Presents
Bev Wells and Tina Brace
Hellebore
Watercolour
This is on my paper of choice, Arches 140 (not watercolour paper). The technique is wet in wet with lots of negative painting and exciting colour combinations, which although not botanically correct, creates a colour harmony that I find pleasing. I choose the colour that speaks to me, that harmonizes. Next time I may choose a different colour scheme. That’s the exciting part: we are not illustrating we are painting. We are free to choose.
Amaryllis
Arrangement by Tina
A contemporary arrangement of amaryllis and roses, particularly suitable for the centre of a table (such as in the Watermill dining room!), as you can easily see around it.
Canary Bird
Watercolour
This is on my paper of choice, Arches 140 (not watercolour paper). Wet In wet, which I do a lot, this time with added texture; home-made gesso. I also my kitchen cupboard, hence split peas, lentils and rice, pressed into the gesso. When dry I cover with matt medium before I paint in watercolour, which seals the texture away from the paint. I particularly like this method, as mark-making, shape, composition colour and tone mean more to me than the subject itself.
Autumn leaves
Watercolours
This is on my paper of choice, Arches 140 (not watercolour paper). Wet in wet technique, plus negative painting. This time the leaves were lots of different colours. I gathered them as I walked my dog in the morning, ready for planning a painting. I do this with lots of thumbnails and colour choices. Your leaf maybe green, but on your paper you can paint it any colour you like: you are painting your choice. So, I have used nice warm yellow through to gold, orange and deep reds. I did darken my deep red with green, but you don't see the green, more about that at the workshop! Keeping it all in harmony, one green leaf would be out of place, even if it is truly green. Next time I may choose to paint them yellow, green and brown! What fun!
Course dates
Course Cancelled
Course set-up
Studio-based painting and arranging flowers
Some of our guests have told us that, much as they enjoy the stunning unspoilt Tuscan countryside around the Watermill, they’d love to spend a week simply painting in the spacious Watermill studio and around our gardens and grounds. This idea is particularly attractive to those who are not as sprightly as they used to be and find walking a little difficult.
So, we have got together with the wonderful English watercolourist Bev Wells, whose speciality is painting flowers, to create a special studio-based week, painting flowers from the Watermill gardens and courtyard and, since in May there will be lots of lovely wild flowers by the millstream and riverside, we’ll gather and paint them too.
And there’s another bonus. Bev is coming to the Watermill with her good friend Tina Brace, a creative and imaginative prize-winning flower arranger. So, as well as painting the colourful Tuscan Spring flowers, you’ll learn innovative ways of arranging them artistically, too.
But we won’t neglect to show you something of the wonderful countryside of the Tuscan region of Lunigiana which surrounds the Watermill, taking you out in our air-conditioned minibus for delicious Italian lunches in a village nestling round a 13th-Century castle, to a walled Medieval town, a peaceful monastery and a hill-top village with stunning mountain views. (We’ll also go to the market in the walled Medieval town of Fivizzano, and buy flowers there to paint back in the Watermill studio.)
Tutor profiles
Bev Wells
Bev Wells, who lives in Spalding in Lincolnshire, has been painting for well over 20 years She says: “I find such joy on this painting journey, by sharing all the things that I have learned. I have had the opportunity to paint with some wonderful artists along the way.”
She adds: “I have entered exhibitions with some success, I sell my paintings, was accepted into The Society of Floral painters, and I run regular workshops where painting pals are made, who return year after year”.
Bev’s medium of choice is watercolour although she does paint in acrylic as well. “My subject passions are flowers and animals mainly, but always in a loose manner. Colour plays a huge part in our classes as it is a passion of mine, and we often have talks on colour choices and why.”
Bev emphasises: “I am not a student/teacher person, preferring to say that we are all painting along together as artists, regardless of experience as I strongly believe we can all learn from one another. I call it the circle of sharing, with no link more important than another. I am a fun person and we laugh a lot, it's about the joy of painting for us all, watching the magic happen.
“The ‘What if I try this?’ approach is usually the route I take. We learn far more by experimenting with our work than anything else and I try to create an atmosphere of discussion, collaboration and debate where we all share our ideas and thoughts.
“I am not a neat painter at all, and although I do like you to recognise the subject, I prefer to create a wow factor based on colour and tone and design which is what you will learn by coming to my workshops.
