Author: catherinebealeart

If you haven’t dared to paint outdoors before – or have just never got around to it – put Saturday 6 August in your diary and join me capturing Bath’s spectacular waterways in line and wash.

Four gorgeous views have been researched for you to paint, some tucked away on the canal plus an iconic view of the river in central Bath. There will be chats along the way about colour, line and pooling paint as well as an element of one-to-one tuition and a final critique.

This day runs 10:30 – 3 and is suitable for all abilities. If you need materials there is an option to have them provided for you. The route is just over a mile and we will be standing for periods of time. In the event of heavy rain the day will be rescheduled for the following Saturday 13 August. More details on application.

I’ve been taking advantage of this lovely sunshine to go down to my favourite stretch of Bath’s canal. It’s gorgeous where it runs through Widcombe – studded with bridges and backed by terraced gardens cascading right down to the water’s edge. (No problem with this water level rising!)
I’m hoping to take a group Plein Air painting to this spot one Saturday in August.
Update to follow. Please email if you are interested in the details.

I am excited to be showing two watercolour portraits as this year’s Society of Women artists Annual Exhibition at the Mall galleries London – 6-11 September 2023.
I will be giving a live demonstration of my watercolour portraits during the exhibition – date and time TBC.

Do you see me?

Girl in white

Two new landscapes are being taken on tour up to Nottingham this month! One of a dynamic ploughed field “Pinstripes and patchwork”, plus “Chasing Waterfalls”. They will both be joining works by fellow members of the Society of Women Artists in a showcase exhibition at Patchings Art Centre near Nottingham.
The exhibition will run 21 May to 26 June and I’m looking forward to visiting this amazing venue.

Dear fellow painters,I am excited to attach the new schedule of Bath Watercolour Workshops at the Museum of Bath Stone in Combe Down.
I have created some brand new subjects for past attendees, including

• a romantic new line and wash subject
• a look at becoming more abstract with garden subjects
• a special, in-depth portraits offering.
  And I am also reprising the ever-popular subject of misty, atmospheric landscapes for beginners to enjoy.

Zoom:
The last Zoom class for a while is next Wednesday 20 April.
We will be looking at richly blue, dusky skies – brilliant for those who want to try pouring paint! We’ll be taking a break from Zoom over the summer.

It has been over twenty-five years now since I started painting full time and five years since I decided to devote my time to painting in watercolour in particular. I have loved delving deeper into the medium through experimentation and I am having a blast sharing my findings with other enthusiastic painters. Thanks for joining me on this journey!

Two new portraits

Two new watercolour head and shoulder portraits for the New year.
I love to get in close to my subjects so that there is plenty of room between their features for the watercolours to mingle, flow and “sing”. I often get them to pose in strong, one-directional light to emphasise the shadows and create a more three dimensional effect.

Spring appears to be on the way, with the first crocuses open in the garden (though maybe it’s a little early here in England as Storm Eunice prepares to hit us!)

Looking ahead, I have a couple of brand new workshops planned for May and June. A vibrant cafe scene to help us practice loose figures. And a chance to expand out of representational subjects towards the semi-abstract with some gorgeous garden borders.
Click here to book online

I’m excited to have had my new painting Forest Bathing ii accepted into the next round of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour 2022 open exhibition applications – wish me luck!

Bath Watercolour Workshop Watercolour Seascapes on Wednesday 9 February is now full but I have several other workshops booking this spring (below) and lovely new subjects in the pipeline.
Email to join the workshop mailing list to be kept “in the picture” – I look forward to painting together.
Catherine