Painting those 'Inktense' colours in southern Spain

Derwent Paint Pan Travel Sets ready and waiting for 'Paint Andalucia' 2018 art guests to creatively explore and celebrate all those wonderful Spanish landscape colours

Derwent Inktense have proved to be a real hit with students once again - this time with 'Paint Andalucia' near Torrox in Southern Spain.

Using the all new 'Inktense Paint Pan Travel Set' the versatile ‘go anywhere, do anything’ portable 12 colour set inspired everyone to create lots of colourful and expressive paintings during our exciting art week together.

Caroline working on a large scale learning just how versatile Derewent Inktense Paint Pan Travel Set can be for paintings even on a large scale

Derwent Inktense Paint Pan Travel Set used in combination with Derwent Inktense sticks and watercolour - totally compatible with one another for richly layered paintings

Mavis using a large brush to paint with select colours from the Derwent 12 colour Paint Pan Travel set to create the first wet in wet techniques for her Spanish landscape painting. Clean colours every time!

Creative adventures included painting both outdoors and in the studio painting the dramatic and scenic locations in the quieter regions of the Costa del Sol. With several trips to iconic whitewashed and unspoilt mountain villages in the region during the week this allowed all Paint Andalucia art holiday guests the wonderful opportunity to work directly out doors with the this versatile painting media.

Lorraine using Derwent Paint Pan Travel Set Inktense colours on Canson Mi-Tientes Touch 350gsm pastel paper to create a colourful and expressive interpretation of her chosen subject, El Acebuchal - the hidden mountain village we all visited and painted later in the week - a lovely colourful painting Lorraine!

Lorraine's painting half way through. Notice how intense those colours are in all the right places and subtle when needed in others. Such a responsive media! A small box that packs big impact!

Toby painting the dramatic mountain views that surround  Paul and Vicki's home (your Paint Andalucia hosts) in the hills on the outskirts of Torrox in Southern Spain

Another great creative Derwent Inktense painting day at Paul and Vicki's home near Torrox - fab painting experiences for all with a real responsive media from Derwent

The paintings everyone created with the Derwent Inktense Paint Pan Travel Set where rich in colour, multiple layered and full of depth. Above all they proved to be a joy to use and easy to create stunning paintings again and again.

David exploring foreground detail with applications of the next stage washes to build his richly layered Inktense painting. Once dry Inktense is permanent - a big advantage for artists like David who want to create clean gazes of colour one over the other during the painting process.

Davids finished painting. A superb range of both painted and drawn marks explored with combinations of media - Inktense and soft pastel. 

Pam adding sharp bright detail with combinations of colours with the Derwent Paint Pan Travel Set to bring everything together in her expressive and colourful Spanish landscape painting - great layers with added depth Pam!

Jackie painting first stage washes wet in wet with Derwent Inktense Paint Pan Travel set colours and  exploring the different mark making possibilities even in the early stages with different types of brushes.

Outside or in, Derwent Paint Pan Travel Set proved to be a real winner with everyone. Fab colours, permanent colours when dry to allow cleaner glazing, and so much more

As a Derwent Associate Artist it was a privilege to teach everyone on the holiday so many different techniques with Inktense.

Following my regular demonstrations during each day both outdoors and in, everyone’s confidence with the media just grew. Creative techniques explored kept everyone fully focused with this inspirational landscape and exciting media and the work everyone created was really stunning.

Demonstrating the versatility of Derwent Inktense, the Paint Pan Travel Set as an underpainting for final marks with soft and hard pastel. All brushes and mark making created expressively and freely with such a easy to use media. (Photo courtesy of David McCallum).

Watercolour glazing techniques made possible with the quick drying permanent Inktense colours. 
(Photo courtesy of David McCallum).

Close up of the expressive painting techniques made possible with this really responsive clean glazing and painting media - Derwent Inktense (Photo courtesy of David McCallum).

Comments about the media were really positive too. Here's what some students had to say about Derwent Inktense Paint Pan Travel Set that each student was generously given by Derwent in support to use throughout their art holiday and take home to explore more too...

