Working from either your own image or one supplied on the day, I will guide you through a stage-by-stage process to create an 8” x 8” painting of a bird or butterfly, in Oils or Acrylics, during the one-day class.

A selection of different bird and butterfly images will be provided (if you have a specific image of your own that you would like to use, please bring it along with you). The image you choose to work from should have good light and shade, fit well within the square format and have interesting backgrounds or foliage.

You will begin by ‘gridding-up’ and carefully drawing out the bird / butterfly to scale, discuss colour mixing and which paints, colours and brushes to use.

Looking at examples you will also look at ways to paint the background and foliage around the bird / butterfly to best effect, focusing on creating a good mixture of ‘hard’, ‘soft’ and ‘lost’ edges within the painting.

I will demonstrate how to apply the paint in a dynamic and interesting way to suggest the texture of feathers and be on hand to help and advise you on your painting throughout the day.

This class is suitable for all levels and abilities, whatever stage you are at in your painting journey – there will be lots of examples on display to inspire you and useful information, ideas and techniques that you can take away from the class and apply to your own work at home.

Available to buy on the day:

An Ampersand smooth panel board (value series) 8” x 8” x 3mm (£5)

To Bring:

• An 8” x 8” canvas or board (or buy from Lucy on the day)
• A selection brushes eg. Rosemary Ivory Short Flats nos. 2,3,5, Ivory Filbert size 0
• A selection of artist quality paints oils or acrylics eg. Daler Rowney starter set
• Palette knife – eg. Winsor and Newton size 22
• Paper Palette and a box to take your work home in
• A phone or IPAD for using ‘Coolors’ Ap and / or viewing images online
• Oils only: A jar and some low odour thinners/ white spirit substitute for cleaning your brushes, some rags or plenty of tissues to wipe brushes clean
• ‘Desk Easel’ – only if you have one
• ‘Liquin’ painting medium if working in oils
• ‘Stay-wet’ palette if working in acrylics