A Week at Dedham Hall

It is always a pleasure to teach at Dedham Hall in Suffolk. I often get people coming back and over the years many of the students have become friends. This year I had 10 lovely students. Two had never been to Dedham before but very soon fitted in the routine.
We start on Saturday afternoon with a cup of tea and some of Wendy's delicious cake at 4pm when we all introduce ourselves and I have a quick chat about the week to come.
On the first evening I always give a talk and demo in the studio.

Clouds at Blakeney, demo. 14" x 16"

Sunday is always busy in town so we stay in the grounds of the hall, there is so much to paint there one really needn't venture further afield. I started everyone off with a quick demo of the glasshouse

Glasshouse at Dedham Hall  8" x 8"

Monday we took advantage of the good weather and went to Woodbridge. It's been a few years since I took a group there. I'd forgotten how good it was. I did a painting while I was waiting for the group to look around and decide what they wanted to paint. The tide was out but coming in fast, by the time I'd finished 1/2 hour later there was no mud to be seen.

Woodbridge 14" x 16"

I planned to go to Pin Mill so that evening I gave a demo on painting the barges which I hoped we would see there.

Barges at Pin Mill 14" x 10"

Demo at Pin Mill

I don't get much chance to do my own painting at Dedham so I often will go into the studio before breakfast. here are two of the paintings that I got up early to paint.

Cherries and Imari bowl 8" x 8"

Quimper jug and Asters with Satsumas 8" x 8"

The weather turned on us a bit on Tuesday so we went to the river to paint before rain set in. Most managed to get at least some sketching done. I got a quick demo of the cows before they disappeared

and then they were gone!!

Study in White 12" x 12"

Another evening I gave the above as a demo to illustrate light against dark in a still life. I thoroughly enjoyed painting this in spite of all those ellipses I had to deal with.

The week seemed to pass very quickly and all too soon it was time to clear the studio and set up the final exhibition. I like to take time and care over this , to display the students work at it's best. There certainly was some good work done. At 6.30 Jim & Wendy come over with drinks for out little PV and after dinner we all head back into the studio where I go round each persons work and give a constructive appraisal. This for me is the hardest bit as I try to be encouraging yet honest without upsetting anyone - so far I think I have got away with it . We'll see if they come back again next year!!

A Week at Dedham Hall

I find it hard to believe but this was my 24th year teaching at Dedham Hall. I look forward to it every year and have made many good friends along the way.
This year I had 10 in the group, two that have been quite a few times and a couple that I met in France. The rest were all new to me and what a great group it turned out to be.

I kicked off the first evening with a demo. I only used three colours and suggested that the next day that the group try this approach. Which most of them did and some stuck to the same pallet for most of the week having found it so successful.

Landscape using three colours 9" x 14"

In general the group were very enthusiastic and keen to try out any suggestions. They even had a go at using the Zorn pallet which consists of Cadmium Red, Yellow Ochre, Black & White. Quite a challenge even in the hands of an experienced artist. Here is my effort

Across the Field  8" x 8"  SOLD

I have to say too that everyone else's paintings were good too but I neglected to take photos.

 We were unlucky with the weather and had to stay local to the studio which in the case of Dedham Hall is no hardship so, during the week we did several still life studies.
Here are a couple that I did in between going round

Cherries 6" x 6"  SOLD

Lemons 6" x 6"  SOLD

Lemon & Egg Cups 8" x 8" £75

On the Thursday we ventured out to the end of the village where there is a National Trust farm. So much to paint! Allotments, views across fields, tractors, sheds, barns........
I could also see very easily where Constable had his inspiration. The clouds were straight from one of his paintings. The group were well spread out and having seen everyone settled I stayed with the majority of the group and started a little painting of a farm vehicle nestled against a dark shed. I loved the shadows falling across the track. I would like to finish this sometime.

On the Farm 8' x 8" unfinished

Friday was, as promised, much better and we finally got to Pin Mill, one of my favourite locations. Some found it a little daunting not having painted outside much but, again, all did very well and I was able to squeeze in a quicky myself

The Butt & Oyster, Pin Mill 8" x 8"   £75

When we got back to the studio I asked for everyone's paintings and set up our final exhibition. Jim & Wendy our hosts come over with drinks and we have a little private view before dinner. After dinner it's back to the studio where I give a final critique - that's the hard part for me as I like to be honest as well as give praise, no one has gone home in tears yet.

It was a brilliant week and I am happy to say that so far, half the group have re-booked for next year

The end of a good week