Freedom in Painting in Polruan, Sept 16 Course - Report

Gill Corden

We have just held our second Freedom in Painting course in Polruan, Cornwall - congratulations to the artists for responding to the challenges that were set and producing such a striking collection of paintings.

ON LOCATION

Polruan - Drawing the Chapel on St.Saviours Hill

The course started with drawing- in Polruan from multi viewpoints, moving through the landscape, and in Fowey, a short ferry-ride across the river. 

The artists were asked to follow a discipline in their drawings to provoke ideas about composition and design and of course possibilities for their painting. 

IN THE STUDIO

In the studio the artists explored colour-mixing, colour-theory and the process of abstraction, with reference to many of the painters of the St.Ives School, Peter Lanyon, Ben Nicholson, Terry Frost, Patrick Heron, Alfred Wallis etc. Over the next few days,the paintings emerged, the artists sourcing ideas from the analytical and the emotional response to the landscape, the drawings, the studies and the exercises transformed with imagination and invention. 

The painting-course was a great success - the landscape was inspirational, the artists worked extremely hard and bonded well, often continuing in the evening with a pint and a meal after work.  Now we have some new members in the Freedom in Painting Group

GALLERY

Gill Corden

Kathleen Alberter

Kathleen Alberter

John Robson

Cathy Hilser

Cathy Hilser

Christina Scawin

Christina Scawin

Georgie Hadley

Georgie Hadley

Julie Morrish 

Ashley Hanson

TESTIMONIALS

'Horizons in painting are getting broader'   John Robson

'Ashley gave us so much - energy, knowledge and passion for art'    Christina Scawin

'Enjoyed all - good demos - good everything!'   Julie Morrish

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.

Freedom in Painting in Porthleven, 5-11 Oct, 2 Places Left

Artist Sara Bor on 'Freedom in Porthleven' 2013

A wonderful opportunity to work in a small group with colourist and landscape artist Ashley Hanson in the ‘Lifeboat Art Studio’ in Porthleven, ideally situated on the edge of the harbour wall directly facing the sea. It is designed for painters who wish to enhance their creativity and look towards abstraction and beyond the representational. During the course Ashley will inspire and encourage artists to produce their own personal interpretation of Porthleven.

This 5 Day course is £320 - only 2 places left.

The course will start with an introduction on the Sunday afternoon, followed by four intense working days in the studio and around the harbour. The fifth day, (Friday) will be dedicated to transforming the studio into an exhibition space open to the public from 12 - 7.30pm, where the work will be available for sale.

'Porthleven 6'

Ashley has a very special connection with Porthleven: the paintings of Peter Lanyon (in particular 'Porthleven' made in 1951) had a major influence on his work and this unspoilt fishing town, with its double harbour and iconic clock tower was the inspiration for Ashley's first series of paintings about Cornwall.

There are now 18 paintings in the series and 'Porthleven 6' has been selected for the 'Brilliant Colour Exhibition' at Falmouth Art Gallery, 20 Sep - 22 Nov 2014 . This exhibition celebrates work from some of Cornwall's finest abstract artists including Sir Terry Frost, Grace Gardner and Patrick Heron.

To book or find out more contact:
 denise@ashleyhanson.co.uk or call 01208 77656

Testimonials from 'Freedom in Painting in Porthleven 2013'

Since Cornwall and being back in my studio, my work has moved on.Wonderful environment, wise criticism, excellent company.
Helen Herbert

I found the 4 days of concentrated work very useful in exploring different ways of painting.
Rebecca Child