Friday 30 March 2018

Positive progress for painters at Higham Hall

Ray in the studio with his colourful and expressive acrylic mixed media painting created from field trip to Grange in Borrowdale. First hand experiences drawing outside sure have paid off! Well done Ray!

The start of an yearly teaching program at Higham Hall began with a fabulous art course for everyone recently in March using mixed media with an 'everything acrylic theme' which was really popular, a great learning experience for all and above all - fun!

With a full class of 13 students top quality paintings just kept rolling out all week from everyone. Our exciting painting week was organised with several studio days painting with acrylics on bespoke textured surfaces, oil pastels with acrylic ink,  palette knife work using heavy body acrylic paints and so much more.

Here is everyone with just one of their fabulous paintings created during the week in the studio. Photos by kind permission of Janet Harvey (page 2 bottom right).

The weather could not have been better. Snow capped peaks around Higham Hall and on our outings were a delight to see.


Skiddaw mountain range seen from the terrace at Higham Hall - what a fabulous view!

We even had the chance to get outdoors early in the week to explore Lakeland some more with a visit to the lovely village of Grange in Borrowdale to sketch and paint which everyone enjoyed and really benefited from.


Grange in Borrowdale - lovely Autumn colours bathed in sunshine

Another example of just one of the superb mixed media acrylic ink and oil pastel paintings created from drawing at Grange - a lovely composition and strong controlled drawing.

Spread out along the River Derwent everyone quickly chose their view and got stuck going enjoying every moment...time to catch up with the rest of the group painting and sketching in the village

Ray on the far side of the bank sketching the iconic double span bridge crossing the River Derwent into the village of Grange -
Ray's smile says it all!

A thoroughly enjoyable 'jolly good painting time' had by all with lots and lots of laughter, fun times and wonderful paintings too that boosted everyones confidence to explore mixed media even more on the next courses at Higham Hall.


I'll be back in May at Higham Hall teaching a 'Garden Impressions' themed holiday taking students to paint at the wonderfully inspirational Mirehouse and Gardens  www.mirehouse.co.uk (close to Higham Hall) and within the ever improving gardens and woodland at Higham Hall itself. 

Details here of the May art holiday at Higham Hall:
http://rdcreative.co.uk/art-holidays/may-2018-garden-impressions-watercolour-pastel-acrylic-ink-art-break

Just one of the very special and natural garden areas within the grounds of Higham Hall we will be painting in come July - such a tranquil and relaxing setting, no wonder everyone's garden paintings are so good!

With the Chelsea Flower Show being televised during our painting week it's sure to be a colourful week celebrating a very different side of The Northern Lake District with exclusive access to some fantastic places to paint. 


See you in May - just 5 places left now so you'd better get your place booked pronto if you are coming!