A six-week course teaching painting and drawing techniques. We’ll look at the joy of recreating a love of plants and gardens through art and recording directly from nature.

Course taught indoors and out in a small group to ensure time for personal attention. The first 4 weeks are taught indoors at Stocksfield Community Association (SICA) where you will be guided through observation techniques and drawing, sketching and water-colour methods including capturing perspective, creating texture and contrast, using colour wash and colour mixing, before putting them into practice in the garden. You will then have the opportunity to put your skills into practice directly outdoors in local gardens.

Explore different materials including pencils, charcoal, inks and water-colours. The workshop will teach techniques and methods which will build confidence in working outdoors, directly observing from nature.

Level:  Suitable for enthusiastic beginners and experienced artists alike.

Duration: 6 weeks, 2 hours per week. 

Locations: First 4 weeks at SICA, Stocksfield, NE43 7HL, followed by 2 weeks at local gardens (location to be confirmed nearer the time). Please note that participants are responsible for making their own way to the gardens.

What to expect: The workshops will give guidance and tuition on different methods and approaches to drawing, sketching and watercolour. Beginning indoors with opportunity to practice and ask questions before working directly in local gardens outdoors.

Art materials: If you have your own materials for drawing and painting, please bring them along. I would recommend for drawing, a small sketchbook, drawing items including pencils, rubber, sharpener. For painting, watercolour set, brushes, jam-jar for water, tissues for drying/dabbing-out. If you are a beginner and want to ‘try before you buy’ or are just unsure what to bring, please contact me (nikihblack@gmail.com) and I will provide a starter kit for a small fee and/or advise on materials and where to buy them.

Participation is entirely at your own risk.