Photos: My “Expressive Skye” Painting Workshop at Higham Hall
My thanks to all participants in my workshop at Higham Hall for your enthusiasm and to everyone at Higham for all you do to make it happen in such a special venue. I thoroughly enjoyed the week, and look forward to next time.
The week started and ended with blue sky, with beautiful sunrises, hail, storm winds, and snow inbetween. Felt just like Skye!
Sunrise, taken in front of the hall.Standing in about the same spot as where I took the photo above, looking in the opposite direction, on the morning it had snowed.The bedrooms at Higham are on the second floor of the building.The studio (left) is in the old stables at the back that form a courtyard with the three wings of the hall.
It’s up to tutors to decide how to use the space. I like to set the studio up with an area with tables where we work together as a group on specific activities I set, and then use the three alcoves as areas where people work alone if they wish. All those hours playing Tetris came in useful to fit in 10 of the high-adjustable tables so everyone could have one to themselves.
Spot the Creative Skye booklets!From left to right: Acrylic on canvas board, pastel on dark blue pastel paper and watercolour, by B. Acrylic on paper by J. My acrylic on paper version, one of the example paintings I brought with me to the workshop.A limited colour watercolour and ink interpretation of one of the photos in my photo reference books (buy online).Exploring working in layers, from loose and expressive to detail, with my photo of daisies as the starting-point.One of the mornings is spent exploring colour mixing, creating “interesting greys”Painting using “interesting greys” inspired by my reference photo of seaweed and rocks at Camus Mor.Painting inspired by a reference photo of rapids in the river at Sligachan, using “interesting greys” and “strong, varied darks”. On A2 size watercolour paper.My Thursday evening demo painting.The demo painting before it rained and the sheep arrived.
It was! Higham is like a creative retreat with all meals provided, a fabulous studio — and cellphone and wifi are patchy so you can switch off easily. All sorts of courses, not only painting.
Looks like a great workshop!
It was! Higham is like a creative retreat with all meals provided, a fabulous studio — and cellphone and wifi are patchy so you can switch off easily. All sorts of courses, not only painting.