Friday 22 July 2016

A four day painting course

I like to take the occasional painting course, it's refreshing to see a professional artist teaching and also meet other keen artists.  Earlier this week week I took a four day course in Exmouth with tutor Ray Balkwill.

Other courses, with other tutors, have always been indoors but this one was four days out and about on location - that made a change, and the weather was greatly in our favour too.  In fact I had to find shade most of the time, but that in itself meant I had to 'look' for a suitable scene...all part of the experience.

Here's a photo of us 12 students.  Okay, not all were doing the full four days, but here we are at Topsham Quay on the third day.  Ray, our tutor had the bright idea of a group photo...so I immediately hid at the back...I'm peeping through, centre, wearing a hat....lucky they didn't all move back or I would have been in the drink as it were!


Our itinerary...

DAY ONE was at Shelly Gut (Camperdown Creek) Exmouth...


The tide was out all day, so we didn't have to worry.  By the time the tide had turned, we were long gone from our day of painting.


This is the scene Ray chose for his demo

W.F. Holman shed and the blue boat in front of it.  Later in the day I got to meet the owner of the boat shed and apparently the boat had started life in that very shed back in 1934.


Ray Balkwill talked us through his drawing - starting with graphite pencil, pen and charcoal.

Lovely to watch a professional artist at work.

Not a bad view for having lunch either was it.










As you see, there were plenty of boats to choose from and different places to paint.  One of our group was up there on the raised area looking across the estuary.



So what did I draw....







I learned a lot about boats that day -
well I know they all have a
POINTY END and a BLUNT END
but it was great to sit en plein air and observe them.
You 'see' so much more when you are painting and sketching
within the view you are drawing.

All in all it was a lovely day - lots learned,
which is why I was there.

A short clip of Ray explaining adding the dark areas...




 ~ Our other days painting, will be added soon ~





16 comments:

Christine said...

what a wonderful fun occasion! lovely sketches. neat to see the work of the teacher

Judy said...

What a great place to sketch! Looks like you all had a wonderful time!

Marie Smith said...

How fascinating. Ann. It looks like a great experience in a great location.

Joan Tavolott said...

That looks like a great spot to sketch boats. Nice job on them!

robin cox walsh said...

WOW! That's some tidal change! The boats actually float when the tide comes back in?

Eileen H said...

That looks a very interesting and fun experience for you and such a lovely setting to do your drawings. Nice to see you with the group too.

ann @ studiohyde said...

A big change in the tide...husband and I went down there in the evening and sure enough the tide was up - in fact it was unrecognisable to these pics.

ann @ studiohyde said...

Thanks Joan, I'm so glad I chose that course.

ann @ studiohyde said...

It was a great experience Marie.

ann @ studiohyde said...

I had a great time. The various locations we went to were inspiring.

ann @ studiohyde said...

That made it for me Christine, seeing Ray drawing and on another occasion painting. It also reconfirms to me that painting en plein air is so enjoyable.

CJ Kennedy said...

Looks like a great class and you had such a beautiful day. The blue of the sky is amazing

ann @ studiohyde said...

It was very good thanks Eileen. It's always nice to sketch with others and I came away with new ideas for my own art.

ann @ studiohyde said...

Yes, we were so lucky with the weather, it was truly picture postcard.

Lynn Cohen said...

Bravo you! Love all you accomplished there and envision them in future paintings! Glad you had such an enjoyable time!

ann @ studiohyde said...

Thanks Lynn, you would have loved painting there :)