'Surge (Yellow & Blue)'

'Surge (Yellow & Blue)'    30x40cms

We're done. An hour of looking and I added the yellow-line (on the right-edge above). Perversely I put it in to make A work because I felt the heavy yellow was slipping out of the picture.  What it has done, for me, is to make the landscape less literal and strengthens the inner-frame.  The lumps and bumps in the yellow have shifted in the night!

the three paintings made in Open Studios

A

B

I feel very lucky to have had two fantastic conversations about this new piece today, with Janie M McDonald at our shared studio and with Yvonne McCann online, where I posed the question about which way up the painting should be And why. All four ways were shown. Once again their analysis and observations were spot on. Both artists highlighted the neccessity of having the heavy yellow at the bottom but differed on which orientation. 

Yvonne talking about 'B': 'I love how the sweep of blue between the two yellow masses sails down and out. The bottom yellow creates a powerful foreground mass pulling from the flat to the 3D and back again' 

I'm still undecided- the painting may need a mark, a touch to convince. Athough linked to Porthleven, with the oncoming tide pouring through the gaps between piers, this piece is more about the idea of harbour rather than a specific place. Of containment. Of fragility. Of futility even, in the face of stronger forces. In B, the fragility of the inner frame seems more prominent, but is it too obvious a landscape?

I have four more small canvases, 40x30cms, same size as this one. I feel a series coming on.

Another week of Open Studios- bliss.

'Porthleven 27'

'Porthleven 27'  180cms x 60cms

Far, far stronger now - it's done. The verticality of the painting is reinforced by the stacked and levered curves and the long vertical line on the right, cutting through the paint. Much more movement. Poured pinks and purples shake up the colour, setting off the greens. The canvas divide is now integral, linking to the higher horizontal of the green pier. 

In a discussion about the painting, Janie M McDonald, commentated on how the green curve coming in from the left and the reverse curve of the purple made the painting appear 'hinged', 'with the possibility of flipping' where they join, as if the orange strip could flick backwards and forwards 'over and over as an animation..'

detail- 'hinge'

in the studio

4

I've been struggling with the shape and scale of this piece for the past few days, at 180 cms the largest painting yet in the Porthleven series. I feel I'm getting closer with the colour and harbour-shape (4) There is greater clarity but it's looking a bit too controlled. Much has been lost: the sea has gone backwards, the red/orange is too flat and the bottom panel feels a little disconnected.  I have in mind a fat, off vertical line of force- a slightly paler turquoise with streaks of pink- that runs from top to bottom of the canvas, crashing through the gaps between the piers.  It will bring life/light/movement if I get it right. I'll be re-drawing tomorrow and cutting/scraping through the paint to bring out the hidden colours and energise the surface.

3

2

1

Freedom in Painting in Porthleven- May Course

The latest 'Freedom in Painting course was recently held at the Old Lifeboat House in Porthleven, Cornwall - a stunning location at the head of the harbour (left above). It was a very intense and very enjoyable week that ended with a one day exhibition,  where we received over a hundred visitors during the day. 

Looking towards the Clocktower from the studio

The eight artists met up on Saturday and set up the studio space before returning the next morning for our first drawing session around the harbour. But there is always a twist: before leaving the studio I asked the group to place a vertical line on 20 pages in their sketchbooks in different positions, including some on the Golden Section. The aim was to find different ways to use that line in the landscape.....the exercise resulted in some very strong and inventive drawings.

The idea of 'The Intruding Line' continued in our first painting session after lunch: the artists were asked to put two structural lines on their canvas on the Golden Section- one vertical and one horizontal. The antithesis of 'freedom' perhaps - I was not the most popular person in the room! - but the artists could choose whether to go with the lines or against them....

There was another, shorter, drawing exercise on Monday morning and a full-on painting day working from the studies. We ended the day with an invaluable, informal group critique before retiring to the Ship Inn next door for a well earned drink and delicious food.  During the day there was also a discussion on time, tide and movement in painting in preparation for the Tuesday morning visit to Marazion. We saw the causeway uncovered and walked across to St.Michaels Mount and as the tide receded we saw some astonishing colours.

In Marazion we also visited a some galleries, including the Summerhouse Gallery and the Market House Gallery, which specializes in 20th Century and contemporary Cornish painting which further inspired our artists. The trip to Marazion proved to be a great success and one that we'll repeat on future courses.

Denise joined us for the day and once again took some great photos.

By now, each of the artists had found their own direction and the paintings started to take off. There was a fantastic work ethic with the artists often working late and coming in early. Hats off to Joy for putting in a 6 a.m.appearance!

In keeping with the idea of 'Freedom' the group collaborated on two paintings, a large piece (below left) and a small canvas where we took it in turns to push the painting forwards. Both pieces were exhibited in the exhibition and Carol was the lucky winner after we drew lots for the very desirable small painting!

 

We painted until midday on Thursday - though Elizabeth continued battling with her piece. There is always one!  The studio was then transformed into a gallery during the afternoon and as always it was a revelation seeing the quality and quantity of work produced over the last few days. 

Finally the doors were opened- the evening Preview was a great success (with a few sales) and afterwards, as per tradition, the artists went out for a celebratory meal at Amelie's Restaurant nearby. 

