Snippets from this weeks workshop - abstract florals and luscious texture...

Each term we have a session using flowers and foliage as inspiration, aiming to encourage a loose, rather than a botanical approach. We fill the Weta Room with flowes, and transform it into a thing of beauty ( ;

This term we have been experimenting with ways to build texture in our work, and we built on that theme during this workshop. Its always really exciting to see what everyone comes up with in these sorts of workshops. 

I collect flowers and foliage from the garden, and pop into a couple of florists on the way to class. One of the participants is a flower grower, and this week brought in stunning Bells of Ireland stems, as well as exquisite Helleborus from her garden. Last term she filled the room with sunflowers, just beautiful.

Other stuents bought in a wonderful collection of flowers, including Cyclamens, Camellias, and Monstera leaves.

There are all sorts of tricks for getting unusual texture into watercolour works, including using salt, gladwrap, and bubble wrap. 

Interesting marks can be made using cardboard, twigs and skewers instead of brushes.

Combining these techniques with pigments chosen for their granulating properties gives even more unusual effects.  

Some use the flowers available on the day to produce detailed, representational pieces, others aim for a looser and more abstracted piece. 

Its always a very enjoyable session, and I look forwards to the room being filled with the flowers that everyone contributes, and the wonderful works that are produced.

Have a look here for Saturday Workshops and weekly classes, and come along and enjoy creating in watercolour.