Art in the Algarve – I can’t wait to return.

I try to embark on new adventures with an open mind, and so it was with Art in the Algarve where I have just tutored a watercolour workshop.     In a nut shell, on a scale of 1 – 10, Art in the Algarve receives an 11.  

One of the two main courtyards in the School House, with the 150 year old olive tree which reaches to the top of the three level building. 

This first post will be an overview of the school and area.

Later I will get into more detail along with a general outline of the course and what was achieved,.    I will also offer some tutorials for readers and participants of the course. to use as a follow up.

The well equipped and very beautiful studio adjacent to the main courtyards.  

I had not been to Portugal before and was delighted to find that the working fishing town of Olhao, where the school is situated,  along with the protected natural beauty of the famous Lagoon Natural Park, is a world away from most people’s image of holidays on the Algarve.

Geographically, not too far from Tangier and Morocco, Olhao is filled with Moorish style architecture.     

David Clark, who owns and runs the school has renovated the School House and Pool House sympathetically and with vision.  He has put together a cohesive programme which forms a superb structure for work and play.

He has chosen his team very well….from Margarida (sp?) who prepared such wonderfully fresh and diverse foods, to Joanna who always had breakfast ready on time with a smile, and  kept housekeeping in order.       The car and boat taxi drivers were informative and fun to be with and so all in all, there was nothing to worry or think about, other than painting and the pleasure of exploring a new place.

This is where we ate our meals at the school.   In between meals, fresh fruit and wonderful local sweets were always available.   As David said when we arrived….treat the place like your home….a man of his word.

I might add that there was a wonderful touch of Faulty Towers about David and his Team…..in the loveliest of ways:)   

 

 

Along with the superb food served at the school, David organised several visits to local restaurants…including a wonderful Tapas bar, and his own Bar which sits on the front, overlooking the Lagoon.     In each case we received a warm welcome from the local people, and the fish…..it doesn’t come any better!

On the Saturday morning we visited the weekly market which faces the Lagoon…..a visual and gastronomic treat…..

One of the many flower vendors at the market…..

On another day we were taken to the island of Culatra, where we entered a vibrant little community, reminding me a little of one of the islands in the Bahamas.

Part of the vibrant fishing community on Culatra.   

 

 

Observing the beautiful shapes and colours on Culatra. 

 

I know I can talk for the group in saying that the week ended all too soon.

I have taught in many different venues, here and abroad, and without a doubt, Art in the Algarve offers something very special.

Given that I choose to give workshops at cooler times of the year, It is important to note, that the weather was perfect.     Most days were sunny with temperatures around 22 c. (65 to 70 F.)

I finish this post with a photograph of storks that inhabit the area and make their nests on high chimneys and in this case the local church tower.

 

I am very glad to say that I am booked in to do another course at the school on April 22nd 2015.    The course will be limited to 10 people so that I can give as much individual attention as possible. 

I will be back here on Thursday morning with more, as am off to the Malvern Hills for the next two days.

http://www.artinthealgarve.com

http://www.janetweightreed.co.uk

A Bientôt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taking a mini-sabbatical from technology..

Good morning everyone.    I am heading to Portugal very early on Wednesday morning for a workshop, and as is my normal custom, I will take a mini sabbatical from technology.   Much to do today and tomorrow and so am wishing everyone, au revoir….until the Easter break. 

Those who follow my blog will understand that hummingbirds represent to me, the ‘unseen magic’ in our world, and so it’s always a good idea to tap into their energy prior to a new adventure:)

 

It is my hope to return with lots of new sketches, photographs and ideas….I find that removing myself  from e mails, FB, blogs etc. for a short period is highly beneficial.     

It gives me the mental space to really concentrate and be present.

It also means I return to my technological aids with more gusto and pleasure. 

http://www.janetweightreed.co.uk

A Biento

 

 

The joy of colour….

I know many of my friends in the States are having to deal with relentless snow and cold…..and here in the UK we are having to deal with relentless wind and rain!    

