Congratulations to Watermill painting tutor Varvara Neiman for being selected by the Society of Graphic Fine Art to take part in an exclusive exhibition in London’s Mall Galleries. You can’t get much more prestigious than that.
Two of Varvara’s works were selected, recognising her skills. The one above is called Portrait of a Man, while the other (below) is called Seated Man Back View.
Varvara will be back with us in September in a week-long course to capture the Watermill and the glorious countryside surrounding it. She will be tutoring in water-based oils, acrylics and watercolours, from Saturday 10 September to Saturday 17 September 2022. More details and a link below
Varvara has been a popular and inspiring teacher for many years. She is skilled in oils, acrylics, pastels and watercolours and will teach in any of those mediums, depending on the preferences of individual learners. (Water-based oils for easier transportation.) During her course there will be group demonstrations as well as one-to-one guidance. Varvara likes to create a friendly atmosphere in the group, encouraging students to share their experiences and actively participate in ‘peer critique.
Here are just a couple of the many comments in praise of Varvara and her teaching: “Varvara is an exceptional talent. She encourages and praises when she thinks it’s right to do so but equally tells you when you are on the wrong track.†“Varvara is such a wonderful teacher and mentor I really can’t imagine not going to her classes. She always has new ideas and creative vision that it is a joy to be taught by her.â€
Varvara who now lives in Buckinghamshire, England, was born into an artistic family in St. Petersburg, Russia, where art and teaching were professions passed on from generation to generation. At the age of 18 she became one of the youngest students admitted to the world-famous Academy of Fine Arts, where she gained her master’s degree. Her work combines classical discipline with a modern imagination. She is enthusiastic about painting en plein air and passionate about Cezanne’s famous quote: “Painting from nature is not copying the object; it is realizing one’s sensation…â€
â€You can savour the sensation in Varvara’s painting below of the market walled town of Fivizzano near the mill, where we go to paint on Tuesdays with our groups.
Here’s another atmospheric Varvara painting, of one of the demijohns in the Watermill courtyard with some of the Watermill buildings reflected in the dark glass.
Varvara Neiman
10-17 September 2022 Three or four places left
Water-based oils, acrylics and watercolours
To learn more about Varvara and her course at the mill, please visit her 2022 Profile Page.