Art Retreat with Sue Bradley - Watercolour Pure and Simple

TWO DAY COURSE

Arrive: Friday 21st June 2024
Teaching days: 22nd and 23rd June 2024
Leave: Monday 24th June 2024

THREE DAY COURSE

Arrive: Monday 24th June 2024
Teaching days: 25th, 26th and 27th June 2024
Leave: Friday 28th June 2024

FIVE DAY COURSE

Arrive: Friday 21st June 2024
Teaching days: 22nd, 23rd, 25th, 26th and 27th June 2024
Leave: Friday 28th June 2024

About the Tutor

Sue will be leading two back-to-back painting courses at Westcott Barton. The two day course will be an introduction/refresher in watercolour techniques for those new to the medium or returning after a period of time. Of course, anyone just wanting to practise their watercolour skills is also welcome to join. The following three day course will develop and apply your watercolour painting skills further, introducing some additional techniques that Sue uses and the opportunity to paint outdoors including a sketching trip to explore painting en plein air (weather permitting). You can stay for the two day course, three day course, or stay for the full five days of teaching.

Sue originally worked as a biochemist/microbiologist and then as a primary school teacher. She now devotes as much time as possible to her love of creating art. Her painting journey began as a teenager experimenting with oils and poster paints, having worked in most mediums, her favourite these days is watercolour. Although she enjoys ‘traditional’ scenes she is also very interested in creating pattern and textural effects and experimenting with semi-abstract themes. Over the last 8 years or so Sue has been creating a series of paintings inspired by the movement and passion of the flamenco with a feeling of elegance added, which is sometimes blended with the Art Deco figurines of the early 20th century. These paintings have become her most in-demand work. She has also illustrated two books of fantasy poetry by the Australian author Peter Kenny.

Sue has exhibited widely including the Artist and Leisure Painter magazine annual Open Exhibition at Patchings Art Centre, Nottingham, the Royal Society of Marine Artists Exhibition at the prestigious Mall Galleries, London and Ex-Alt, Milan. She was awarded a Rising Star Future Master Award at the U.K. International Watercolour Masters Competition, 2020 and a top award in the same competition 2022. Over the last three years, Sue has represented the England and Wales Team at the International Aquarello in Fabriano watercolour festival, Italy. She teaches art to adults holding weekly classes and provides workshops and demonstrations to art clubs and societies together with painting holidays in Spain and Greece. Sue is a professional associate with the SAA and has written watercolour articles for the Leisure Painter magazine. Her teaching style is informative, encouraging and relaxed with plenty of feedback.

Please visit Sue’s website for further information and to view her gallery pages.

Overview

Throughout these two sessions, from Friday 21st to Monday 24th June (2 day) and from Monday 24th to Friday 28th June (3 day), you will take inspiration from landscape, seascape and floral subjects around Westcott Barton and the local area. Sue will demonstrate and explain the principles and practices of the watercolour medium. You will be able to spend ample time outside and in the studio working on your own paintings, as well as having the chance to spend one-on-one time with Sue discussing, evaluating and developing your work, your technique and your personal artistic style.

You can choose to come for two or three days of teaching, or, if you choose to stay for the full week, you will have Monday 24th June as a tuition free day for your leisure - perhaps exploring further afield, along the beautiful nearby coast, or into nearby Exmoor.

Some time will be set aside for sketching/painting outside (weather permitting) although artists are welcome to work in the studio if preferred.

Itinerary

Upon your arrival on the Friday or Monday afternoon, at around 3pm, you will be greeted by the team at Westcott Barton.

The retreat will begin with a relaxed afternoon, settling into the accommodation, meeting fellow students and going on a guided tour with Sue around the grounds of Westcott Barton. The evening will finish with a group dinner.

Breakfast will be served daily from 8.30am and students will then gather in the studio at around 9.30am for a morning demonstration.

Tea, coffee and biscuits are freely available to help yourself to during studio breaks.

Lunch is served at 1pm. Afternoons will be dedicated to your own studio painting time, with Sue on hand to guide you.

Evening dinner is at 6.30pm.

Students are welcome to continue working in the studio outside of the designated teaching time.

Departure will either be on the Monday or following Friday morning, when Sue will discuss the best ways to ensure your work is taken home safely. Students are welcome to depart on the evening before if required.

Some days will be set aside for sketching/painting outside (weather permitting) although artists are welcome to work in the studio if preferred.

Course spaces are limited to 12 participants to ensure Sue has the ability to provide you with personal advice and support during your time here.

Skill Level

All painting abilities (even complete beginners) are warmly welcome

Painting Media

Watercolour and pen and ink (for line and wash) and watercolour paper.

You will need to bring:

Your preferred watercolour paints, watercolour paper, brushes, sketchpad, pencil, liner pen and accessories including a palette. A pdf document containing full details about recommended paint colours, brush sizes, and accessories will be emailed to you nearer the time of the course.

Sue can advise on a suitable quality/brands of watercolour paints and paper.

For those artists wishing to paint plain-air (outside), a portable field easel or French easel is recommended. Easels can be made available to loan if suitable notice is given.

Tables and chairs will be provided.