Work-in-progress: Watercolour classes with Michael Hill
I attend watercolour classes with Michael Hill at Salcombe Art Club every Tuesday during term time, October through to Easter.
Michael arrives with source photos and proceeds to show how he would tackle each painting. We can choose whether to work in acrylic or watercolour and Michael demonstrates both. This is done in stages, so we watch Michael for a short while and then we work on our own paintings, watch again and paint again, and so on. All the while, Michael comes around the class giving encouragement. His strategy works …
I have three work-in-progress watercolours at present. All three are executed under time pressures.
What you’re seeing here is how far I got during a class session. It’s up me to complete them in my studio at home.
Watercolour WIP 1: Cawsands
This is the source photo. 
This is my work-in-progress watercolour painting.
The lateral structure was enhanced – made to look more interesting – with the use of pen and ink. I don’t usually use pen and ink, so this was a departure from my normal style.
Watercolour WIP 2: Grumpy old man
This is the source photo.
Not a usual subject for me. No water. No boats. No sky. Just a grumpy old man!
This is my work-in-progress watercolour painting. 
I’m glad I have him on paper. It’s nowhere near finished and I wouldn’t want to see him in a nightmare.
Again, this was an interesting exercise, but I don’t imagine completing this painting until after I’ve done another workshop on portraiture. I have much to learn.
Watercolour WIP 3: Snow scene
This is the source photo. Michael often provides snow scenes at this time of year. Snow is particularly difficult to capture so this adds an extra dimension to the task.
The grid lines help me to place the buildings and other features proportionately.
This is my work-in-progress watercolour.
I still have to improve the tree line behind the cottage and behind the barn in order to give a sense of recession.
Watercolour classes in 2019
I’ve signed up to continue classes with Michael Hill in the Spring term. He is very popular so there is a waiting list.
You have to be at least a lay member of Salcombe Art Club to benefit from Michael’s classes. All the details are here.
