News from Lockdown ...

Hello Everyone

Long time no see.

If you are missing the gardens at Treetops, here are some photos to show you what's currently blooming. Bluebells, blossom and wisteria with the rhododendrons on their way.

We are together as a family and coping OK. As you can imagine, I'm cooking lots, reading, crocheting and when the hayfever isn't too bad I'm in the garden.

Here are some ideas to share with you:

If you are missing Claire Warner Artist and your painting, she has sent this to you: "SAA members can access my SAA live workshops through the community area"

https://community.saa.co.uk/vod/…

Non members can have a free 30 day trial.

https://www.saa.co.uk/info/vod-free-trial/

For those missing Rachel Windsor Yoga she has some great Zoom online classes via
 The Studio at Living Saucha, I can really recommend the relaxing Yin class and the Hatha for getting a bit more of the blood flowing.

Papercutting Lucy Dorothy has some beginners kits available on her etsy page for you to have a go at.

If you enjoy crochet or knitting, please make some squares or small blankets for the charity Woolly Hugs all details are on their website.

Linzi The White Horse Flower Company our Floral tutor, has been putting together a podcast which I'm sure you'll enjoy "The English Florist" by Lindsey Kitchin.

Further afield I have been loving Harriet on Instagram who runs De Winton Paper co, she has a great new book of watercolour painting, based on all things floral. She does paint alongs and tutorials via instagram.

If you are missing your shopping therapy B the lifestyle shop is busy with a shop move in Newbury and can't wait to re-open, in the meantime Em and her team are busy sending out online orders.

Colline's Kitchen Newbury is still making and baking delicious food, with a delivery option and is great at free from food. And if you are after fresh fruit and veg then look no further than Fisher of Newbury, we've been using them for several weeks now in lockdown.

If you or anyone in your family are feeling anxious I can really recommed Breathpod, he does some great sessions on instagram and zoom.

For children and young adults Young Minds is a great resource for support.

Other than that I spend my time looking at insta photos of Cornwall, 
St Ives and small animals!!

Stay safe, stay home, and sending love x

Bluebells & Silver Birch Watercolour

Last week we held a very popular watercolour class on Bluebells and Silver Birch Trees.

The 2 photos here show some early stages of Claire's demonstration piece.

Firstly everyone drew in their trees and used masking fluid, this took some time!

Once the masking fluid was DRY, a first wash of watercolour was applied, showing the background light, the pathway, banks and bluebells.

After lunch the masking fluid was removed and the styling of the trees and their leaves took place.

Blueberry Pudding

Here are our Bluebell Woodlands .......

National Trust Bluebells

Bluebells in Berkshire

A Spring Woodland Watercolour Class

Today was all about trees and creating a lovely woodland scene.

Claire demonstrated the techniques needed for creating shape and tones to the trees

There were some beautiful pathways

Some artists got very excited by Claire's Bluebells woods, so went for those colours instead!

Really lovely, thanks everyone for coming, see you all again soon

Bluebells Watercolour 2015

It was a beautiful day for painting Bluebells

This is one of our popular classes and we do it most years

We cover washes, keeping the light, trees, foliage, "glistening", but the most important thing at the beginning is getting the path right.

Artists took advantage of the lovely sunny day and had a walk out in the garden and down into the woods to see the bluebells.

But got very distracted with other lovely things such as rhodedendrons and wisteria!

At the end of the class, Claire puts all of the paintings into professional mounts which presents them beautifully, it's always great to see what everyone else has done during the day and pick up some useful tips and advice.