Win a Workshop with Ashley for your Art Group

Colour, Abstraction & the Art of Cornwall - A Workshop with Ashley Hanson

We are once again collaborating with Great Art and are offering all art groups and art societies a fantastic opportunity to win a workshop with Ashley, who will be bringing one of his most popular workshops to the winning group.  The prize includes a full day's tuition with all materials kindly donated by Great Art, for a group of up to 15 people. 

Ashley will  take the lucky group  through the process of abstraction from drawing into painting. With a sequence of exercises exploring colour, mark-making and composition, using acrylic paints the group will learn how to simplify, edit, refine and 'abstract' allowing the painting to emerge through the process.

'Thermal' - Peter Lanyon

During the day Ashley will also introduce and discuss some of the painters that have influenced his own work, in particular Cornish artists Peter Lanyon, Patrick Heron and Terry Frost and demonstrate and share many of his tips and techniques.The day will end with a brief informal discussion about the work made. 

'Porthleven 20' - Ashley Hanson

It's easy to enter, just click here and complete the competition form - but hurry the closing date for entering is Tuesday 30th June !!

See entry form for competition conditions.

Just Released - Our Painting Holidays in Cornwall - 2015

5 Day Painting Holidays in Cornwall

11 - 16 May & 21 - 26 September

We are celebrating our 5th successful year of running our 'Freedom in Painting' holidays in Cornwall this year, and as a way of sharing our celebrations with you, we are offering everyone a £30 discount - if you book by 28th February. So if you've ever thought about coming along - this is definitely the year to do it!

Our holidays are a wonderful opportunity to spend 2 days working in 4 stunning locations on Cornwall's north and south coast followed by 2 full days developing the paintings and ideas in our village studio, high on Bodmin Moor.

Prices from £420 include:

• 5 nights accommodation
• 4 full days tuition
• 1 to 1 tuition
• Group critiques
• All lunches
• Ferry trip to Polruan (Sep Hol)
• Celebratory last night evening meal 

There are lots of accommodation options available depending on your budget and requirements -  you can hire a cottage on your own, share a cottage with friends or make new friends sharing a cottage. You can even book the holiday as a course only for £360 or come along as a non-participant at a special rate.

In collaboration with Great Art and Discover Art magazine, we offered a free place on our September holiday  in a competition last year and the winner Nicola McLean was asked by Discover Art magazine to write about her experiences with us. You can read Nicola's write up here.

You can be assured of the highest level of teaching throughout the course. Ashley has a wealth of experience both as an artist and tutor. He has been a Visiting Lecturer at Canterbury Christchurch University and the National Academy of Art, Bergen, Norway and has shown at many galleries nationally and internationally including selection for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, the National Open art Competition and the Discerning Eye. Ashley has recently been elected a member of the Newlyn Arts Society.

We feel very privileged to have made so many great friends on our holidays along the way, with many of them returning year after year. We often here how Ashley's tutoring continues to inspire and benefit artists long after the course.

I had some really good feedback from the new work I produced after my course last year - have really tried to introduce Ashley's brighter colour palette to my paintings.
Debbie Zoutewelle 2014

My course with Ashley has moved my art work in a different direction. I have happy memories of my Cornwall week.
Fiona Robertson 2014

I'm impatient to have time to explore working now loosely on landscapes - Ashley's workshop has potentially set me on a new road artistically.
Nicola McLean 2014

I always love to see how your work is shaping, and the pics from each course you run. When I can , I'd love to come back again, as your ways are so inspiring and I can see how they are there in my work now, methodology and language.
Phil Longhurst 2014

Penzance 4 - Ashley Hanson

To Book

To find out more about this year's holidays and prices see here or email denise@ashleyhanson.co.uk

Remember - don't leave it too late! Book before 28th February and get a £30 discount.

You can find lots more information about Ashley's art practice at www.ashleyhanson.co.uk
For write ups on previous holidays, courses, art and exhibitions see also http://ashleyhansonart.blogspot.co.uk.

Thanks to artist Heather Rachel Johnston for the use of selective photos.

Photos & Update on our September Painting Holiday in Cornwall

Port Isaac- Day 1

We were delighted to be welcoming our artists from all over the UK to our September 'Freedom in Painting Holiday in Cornwall,' including John and his wife Jenny from Kent, (who rebooked after coming on our May holiday earlier this year) and Nicola our prize winner of the Great Art Postcard challenge, from as far a field as Scotland near John O' Groats!

For any artist Cornwall is inspirational whatever the weather but we were fortunate again to have
fabulous weather, helping to enrich the week's experience for everyone.

Day 1 - The North Coast

Beryl in Port Isaac

 Port Isaac our morning location was spectacular. Ashley took the group to a number of different viewpoints where everyone was encouraged to make quick sketches before finding their own special place to work from. The difficulty was, how to capture the vastness of this wonderful landscape? Quite a challenge for any artist! 




Erica & Antonia in Trebarwith Strand

By the time we reached our afternoon location, Trebarwith Strand, we were building up a good appetite. A hearty lunch at The Port William Inn, (overlooking the bay) followed and everyone couldn't wait to get started for the afternoon drawing  /painting session. Here, Ashley spent time with each artist individually, discussing their composition and helping them to use a different approach to looking and sketching/painting the landscape .

