Contemporary landscapes with Hester Berry, 23rd/24th April 2022

This fun course includes:

• Informal, relaxed & attentive guidance for every student, provided by Hester Berry
• Step-by-step talks and a demonstration covering…

• • Sketchbook use
  • Tonal observation and studies
  • Colour mixing
  • Applying oil paint using a variety of marks to create movement and expression
  • Painting materials

Suitable for?

Anyone regardless of experience.

We generally limit the age to 14 years old+ though exceptions can be made where appropriate. Please contact James Ort and ask.

What is included in the price?

• Two full days tuition (10am-4.30pm)
• Materials for the duration of the course including paints, paper, easels, and a brush (you will be able to purchase the brush you use from us for a nominal fee if you wish). By all means, bring your own art supplies as well if you wish to use them.
• Tea, coffee, biscuits/cakes
• Use of a beautiful, purpose built art studio with all the equipment & materials you will need
• Beautiful countryside setting

This course is for you if:

• You want to learn how to create landscapes or ‘loosen up’ in your creative approach
• You want to explore your creativity but lack the confidence to do so on your own
• You want to get away from it all and immerse yourself in a fun, creative environment
• You want to train your eye and improve your accuracy and confidence in mark-making
• You want to try a different medium to explore your creativity or artistic practice

Pre-course prep

You will be sent an automated email on booking which prompts you towards documents that help you prepare for your time here. If this does not happen then please email James before the course.

Weather permitting, we will try to do some sketching and even painting en plein air around the studio grounds or village. We will provide cartridge and oil paint paper for these exercises but you will also be asked to bring a sketchbook to work in throughout the weekend.

Students will be asked to bring a number of landscape images with them to work on for their main painting on day 2 of the course. These images could be of places that have special sentimental value to you. Hester will advise which pictures will make a good landscape and from this, you will create your main painting of the course which will be painted on a primed panel just like Hester uses.

Hester prefers to refer from images using a device, ideally her mobile phone, but a tablet or laptop will be fine too (as opposed to print-offs, as the landscape’s colours remain truer). You will therefore be advised to save your images to a device and to make sure you bring a charger!

Need accommodation?

If you are travelling from further afield and would like to stay in the area for your visit then have a look at our recommend B&Bs and hotels.  Click here for the list.

Beyond The Course

Having completed a Phoenix Studio course many of our students choose to explore the medium further. They may come on another course, start coming to our Phoenix Art Club Sessions, or carry on independently at home. We are more than happy to help and advise you in taking those first creative steps, help connect you to the wider creative community.

Hester Berry

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.