I have launched a new workshop series this year exploring landscape painting. The series starts with a 2-day Interpreting the Landscape workshop and the workshops become more advanced as the year progresses. You can pick and choose between the different workshops, or even book them all for the full experience:
Interpreting the Landscape: Friday 16th and Saturday 17th June 2023
Coastal Landscapes: Wednesday 26th to Friday 28th July 2023
Loosen up your Landscapes: Wednesday 9th to Friday 11th August 2023
The first Landscape workshop in the series will take place on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th June 2023. This is a fun 2 day workshop to help you interpret the landscape without getting bogged down in detail.

About the workshop
Gain a fearless approach to landscape painting and learn the skills to enable you to simplify what you see and create strong paintings that are uniquely yours. We'll combine some work outdoors with work in the studio. Clear instruction with demos, along with practical exercises and learning through playful experimentation, using acrylic paint (and other optional materials).
You will learn:
- How to use photos and outdoor studies to make great paintings
- Ways to simplify the scene and make a strong composition
- About different types of perspective, to help you portray a sense of depth
- How to retain the clarity of colours and avoid them looking muddy or flat.
- How to inject energy and atmosphere into your work.
NB: Suitable for most abilities, although SOME PAINTING EXPERIENCE is required for this workshop. As a minimum you should have an understanding of basic colour mixing and paint application. If you are unsure about this please contact us for a chat.

Workshop Outline
Day 1
Arrive at 9.45am for coffee and chat
Morning (10am Start)
- Welcome and housekeeping
- 1st lecture/demo. How to take suitable photos for painting. What to focus on when sketching or making studies outdoors and why it matters.
- Sketching or painting outdoors (weather permitting, but please bring suitable clothing/footwear)
Break for lunch around 1pm
- A light lunch is provided or bring you own if you prefer
- Tea and coffee available through out the day
Afternoon
- Lecture / demo - How to use your gathered reference material from the morning.
- Painting exercises: fast, loose and simple to get your 'painting muscles' warmed up and your ideas flowing.
- Practice simplifying the elements in your references and 'designing' compositions with them.
- Group discussion to evaluate the day's learning and plan for the next steps.
- Clean up 4.45-5pm
Day 2
Arrive at 9.45am for coffee and chat
Morning (10am Start)
- Lecture/demo. Taking preparatory work from day 1 into a more developed painting.
- Begin a Painting on canvas from your reference material
Break for lunch around 1pm
- A light lunch is provided or bring you own if you prefer
- Tea and coffee available through out the day
Afternoon
- Continue developing your painting with lots of individual feedback and help.
- Final group discussion to evaluate what you have achieved. (Feedback is always supportive and constructive.)
- Cleanup 4.45-5pm

Course details
Friday 16th and Saturday 17th June 2023
10am - 5pm (Lunch 30 mins starting at around 1pm)
Max places = 8
£250 per person
Painting workshops take place with me in my spacious and well equipped studio on the Pembrokeshire coast. SJB Fine Art Studio is located just off the main road between Newgale Beach, and the village of Solva.
All materials and equipment are provided, so all you need to do is turn up with a willingness to learn and have fun!
Complimentary refreshments are available throughout each session.
If you have any questions or special requirements please get in touch.
All class details and information will be sent via email after booking.


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