Sunday 24 May 2015

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


25 comments:

  1. It looks like a fascinating place :D And I think your watercolour looks really good :)

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  2. Your painting looks really summery, and I think it's beautiful. Must have been a dream to work at such a beautiful place.

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  3. Beautiful place, must visit! Pleased you enjoyed your day, you certainly had good weather for it, keep slapping on the after sun. Your watercolour looks lovely btw :)

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  4. What a fabulous place to go sketching or just go to! How lucky you are to live near such a wonerful historic place!

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  5. It certainly looks as though you had a wonderful and very productive day Morag. A piece of work that has 'stretched' you, (although I think it looks great!), and some inspiring photos for you to work from in the future. What more could we ask from a workshop and a lovely day out!

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  6. Looks like you certainly did have a lovely time at your watercolor workshop and the photos are wonderful! I enjoyed them and a peek at your painting. :)

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  7. Wow what a gorgeous place...wonderful architecture!! I am not much into watercolour either!! Love what others create just like the layers you can make with acrylic. Also like to be alone in my own zone to create. Not much of creating in a group. Wonderful piece you did...I could see those tulips in that one photo done up in your style of mixed media!! Thanks for sharing all this beauty!

    Hugs Giggles

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  8. Such a perfect way to spend a Sunday! The castle is amazing and I find myself wishing we had more old architecture like that here in the U.S. I have heard of Sir Walter Scott (such a distinguished name) but have not read any of his books. Your daughter sure is lucky to work in such a beautiful place.

    Your watercolor looks great and good for you for stepping out of your comfort zone! Can't wait to see what you do with all your flower photos.

    Happy week to you Morag!

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  9. I love what you did, the trees look beautiful. But as you say I can see the wonder and magic of your day being what counted most for you, trying something new and making a day out of it was so great! I'm so happy the sun shone bright for you too! Thanks for all you have generously shared with us!

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  10. Oh yes, I agree, your daughter is working in one of the most beautiful places on earth! I'm not sure if I could concentrate on painting there as I would always look around this place again and again ... your artwork turned out beautiful there!

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  11. What a wonderful place to paint. Happy PPF

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  12. It looks beautiful and if you hadn't said it was in Scotland I wouldn't have believed you - that sunshine certainly hasn't made its way up to the far north too much this year! I laughed when you said about the straight lines - I am exactly the same - architecture absolutely isn't my thing so I would have struggled painting this beautiful building. From what I can see on your easel it looks like you made a lovely job of the section you chose. And I think it is a great idea for you to run workshops as what you do is so different from the norm that I think it would be a really interesting class (maybe I could even persuade S that a trip back to Skye was in order so I could attend!!) Thank you for such an informative post - I didn't know anything about Sir Walter Scott or this gorgeous building and I love that he loved his dog so much he commissioned a statue.

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  13. How very lovely to be painting outside. I don't like painting straight lines either, I get in a muddle which line is which! You did a great job with the watercolour, I find that when I use a different medium I learn so much, it's that step of moving out of the comfort zone isn't it? Looks like a very enjoyable time was had! xx

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  14. What gorgeous photos of the place. I love the one with the arch doorway view. Trying something new is what its all about. That is something so important to always remember. I have been to Edinburgh by train but alas I don't think I remember much about the train station. I loved hearing the story though. Your daughter is quite fortunate to work in such a place.

    Kate

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  15. Your watercolor is beautiful there on the easel in the grass. I thought I had been to Abbotsford House. The dog looked familiar but not the buildings. Of course, it has been almost 40 years since that trip so I could easily have forgotten.

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  16. what a magnificent place for pure inspiration! And very lucky to have the weather cooperate:) Your watercolor piece is very beautiful!

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  17. lovely surroundings to be creatively inspired; thanks for sharing with us.

    have a nice weekend

    much love...

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  18. wow, that is an amazing place! I like that you took a small detail to paint, it looks wonderful!

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  19. what an amazing place to run and take part in a workshop... and I think your watercolour looks quite special... thanks for sharing it all... I would love to visit there one day...xx

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  20. What a gorgeous place! Thanks for sharing it... so beautiful there!
    Your painting is fantastic, I love the colors, looks fresh and cheerful ♥

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  21. what an amazing place to paint, so much history! The painting is lovely and it must have been fun to do!

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  22. How incredible to be able to paint in such a place. Wow! Your painting is lovely.

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  23. Oh those tulips! Wow! A beautiful place.

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  24. I always love visiting these historic places when I'm in the UK, they're always a perfect day out. And spending a day there at a painting workshop sounds even better. I'd absolutely love that. It looks like a spectacular place.

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  25. This must have been a great weekend with a special atmoshere between these old walls!
    Thank your for these fotos. Ulrike

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