Words from the Shore - Devon Open Studios Workshops with Devon Artist Charlotte Ellis

‘Really enjoyable, relaxed and informative! Thank you.’

I have run two workshops this week as part of Devon Open Studios. The blueness of French ultramarine was the rich starting point in this week’s watercolour painting workshop. As we  watched pigment swirl into water changing the whiteness of Archers paper to the most beautiful blue we were already hooked.  In some ways, colour mixing becomes an alchemy of blue, yellow and red transforming into an infinity of jewel like hues. The brush, as it sweeps across the paper, reveals these new colours in their gloriousness shining until the air dries them to a new permanent state. It can be mesmerising and in some ways quite meditative as the colours and shapes reveal themselves.

We were lucky with the weather and so spent some time on the stunning foreshore of the River Exe. A first time experience of painting outside, I think everyone was delighted with the freedom it offers. We found places to perch and paint- whether to colour mix, influenced by the estuary hues before us, or to paint something more representational. We all have our own artistic pull and to follow the direction makes it our own. The rain held off and the colours sang out as the light hit red cliffs and muted blues and greys of the water. The kingfisher flitting across the harbour, with its irridecent beauty,  added to our peaceful painting time on the shore.

My second workshop offering  was an introduction to lino printing. The sight of ink rolling on paper and the slight intake of breath as the corner of the paper is pulled back to reveal the crisp new print is always wonderful. Initially, cuts into lino are often ragged and too deep as shoulders are pulled up around ears and arms are tense. We journey to the point when the cuts are smooth and the lino tool feels like an arm extension. The morning passes so quickly and so much knowledge is gained and enjoyment had.

Introduction to Lino Printing

I have taught for a very long time and really enjoy running workshops, although I don’t run many these days as I am choosing to spend more time on my own art practice. My focus in workshops is two-fold. On the one hand, I want to share  skills and knowledge with you but mostly for me it is about providing a calm and supportive space where the spark of being crerative can be ignited. They are particularly  for you if you think you can’t draw, can’t paint, feel you aren’t creative or are still hearing the words from long ago that might have told you that you were no good at art. We join together and set out on a gentle process of learning, exploring and playing with materials in a way that hopefully will lead you to a beautiful artistic discovery. I love the way that as a workshop progresses any nerves that might have arrived with you just leave you as you relax into your own creative world. If you would like to find out more about the workshops I run, do sign up to my mailing list so that you will be the first to find out about them. The art workshops are run in Seaglass Gallery, Lympstone, Devon. It would be lovely if you could join me sometime.

The words of others can say so much more than I can about my workshops, so I’ll leave you with just a couple more of the comments written at the end of this week’s sessions.

‘Thank you for an amazing workshop Charlotte. I’ve learned so much and had a lovely time. Looking forward to the next one.’

‘The workshop was amazing. Thank you so much for this introduction not only to watercolours but just art in general.’

Exe Estuary, Lympstone