Watercolours: Autumn Term
with Sophie Newnham
A creative 12-week watercolour course for both beginners and more experienced painters.
Watercolour offers translucency, sensitivity and an element of surprise; they work beautifully in delicate washes, layered colour, expressive mark-making or combined with line and texture. Throughout the term, students will explore a range of traditional and experimental techniques while developing confidence in observation, composition and personal expression.
Course Dates Autumn Term
14, 21, 28 September
5, 12, 19 October
(Half Term 26 October & 2 November)
9, 16, 23, 30 November
7, 14 December
Course Programme Autumn Term
Drawing inspiration from artists including Winifred Nicholson, Rory McEwen and Jennifer McRae, we’ll work with watercolour and inks to create a series of paintings exploring colour, light, shadow, form, texture and detailing. Techniques covered include:
Flat and graded washes
Wet-on-wet and dry brush techniques
Layering and glazing
Colour mixing and tonal balance
Botanical and observational painting.
Combining line and washes.
Expressive mark-making.
Experimental looser approaches.
Translucency and colour lifting.
Each session will include a short introduction and demonstration, guided practice, time for experimentation, and individual support, with students completing a painting each week as skills build progressively across the term.
Open to all levels
Course Programme
Part 1 (Weeks 1–4): Inspired by Winifred Nicholson
Beginning with the luminous landscapes and still life paintings of Winifred Nicholson, we'll explore the expressive qualities of watercolour through soft, translucent washes and gentle, atmospheric colour. Students will develop confidence with flat and graded washes, wet-on-wet techniques, colour mixing, tonal balance and expressive mark-making, creating paintings that celebrate light, mood and simplicity.
Part 2 (Weeks 5–8): Inspired by Rory McEwen
Using carefully observed fruit, vegetables, flowers and everyday objects as our subjects, we'll take inspiration from Rory McEwen's beautifully detailed botanical paintings. The focus will be on observation, precision and refinement, developing skills in layering and glazing, colour mixing, subtle tonal shifts, shadow, texture and fine detail to create paintings with depth, realism and presence.
Part 3 (Weeks 9–12): Inspired by Jennifer McRae
In the final module we'll be studying Jennifer McRae's imaginative collections and arrangements of everyday objects. Students will create their own personal compositions—perhaps the contents of a pocket, handbag or treasured collection—bringing together the techniques developed throughout the course. We'll combine observational drawing with expressive washes, layering, texture and line to create thoughtful, characterful paintings that encourage individual interpretation and personal style.
Each session includes a short introduction and demonstration, guided practice, time for experimentation, and individual support, with students completing a painting each week as skills build progressively across the course.