Join artist John Harrison for this workshop, intended to build on your skills with line and wash. Attendance on one of John’s previous workshops is helpful but not essential as the day will begin with a summary of John’s core techniques. Weather permitting, there may be an opportunity for a short expedition to find local subjects for observational sketch studies and the taking of reference photographs. Back in the studio, you will learn more about John’s method of extracting essential information from a photograph or sketch, creating a lively line drawing with selective watercolour washes.
Through demonstration and practical exercises, John will focus on techniques to bring the drawing alive by using light and shade, the use of varying line weights and more painterly techniques to help bring life to a drawing.
In the afternoon you will have the opportunity to work up a full sized finished painting from your sketches and reference photos from the morning’s work.
The day will be relaxed and informal with plenty of opportunities to ask questions, share ideas and experiences and pick up hints and tips. At the end of the day there will be the opportunity to gain constructive feedback from John aimed at improving your drawing skills.
Click the title below to find out what you need to bring with you for this workshop.
What to expect
Time at ArtisOn is designed to take you away from it all. We provide the environment, the time and the guidance you need to create. You can expect a warm welcome, skilled and friendly tutors and the chance to meet like-minded people keen to share ideas. You can even leave us to clear up the mess! There will usually be two workshops going on and we encourage everyone to mingle and be nosey about what the other workshop is up to.
We encourage you to arrive at 9.30am. This will allow time to meet other participants over a cup of tea or coffee and biscuits before beginning workshops at 10am. There will be a mid-morning break for refreshments and a chance to talk over progress with others. Lunch is usually around 12:45 for about 45 mins – you can expect a delicious homemade 2 course lunch. There will be a further afternoon break with tea or coffee and cake. All food and refreshments are included in the price of your workshop.
The finish time given is a target. There are occasions when the session may overrun so do let us know if you need to be away promptly.
We aim for your day to be a real treat. You could always learn a new skill in a shed or a draughty village hall with a curly sandwich, but we want you to have more fun than that! So we make sure we provide a day where you will be looked after, with good food, good company and great inspiration!
What you’ll need to bring with you
Please bring the following with you...
Drawing and painting material and equipment:
- watercolour paints and brushes that you usually use.
- waterproof ink pens.
- a fine line of around 0.1 or 0.2mm width: I use a Unipin version, but as long as the pen has wateproof ink, it’ll be fine.
- a rough finish watercolour paper of at least 300g weight, around 14 x 11(quarter imperial size), the rough finish is important in creating textures.
- a sketchbook of any size.
