Welcome back and thank you for still being here! I am a little late with this one as despite best intentions life got in the way of art. I’m currently sat in the van with a light drizzle outside in Ayrshire. Nothing to see except sheep and hills, beautiful.
Since my last newsletter I’ve had a busy time teaching and cruising amongst other things. West Dean Summer School was a huge success with some pretty impressive painting completed and it was lovely to have a whole week to paint and draw. The SAGA Western Med cruise was full and each day I taught 50 or more people to paint a variety of subjects in watercolour. It’s always great as an educator to receive such positive feedback, proving that it’s never too late to start your art journey. I’m still travelling to various locations to run workshops and private lessons so send me an email if this is something you may be interested in. It can be a struggle to find time and inspiration for new work, so this month I have come away to Scotland to slow down and catch up with family and to paint.
Van Life
Never quite how it looks on Instagram!! Taking the van away for a long trip to Scotland has highlighted some issues. It would seem I still have a problem with mouse damage, the only piece of wiring we didn’t replace was the bit that charges my leisure battery while I am driving, pretty essential as this means I don’t need to hook up to electricity all the time! Added to this my fridge uses way too much power, and as I’m not keen on a diet of tinned ham and dried noodles I will be needing to invest in a more efficient one!! My solar panel is pretty good, but I didn’t see the sun in the Peak District and Scotland seems to have had nothing but rain for the last few days. Lastly the reason my newsletter is late. Yep, you guessed it, my router decided to have a mind of its own for a few days. I can usually hot spot from my phone but no, this time not the case. So enough of the van life issues and onto the art. As promised in my last newsletter, I am going to share with you what materials I have with me in my van, this is an ever-evolving selection depending on where I am and how much time I have to paint and create.
Art Life
So, what art supplies am I carrying with me at the moment? As a normal standard I have my teaching folders and materials for both my watercolour and colour pencil workshops with me in the van. On top of this I carry my personal favorites to play with. At the moment that’s a mixture of the Derwent lightfast and Caran d’ache luminance. I’m still getting to know these as most of my time is spent teaching with Faber Castell polychromos.
For my journal and sketchbook, I like to have a fountain pen filled with Noodlers waterproof ink. I’m currently using black, but it comes in a range of colours. I love my Sailor Fude pen. The 45-degree nib angle gives me a choice of both thick and thin lines. I have my trusty portable palette from art-toolkit.com which I have had for many years, ordered from USA but now similar available in the UK from Amazon etc. I like a sketchbook that can take some loose wet washes, but it doesn’t have to be good quality watercolour paper, just something sturdy with some texture. I’m currently working in an Arteza Not surface square format. I also love my jelly gouache paints; they remind me of painting as a child and the range of colours are truly challenging for an artist who likes her transparent primaries!! Time to play and get creative with these.
For my Botanical work I travel with some pieces of Hot-pressed 100% cotton watercolour paper. In the van A3 is my maximum size. I have my usual palette of artist quality watercolours. I also carry spare tubes of paint to refill my palette; I can’t afford to run out of yellow!! The paper is attached securely to the board for travel and ease of storage. I try and limit the number of colour pencils and brushes I bring with me as space is at a premium, but more always seem to sneak their way in!
And lastly for my artists books I like to have parts of unfinished projects with me, spare threads, buttons, paints, needles, beads and anything else that inspires me. A range of ready folded papers makes life easier to start new projects. Scraps of paper and found items are always a joy to work with. Some pics below on the supplies I have with me currently.
Teaching and Travel in September, October and beyond……
I will be in Scotland for most of September and part of October so email me if you are interested in some tuition. First on the agenda after Scotland on the 11th of Oct is Knole Park for the big Draw event to run a colour pencil workshop on Autumn leaves. Delighted to be returning to this location. Spaces limited so book early as this one is always popular:
I will also be at the Old Bank Studios in Harwich for some colour pencil on 15th October. One of my favorite places to teach, fabulous lunches! Currently only one space left on this one:
At the end of October, you can find me teaching some single day workshops for Adult Education at Kent County Council. I look forward to seeing some of my regular students there. These are special one-off days and spaces are limited.
I am also delighted to be part of a group exhibition with the SGFA in Norfolk at
The Gallery, Holt 4th - 14th November 2023
Moving further into early November will find me back with SAGA heading to the Carribean for 30 days. These longer cruises are always a delight and a challenge.
I will aim to post a shorter newsletter before I depart for the Carribean in November just to update everyone for courses in Jan and Feb, and hopefully to share a few pictures of my Scottish travels during the next 3 weeks.
Thankyou once again for taking the time to read. I’m never the most prolific on social media but using this newsletter to respond to those of you trying to find me for courses and teaching. Until we meet again ……. Keep drawing, painting and creating.
Lovely to read of your adventures on the open road and sea. I’ll be in Scotland myself when you’re at Knole but I’ve booked on to your pencil day in Tonbridge! x
Loving these updates 🥰