There was a highly emotional response to Mike Willdridge’s latest interactive, online session in which using a sketchbook was the theme. Mike is a great believer taking a sketchbook with you everywhere to provide a personal record of life fleeting moments, as well as a sourcebook for artistic ideas and experiments.
Nearly 100 people took part and here are a few of the comments from our guests: “I do use a sketchbook, most often on travels, and it is indeed a personal record of things that catch my eye. When I look back at the sketches I’m transported back to those very precious moments!â€
“Mike has inspired me to carry a sketchbook around! Thank you, as I know a lot of work goes into these sessions. I hope to travel out to Posara next year possibly with my daughter if in the school holidays.â€
“I found this class extremely helpful and encouraging. Especially appreciated were Mike’s informal and friendly approach and the personal insights that he provided into his own journey. I love his grandchildren anecdotes as I have grandchildren of my own.â€
“I love looking back at the sketches I have made: somehow they are so much better than photographs.â€
“What a great day, not just painting but I really feel that I know both Lois and Mike. I love the way Mike chats about his family and includes us as his friends, I feel. Like you, Mike, I love sketchbooks and this is always the first thing I look at when visiting artists’ studios, which of course I’ve sorely missed this last year. Keep up the good work please, as not everyone can get over to the Watermill to see you as much as I would dearly love to.â€
Our guests made different sketches during the two-and-a-half hour live, online interactive session, including ladies crafting and a toddler on a beach.
As usual, I’m including a wholly random selection of some of the sketches sent in by guests to our online Gallery. Thank you to all participants and, as ever, my apologies to those whose sketches I haven’t had room to include.
We are continuing to run our internationally acclaimed live, online, interactive painting sessions every Thursday, not only with Mike, but with others of our renowned Watermill painting tutors. You can find out all about them by clicking here.
*If you’ve enjoyed painting online with Mike, why not join for real on one of his inspiring watercolour courses at the Watermill this year?
Mike Willdridge
28 August – 4 September AND 4-11 September 2021
Watercolour and drawing (also gouache and acrylics)
To learn more about Mike and his course at the mill, please visit his 2021 Profile Page.
For more about everything at the Watermill, please click here.
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