Given that it is Friday and that we probably all need a shot of colour in our lives, I am sharing three photographs I took during the warm summer months. 

I received my first digital camera eight years ago.   Up until that time, I had never really enjoyed photography because of the long process of getting film developed, and then finding that maybe there was one decent image in the whole lot.  

 My digital camera changed that for me…I now use it along with sketch books as a tool for my work. 

This image was pure luck.   I was walking along South Bank in London, where they had a beach hut display, and happened to spy this little girl standing in front of the perfect beach hut.   I just loved the way the colours and shapes all sang out together:)

 

I caught this little girl as I was wondering through Brighton.   Ice cream just happens to be my favourite food, and so I couldn’t resist this opportunity. 

 

This photograph of deck chairs on Brighton Pier, appealed to me because of the stripes and shadows made by people relaxing in the warm sunshine. 

 

I hope the colour in these images has brought some joy. 

Remember to check out the wonderful art school in Portugal where I will be giving a workshop in April..http://www.artinthealgarve.com

Visit my newly revised website at http://www.janetweightreed.co.uk

A Bientôt

 

Workshop Demonstration (2)

My second demonstration once again tapped into the importance of negative space, and observation.     

The difference here is that the painting of the petals was less spontaneous and more considered.

Using a photograph of magnolia petals as my jumping off point, I made a loose sketch of the petals, and then immediately wet the area in the negative space surrounding the petals, and applied juicy paint with a loaded larger brush.

I then allow the paint to bleed out to the edges of the paper.    This is an exercise in letting go of control….

For the petals I leave dry, white paper.      In a much more controlled manner, I then apply tiny amounts of pigment to each petal, being careful not to allow areas to bleed into one another.    The total opposite from what was going on in the background.

Given that I was painting this as a demo, there were time constraints, however, I might work on this painting over the next few days, developing more of the petal area.     Note the importance of leaving dry white paper for the highlights…and also note how the white paper shines through the transparent pigment.

The most important technique used in the petal area, is the use of a wet brush with no paint to pull out the small amounts of pigment applied to each petal.     This is also why it’s very important to have a minimum of four pots of water at all times….so that there is always clean water available.

I enjoy the mix of loose, spontaneous painting with a more considerers detailed area. 

Again it’s important to remember that everything is interconnected, and so by bringing some of the same colour used in the background into the foreground we achieve a sense of natural harmony.

Because I was demonstrating and emphasising the importance of playing and experimenting, I then dropped some of the Winsor & Newton, Desiginer Gouache, Permanent White into the background….suggesting more petals, without any detail.

Note the two different areas of white….one using designer gouache, permanent white, and the other area on the petals, where the white is all dry white paper. 

 

There are still a few places available for my workshop in April on the beautiful Algarve, Portugal.      Situated in an historic area of the Algarve, the venue affords excellent opportunities for outside and indoor painting.      With charming inner courtyards and a superb studio area, it is well equipped. 

More information is available at http://www.artinthealgarve.com   or you can e mail camilla@artinthealgarve.com

A Bientôt

Workshop demonstration (1)

When I give a workshop, I always place a lot of emphasis on warming up and observation.

It doesn’t matter what the subject or medium is being used…..these two elements are always key to a successful day’s painting.

For my first demonstration, I used a photograph simply as a jumping off point.

The point of this rapid demonstration was to emphasise the importance of negative space which is just as important as the subject.

To achieve this, I mixed juicy tube watercolour and applied the paint with a large brush, leaving dry, white paper to indicate the flowers.

While still wet, I scraped out colour with a knife, to indicate the flower stems and at the same time give a sense of energy to the overall image.

I also dropped into the dark sky area, while still wet, some Winsor &Newton Designer Gouache, permanent white, allowing the paint to bleed and do it’s own thing:)

Remember, watercolour is a transparent medium and designer gouache, also a water paint is opaque.

For the final image,  I added colour to the dry areas which gives the impression of flowers.

A bientot