How to Simplify a Market Scene

First day of Summer Term, and we had a Watercolour Class;

How to Simplify a Market Scene

The market is in Cambridge

Claire had a great technique of photocopying the photo in black and white, this really showed the tones of the market.

It's important to phase out alot of the detail and just focus in on the important focal points, whilst creating your background, mid-ground and foreground.

Everyone's people look great, they have come out really well, full of character.

It was a great class, full of interesting techniques to take away, along with a great painting! 

Summer Term Classes

We have some great classes to look forward to next term, below is a list of our Art classes run by Claire Warner, which have spaces available:

Bluebells Watercolour
Tuesday 12 May

Feathered Friends Watercolour

Wednesday 13 May

Cornish Sunsets Watercolour

Wednesday 20 May

Blossom with Acrylics, Inks and Tissue Paper*

Wednesday 3 June

Mixed Media in Watercolour
Tuesday 9 June
(new and alternative methods of using this unusually flexible medium.
Things you never realised you could do!)

Beginners Watercolour

Thursday 18 June

All Art Classes run from 9.30am - approx 3pm and cost £70
(*Acrylics = £75)

This includes all of your materials, a 2 course lunch with a glass of wine and refreshments throughout the day.

Sarah Whitaker will be here for an Aga class on Friday 15 May

RELAXED DINNER PARTIES

a new class with plenty of fresh ideas for parties and suppers along with loads of Aga advice and support.

10am - 1:30pm

£65

This includes a copy of all the recipes to take home and a delicious tasting lunch of all the food cooked and a glass of wine.

I am also taking bookings for her September class called
ONE POT WONDERS
 this will be held on Wednesday 16 September.

Acrylic Seascapes

Today was fun, busy, noisy and really creative.

We did this class a few years ago and I loved it.  It reminded me of playschool!  White PVA glue, the little plastic glue spreaders, crumpled tissue paper ..... brilliant!

Our artists dropped some vibrant acrylics inks onto the paper, dried it and then added glue and crumpled tissue, the next stage was rolling out the tissue, so that there were no air bubbles.

Here is Claire demonstrating another layer of colour, creating the idea of water and waves.

Today's key message was to remember to stand back and look at your painting now and again, as otherwise you sit on top of it and can lose perspective.

Here is the gallery of the fantastic paintings:

Below is the mixer full of lovely smelly herbs and tasty ingredients that I turned into a salsa verde to accompany our salmon at lunch, it smelt gorgeous.

Pen and Wash Class

A very relaxing class yesterday, drawing, sketching, using pens, water and watercolour washes. 

And this is the secret ingredient from lunch, TINGA, fab with chicken. 

Painting Holiday in St Ives with Claire Warner

There are spaces available this July to join Claire in stunning St Ives.

Claire will be running a week's painting holiday in this gorgeous Cornish harbour town.

For further details please contact her via her website:

Creative Painting Holidays

She's chosen a hotel in a great location with views and has some wonderful things planned for the week.  In your free time there are some amazing galleries to visit and of course the Tate on Porthmeor Beach.

Rugged Scotland Watercolour

A beautiful sunny day for our Rugged Scotland Watercolour Class

A great group of artists, many of whom had only been to Treetops once or twice before. 

The background mountains of everyone's paintings looked fantastic and atmospheric

There were reflections in the water and Claire taught everyone how to apply a glaze.

Meanwhile outside the deer were enjoying the sunshine .... and eating my garden!

Next week, I have ONE SPACE available on our Pen and Wash class, which is Wednesday 11 March, and ONE PLACE on Acrylic Seascapes, with inks and tissues, it's a really fun class, this will be on Thursday 12 March.  Please get in touch if you would like to join us.

9.30am - approx 3pm

£70

includes all materials, a 2 course lunch, a glass of wine and refreshments throughout the day.