September Painting Holiday - Photos & Update

Port Isaac

Cornwall was really at it's best for our September painting holiday, treating us to an array of both glorious and wild weather  - perfect for capturing our artists imagination in their work made during the course.

Glorious Trebarwith Strand

We were once again delighted to have on board a few familiar faces along with our new artists looking to discover their own personal 'Freedom in Painting' experience -  with Ashley's help of course! The group were a great mix of varying abilities and as well as benefiting from Ashley's group exercises and individual tuition, they were able to learn and engage with each other's work, through group discussion and the sharing of ideas.

As always, everyone excelled themselves and there was was some fantastic work made by the end of the week. Here is an insight in to the week.....

Philippa painting in Port Isaac

Day 1 - The North Coast. Port Isaac was our first point of call. Now famous for the Doc Martin series  - we love it for its multitude of spectacular view points from above and below, its unique fishing harbour and backdrop of dramatic granite cliffs beyond. Ashley began the morning with some quick sketching exercises from different viewpoints to get the group warmed up before the artists were  encouraged to find their own special place to sketch or paint from. He then worked his way round to everyone discussing their sketches and ideas. What luck - we witnessed a seal swimming out to sea and a couple of a rainbows - all in the same morning!

Trebarwith Strand

Lucinda sketching in Trebarwith

It was then on to Trebarwith Strand for a delicious lunch, overlooking the bay at The Port William Inn. Trebarwith never fails to deliver with its wild crashing seas and view of Gull Rock in the distance - it has a special magic all of its own!  Ashley kicked off the afternoon  by taking the group to a spectacular viewpoint for some more drawing challenges and then everyone discovered their own favourite place to work from.

Polperro

Ashley with Janet in Polperro

Day 2 - The South Coast. Charlestown was to be our original morning location but we had discovered the BBC were filming the second series of Poldark, so rather than risk any unwelcome interruptions, (unless of cause you prefer more figurative painting!) we headed off to the fishing village of Polperro - full of  Cornish charm. Here the group enjoyed the contrast to the north coast's landscape and Ashley got them thinking about putting down ideas for paintings, once back in the studio. By midday everyone had worked up a good appetite and the excellent lunch provided by The Blue Peter Inn was a welcome break.

Amazing skies in Polruan

Lucinda's sketchbook

We then headed down the winding lanes to Polruan -  another favourite spot and the last of our four inspiring destinations. Here Ashley introduced some linear drawing exercises from this amazing panorama and for those who wanted, there was more to sketch and paint, on the way down the hill  and at sea level with the 13th century Blockhouse, harbour and shipyard. Our artists were ready, excited and maybe just a little apprehensive of what Ashley had in store for them in the studio over the next few days!

Polruan

Days 3 - 4 In the Studio.  Our studio base for the next two days was the excellent Village Hall in St Breward, located high on Bodmin Moor and in Ashley's words 'this is when the holiday ends and the hard work, really begins!' The first morning was devoted to group colour exercises- experimentation and having some fun with colour. After a hearty lunch at The Old Inn Pub, (next door) it was then time to begin work on the artists own paintings.

Ashley Demonstrating

Catherine with her painting in progress

Over the two days Ashley showed the group a wide range of tips and techniques and opened up many new possibilities for working with paint. As well as plenty of demonstrations, there was time for Ashley to discover what each artist hoped to achieve in their work and Ashley set out out to help them achieve this. He also introduced the group to a number of artists that have had a major influence on his own work.

There were plenty of surprises and although the artists were sometimes out of their comfort zone they enjoyed being challenged and seeing a totally different outcome. By day two in the studio the paintings were really starting to take shape and some really exciting work was evolving.

Margarita painting

Malcolm's painting in progress

As always the last studio day ended with an invaluable group critique about the work made with everyone learning and contributing from each other.

Janet's painting

Mandy's painting

Roberta's painitng

Joy's painting

  

Philippa's painting

Margarita's painting

Our painting holiday finale wouldn't be the same without our celebration meal at the wonderful 'Asquiths ' restaurant in Lostwithiel, (after a swift pint at The Globe Pub beforehand.) It always seems like a fitting end after all the hard work put in by everyone throughout the week!