Smile please! Dinner at Amelie's



GALLERY- A selection of Paintings

Elizabeth Aspinall

Elizabeth Aspinall

Estelle Jourd

Estelle Jourd

Heather Rachel Johnston

Heather Rachel Johnston

Mitzi Delnevo

Mitzi Delnevo

Hazel Crawford

Hazel Crawford

Joy Saunders

Joy Saunders

Carol Hayslip

Carol Hayslip

Ashley Hanson

TESTIMONIALS

'I really think the course has moved me forwards. Ashley devotes himself totally to each learner.' 

Hazel Crawford

'Honest, generous and delivered with kindness!'  

 Joy Saunders

'.....Ashley his usual encouraging and constructive self. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and hope to be back next year'  

 Mitzi Delnevo

Porthleven 26

'Porthleven 26'   100x40cms

'Porthleven 25'

'Porthleven 25'  100x40cms

A better image- less glare. Made during last weeks 'Freedom in Painting' course in Porthleven. Very exited by this one... I've started a new version, same-size canvas. 

Looking at Diebenkorn - 2 Day Workshop in Faversham

Freedom in Painting Workshop with Ashley Hanson

Only 3 Places Remaining!!

Without question Richard Diebenkorn's paintings have influenced many artists working today and during this two day painting workshop we will be using his ideas and methods as a springboard for developing our own paintings.

Dates: Thurs 30 June - Fri 1st July 2016,  9.30 - 5.30pm

Cost:  £80

Venue: Creek Creative, Faversham, Kent. See here for parking and location details.

To Book: email denise@ashleyhanson.co.uk or call 01208 77656

Freedom in Painting in Polruan with Ashley Hanson

7th -10th September 2016

The view of Polruan -  just above the Village Hall

 4 Day Course £250, 10 Places Only

We are delighted to introduce this new Freedom in Painting course set in the magical coastal village of Polruan, on the south coast of Cornwall. Your tutor Ashley Hanson is an acclaimed colourist and landscape artist and a member of the Newlyn Society of Artists. Our studio and base for the 4 days is the Village Hall ideally situated, overlooking the Fowey River, with an outside terrace providing a wonderful option to paint outside. There are also glorious panoramic views to the open sea behind. 

The Village Hall Studio

Course Information

The first morning will be spent getting to know Polruan. Ashley will take the group to a number of favourite viewpoints where artists will be encouraged to make studies, collecting information and ideas for paintings back in the studio. Over the 4 days there will be further drawing/painting sessions in Polruan and it's surrounds, including visits to Fowey across the river,(weather permitting).

View from sea level

Elizabeth sketching Polruan

With a combination of group exercises, demonstrations and discussions, Ashley will help artists develop and build on their paintings, finding their own personal interpretation of Polruan. Colour, mark-making, space and composition are all areas that will be explored and by working in a small group, Ashley will be able to offer plenty of one to one tuition. 

Ashley with Hazel Crawford

Cathy's Jeppesen's Polruan painting in progress

Kate Watkins painting - Private Collection of Bridget Hills

Juliet Neill Hall's painting of Polruan

As with some of our other courses, Ashley will also be working on his own painting and using this as a teaching tool to demonstrate many of his tips and techniques. At the end of the 4 days the group will get the chance to discuss all the work made in a group critique. 

Fowey River 1 - Ashley Hanson

This course is suitable for painters of all abilities who wish to enhance their creativity.

Ashley looks forward to sharing his wide knowledge and passion for colour and oils/acrylics with the group.

Polruan

Your Tutor

Ashley has over 30 years experience as a professional artist. This combined with his teaching as a Visiting Lecturer at Canterbury Christchurch University and the National Academy of Art, Bergen , Norway ensures the teaching you will receive throughout the course will be of the highest standard. In addition he has run many popular and successful workshops of his own around the UK.

Ashley's paintings have been shown nationally and internationally. His work has been selected for thr Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, the Discerning Eye and the National Open art Exhibition. Last year he was short listed for the Connect2Colour Art Prize at Lacey Contemporary Galley in London and he has been a recipient of the Boise Travel Scholarship form the Slade School of Art and is a former prizewinner of the Hunting Art Prizes.

Accommodation

You can find a variety of accommodation options, including bed and breakfast, self-catering and camping in Polruan, see the village website here for further details. Alternatively Coldharbour Farm, in Bodmin (approx 40 minute drive) offers comfortable, affordable accommodation.

To Book

Email denise@ashleyhanson.co.uk or call 01208 77656. A £70 deposit is required at time of booking and the balance is due 8 weeks prior  to the start of the course.

You can view a write up of some of our previous painting holidays and courses here:

September 2015, May 2015

For a further insight into Ashley's art see www.ashleyhanson.co.uk and the blog http://ashleyhansonart.blogspot.co.uk

Our Freedom in Painting courses continue to challenge artists of all abilities with many artists returning year after year. Participants often finding they continue to benefit from the tuition and experience long after the course.

Testimonials

Read here for Nicola McLean's write up of our September 2014 Painting Holiday in Discover Art Magazine

A big thank you to Ashley and Denise for a brilliant expereince. Painting with a group of lovely people and guided by someone with so much passion - who could ask for more? Looking forward to doing it again next year.
Hazel Crawford May 2015

I was quite anxious about whether I would be out of my depth but despite the very different experience levels Ashley made us all feel positive.
Philippa Langton May 2015

Thanks to you both for a wonderful painting holiday. It was so well organised and we were made very welcome. It was wonderful to see parts of the beautiful Cornish area and try to combine the feeling of what we saw in our work. I feel inspired by the course and what Ashley has imparted. 
Philippa Hutton May 2015

I arrived with no experience of abstraction. I leave with a new aspect and tool for my painting. It works!
Margarita Hanlon September 2015