In Cumbria recently two very successful art holidays completed both at Rydal Hall near Ambleside in mid October and Higham Hall near Keswick (completed mid November) inspired many different adult art students to work outdoors, gather visual information with sketches, drawings, quick watercolours, pastel paintings and so on, to create some quite dynamic studio paintings in both centres of excellence in fabulous locations with stunning scenery.
Rydal Hall
Autumn Mixed Media Pastel and Watercolour Art holiday
12 – 16 October 2015
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| Rydal Hall set within its own wonderful gardens and 40 acres of natural landscape and woodlands |
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| Painting in the Autumn sunlight at Rydal Hall woods - giving a quick demo for a group of the 'woodland students' how to 'see' the beautiful different Autumn colours in the woodland foliage. |
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Anne's wonderful study of Rydal Hall woodland using mixed media - fabulous rendition of form, detail and texture.
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| 16 paintings of the woodland - everyone a winner at Rydal Hall on our great art holidays! Wonderful pastel and mixed media paintings from everyone! |
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| The boathouse across the tranquil lake of Rydal Water surrounded by all the wonderful mature lakeland trees bathed in glorious autumn sunshine - just one of the stunning locations at Rydal Hall for painting. Fabulous! |
...and what students said:
'Really, really enjoyed this course and learnt A LOT! Thank you Robert. Rydal Hall is a delight!'
Ailie Robertson
'Robert is such a positive and enthusiastic tutor putting a lot of energy into his teaching. Such a good course!! Rydal Hall facilities and grounds are a delight'.
Linda White
'Great teaching, lovely place for painting, hugely positive generally...and such fun! Thank you Robert'.
Fiona
'Great teaching, good company, felt like I got a lot from this great art holiday with Robert'.
Katy Fortune
'Great fun - hysterical at times! So much information and advice - you are a fab teacher Robert...just like I have said before Robert!'
Alison Smith
'Had a fantastic time. learned a lot of new skills and techniques. Lovely bunch of folk and a great art teacher!! Thanks'.
Anne Johnstone
'Inspirational and entertaining. I feel really motivated to work in a freer more impressionistic style now! Great company, food, accommodation and wonderful painting locations. Will recommend this course thoroughly. Thanks very much!!'
Nicky Pritchard
Higham Hall
Expressive acrylic painting holiday
1 - 6 November 2015
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| The wonderful historic Higham Hall near Bassenthwaite lake and a stones throw from Keswick. A perfect location for exploring the surrounding unspoilt landscape of the Western Fells in Cumbria |
What we did, where we went and what was created...
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| Stunning light through Newlands Valley on the way to Buttermere - everyone keen to capture the light for studio paintings later in the week. A superb day and one well worth taking! |
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| The fabulous ever changing dramatic scenery of Newlands valley near Higham Hall- super painting subjects just about everywhere! |
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| Further up the valley before descending to Buttermere the scenery was equally as dramatic as we headed for the clouds! |
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| Close up of the dramatic light filtering through Newlands Valley. Fantastic and dramatic light with great natural forms - perfect for painting! |
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| All smiles! Hard not to with such great Lakeland scenery explored and enjoyed as well as making superb painting subjects for our art week at Higham Hall! |
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| The weather beaten conifers standing like sentinels in the dramatic landscape high in the Newlands Valley |
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Margaret about to sketch the stunning scenery high in Newlands Valley with those
amazing mountains
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...and what some of the students said about their experiences:
'Really appreciate all your hard work and enthusiasm - best course I have been on! Thanks for completely looking after us'.
Doreen
'A great course - so helpful. Hope to see you again soon'.
Maureen
'Tops course, excellent tutor full of humour and knowledge. Inspiring!'
Anne
'A great course with an inspirational tutor and an enjoyable stay in beautiful surroundings'.
Peter
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| Anne creating a wonderful tonal drawing of Winter trees. Great work Anne! |
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| Mixed media landscape study created by Doreen - great use of colour, expressive line and semi abstract form. Love it! |
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| Mixed media studio days at Higham Hall - just look at the great work on the walls inspired by the superb Lakeland scenery and Newlands Valley experience! |
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| Another great painting created by Doreen inspired by our Newlands valley experience. Excellent explorations of acrylic underpainting with oil pastel layers. Great energy and drama! |
Wendy and Noeline
For all future art holidays, workshops and art courses visit www.rdcreative.co.uk
Bookings being taken on all art holidays already so get your skates on to secure your place!
