Hester Berry and James Ort are coming out of their zoom demo retirement and are back for a not-to-be-missed one-off online charity event!
In May, Hester, James and ten other artists will be holding an exhibition from the 4th – 16th May at the Knepp Rewilding Project. Inspired by Knepp is a group exhibition that celebrates Knepp’s vision for a wilder future. Last year, the artists spent time immersed in Knepp’s inspirational, transformed and thriving landscape and are now all currently making artwork in response to it. Running in conjunction with the exhibition will be a number of workshops, demonstrations and even a performance (actually, by Hester and her husband and musician, David Smale).
Watching Hester paint is mystifying. She creates stunning landscapes that capture a moment in time beautifully. Standing slightly back from her paintings you feel like you are in the landscape – you can feel the warmth of the sun, the movement of the clouds, the stirring of the leaves. Take a step closer though and the painting is ‘just’ a small number of beautifully executed brushstrokes. It never gets boring to watch her work.
Being able to deconstruct a landscape, distil it down and then reassemble it on the canvas with seemingly effortless style is artistic alchemy my brain struggles to comprehend!
Further information about the evenings can be found if you keep scrolling below. If you have missed Hester’s previous demos, you can buy recordings of them here too.
COURSE OUTLINE
Zoom Demo Format:
Hester will give a two and a half hour demo, including:
A brief introuction to her journey as an artist.
She will then start a painting, explaining how she does it as she goes.
Questions are absolutely welcomed, people tend to write them in the chat box and James reads them out but you can also ask the odd question yourselves!
Once she has finished her piece, there will be more time for questions at the end.
- People are welcome to just watch, or you could even paint alongside (more info on this below).
This session includes:
- Informal, relaxed demo by Hester Berry
- Covering the key steps taken to create a contemporary landscape painting
- The option to paint alongside Hester as she demos. A list of the materials you will need are listed below in a seperate box.
- We will email you the image she intends to work from so you can print it off and look at/work from it at as she works.
- Hester cannot give feedback on anyone’s own work while she is painting or even towards the end of the zoom, but if you email her your work she’d be happy to give you a couple of lines of feedback and things to consider for yoour next painting!
Suitable for?
- Anyone who is interested in knowing how artists do what they do!
What is included in the price?
-
- Two and a half hour demo
- If you choose to create yourself during the live demo then Hester will provide a few lines of critique after zoom session via email at a later date
This sessionis for you if:
- You love nature, the landscape, Knepp and the rewilding movement
- You want to demystify the art of creating or just behold an artist at work
- You want to learn how to create landscapes or ‘loosen up’ in your creative approach
- You want to explore your creativity but lack the knowledge to do so on your own
- You want to get away from it all and immerse yourself in a fun, creative environment
- You want a bit of escapism from the pandemic and covid blues.
- You want a create kickstart and are needing a bit of inspiration!
After the session
If you attended the live zoom session then you can buy a recording of it from us for an additional of £10 (would be £18 had you not attended). You can then replay the session as many times as you want!
Please note – Any purchased recordings are for you, the purchaser, only. Please do not share the recording with anyone else.
These are tough times, especially for those of us who work in the creative sector. Hester is extremely generous in sharing her wealth of knowledge with us, especially for a such a bargain fee. We hope that everyone who benefits from having watched her demos has paid to do so. If any of your friends or family want a copy then we’d be delighted to sell them one for £18 or they can attend a live demo to get a critique.
- You can also share your work with us on Instagram by tagging @hester_berry, @james.ort @kneppwilding, and by using the #inspiredbyknepp hashtag.
Beyond The Live Demo
Hester has an impressive catalogue of demo recordings for you to dive into, with a wonderful array of scenes to choose from there is something for everyone. You can find those here.
Inspired by Knepp
This workshop is part of the education programme running alongside the Inspired by Knepp Exhibition at the Knepp rewilding project in West Sussex. The exhibition will be open daily, between 10am – 5pm between the 4th – 16th of May and you can find out more HERE. James will be invigilating at the exhibition most days so if you’re in the South East of England please do drop in to say hi!
If you wanted to paint while Hester does,
then she said these materials would be a good start:
- Oil paints
- French ultramarine, burnt sienna, titanium white, a warm yellow (cadmium deep hue, but if not, any yellow), yellow ochre, Prussian/cobalt/pthalo blue, viridian, sap green /terra verte, a red (crimson maybe) Any additional colours will would be useful, but these are pretty essential. Windsor and Newton is good and reliable.
- Turps/Zest-it, linseed/poppy oil
- Hester doesn’t think brand matters, but Zest-it is a good – it’s dilutant and brush cleaner.
- She suggests poppyseed oil, but linseed is good too.
- Palettes
- Hester just uses a cupboard door, any scrap of smooth wood, or perspex or glass, or a plate!
- Easels
- Primed boards or oil paper
- Ampersand smooth primed artists panel is good, 8 x8″ or 9 X 12 ” or artists oil paper (A4 should be fine for 2.5 hours. I like to prepare mine a few days beforehand with a neutral warm brown ground (burnt sienna and ochre) diluted with a little turps or zest it)
- Brushes and palette knives
- A range of brushes, including some flat ones. Hester use a 3/4 inch chisel brush.
Ultimately go with what you’ve got or can get your hands on though. It’s the having a go that counts!
ABOUT THE TUTOR
Hester’s practise is rooted in traditional representation and methods, but she constantly challenges her understanding of ‘painting’ and explores her technique to capture the intricacies of the landscape.
She studied at the University of Wales in Aberystwyth and went on to do a Masters in Wimbledon. In recent years she has returned to her native Devon where she lives, works and raises her family.
Hester’s previous demonstrations:
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