"If this approach would suit you I invite you to PAINT ALONG WITH BEV!”
It certainly seems to work: Bev's classes in the UK are always full.
Colour is one of Bev's specialities and she's loved finding out as much as she can about it and, in particular, on how to mix the colour you want. She says: "This sets you free to use the colours you love, not the colour someone else tells you to use. You form your own colour identity."
Bev is also a great believer in a step-by-step approach: first selecting the subject, making sketches and taking notes, even a quick watercolour sketch then converting these into finished paintings in the studio."My method of teaching is to explain what I am doing and why; and my skill is being able to pass on what I am thinking about as I paint."
Bev says: "I love the watermill. The setting is so calm and peaceful, the hospitality and the food are second-to-none and the views are stunning.
"My plan when we arrive on the Saturday is to all meet in the lovely mill studio, and I will ask everyone what they want to gain from their week and how we can make sure I give them the type of instruction they want. Good paintings come from good planning!"
You can find out more about Bev on her website, www.bevwellsartclass.co.uk
Tina Brace
Tina Brace, who also lives in Lincolnshire, has spent most of her life in an artistic environment and she says: “I enjoy sharing my passion and enthusiasm for all things beautiful, creative and imaginative.” She also has three children and two grandchildren, who take up a lot of her time!
She started her floristry training in London at Jaquer’s Fleurs on The Strand before developing and honing her skills in the family florist and nursery. After marriage and a few years in Canada, Tina returned to the UK and began working for local florists “constantly learning about all the new flowers and display ideas” She was appointed head florist in a busy town centre store in Lincolnshire and also approached by some local businesses to create regular displays for their windows and interiors. As well as giving talks and demonstrations to the local Flower Club, she also works at the church with weddings and seasonal festivities. She’s also recently worked as resident florist and crafts demonstrator with Fred Olsen Cruises.
Tina’s creative and imaginative flair, has led to prizes in numerous competitions both locally and nationally.
Praise for Bev and Tina
“I have been attending Bev Wells’ classes and workshops for a number of years. I have learnt more from Bev in that short time than I have ever done in my whole painting journey. Bev is so generous in telling the whole story and making sure that you understand. Her colour choice is outstanding; she has her favourite colour choices but is thrilled when I try to make my own (not always a success on my part but she always explains why I have made a bad choice and encourages me to think of a better option – which has made me a better artist in all respects). The friends who come along and paint with Bev will not be disappointed as she has so much enthusiasm for her art that it seems to rub off on everyone.” - Norma Phillips
“I am a professional artist and I am now very choosy about whose workshops and lessons I attend, as not everyone has enough to share with me. So I felt very fortunate to have come across Bev Wells.
“Bev is not only a wonderful artist but also excels in a teaching capacity (a combination which is not always easy to find in the art world) and though she prefers to consider she is painting amongst other artists and painters she truly does share her wealth of knowledge in a very comprehensive, coherent way guiding her fellow artists with care and conviction."
“Bev is very generous in sharing her wealth of knowledge and has a keen sense of humour so painting with her is a very fun experience...."
“I have been very fortunate to have been on the receiving end of Bev’s knowledge as she is a master of both colour and composition, another combination very hard to find in the world of art. Her work is some of the best I have seen and her love and passion shines through in both her work and painting sessions. She is a firm believer in preparation, and I now paint in a different and more successful way than before thanks to Bev."
“Bev is able to take you to the next level... I have found it very difficult to find anyone capable of helping me move on particularly in the area of composition... not many artists share their knowledge of it, so I feel extremely fortunate to have had the benefit of learning from Bev.” - Judith Farnworth
“I have attended Bev’s Friday classes for some time now and when I first started had never painted before. I have come a long way since then with her help and encouragement.” - Brenda Seymour
"Attending a Bev Wells workshop is always a challenge, fun, rewarding, informative. and enjoyable. Bev's teaching and style of painting has taught me how to get more satisfaction from my paintings by planning and being bolder in using colour." - Malcolm Bayes
"Had a really good time at Tina’s workshop. I learned a lot and came home with four arrangements that I’m really pleased with." - Sue H
"Lovely day flower arranging with Tina; a few laughs and lots of tips." - Mary
"What’s not to like: lovely flowers and help to make them into wonderful table arrangements for my house. Thanks." - Jane B