Christina's painting

Detail of  Lucinda's painting in progress

Lunch at The Old Inn, St Breward

A BIG thank-you to all our artists who signed up - we really hope you found Ashley's tuition and guidance beneficial and also another BIG thank-you to all our contributors, who help to make our painting holidays such a success, as we couldn't do it without you!

Kathleen's Diptych

Muriel's painting

Juliet's painting

Carolyn's painting in progress

Catherine's painting in progress

If you would like to join us on one of our Freedom in Painting holidays in Cornwall next year, the dates are :

9th - 14th May & 19th - 24th September 2016

To find out more about Ashley's art practice, painting holidays and courses see our website here . 


If you would like us to keep you updated, join our mailing list and we can let you know as soon as new details are released along with any special offers available.

Our April 2013 Painting Holiday - Photos and Update

 

We really were a very multi-national group this time, with guests coming from Germany, France, Singapore and South Africa , along with our UK participants, some who were brave enough to return again! The sun came out for our first day on location, after the dreary, cold winter weather we had all been experiencing  and Port Isaac came alive amongst the backdrop of yellow gorse and beautiful Spring flowers.

 After the morning session at Port Isaac, it was time for a well earned, delicious lunch at the Port William Inn,  Trebarwith Strand. Situated over looking the cliff tops, it was an ideal location to relax and take in the view. Thank-you Larry, Sue and the team for looking after us so well. The group were not disappointed with the dramatic coastal landscape - one of our special places.

 

Having taken in the north coast on Day 2 we were heading for a very contrasting Cornwall on the south coast. Our day began at Charlestown, a place that has inspired a whole series of paintings for Ashley. Here we looked at the lines and curves of the unusual arrow shaped harbour against the natural landscape. A welcome, substantial lunch followed at the Pier House Hotel before it was on to our next destination- a ferry  trip to Polruan.

Most of us took up the challenge of climbing to the summit,  the effort was rewarded with a breath taking, panoramic view over Fowey and the open sea. It was pretty gusty up there but some of the group, were determined to paint regardless (Woon and Sue you were very brave!)

Our next 2 days were very different, as Ashley pointed out in his introduction to the studio 'this was where the holiday ended and the real work began!' The studio was now about to become the place of invention and Ashley introduced the group to his way of working, away from the subject matter, allowing for a whole range of possibilities to begin.  

The focus was colour and everyone participated in a variety of exercises. Ashley continued to challenge the group during the next 2 days, taking them out of their comfort zone- after all they had signed up for 'Freedom in Painting'. The work produced was very exciting, colour dominated and there were plenty of surprises. 

 

Kathy's Painting

Sara's Painting

Regine's Painting

The Friday evening wouldn't be the same without our finale dinner, where we could all let our hair down after an exhausting - but exhilerating week. After a quick swifty at The Globe Inn , we dined in Cornwall's Silver Award winning restaurant for 2012, Asquiths in the historic village of Lostwithiel . It was a true fine dining experience, I'm sure the rest of the group will agree the food and service were second to none.

Thank-you Graham and Sally for a wonderful evening and a special thank-you must go out to our guest Christian, who entertained us with his guitar and charming French  songs. 

Both Ashley and I would like to say a BIG thank-you to you all for signing up, we loved being with you and sharing some of our special places. I hope Ashley didn't work you too hard and that you enjoyed it all, just as much as we did and that we might see you again soon, keep in touch!

Denise & Ashley

If you would like to join or find out more about our next holiday:

 

23 - 28 September 2013

 

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

Hurry- we only have 2 places left!!

Exhibition at Truro Arts - Royal Cornwall Museum

'Porthleven 17'

 

Ashley is currently showing a selection of his Porthleven, Charlestown and Penzance paintings at the Arts Cafe at Truro Arts, which is linked to the Royal Cornwall Museum.
The show runs from 28th March - 9th May, opening hours 9am-5.30pm, Mon-Sat.

