Abstract Florals: Experimenting with Expressive Watercolour Techniques
Day Course
£80 £65pp Early Bird Price ends 4th May
High-quality materials included
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What You Will Do
We will explore a range of classic watercolour techniques that, together, will combine into this cheerful cockerel artwork.
You will learn how to control your paint based on the fundamental techniques of stamping, wet on wet, lifting, dry brush, salting, wet on dry, washes and glazing, as well as mistake correction.
We will start with a fun exercise, painting 5 feather shapes, each made with different techniques. In the afternoon, you will transfer the cockerel drawing provided onto the best quality watercolour paper, ready to get for you to get painting.
No Experience Necessary
This course is suitable for all levels of art experience, whether you are new to watercolour painting or are experienced and just want to hone your skills or loosen up your technique.
Caroline will demonstrate techniques for you to practice before you begin the major feathers exercise in the morning.
Caroline and Emma will be on hand throughout the day to offer support and advice, including while you create the cockerel artwork in the afternoon.
You will be given handouts to bring home, allowing you to revisit what you learned during the course.
Creative Processes
Caroline will take you through the process of creating the cockeral artwork after lunch. From sketch transfer and light to dark painting, through to the final fine details of your painting.
During the course, two sheets of top-quality watercolour paper, professional-quality paints, brushes, and other necessary sundries will be provided.
If you don’t finish on time, there will be a full equipment list for you to take home to source the paints.
You will also have free access to the online cockerel painting course, allowing you to finish or repeat the course at your own pace.
You will begin by getting familiar with your equipment and follow along with Caroline’s demonstration of fun, dynamic watercolour techniques. Learn how to accurately mix colours. Experiment with different types of watercolour brushes to create different types of mark-making, using water-soluble and permanent pens. Discover how to get the best out of different, classic watercolour brush shapes, such as a fan, angled and comber brushes. You’ll also learn basic watercolour techniques, such as wet-on-wet and wet-on-damp. Let the paint take charge and allow for happy accidents during this fun day. Use collage to help with composition. Within your handouts, you’ll be given sheets of leaves and flowers to help you through the drawing and composition process. You’ll learn Caroline’s process, which will allow you to take what you have learnt on the day, and implement it for future projects going forward. Transfer your unique composition from tracing paper directly onto watercolour paper and enjoy the fun process of painting up. No experience necessary, no drawing required, you’ll be provided with equipment for the day, as well as templates. Caroline will demonstrate how she’s created her drawings of leaves and flowers, using the trace technique, you will borrow Caroline’s drawings, creating your own unique composition.
All you need to bring with you is your sense of adventure and play, and be open-minded about experimenting with the materials. Suitable for all levels: you’re welcome to fo your own drawings for this course, or if you’re newer to the world of creativity, borrow Caroline’s. We’ll be on hand for support. You’ll be given high-quality step-by-step handouts and templates.
For our colour palette, we’ll be taking inspiration from Emma’s fantastic garden photos from Gossington Hall. We’ll also be taking inspiration from moodbaords of tropical leaves, and florals
What you will achieve: creating a final abstract artwork, experience in expressive mark-making, a new way of thinking about composition using collage and trace. Learn how to transfer a drawing onto watercolour paper, ready for painting and discover how framing helps to create an abstract outcome. You’ll also understand different fundamental brush and watercolour techniques.
What’s included: Handouts, 1 piece of professional quality watercolour paper, a small “paint practice” sketchbook, high-quality, professional standard materials, which include paint, water-soluble and permanent markers and paint brushes to borrow. Tea and coffee is also available on arrival.
What’s not included: Extra watercolour paper will cost £1.50 a sheet. Lunch is also not included, please note that we do have a fridge available in our facility.
Suitable for: Beginners through to more experienced.
FAQs
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Caroline will demonstrate several traditional watercolour techniques for you to try out during the course.
In the morning we will undertake wet on wet, wet on dry, dry brush, salting, lifting, washing and glazing while painting 5 simple feather shapes.
Our palette comes form nature and is matched to the beautiful plumage of a proud cockerel bird..
You will transfer the sketch provided onto your finished sheet ready for painting - this is a useful skill in itself, if you like to paint form a reference image.
We will be painting our cockerels in the afternoon. Caroline will demonstrate the various stages of the artwork, harnessing the techniques learnt in the morning, and you will paint along.
Materials for the day are included and are for studio use only. There will a full equipment list, for you to be able to source the materials for yourself should finishing off at home if necessary.
The handouts will remind you of the step-by-step process and we will also offer you free access to the online version of this course for you to download and keep forever.
There will be a welcome tea or coffee and internet access.
Free parking is available.
Your provided materials include 2 sheets of best quality watercolour paper. If you require more sheets, you can buy them from us for an additional £2.00 each.
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Lunch is not provided, please bring a packed lunch with you.
Extra paper is not included in the course cost.
You will be provided with 2 sheets of paper. If you require more sheets, you can buy them from us for £2.00 each.
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Your tutor will be Caroline Tatham, a qualified lecturer who has a lifetime of experience teaching creativity and is a professional watercolour artist.
Your teaching assistant will be Emma Tatham, who will offer lots of encouragement and practical support.
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Not at all. We specialise in supporting and encouraging those with no previous experience. You just need a ‘can-do’ attitude!
If you do already have painting experince our exercises will help you to loosen up.
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Materials are included in the course cost, including top quality paints and highest quality watercolour paper.
You’re welcome to bring your own if you prefer.
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Do not worry! We are all creative and Caroline specialises in connecting people to their inner creative voice.
You just need to be willing to give it a go. Absolute beginners are most welcome.
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You will gain a greater understanding of the tried and tested techniques of watercolour painting, including image transfer.
You will also have an understanding of Caroline's creative process and how this can inspire your own creative artwork.
You will learn practical techniques and create a beautiful artwork to take home.
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Yes! You are very welcome to join our free online community ‘Creative Space’ where Caroline offers encouragement and feedback to posting members. In this free group.
There is also the chance to win prizes in the group challenges.
Please see the button below.
You will also have free access to the online version of this course which you can download and keep forever!
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This course is suitable for all levels of art experience, whether you are new to watercolour and gouache painting or are experienced and just want to hone your skills.
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Saturday 4th July 2026, 10:00 - 16:00.
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The course cost is £80.
Including art materials to be used in our studio.
The early bird price is £65 until 4th May 2026
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Doors open at 10am where tea and coffee will be available.
The course finishes at 4pm.
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