"The Derwent Inktense Paint Pan Travel Set seemed, on first appearance, to be one of those paint sets you might receive as a present from an aunt as a child. But, upon usage, I was pleasantly surprised to find how versatile it was. The colours are well chosen and the range you can produce by simple mixes was extensive. The mixing guide in the  accompanying brochure was so very helpful and accurate - and this made a big difference to my artwork when using the set. It would be great if Derwent could somehow incorporate the chart into the box; in that way, the set really would be the perfect travel companion.
Once I had discovered and understood for myself how permanent the Inktense colours are when applied to paper, it was plain sailing. I thought the effect of various glazes on the painting surface was terrific. More satisfying than watercolour, I would say (though that may be down to experience and a narrow range of watercolour tubes in my possession).
Certainly, with the mixing guide, the set was pretty fool-proof. And I shall definitely be using it again. A huge thank you to Derwent for generously providing the set."

Toby Goode

"What a great week that was. We both learned so many new skills and it was a pleasure to use the materials that you had generously provided. The inktense palate was a cute little box but surprisingly comprehensive in terms of both the colour range and mixing potential. We were both impressed by the strength of the colours. However as you demonstrated the versatility of the product was greatly extended by adding in other watercolours and gouache."

Jackie Potter and David McCallum

"Just completed a week’s painting holiday in Andalucia, and have been introduced to Derwent watercolour inkblocks.  The colours are a nice combination and easy to work with, especially the purple.  Their vivid strength adds a new dimension to what I may be painting in the future and I am really excited about the possibilities presented by Robert  Dutton during this week."

Pam Wilson

"Delighted with the Derwent Inktense Paint Pan Travel Set.  As a novice artist I obviously cannot compare it with any other medium but I really liked the colours, how well it mixes up to quite a strong colour and the great ways it can be used.  RD made the medium very accessible and it seems to have a multitude of uses which I look forward to investigating further.  Nattily sized, it will be easy to carry around but it strong enough colour to ensure a great result."

Lorraine Murdoch

A BIG THANKS to Derwent for generously sponsoring part of this year’s superb painting holiday in Southern Spain with a top quality Paint Pan Travel Set given to all. 

Guests travelling home as far away as Canada and America most certainly will be taking home not only great Inktense paintings and happy memories, but lots of useful art techniques as well that will enrich their future painting experiences - all thanks to Derwent!

For more information about Derwent Inktense and their other creative products visit:

https://www.derwentart.com/en-gb

Creative adventures await for you in Southern Spain!

For more information about Paint Andalucia art holiday in October 2019 please visit: 

http://rdcreative.co.uk/art-holidays/october-2019-pastel-and-watercolour-painting-holiday-in-spain-with-paint-an

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!

Derwent Inktense workshop brighten everyones day!

Derwent Inktense blocks - everyones favourite as they proved so easy to use to create bright uplifting paintings with - especially those during our 'Bluebells in Spring Woodland' workshop in North Leeds

It might still be Winter but artists who came to a recent workshop in North Leeds are full of the joys of Spring having recently painted some fabulous colourful paintings using Derwent Inktense blocks and pencils.

The popular theme 'Bluebell woodland in sunlight and shade' could not have been better to explore the wonderful range of versatile colours generously provided by Derwent Art Materials supporting our recent North Leeds workshop.

A little goes a long way with Derwent Inktense - beautiful bright colours to both draw and paint with easily

Multiple layering with Derwent Inktense blocks produce real depth in everyones colourful paintings. A fabulous media to create pastel type effects over several Inktense colour washes without dusting

Combination techniques between big brush washes with Inktense and details on top using the edges and corners of different Inktense blocks and Inktense pencils

Each student was provided with a full set of 24 Inktense colours and Inktense pencils too throughout the day to work with. The entire Derwent inktense range of colours in both blocks and pencils consists of 12 very useful colours, 24 and 36 gorgeous colours and an extensive 72 full colour set of really fabulous colours that offer so much versatility!

Derwent Inktense Blocks being used to draw into wet washes of applied Inktense colours. Washes are prepared before hand in large wells by shaving, trimming or cutting sections of the blocks into containers and adding water to allow them to dissolve. More water - lighter wash, less water - stronger wash. So versatile!