Truro Arts are very much part of the cultural Truro Festival, from 29 March - 14 April, which is celebrating the diversity and creativity of the arts with an array of events featuring art, music, literature and film. Hope you can come and visit Truro Arts and the exhibition and take part in this wonderful event.
 
To coincide with the exhibition Ashley will be hosting a workshop , 'Colour & Coast' at Truro Arts Thursday 9th May, 9.30 - 4pm.

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. Please bring along a drawing or photograph with a coastal subject to work from.

For more information about the exhibition and workshop contact Truro Arts at 01872 240567 and see link for more details http://www.enjoytruro.co.uk/whatson/art/9423

'Colour & Coast at Truro College- Evening Class


For those who prefer a longer more indepth

'Charlestown 1'

course , Ashley will be running a 'Colour & Coast' evening course at Truro College over 10 weeks
from Wed 24th April.
To enrol or for more details contact Truro College
Part-Time Courses on 01872 265800 or see link
http://www.truro-penwith.ac.uk/pt/colour-coast-painting-with-ashley-hanson/

Our April Painting Holiday

We are very much looking forward to our forthcoming holiday and welcoming our participants from far and wide including Singapore and Germany.

This year we will be visiting Port Isaac, Trebarwith Strand, Charlestown and Polruan followed by 2 intensive days in the studio. We hope the weather is kind to us!


'Penzance 8'

September Holiday Photos & More

The group on our recent Painting Holiday was once again a great bunch of diverse people of different ages and experience. We even had some brave enough to return after our first holiday and bring along their friends - thank-you Jane and Tina!

It kicked off with a double rainbow on our journey down to Trebarwith Strand.   Considering it was the same week of the floods in the North of England, we really got off quite lightly, with a variety of sunshine and showers, all adding to the drama and intensity of the landscape.








It was the first time we had included Trebarwith on our itinerary and it proved to be a definite hit with its dramatic coastline and raging seas.

By 12 o'clock we were all ready for a welcome break at The Harbour Tea Garden Cafe in Boscastle for lunch. The food was great and most of us were so full , there was no need to worry about dinner.  Boscastle gave us an alternative landscape with a combination of harbour views and wild sea - if you were brave enough to make the climb!

Then our second day out on location began in Charlestown, a favourite of Ashley's. Once again rainbows followed with plenty of sun, rain and sea to capture in our drawings and field studies. Not only did the Pier House Hotel lay on a great lunch for us all, they also allowed us to dodge the rain and sketch from the restaurant window. After lunch a ferry journey from Fowey took us across to Polruan. A sleepy coastal village with infinite viewpoints from both high up and ground level. Was it possible to capture the magnitude of the panoramic views from the top or concentrate on the peep holes of   roof tops, boats and sea instead?

Once in the studio, Ashley didn't waste any time in stepping up the pace. After a series of colour and mark-making exercises it was time for everyone to transform the inspiration found in the landscape to their paintings, discover something new and find their own 'Freedom in Painting'. Ashley encouraged everyone to find new ways to work, immersing their canvases in colour, discovering, pouring, smearing and dripping the paint on. Then came the precision and linear elements to the paintings. There was some fantatstic work made with lots of interesting compostitions, intense colour and individuality.With all this hard work going on, we did still find time for a bit of fun and frivolity! (Sorry Rosey, I couldn't resist this one!)

By the time Friday evening came  we were all ready to let our hair down and relax over a few drinks and a few laughs - knowing we had deserved it and given it our all. The Crown Inn as always served up a First Class meal and Ashley and I were sad making our goodbye's to the group.

A BIG thank-you to you all for joining us and to everyone for being such a brilliant group and helping to make our Painting Holiday another success. Thank-you too,for all your wonderful comments and generosity. We thoroughly enjoyed your company and it was a delight to show you a little bit of our beloved Cornwall. Hopefully the teaching wasn't too bad either!

Ashley & Denise

We now have dates for next ' Freedom in Painting' holiday/course with Ashley for 2013.

Mon15 April - Sat 20 April
Mon 23 Sep - Sat 28 Sep

If you are interested to find out more or would like to be included in our mailing list for information on courses/holidays, workshops or exhibitions etc contact denise@ashleyhanson.co.uk or call 01208 77656