking : http://francepaintingholiday.com/#/stephie-butler/4580212126

For all who have been asking for a workshop here is your chance to join me in an absolutely gorgeous setting

Kington Gallery....The Exhibtion

Finally getting a moment to catch up here and let you all know how the Exhibition went.  Well where do I start...It was an amazing time, a fantastic opportunity and a wonderful experience.

For any artist to have a Solo Exhibition is always a great opportunity and an honour. That anyone would want fill a whole gallery with my work was something I never imagined would happen, and meant so much. I have a special lady to thank for that. Janet Thomas, the owner of the Kington Gallery

, a wonderful artist and a true friend, and someone i will always be grateful too. 

*****

The Kington Gallery

4 Church Street, Kington, 

Herefordshire

HR5 3AZ

Phone 01544 231581   Email kington-gallery@homecall.co.uk

***** 

 

Click here to see Ruth's work

We spent all day arranging paintings, and re-arranging them :)...Ruth Harris, another wonderful artist and friend came along to support and help us, we wouldn't have got it all done without her...Huge thanks to you Ruth.

 
 

We had a fabulous 2 weeks with sales of both paintings and cards. 

To finish of the Exhibition I gave a demo of how to paint Portraits in Watercolour in a looser style, and what a wonderful day it was... I've always wanted to teach, to be able to share with other artists what i've learned so far, so there was nothing more rewarding than seeing other artists so inspired by the demo, they were eager to pick up a brush and have a go themsleves.

Janet kindly set up some tables with everything needed for them, what a fantastic idea and we had so much fun.. It all worked so well, as this enabled them to retain more of what they had learned as they are immediately trying it for yourself, so can ask questions while I was at hand.....almost a workshop as well..



I received such wonderful feedback from this demo on my teaching, which was so invaluable to me, as you always wonder if your going in the right direction. This too was another great opportunity for me and I'd like to thank everyone who attended.

Trevor Waugh Workshop.....

"Flowers in Watercolour" 

                                      ...with Trevor Waugh

Back in October my friend Joanna from Holland came to stay and we had lots of time and fun painting together. Whilst Joanna was here we were fortunate to be able to attend a workshop "Flowers in Watercolour" with Trevor Waugh.

I've only been to a few workshops including 2 previous ones with Trevor, one in watercolour, the other in oil, and I have to say they are the best. With a max of 6 students you really do feel like you are getting one on one tuition from a truly talented artist, who genuinely enjoys passing on as much as he can to help you further your journey.

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Trevor demonstrating one of the many paintings.

Trevor starts with an informal chat, where he gets to know you, not only as an individual, but also your capabilities and at what stage you are. This enables him to work with you throughout the course on your own individual level.


Next he demonstrates the first painting, while we all watch in awe of his talent and the ease in which he quickly produces a masterpiece. Of course we find out it's not quite as easy as it looks, but with practice and the way in which Trevor teaches, your well on your way and the rest is then up to you.

Trevor with another painting,
where he demonstrated his way of painting Roses.

   You can bring your own photos to work on, although Trevor is always more than happy to let you choose from his vast collection. Although each student works on a different photo and often different subject, Trevor somehow watches everyone individually, quickly stepping in to help and encourage you when needed, constantly giving small snippets and demo's throughout the course to help you to the next stage, as well as happily repeating anything you didn't quite master the first time round. This I found most valuable, and would stop what I was working on at any given time to absorb all that Trevor was sharing with any student.

           

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Trevor and Darlas

        Apart from the Expert tuition, you really do feel like you are part of the family, with Trevor's partner, accomplished Artist & Teacher in her own right, Darlas Hunter, who also makes you feel so at home and relaxed, along with cooking superb lunches....

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     This really is a true experience and one not to be missed if you get the chance, so much more than just a workshop.You are left feeling so inspired, along with coming away with a mind full of knowledge to practice with.

If you get a chance, take a look at Trevor's Journals and sketchbooks, they really are something else...What a talent this artist has....   

Trevor Waugh's Website

Darlas Hunter's Website