Watercolour workshop

 I had a wonderful day yesterday in the Scottish borders at a painting workshop run by Amanda Phillips.
It was at the wonderful Abbotsford House, former home of the writer 'Sir Walter Scott'. Many of you may not have read or perhaps heard of Scott, however if you have been to Edinburgh by train you will have arrived at Waverley station named after his novel written in 1814, the only Station in the world named after a novel! He also wrote iconic works such as Rob Roy and Ivanhoe.

My daughter works as Heritage manager there and I'm not sure she realises how lucky she is working in such a beautiful, magical place!
Of all the historic houses I have visited this is definitely my favourite. It breathes romance with its fairytale turrets and quirky angles. All I should add, a nightmare for me, an artist who hates drawing straight lines!!

The weather was unbelievably sunny... these photos aren't digitally fiddled, honest!!!

 The gardens are beautiful and I took loads of flower photos which I will post soon. I intend to use them for some reference for future work.

I love this dog sculpture of Scott's faithful hound. Scott loved his dog so much that when he died a statute was commissioned to mark it's final resting place.

 There are so many fascinating details. Little gargoyles pop up around each corner.

 I found it hard to find just one area to focus on. I was drawn to the garden but my dislike of painting buildings made me decide to challenge myself and paint an architectural detail. I liked to view through the arches. ( I am sure there is a architectural name for these! )

So that is where I set up my easel. We were a small group of 8 and Amanda let us get on with things. I'm a bit of a loner when it comes to painting, liking to get into my own headspace, however she was always at hand for assistance. I am by no means a watercolourist and really can't remember when I just used watercolour as a single medium. I mix it with other mediums such as collage and inks. So this workshop really took me far out my comfort zone.
 Amanda also gave me some excellent advice on setting up workshops and a few Gallery names to contact . Also giving me the encouragement to 'get out there!' Thank you Amanda. ;)

I actually don't like my finished watercolour, but that for me wasn't the object of the workshop. For me it was about trying something different. Stepping into the unknown and seeing what could happen.
Even after the workshop ended I continued drawing on the grass...the weather was too beautiful to stop!
I came well prepared with my trusty flask of earl grey ;)

If you want to find out more about Abbotsford you can check out their new blog
abbotsfordcollections.blogspot.com