When Inktense washes are dry, unlike watercolour, they are permanent. A great advantage as further applications of colour do not disturb those underneath so colour washes remain clean and pure. As shown here this inspires so many different creative expressive mark making techniques in the same painting creating stunning visual effects

From the very expressive to the delicate and controlled approach Derwent Inktense is with you all the way helping you to develop your own particular style in a much brighter and more colourful way - a joy to use

Premixed Derwent Inktense colours being used with a Pro Arte Swordliner to create beautiful painterly detailed effects in all the trees in this colourful Springtime composition 

The paintings everyone created were amazing - really colourful compositions that explored the bright colourful permanent layering techniques Derwent Inktense blocks are known for, together with a whole host of other creative techniques that everyone really enjoyed exploring throughout the workshop.

Watercolour techniques being explored with premixed colours of Derwent Inktense blocks which intermix perfectly one into the other to create just the right tone you need when you need it most

The results spoke for themselves - a line up of of 20 lovely colourful paintings created by everyone who came. 

Combinations of both drawn and painted effects using Derwent Inktense blocks. Notice how clean and radiant Derwent Inktense colour washes are when painted one over the other - a fabulous media that both water colourists and pastelists can benefit from

Here are just a few comments I've kindly received about the workshop and Inktense so far:

'Many thanks for an inspirational workshop on Friday at Bardsey.  I loved the product and have just ordered a set, can't wait for them to arrive and start painting, developing all the tips you showed us.'

P. Gurd

'I think the Inktense blocks are fantastic. I love the vibrancy and the fact that they are permanent and don't lift when layering.  I will certainly be using them again and think they will be great as an underpainting for my pastels on the Fisher 400 and Uart sanded paper instead of watercolour or acrylic.  Such value for money as well.  I'll be going to see Tim at the Art Shop soon to get a set!'

D. Dyer 

Students on the workshop putting into practice what they have learned from my short demos throughout the day, group and one to one tuition - the results speak for themselves!

To learn more about the creative possibilities for you and your art you'll be interested to know that 'The Artist' magazine (for whom I regularly contribute articles for) with be including in the June issue (available at the end of May from all leading newsagents) a full article in review of this very versatile and popular creative media from Derwent.

My own demonstration painting of 'Bluebells in Spring light'. I'm so looking forward to finishing this and using Derwent Inktense blocks and pencils to do so...keep you posted!

For further information about the full range of popular top quality Derwent Art Materials visit: www.derwentart.com

To purchase your choice of Derwent Inktense blocks and pencils at a really competitive price 'The Ilkley Art Shop' stocks the entire range. 

Visit https://www.theartshops.co.uk for more details 

The Ilkley Art Shop'
Hawksworth St, 
Ilkley LS29 9DU
Tel: 01943 609031

Glorious Graphite!

Caroline working large on a full sheet of Canson Moulin du Roy 300gsm (140lb) 'Not' watercolour sheet with Derwent XL Blocks - great colour combinations and great layering techniques Caroline!

It's always exciting to combine different media together, especially when they are new to students who are eager to try them to see just what they can do.

Students expectations were recently fulfilled when we combined Derwent XL Graphite Blocks and Wallace Seymour liquid graphite together in a full day workshop exploring 'Coastal Textures' on Canson Moulin du Roy  300gsm (140lb) 'Not' Watercolour paper - a fabulous painting surface that works so well with creative techniques with the two very different graphite media in combination.

Pam adding Derwent XL Graphite Blocks as a drawing technique over lots of layered tones of Wallace Seymour liquid graphite to create a rich painted and drawn study of the coast

Everyone's paintings developing nicely with real expression in each and every multi layered drawn and painted work

Different again. Wallace Saymour Liquid Graphite and Derwent XL Graphite Block layering forming the perfect foundation when combined for further layering with Derwent Inktense pastels. 

Wallace Seymour liquid graphite is available in 4 different shades of 125ml pots - 'Cuddly Brown', (a beautiful warm shade of sepia), 'Blue Lapis' (a wonderful deep rich intense blue), 'Shimmer Glimmer' (a grey liquid graphite with a very subtle metallic 'sparkle' added to the mixture) and 'Liquid Graphite' (a grey high quality fluid liquid graphite) that all can be glazed one over the other, intermixed to create unique colour shades of used on their own to add a 'fluid' dimension to your drawings.

