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Rock and the Camel Estuary

 

We were very much looking forward to meeting our May painting holiday group as we had a number of artists returning from previous years (Sigi from Canada and Elizabeth and Antonia from last year's holiday) along with welcoming our new artists who had all signed up to the 'Freedom in Painting' experience.

A fantastic week followed that inspired the group to produce some amazing results by the end of the holiday. Here is an insight into what we got up to...

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Elizabeth sketching at Rock

 

Day 1 - The North Coast. Rock and the Camel Estuary looked breath taking. The sun shone on us all day and the changing colours of the sea and altering shapes of the sandbanks were quite magical. Ashley brought the group together to begin the day sketching before everyone was encouraged to find their own special place to draw or paint from. He then chatted and discussed the sketches and studies individually with everyone throughout the morning. Our artists were just warming up!

 

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Rocky beach at Porth Quinn

 

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Hazel sketching at Port Quinn

 

After breaking for a delicious lunch at the Longcross Hotel, we headed five minutes up the road to Port Quinn our location for the afternoon. This place is a wonderful contrast to the calm sea of the Camel Estuary and the group enjoyed the diversity of the landscape. Once again Ashley began the afternoon with a drawing challenge on the small rocky beach before taking the group up onto the cliff tops, for some spectacular views to work from.

 

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Polperro Harbour

 

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Antonia painting at Polperro

 

Day 2 - The South Coast. Polperro our morning location was just waking up when we arrived, so an ideal time to visit this traditional Cornish fishing village and harbour. Ashley began the morning with a series of sketching exercises from different viewpoints and he then encouraged the group to start looking/thinking about ideas for paintings, whilst making their studies. A hearty lunch followed at the Blue Peter Inn and we were then refreshed and ready to move on.

 

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Kate painting at Polruan

 

Polruan was our final south coast destination and it didn't disappoint. The 360 degree panoramic views were stunning as always and here Ashley introduced some linear exercises before our artists were encouraged to draw or paint from their own personal viewpoint. For those who wanted, there was more amazing landscape to see and paint/sketch from along the way down to the ancient ruins of the Blockhouse and harbour. The difficult task of processing and editing all the work from the past two days would begin in earnest tomorrow!

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Carol's studies in the studio

 

Day 3- 4 The Village Hall at St Breward , high on Bodmin Moor was our studio for the next two days. The first morning was devoted to group exercises exploring colour and composition with the artists editing and abstracting from their own drawings. After a break for lunch at The Old Inn pub (conveniently located next door) the artists began working on their paintings. Everyone was asked to work on two pieces simultaneously developing their studies and ideas further.

 

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Ashley 'in action' demonstrating techniques

 

Over the two days Ashley discussed the work of some of his favourite artists and demonstrated many of his painting tips and techniques, including numerous ways of mark- making and applying paint . Under his guidance everyone was encouraged and inspired to move out of their comfort zone and take their painting somewhere new. The finale as always was an indepth group critique which the artists found both enjoyable and invaluable, a wonderful shared experience.

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Ashley working with Hazel

 

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In the studio

 

After the intensity of working over the past few days our artists certainly earned their celebratory dinner on Friday evening and enjoyed a quick pint at The Globe Inn before settling down to a superb three course meal at Asquiths Restaurant in Lostwithiel.

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Thanks once again Sally and Graham for looking after us so well.

 

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Antonia Glynne Jones painting

 

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Diane Bedser's painting

 

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Philippa Hutton's painting

 

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Elizabeth Aspinall's painting

 

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Kate Watkins painting

 

We had a terrific week with you all and the dedication you gave to your paintings really shone through. Thanks for joining us and we really hope you felt the benefit of Ashley's guidance and tuition . We would also like to thank all of our contributors that help to make our painting holidays a success.

We do hope to see you again soon!

 

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Philippa Langton's painting

 

If you would like to join us on our 21st - 26th September painting holiday in Cornwall 2015, there are still places available. For lots more information see the website here. If you would like to make an enquiry or booking contact Denise or call 01208 77656.

 

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Hazel Crawford's painting

 

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Carol Hayslip's painting

 

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Sigi Johnson's painting