Light, shape, shade and colour were all taking shape on canvases and sketchbooks  - this was just the begining!

The Group in Charlestown

Day 2 - The South Coast 
Charlestown , our first stop and  a very special place for Ashley. The harbour has a dramatic presence and even though on previous visits with our group the heavens have opened, this time the sun shone (except for a fleeting shower) and Charlestown was both striking and tranquil. Ashley started the morning with a brief drawing demonstration followed by some group sketching exercises helping the artists to simplify their drawings, looking at shapes, lines and contours.

Kate in Charlestown

They then went on to sketch /paint individually whilst Ashley checked in with them, giving input  and encouragement. Lunch was at the trusted Pier House Hotel opposite the harbour and then it was time to head for Fowey where we caught the ferry to Polruan, our afternoon destination.






Once again everyone enjoyed the diversity of the location and the panoramic view from the top of Polruan Hill was definitely worth the climb. It was time to make sure everyone was fired up with plenty of studies to take with them into the studio for tomorrow!

Panorama at the top of Polruan Hill

Ashley Demonstrating

Day 3 - 4 In the Studio, situated at the top of Bodmin Moor 
Ashley began the first day with a variety of demonstrations and colour exercises, he then shook things up a bit with the introduction of words to highlight and demonstrate movement, mark-making and finding different ways to put paint down. 

Joy's Painting in Progress

Some exciting paintings started emerging but were they finished yet or where they just opening up the possibilities in painting? 

Erica's Painting in Progress

Nicola our PrizeWinner

Joy, Nicola, Erica & Antonia

The last studio day allowed the artists to focus on their own paintings with Ashley mentoring each person throughout the day. As well as demonstrations , there was time for discussion and listening to discover what each each artist hoped to achieve in their work and Ashley set out to direct and encourage. 

Beryl discussing work with Ashley

By the end of the two days the paintings really started to take shape with some really exciting, colourful work coming through and although the subject matter may have been the same, each artist produced something entirely different, finding their own unique style and pathway.

Joy's Painting

Antonia's Painting

Nicola's Painting

The last day in the studio concluded with an invaluable  critique about the work where the whole group looked constructively at each others paintings and contributed to the discussion.

John's Painting

Erica's Painting

Beryl's Painting

Francine's Painting

Kate's Painting

Thanks to The Old Inn, St Breward for looking after all again for lunch over the two days - it was perfect!

And of cause our week wouldn't be the same without our wonderful Friday evening meal at Asquiths Restaurant, Lostwithiel. (After a swift pint in the 13th century The Globe Inn). Thank-you Graham, Sally and staff, as always the food was top notch and your care and attention to detail, exceptional!

Friday Evening at Asquiths Restaurant

Thanks  to everyone for signing up to 'Freedom in Painting in Cornwall', you were a great group (yet again) and we hope you enjoyed yourself as much as we did and found the course both inspiring and beneficial. We look forward to seeing (and hearing ) about your future work and hope that we might see you again soon!

Denise & Ashley

Nicola won the Great Art postcard challenge with this entry. We hope you agree it was very well deserved. She also writes a blog and if you would like to read about her own experience with us on the painting holiday , you can read about it here.

We also have some exciting news from Kate Dove who was came on the holiday. She has been short listed for the Artist of the Year Award with the Artist & Illustrator magazine. Well done, Kate!




We now have our painting holiday dates for next year:

Mon 11th - Sat 16th May & Mon 21st - Sat 26th September 2015

If you are interested in finding out more or would like to be included on our mailing list for information on courses/holidays or exhibitions, contact denise@ashleyhanson.co.uk or call 01208 77656 .
See also www.ashleyhanson.co.uk for more information about Ashley's art practice, exhibitions & previous holidays etc.  

Win a workshop for your art group with Ashley

We have teamed up with online materials specialist Great Art and are offering all art groups and art societies a fantastic opportunity to win a free workshop with Ashley for up to 15 participants, anywhere in the country. The closing date to enter is 30th June and more information can be found here.

Ashley running courses at the new Warehouse Arts Centre, Bodmin, 

We are delighted to be supporting the newly opened WAC in Bodmin, Cornwall where Ashley will be running two workshops in July.

Saturday 12th July, 'Colour & Coast ' workshop
10am- 4.30pm Cost £30

This workshop is very much connected to Ashley's own art practice, his love of colour and inspiration from the coastal landscape.

Using the 'Coast' as our theme, students will learn the principles of colour-mixing and how to use colour creatively and imaginatively.  Ashley will be hands on demonstrating and sharing many of his tips and techniques about colour, mark-making and composition and the day will end with an informal discussion about the work made.

This workshop is suitable for all abilities 16 years and older and you are welcome to use either acrylic or oil paints.

Limited to 12 places only.

Wed 30th July, Learn to Paint in Oils 

Family Half Day Workshop 

10am-12.30pm & 1.30pm - 4pm

Come along with your children 9 yrs plus (or on your own) for a fun and informative 2 1/2 hour workshop where you will learn about colour and the basics of how to paint in oils.

