Foxgloves and Bees are always an enchanting combination of flower and insect to paint especially in this lively expressive painting style.
Using watercolour we will experiment with expressive and vibrant techniques to keep your work looking bright, fresh, dynamic and sun kissed.
Nicky will demo the stages of a painting and watercolour techniques which you will then use yourself to create your own paintings in a vibrant and loose watercolour style where the colours sing from the paper.
Nicky will help you improve your creative skills and understanding of this somewhat challenging but magical medium of watercolour.
The workshop offers a blend of taught methods and techniques and expressive painting inspiration. Working with this generous, friendly and knowledgeable artist will be enjoyed by students across a range of levels whether with a little or substantial watercolour experience; however not suitable for absolute beginners as Nicky will not cover the very basic watercolours techniques.
You can transfer the tips, tricks and knowledge Nicky offers to many subject matters in watercolour.
About the Tutor
INSPIRED BY NATURE & IGNITED BY COLOUR
Nicky’s radiant and beautiful paintings are ‘realism with a touch of romance’, capturing the essence of the subject in a colourful, expressive and impressionistic style. Her painting and illustration skill set is diverse due to the influence of 2 decades designing print patterns for textiles for interiors and fashion. Styles range from refined botanical floral studies and graphical illustrations to vibrant, and often large scale, watercolour artworks, the latter being what she is best known for and brings her and others the most joy, yet offer the greatest creative and technical challenges to create. Using the magical and illusive medium of watercolour Nicky endeavours to accomplish paintings that radiate with colour and light and capture the essence of the floral or other subject matter.
Originally trained in Art & design at Telford College of Art in 1994, thereafter a degree in fashion and textiles at Demontfort University Leicester in 1997, which led to a 20 year career designing embroidered and printed textiles for various iconic and luxury UK interiors and fashion brands, also working freelance for many years selling designs to international fashion labels.
The fruits of her creative labours were commonplace in seasonal ranges in UK high street shops ,and regularly featured in fashion, bridal and interior magazines. Nicky also gained recognition and awards in the industry.
It’s highly likely you will have worn a garment embellished with her print or embroidery design over the years.
Coming full circle in 2018 her original love for art took precedence again over design returning to painting and further taking additional watercolour fine art study.
What you will need to bring
Old Cloths or an Apron
Pencil & rubber
Watercolour paint – As wide a range of colours as you can manage (any brand but try to avoid academy or student quality)
Watercolour brushes – various sizes (round point medium and large are preferred)
Palate, kitchen roll and small spray bottle (if you have one)
Watercolour Paper – Good Quality, Rough surface e.g. Bockingford or Fabriano – (stretched and prepared on a board preferably)
Spare pieces of paper to test colours and do experiments
water-pots, drawing boards and other basic materials are available to borrow on the day and paper will be available to buy.