You can just feel the concentration from the class! Great to see everyone so engaged in their work and enjoying learning very useful drawing techniques with both of these unique graphite mediums

By adding different amounts of water to various amounts of Wallace Seymour liquid graphite colours, mixing really well until the product is diluted consistently in the water, subtle painting shades can be applied to the paper support with all sorts of brushes to give unique painterly effects with graphite. The media dries pretty quickly and permanently on the paper so subsequent glazes can be quickly applied thus building up tones.

Demo liquid graphite painting on Canson Moulin du Roy 300gsm (140lb) 'not' watercolour paper showing how all four colours of Wallace Seymour Liquid Graphite and select Derwent XL Graphite Blocks work in harmony together to create a very expressive drawn and painted coastal study

This underpainting is then ideal for graphite drawing with graphite pencils or sticks to create a drawn and painted look to your work offering a new way of expressively drawing altogether.

Furthermore, the layering effects with Wallace Seymour liquid graphite colours form the perfect foundation on which to build further creative expression for different types of subjects with soft 'Derwent XL Graphite blocks' which themselves are also water soluble. 

A beautifully controlled coastal study accurately yet expressively created by Pauline - superb!

The softness of the Dewent XL Blocks are one of their unique properties. Pastelists in particular love them as techniques akin to that media can also be applied when using these versatile chunky blocks of the finest graphite pigments.

Everything about Derwent XL Graphite is big; big blocks and even bigger possibilities. You can create a wide variety of textures and effects with these generous graphite blocks; subtle blending, fine lines and deep tonal work are all possible.

David showing that acrylic ink serves just as well as an underpainting to add a strong colour base on which to add Wallace Seymour select liquid graphite colours in combination with Derwent XL Graphite Blocks to add texture - lovely expressive rhythm in this painting too David. 

Developed 6 strong shades from Olive Green to Burnt and Raw Umber with 2 shades of graphite Grey which work really well for a bold drawing approach. No wonder everyone liked them and different shades of the Wallace Seymour Liquid Graphite so much!

Charmaine creating an impressive drawing filled with bright light, space and air by combining subtle Wallace Seymour Liquid Graphite washes with the perfect tonal strength and colour mixing with Derwent XL Graphite Blocks  - a great painting!

A big thanks to Wallace Seymour who generously supported this workshop with their unique Liquid Graphite products and also a big thanks to Derwent too for their generous support also providing the workshop with lots of their versatile XL Graphite Blocks too.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed working with the different graphite products and appreciated the opportunity to see what they were like when combined together in this very rewarding and successful workshop.

Your feedback for the workshop has been very useful to all of us and thanks everyone for attending. See you next time for our next painting adventure together!

It makes sense to use Derwent 'Inktense'

Alex working on a colourful study using Derwent 'Inktense' in a series of great paintings created during the painting week at Higham Hall

What a great expressive mixed media painting week we had recently at Higham Hall. Thanks to the support of Derwent with their amazingly versatile Inktense Blocks and pencils and XL Graphite and charcoal blocks. 

These innovative products were tried and tested in everyone’s work throughout the week creating some stunning results.  

Heres just a few of the eye catching paintings everyone created in progress with them together with everyone’s honest appraisal of these versatile products from Derwent with Derwent Inktense first.

Derwent Inktense

Derwent Inktense as 24 colour set. Even with this 'limited' range of colours so much creativity with colour both drawn and painted is possible

A great mixed media painting in progress using Derwent Inktense created by Alex - such a versatile and expressive media for a contemporary painting approach

Jill working on her atmospheric coastal mixed media painting using Derwent Inktense blocks and pencils
(Photo by kind permission by Eric Cooper)

Close up of foreground texture in Jills painting utilising the expressive mark making capabilities of Derwent XL Blocks on Canson Moulin du Roy 'Rough' 300gsm (140lb) 100% rag content watercolour paper.
(Photo by kind permission by Eric Cooper)

"Inktense Blocks and Robert's inspiration helped me loosen up and become more expressive and I loved to use them with mixed media. Derwent Inktense pencils are great for defining edges."
Jill Cooper

Alex working with Derwent Inktense using expressive techniques with them both as a wet 'painterly' media and drawing pastel media too

