JANE DUKE header and link to home page
Workshops

Home About the Artist Gallery Portraits Demonstrations Workshops Painting Holidays Exhibitions and Fairs Latest News Links Contact

Watercolour Classes

Absolute Beginners | Watercolour Elements
Portraits in Watercolour | Buildings in Watercolour

 

Your tutor - Jane Duke
 

Learn to paint in watercolour - Improve your skills - Rediscover lost talents

'Great company, lovely location and expert tuition - what more could we wish for?'
Click here for more comments and photos from past workshops
 

These small and friendly one day workshops are held near Jane's home in York.  A number of different workshops are offered: more details are given below and there is a calendar at the foot of the page showing forthcoming dates.  Bookmark this page to check for new days!

The venue is The Village Meeting Room in the pretty Yorkshire conservation area of Heslington on the outskirts of York.  It is easily accessible by road (just a few minutes from the A64 ring road) and by public transport (a 15 minute direct bus ride from York Rail Station).  For a map click here.
Both parking and the bus stop are approximately 500 metres from the Meeting Room; car passengers can be dropped off immediately outside the door and there is disabled access.
 

Photo of Heslington Village Meeting Room, North Yorkshire

Class sizes are strictly limited to ensure individual attention (maximum 5).  All painting days are 10am - 4pm.

Fees for the workshops start from £40 per person and include tea, coffee and a two course lunch.

For more information or to reserve a place please email or telephone 07710 460103.

Or you can click here to go check availability and book online.

*GIFT CERTIFICATES*
If you are booking a place as a gift for a friend then a presentation certificate can be supplied.

Absolute Beginners

This practical and jargon busting session will dispel the mystery of watercolour painting and give you confidence to explore this wonderful medium. All the questions you've wanted to ask will be answered. 

What is the difference between pans and tubes?
How do you stretch paper? (And why would you want to?)
When is paper 'NOT' paper?
Why is there no white in my watercolour set?
What shape brush should I use?
How much water should I use?

You will learn about colour mixing, additional materials and the choice of papers and effects available to you.  Finally we will all work together in a 'paint along' session, following the steps of a demonstration so you will end the day with a painting you can take home with pride.

This is a taster session so all the basic materials you need are provided but you are welcome to bring along your own if you wish.
 

Time: 10am - 4pm

Dates available: Saturday 10 May 2008 (two places left on this date)
                             Saturday 5 July 2008 
(two places left on this date)

Cost: £45 including all materials and equipment, tea, coffee, and lunch. 

  Book now 

 

Watercolour Elements

This workshop is suitable both for beginners and those seeking a refresher course to help improve your watercolour skills.  Among the areas we will explore are tone, cast shadows, local colour and reflected colour, negative shapes, lost and found edges and drawing skills.  During the day some time will be spent working on a choice of still life subjects with advice and encouragement from Jane.  Students are welcome to bring their own subjects or photos to work from if preferred.

A suggested materials list will be supplied on booking.  Palettes, water pots and drawing boards are provided at the class and paper can be purchased on the day.
 

Time: 10am - 4pm

Dates available: Saturday 14 June 2008  (sorry sold out)
                            
Saturday 18 October 2008
                            

Cost: £40 including tea, coffee and lunch. 

  Book now 

 

Portraits in Watercolour - Saturday

Suitable for beginners and intermediate watercolour artists.  We will concentrate on painting faces in watercolour and among the issues we will address are proportion, skin tone, expression and avoiding hard lines.  This workshop can be booked on its own or together with the optional extension the next day.

A suggested materials list will be supplied on booking. You will also need to bring a large clear photograph to work from or a mirror for a self portrait.  Palettes, water pots and drawing boards are provided at the class and paper can be purchased on the day.

Time: 10am - 4pm

Dates available: Saturday 17 May 2008 (sorry sold out)
                            
Saturday 15 November 2008
                            
Cost: £40 including tea, coffee and lunch

  Book now 


Portraits in Watercolour - Sunday

This optional addition to the Portraits in Watercolour Workshop has a greater emphasis on individual practical work.  It allows us to explore techniques in greater detail but perhaps more importantly it gives participants more time to complete the paintings they have started on the first day, or maybe to start a second piece.
 

Time: 10am - 4pm

Dates available: Sunday 18 May 2008 (sorry sold out)
                            
Sunday 16 November 2008
(Can be booked only in conjunction with the Saturday Workshop)

Cost: £30 including tea, coffee and lunch

  Book now 

 

Buildings in Watercolour

Suitable for beginners and intermediate watercolour artists.  We will look at painting architecture in watercolour and will cover the rendering of different materials, elimination of unnecessary detail, simplifying brickwork, reflections in windows and of course perspective.  If weather permits we may be able to paint outdoors using the beautiful Georgian and Victorian buildings in the surrounding area as subjects.  If not we will work indoors from photographs.

A suggested materials list will be supplied on booking. You might wish to bring your own photograph(s) to work from but some will be available.  You might also wish to bring a lightweight sketching easel for outdoor work.  Palettes, water pots and drawing boards are provided at the class and paper can be purchased on the day.

Time: 10am - 4pm

Dates available: Saturday 8 November 2008

Cost: £40 including tea, coffee and lunch.

  Book now 

 

À la Carte Workshops

For group bookings.  If you and your friends cannot find a date to suit you on the calendar below, then you may be able to arrange your own personal workshop.  Choose your theme from those listed above and contact Jane to arrange a date.  There is a set fee which covers up to 5 participants.

bulletIdeal for:
bulletA get-together with friends
bulletA holiday activity - take home a souvenir with a difference
bulletA celebration - treat a friend to a surprise day out
bulletArt group events
bulletAn away-day for staff
 
Time: 10am - 4pm

Dates available: contact to discuss

Cost: £170 for up to five people, including tea, coffee and lunch
Materials and equipment can be provided for an additional small fee per person.

 

CALENDAR

2008

March 1 - Absolute Beginners
March 8 - Portraits in Watercolour
(March 9 - Portraits in Watercolour 2)
April 12 - Watercolour Elements
April 26 - Buildings in Watercolour
May 10 - Absolute Beginners
May 17 - Portraits in Watercolour
(May 18 - Portraits in Watercolour 2)
June 14 - Watercolour Elements
July 5 - Absolute Beginners
October 18 - Watercolour Elements
November 8 - Buildings in Watercolour
November 15 - Portraits in Watercolour
(November 16 - Portraits in Watercolour 2)

 

Back to top

Book online here

 

Watercolour workshops, painting classes in North Yorkshire

 

 

All images and site content copyright © Jane Duke 2004-2008
Site Map