Dedham Hall, CO7 6AD
08/04/2023 - 15/04/2023
Join Jem, just before the trees burst into leaf, to develop your watercolours literally in the field, at picturesque coastal and village locations and around the idyll that is our base. There will be boats, water, trees, skies, buildings and even the odd figure.
Jem’s courses are designed with the ‘serious improver’ especially in mind. Some experience of watercolour is assumed, as is a desire to venture forth into the great outdoors (**EVEN, YES, IN LESS THAN PERFECT WEATHER!**).
We’ll see that painting is all about relationships. Within the frame is an ecosystem where everything affects everything else. Treating all our painting as ‘just practise’ and being willing to take chances are key to making progress, and ‘enjoying the process’ is easier when there’s a spirit of adventure in each brush mark. The observed world and the watercolour medium will occupy us equally. Personal interpretation emerges from these combined with the student/artist’s psychology – leading to interesting insights and conversations!
The course will go in depth on fundamentals, such as composition, control of tone, edges, colour, perspective and scale in drawing and how we can move towards an ‘impression’ or so-called ‘looseness’. Tuition will be through demonstrations, discussion, some studio-based technique sessions and by occasional reference to renowned greats of watercolour. Students will receive much encouragement from Jem and individual guidance according to their needs.
NB, There will be some travel by car and some walking with our equipment on various terrains. Please refer to Jem’s suggested Materials list on his website and don’t hesitate to contact him if you would like to discuss whether the course is appropriate for you.
Please note:
Jem’s courses are aimed at those with at least some experience of watercolour and are less suitable for beginners. Although the course does include some structured studio time, it is not an introduction to the basic watercolour techniques.
Outdoor locations will include a range of uneven and probably damp surfaces, including sand/mud, saltmarsh and grass. **Reasonably good mobility and suitable footwear (and other clothing) will therefore be necessary.** There will also be some car journeys, potentially up to 50 mins (maximum) to include an excellent range of painting locations, though some will be walkable from our base.
Please don’t hesitate to contact Jem if you would like to discuss any aspect of the course content, in advance of booking.
Materials & Preparation
Click here to download the recommended Materials & Preparation List for this course.
Further information about Dedham Hall
For information (including guaranteeably up to date prices) about our perfect base in the heart of ‘Constable Country’ please visit Dedham Hall’s own website here: DEDHAM HALL
To book a place
- Telephone Wendy & Jim Sarton on: 01206 323027
- Email: sarton@dedhamhall.co.uk
- Visit: www.dedhamhall.co.uk/
Cost: Double room pp: £865.00, Single room: £975.00, Non Residential: £465.00 (correct at 2022 - please check Dedham Hall's website for up to date prices; see link here.
Type: Residential
Status: Places Available
Big Sky Art; En Plein Air in Norfolk - June 18th - 23rd 2023.
The White House, PE31 8JY
18/06/2023 - 23/06/2023
Join Jem outdoors painting in this unique, unspoiled part of England with its small harbours, saltmarsh creeks and much more, offering inspiring, atmospheric subjects under the wide open skies…. And then there’s our luxurious base! *THIS IS A MOSTLY PLEIN AIR (OUTDOOR) COURSE*
This course is carefully designed with the ‘serious improver’ in mind, and for those who want to further their practice of painting outdoors.
For students of this demanding medium Jem believes that treating all painting as ‘just practise’ and being willing to take chances (and learn from resulting ‘mistakes’) are key to making good progress. It’s a direct and bold approach that leads to a fresh and dynamic outcome – when it comes off!
Subjects will include skies, boats, water, foliage, interesting old buildings, muddy saltmarsh creeks, and more. The focus will be on completing paintings ‘on the spot’, whilst enjoying the process and our surroundings.
Tuition will be through a mix of approaches including lots of demonstration, some studio-based ‘technique sessions’ and discussions, and with occasional reference to renowned greats of the medium. The underlying principles for successful painting will be addressed continually and students will receive individual guidance according to their needs.
Please note:
Jem’s ‘plein air’ courses are aimed at those with at least some experience of watercolour and are unsuitable for absolute beginners to the medium. Although the course does include some structured studio time, it is not an introduction to the basic watercolour techniques.
Outdoor locations may include a range of uneven surfaces, including some sand/mud and damp saltmarsh. **Reasonably good mobility will be necessary**
There will be some travel by car (including car-sharing, where possible) to get to our locations. Most are within 10 – 20 minute from our base, but we may occasionally venture a bit further to guarantee an excellent range of locations to suit weather, tide, etc. There will be a need to walk carrying our equipment. Please read the attached Materials/Preparation List before booking and *don’t hesitate to contact Jem if you would like to discuss any aspect of the course content in greater detail.* Email jembowdenwatercolour@gmail.com or telephone 07941 712674
Materials & Preparation List
Click here to download the recommended Materials & Preparation List for this course.
**Jem Bowden Materials & Preparation list**
Brochure / Price List
View or download the brochure and price list using the link below, or visit the Big Sky Art website directly.
Cost: See brochure link above or PLEASE VISIT BIG SKY ART WEBSITE FOR UP TO DATE PRICING
Type: Residential
Status: Places Available
See Also Workshops
I also run shorter format Workshops which are usually one or two-day,
and non-residential.
In 2020 for personal reasons I am running fewer courses than usual. From 2021 I should be back with a fuller complement!
Contact Me
If you’d like to contact me to discuss purchasing original watercolour paintings, arranging tuition, attending a painting holiday or for any other reason, then please feel free to email or call me and of course you can also network with me on social media.
E: contact@jembowdenwatercolour.co.uk
T: 0117 9711735