• Ashley will be hands on with lots of demonstrations
• Have a go at making a simple oil painting on canvas

Cost: 1 adult & 1 child £30, 1 adult & 2 children £40 or £20 adults, £15 children 9 - 16 yrs

Price includes all materials . Limited to 10 places only per session. 

Booking is essential for both workshops.

To guarantee your place email denise@ashleyhanson.co.uk

or Karen@thewac.org.uk or call 01208 77656

For more information about Ashley's art practice see www.ashleyhanson.co.uk

and for the Warehouse Arts Centre see www.thewac.org.uk

Just Released - Our Painting Holidays in Cornwall, 2014

 

12 - 17 May & 22 - 27 September

We are delighted to announce the release of our painting holidays in Cornwall for May and September in 2014.

The concept remains the same, a unique opportunity to work with Ashley spending 2 days on location in Cornwall's stunning coastal landscape on both the north and south coast (on each holiday), followed by 2 full days developing the paintings and ideas further in a studio set in a sleepy village high on Bodmin Moor. We have a new location for you this year on our May holiday with the introduction of Polperro on the south coast.

 Prices start from £395 and include:


 

• 5 nights accommodation
• 4 full days tuition
• 1 to 1 tuition
• Group critiques
• All lunches
• Ferry trip to Polruan (Sep Hol)
• Celebratory evening meal

 

The holidays/courses are extremely flexible with lots of accommodation options depending on your budget. You can hire your own cottage, get together with a group of friends or make new friends sharing a cottage. There is also an option to go on the course and source your own accommodation, if you prefer. Non participants are also welcome.

Heather Rachel's Painting & Photo Sep 2013
 

There is also a place on our September Cornwall painting holiday to be won!! We have teamed up with the new art magazine Discover Art and the art materials specialist Great Art and all you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is to paint a postcard in any media of your choice. Pick up your copy of the Discover Art magazine from WH Smiths high street stores or see here  for more details.

To Book or for More Information:

Contact denise@ashleyhanson.co.uk or call 01208 77656

See also here for more detailed information

 

Limited to 16 places, book early to guarantee your place.

 

www.ashleyhanson.co.uk
 

 

Comments from our Previous Holidays

It was beyond my expectations and extremely helpful. You both worked so hard and the workshop was brilliant. Thank-you so much for giving us such a creative and inspirational time!
Petra Rohr-Rouendaal September 2013

The workshop was a highly purposeful environment and precious time was used appropriately. The demonstrations were thought provoking and stimulating. St Breward is pleasant, rural and the studio has the air of a retreat - perfect for painting and the artistic soul. Overall the course delivered something special and I think different and more 'out there' than the norm. Ashley is an inspirational tutor. Thank-you!
Alison Garner April 2013
 
Thank-you so much, both of you. Ashley is a very good tutor and such an enthusiast that it is completely contagious. I am buzzing with pictures to paint in my head, like I never had before...it is almost a waste of time to sleep! You were both so generous with your time and care...very memorable and can’t wait to come down to Cornwall again!
Jane Crane September 2012

 

 I didn’t know what to expect—but I have been delighted that it lived up to its title ‘Freedom in Painting’ - suggesting that the painting comes first, it dictates the subject matter. Its been very useful for ideas for future work. Ashley’s a very passionate, selfless teacher. He tries to get into the mindset of each student and find out what they want to achieve. He really gives of himself. Excellent.

Kate Newington April 2011

Thanks to everyone for allowing me to use their comments and special thanks to Heather Rachel for the use of selected photographs.

Chance to Win a Place on Our Sept 2014 Painting Holiday

We are very excited to bring you news that in collaboration with the new magazine, Discover Art and the art materials specialist Great Art there is an opportunity for you to win a place on our September 2014 painting holiday, along with lots of other fantastic art prizes. To enter you will need to design and create a single postcard using a media and technique of your choice. For full details of the competition pick up a copy of the magazine at your WH Smith's High Street branch or most local newsagents.

Here is a bit more information about the painting holiday prize to whet your appetite!

 

Taking inspiration from 4 stunning locations on the north and south coast, (Port Isaac, Trebarwith Strand, Charlestown and Polruan) Ashley will encourage you to create your own personal vision of the landscape.  You will spend 2 days on location followed by 2 full days in the studio under Ashley’s expert guidance.

 
Ashley will demonstrate and share many of his tips and techniques and artists will explore colour, composition, mark-making and abstraction. Included are 5 night’s accommodation, 4 full day’s tuition, all lunches and a 3 course celebratory evening meal.

Your artist tutor Ashley has a wide experience of teaching including Visiting Lecturer at Canterbury Christchurch University and has shown his work both nationally and internationally. More details can be found on Pages 48/49 about the competition. Ashley is also one of the featured artists on pages 96-98 of the magazine.

Painting holiday dates for 2014 dates are :

12th  -17th  May & 22nd - 27th  September

We are currently working on the full details for our 2014 painting holidays, watch this space for their release date. For more information about Ashley and our painting holidays visit www.ashleyhanson.co.uk