Heartlands

Once a month I use Heartlands as a painting class venue. Heartlands, in Gipping, is a converted stable and it's rustic charm has not been spoilt. Heartlands is a holistic centre, the place to go for remedial therapies. Often, as I arrive, the owner is playing ambient cleansing music which lifts the spirits as you enter. With colourful crystals hanging in the floor to ceiling windows, the light is fabulous for my AyoubArt painting workshops. It's surrounded by fields and woods - barely a single car will pass on the nearby lane. In summer we take our lunchbreak by the pond, on the lawn, often to the amusement of nearby rabbits who like to sun themselves. I've seen deer on my journey to this venue and I've walked in Gipping Woods, with bluebells in full bloom. Here you can see a couple of yesterday's ladies enjoying their country oil painting workshop. Are you tempted...........?

At the end of today's private class, I used the left over paint to make this little abstract. It's actually a brilliant way to unwind after a class and it's nice to make something from paint that would have ended up in the bin. I'm calling this one Espresso........

Point me at the sky......

...is the title of this new waterfall painting. It seems that waterfalls in purples and greens are very popular with the students. I've been experimenting with several versions of this painting, before finally being content with this particular one. The waterfalls have been near, far, left, right - we've had cascades, rocks, reflections..........all sorts. I think this particular composition allows for the most light and will be very easy for a beginner to accomplish in just one class. We'll be painting this in Capel St Mary Village Hall on Sunday the 6th of April. The class will start at 12.30pm and will finish around 5.30pm. The cost is just £45 per person and that includes all the equipment and materials (plus refreshments) you will need to make this 16 x 20 inch oil painting. Do call on 01473 311938 or e-mail info@ayoubart.co.uk of you would like to book your place. A £20 deposit will be required and the balance is payable at the class.

Little People

Today I've been fiddling around with some more landscape scenes that will be suitable for complete beginners to paint in my AyoubArt Oil Painting Classes. For one of the projects I wanted to create a nice warm snow scene in brown, cream and ochre tones......... I also wanted to give it that little something extra. What a difference it makes to the painting to have these little silhouette figures. I'm calling this one 'Remember a day'. A gift voucher for a private lesson to paint this romantic scene would make the ideal Valentine's gift, don't you think? It'd last a lifetime too.