I'm really excited that we've finally decided on our weekend courses for this year! The website is being updated but [please visit to see the course dates on offer and email us for details! All will be up and running very soon!

One of the new courses is Women and Washing!

I try to isolate areas that one can focus on that will give the participating artists something that is useful for the development of their own work - it is not 'teaching' although that can be an outcome for those who need or want it - it is looking at something anew perhaps!
Difficult to explain but Jonathan Brown has really taken off in watercolour since that weekend and has kindly written his viewpoint which may be of interest!

This picture bears witness to the way his work is going forward!

"I thoroughly enjoyed the water colouring weekend at Jessops Farm Studio with Cathy Bird. Following the weekend I was inspired to embark on using the techniques learnt during the sessions. With careful planning, Cathy introduced us to the vibrancy that water colours can provide with a limited palette of transparent colours and then some qualities of opaque paints. I have been concentrating on working in oils but Cathy's guidance, support and enthusiasm  has introduced  me to an exciting and rich form of painting". 

My first Arting portrait weekend is almost here! Going to do some in-depth work on eyes and structure. Eyes are what speak from a portrait and if you don't understand the structure of the eye you're not going to capture that 'window of the soul'. The same goes for the head - you have to understand the way it is built - then you can have fun with style and technique.  Fortunately it is easy to learn these basics as my artists will find out this weekend!

So excited! Just done my first Weekend Arting!

I do have the joy of living in an inspiring place - perfect for art! So - I thought - why not do weekend art courses - lovely surroundings - really effective tuition - fabulous food - perfect?

So - all the planning had  been done- we were all set but I was a bit shivering in my shoes before we started last weekend - would it work?

Well I am pleased to say it did! We had a really productive time - the food was great and my most important question was answered. All seven of my attendees felt they had been given some watercolour secrets that they could use. They went home with a folder full of work and information and a couple of really useful free gifts for watercolour painting - best of all they all want to sign up for more!

Less than two weeks till the next one - portraits! Got a wonderful model! It's going to be fun!