Course Description

From Sketch to Painting: Create Your Own Watercolour Paintings Learn how to turn sketches and photographs into expressive paintings Full Day Workshop (10am–3pm) Have you ever returned from a sketching trip or holiday with a sketchbook full of ideas, only to find yourself wondering how to turn them into successful paintings? This workshop is designed to help you bridge the gap between observation and creativity. Using your own sketches (or photographs if the weather is unkind), you'll learn how artists make decisions about composition, colour, mood and focal point in order to create paintings that go beyond simply recording a scene. Through demonstrations, discussion and plenty of supported painting time, we'll explore questions such as: What attracted me to this scene in the first place? What can I leave out? What do I want the viewer to notice? How can I simplify shapes and values? How can colour and technique help create atmosphere? You'll begin by developing a painting from one of your sketches, learning how to edit and simplify the scene while strengthening composition and visual impact. Later in the day, you'll create a second interpretation, exploring different approaches such as simplification, expressive mark-making, dramatic atmosphere or an alternative colour palette. This workshop is suitable for anyone with some experience of watercolour who would like to develop greater confidence in creating their own paintings rather than following step-by-step demonstrations. There will be plenty of guidance and individual support throughout the day. What to bring Your usual watercolour painting materials Sketchbook A selection of sketches and/or photographs to work from Packed lunch Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided throughout the day. Your tutor Ione Harrison is a landscape artist and tutor with over 30 years' teaching experience. Her aim is to help painters develop both confidence and creative independence, while providing a supportive, enjoyable and inspiring environment in which to learn.