Yes, the latest news is that more than 90 people are already coming to Randy Hale’s next online, interactive painting session where they will paint, in Randy’s words, “a couple of critters in a whimsical and colourful manner.â€
You’ll not be painting the amusing trio above (they are just there to brighten your Saturday morning) but rather a multicoloured zebra and a rather haughty looking sea egret.
Why not come and join us (we’d love to make our century) and bring a smile to your face and to the faces of the people who see your paintings.
As you probably know, our Watermill online session have proved a great success, with more than a hundred participants painting along with our inspiring tutors every Thursday afternoon. We really do seem to have created an international community of like-minded people, who spend a couple of hours or more in each session, not only painting along and learning new skills, but also establishing that camaraderie and a sense of purpose in these difficult times. Our guests have called them ‘morale boosting’ and ‘a wonderful distraction’.
In his session next Thursday, Randy is going to show you how ‘less is more’ as you accentuate the animals’ charm. The principal charmer will be this multicoloured zebra:
Randy’s Zoom session is live on Thursday 11 March at 5 pm Italian time. (4 pm UK time. Even if you can’t make the live session, you can still register and receive an edited video of the demonstration to paint along in your own time. See below.) Registration for this exciting online, interactive session is through the Eventbrite platform and you can join up by clicking here.
“I thought it would be fun paint a couple of critters in a whimsical and colourful manner, using calligraphy-like brushwork”, says Randy, “and I wanted to provide some variety beyond landscapes and ‘plein air’ style painting”.
As painters we are uniquely equipped to recreate entertaining moments with our art. To show you what he means, Randy will show you how to take a painterly approach in depicting animals, and charm your viewers. As well as the rainbow zebra, you’ll be painting the snow egret below.
As we said, Randy will take a “less is more†approach, losing some edges within negative shapes, and blending pale “barely there†washes against richer accenting colours. He will use a light, effortless approach to brushwork that is reminiscent of oriental calligraphy.
Unlike many online painting programmes, Randy’s will not expect you to ‘look over his shoulder’ for a long demonstration, and perhaps be allowed to ask the odd question or two. No, you will be painting along at more or less the same time, trying out the watercolour techniques that Randy has shown you, step-by-step. He will demonstrate some basic techniques for only a few minutes before you start painting the same subject at home. Then, after you have had your turn, Randy will move onto the next part of the process. Lois Breckon from The Watermill at Posara will be on hand during the session to feed your questions. The session will last a couple of hours.
When you register for the session you will be asked for a donation. (If you prefer to donate by direct bank transfer, please let us know.) People often ask how much is acceptable. Our answer? “It’s like a Scottish house dram of whisky: it neither offends the guest nor the host!†But the most important thing is to donate whatever makes you feel comfortable. Our Zoom painting demonstrations do take quite a bit of time in preparation and administration and your support is very much appreciated. With your generosity we can plan and run further sessions and, more importantly, provide a regular meeting place for creativity, camaraderie and fun. We hope that you enjoy the international, online painting community that we have created.
Once you have registered you will be provided with two links. The first is the Zoom link for you to join the session. Please note that the start time is 4pm (UK time). The second link is where you will find the photograph that you will paint, an outline drawing, a practice painting, Randy’s notes, and a list of equipment and colours for your palette.
After the event, you are invited to email us with your painting to add to the gallery. In addition, we will send you a link to an edited video of the demonstration that will enable to you revisit Randy’s step-by-step teaching.
I do hope you be able to join us and add a little more Technicolor to your lives. That Eventbrite link again: just click here.
When you have painted with Randy online, why not join him for real at the Watermill in Tuscany Italy next summer? We would love to welcome you to the Watermill. You can find more details of Randy’s week-long course, 21 to 28 August 2021, here.