Yes, it was market day yesterday in the walled mediaeval town of Fivizzano near the Watermill and our tutor, Mike Willdridge, chose as the subject for the day these two ladies gossiping in a quiet corner of the square.
But instead of getting just one demonstration picture to work along with, Mike gave a masterclass in how to capture the scene quickly in your sketchbook, using three different techniques, which you can see in the montage above. The sketch on the left uses soluble pen wash, while in the centre the medium is a permanent ink with a monotone watercolour wash. The picture on the right is permanent ink and colourful watercolour washes.
Mike is a great believer in using a sketchbook to capture fleeting moments, and yesterday’s session introduced us to not one, not two, but three different methods, for the price of one. The best bargain in the market!
Judging by the chatter during our online sessions our international group of more than 80 painters is having the time of its life, painting along every day with Mike.
Tomorrow is excursion day, so we are off to the quintessential Italian walled town of Lucca where we are going to paint in the spectacular piazza dell’ anfiteatro, its houses echoing the shape of the ancient Roman amphitheatre. (And, yes, before you reach for your editing pen, the Italians spell amphitheatre with an n and an f.) I believe there is a flower market on there. Here Mike’s demonstration painting, and I will bring you more highlights from our gallery tomorrow. Happy painting!
Of course, stimulating and inspiring (and value for money) as our online, interactive ‘virtual’ weeks are, they’re not quite the real thing. So now we seem to be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel as far as the coronavirus pandemic is concerned, why not celebrate your freedom by coming on one of Mike’s real painting weeks at the Watermill later this year. We’d love to welcome you here, at last. Here are the details:
Mike Willdridge Recently opened, five places still available
Saturday 28 August to Saturday 4 September 2021
Watercolours and drawing (also gouache and acrylics.)
To learn more about Mike and his week at the Watermill, please click here.
Mike Willdridge One place available
Saturday 4 September to Saturday 11 September 2021
Watercolours and drawing (also gouache and acrylics)
To learn more about Mike and his week at the Watermill, please click here.