"Derwent Inktense have lovely powerful colours and provide opportunities for effective and easy layering combining depth with transparency. They can be vibrant yet subtle. The darks are particularly chromatic but the white is a little milky - a good mixing colour though."
Alex Jakob-Whitworth

Roger with his lovely expressive mixed media Derwent Inktense paintings created on two very different watercolour papers - Canson Moulin du Roy 'not' and 'rough' 300gsm (140lb) 100% cotton papers - ideal for expressive textures in one and focussed detail on the other

"Derwent Inktense are lovely to use offering a lot of new possibilities. Quick to use and I'm keen to learn more."
Roger Gillie

Ruth using Derwent inktense blocks to add pastel effects over watercolour and soluble Inktense layering in her colourful sunlit Autumn painting keeping all the colours bright, fresh and above all loose and expressive. great job Ruth!

"I have had Derwent Inktense pencils and not known how to use them. Now I have the opportunity of advise from Robert with Inktense pastels and I am sure I will use my pencils more and will buy the pastels at the first chance I get! Great for outdoor work and I'm sure that when combined with other media there will be even more exciting results!"
Ruth Gamsby

Roger enjoying working in detail using Derwent XL Blocks on their edges, corners and so on to create foreground texture and detail in another lovely expressive mountain view. 

"Inktense pastels used dry and wet really extend the range. Just great to use."
Roger Salmon

Jane and here lovely series of great mixed media paintings. Several featured combining Derwent Inktense with other media for such powerful, colourful and expressive results. Well done Jane, all that enjoyable and concentrated focussed input sure has really paid off!

"Derwent Inktense are very exciting to use and opens up lots of possibilities especially for outdoor work. Colour large areas very quickly but I'd like to see more earth colours really in the 24 set."
Jane Fraser

Just to let you  know, I’ve written a full in-depth review all about the Derwent Inktense range with several of my own paintings shown in stages which will be published in the April ‘18 edition of ‘The Artist’ magazine so look out for that.

Derwent XL Blocks
During the week we also used another personal favourite of mine from the Derwent range - their wonderful ‘XL Charcoal and Graphite Blocks’ which add real dynamism to an expressive drawing approach in particular. Being chunky in the hand you cannot help but want work bigger, be free and expressive with them!

The full range of Derwent XK Blocks in both charcoal and graphite colours that inspire so much creative freedom and versatility - especially with a contemporary drawing and painting approach

Being soft water-soluble and easy to use pigment from both the 6 colours in the XL Charcoal range and another 6 useful colours in the XL Graphite range helped everyone create yet more expressive paintings.

Roger loves his mountains and using XL Blocks to express his passion for them to so easily. Great painting Roger!

"I have been very taken by Derwent XL Blocks and eager to keep using them. Thanks to Robert for teaching me the freedom of expression and line with them. Found them great to work with and to achieve a looseness but with control. I can't wait to get home to try them even more!"
Brian Whitaker

Another great painting created by Alex, this time using Derwent XL Blocks (both Grpahite and Charcoal) on a full imperial sheet of Canson Moulin du Roy 300gsm (140lb) 'not'. The perfect paper for detail and expression and a great surface for Derwent XL Blocks with just the right 'tooth'.

"Derwent XL Blocks are soft and velvety, strong, excellent for large scale drawing and painting offering great dynamics. Prefer the charcoal colours, be nice to see a blue in there like in the graphite range."
Alex Jakob-Whitworth

Your next links for Higham Hall art holidays for 2018 follow.

Last remaining place on several already so now's the time to book your place or you may miss out!

http://rdcreative.co.uk/art-holidays/march-18-expressive-landscape-with-acrylic-mixed-media-at-higham-hall

http://rdcreative.co.uk/art-holidays/may-2018-garden-impressions-watercolour-pastel-acrylic-ink-art-break

http://rdcreative.co.uk/art-holidays/july-2017-mixed-media-expressive-painting-holiday-in-the-lake-district

http://rdcreative.co.uk/art-holidays/September-2018-Expressive-mixed-media-in-The-Lake-District

The beautiful snowy mountain top view across the open pasture towards the Skiddaw Range from Higham Hall

Rolling mists across the Western Fells seen from Higham Hall - serenity itself!