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Painting - 5 Day course, Watercolour Abstract Landscapes with Paul Riley.

Sunday, 13 October 2024 17:00
Friday, 18 October 2024 14:00

Coombe Farm Studios (map)

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Join Coombe founder and watercolor aritst Paul Riley for an immersive five days exploring the art of watercolour painting with a focus on abstract landscapes.

To abstract, needs a form of distillation, a paring down to essentials, whilst giving free range to individual expression. You will have the opportunity to discover their own interests from the simple to the complex relating to the environment in a new way. It’s fun and enjoyable for beginners and can be povocative and challenging for more advanced painters. Although there is an existing tradition in abstract painting everyone has the opportunity to be themselves in it, all be it as rebels.

Paul has been moving towards abstraction for some time, experimenting with different styles and ideas ideas. During the course he will demonstrate many of the techniques he uses from those to loosen the mind to technical skills including brushwork, masking and composition. Analysis of your work will be constant and sensitive to individual development. The course level will be adapted to those in the room and as such it is suitable to all abilities.

Watercolour doesn’t need to be ‘wishy washy’ it can be bold and vibrant and free. It is also the most portable painting medium and the most environmentally friendly – watercolours have no plastics in them (unlike acrylics which are made with plastic particles) and are water-soluble (unlike oils). It’s a beautiful, versatile medium and this course is designed to explore the process of abstracting from the figurative world of nature and to careful editing and composition to leave space for your watercolours to ‘breathe’.

**EXPERIENCE LEVEL** This course is designed for anyone wanting to spend some time connecting to nature and exploring watercolour painting with a highly experienced tutor. What if I’m not ‘good enough?’ don’t worry Paul will work with you at whatever level or ability you have.
**OUTLINE SCHEDULE:** Sunday // 5-7pm Residents arrive 7pm non residents arrive followed by welcome drinks & dinner //
Monday - Thursday // Breakfast for residents 8.30am, tuition starts at 9,30am for all. 1pm Lunch, tuition resumes 2-4pm time to relax and paint in the studio 4-6pm tuition resumes..
Friday // Breakfast for residents 8.30am, final tuition session runs 9.30am-1pm followed by final lunch 1-2pm
**ACCOMMODATION** Residential and non-residential spaces available. Do I have to share a bedroom?No residents are not required to share bedrooms. see accommodation for more info.

**FOOD & DRINK**
Food is a key part of an immersive course at Coombe. Meals are taken at a long shared table with the other participants either inside in the cooler months or outside in our courtyard when the weather is warmer. Our onsite chef caters for you including all/any dietary requirements. We grow our own vegetables and keep chickens for fresh eggs daily. For those that enjoy wine, we have a fantastic wine merchant who supply us with a small range available to buy onsite.
**COST**: Residential fees are £753 + VAT which covers all your tuition, accommodation and food from arrival on Sunday through to departure after lunch on Friday. Non-residential fees (for those living near Coombe or wanting to stay in alternative accommodation) are £564 + VAT which covers all your tuition, welcome drinks on Sunday and lunch from Sunday-Friday.
**MATERIALS LIST:** see below. If you find the list prohibitively expensive let us know and we can arrange a sharing box for you of brushes and paints.
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HOW TO GET HERE: Our address is TQ6 0JA [What3words: What3words: fulfilled.exploring.branching] and we have plenty of free onsite parking. Trains > nearest station is Totnes then we can arrange lift shares or send taxi details. We are about 20 minutes from the station.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ON THE COURSE? Min 4 max 8 to allow the tutor to give everyone enough attention

WHY IS IT PAUL’S LAST 5 DAY COURSE? Paul has been teaching for over 40 year and has slowly started phasing out his teaching in favour of spending more time on his own work so this is an excellent opportunity to learn from someone with decades of experience of both painting and teaching.

A short film about Paul Riley, his approach to painting and the founding of Coombe Farm Studios.

THE SEASON

Autumn at Coombe is all about the crisp days, the log fires, the atmosphere of the changing light and nourishing comfort food cooked for you. Get away from the short days and duller weather by being in the studio, working on your creative practice and bringing music, company, new skills, colour and light into your work.

MATERIALS LIST FOR THIS COURSE

Please bring these items with you, borrow some during the course, or purchase at our online shop by clicking the links below & purchased items will be at Coombe for you when you arrive for your course.

Essential course watercolour paints in tubes or pan (tubes listed below)

Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolour 8ml tubes