Line and Wash Workshop with John Harrison

Line and Wash Workshop with John Harrison

Time: 10.30am – 4pm

Try your hand at “line and wash”, the creation of a pen and ink sketch tinted with a wash of coloured ink or watercolour, with Yorkshire artist John Harrison. You will start the day with an introduction to John’s particular style of line and wash, and the importance he places on drawing and sketching. This will be followed by a demonstration of John’s techniques and processes. You will follow this in stages which will result in a fully realised piece working from reference photos supplied and utilising the techniques described by John, who will offer advice, hints and tips throughout the session.

John's favoured subject matter features built structures in the wider landscape, exploring the contrast between the man-made and the natural. Largely self-taught, he doesn’t consider himself a painter, but uses the unpredictable yet exciting medium of watercolour to highlight his drawings. John runs many workshops and his is work is in private collections across the globe. He undertakes commissions, both private and corporate, and recently appeared on the Channel 5 revival of Watercolour Challenge.

This workshop is most suitable for those with some experience in Pen and/or Line and Wash, even if only a few hours, but John is equally comfortable with complete beginners.

JUNE WORKSHOP: Subject to the weather, the June workshop date will take the form of an outdoor sketching walk around Skipton town centre for which there is no shortage of subjects. You will spend the morning creating sketches, then return to the workshop venue after lunch to either add watercolour to your sketchbooks, or use your sketches to create a full line and wash painting.

A note from John...

In terms of the workshop - I will provide all necessary reference material for the paintings - you will just need your usual painting and drawing  equipment:

• Watercolour paints
• Good quality watercolour paper or pad( at least 300g with a rough finish)
• Brushes( I find that round brushes in sizes 8,10,12 are best)
• Soft (2B) pencil
• A waterproof ink pen (don't worry if you can't easily get this last one - I will have some of these for purchase on the day, as this pen is intrinsic in my style of line and wash).
• I will also have for purchase some extra sheets of the Saunders Waterford 300g rough that I use. I can't stress enough how important it is to use good quality paper, otherwise you will be disappointed with the result.

John will work to the pace and expectations of the group. By the end of the workshop, you will have had time to complete a painting to a high standard. Speedier painters might even start on a second, or even a third, painting. The workshop will run till no later than 4pm but could finish earlier, depending on the skill level and pace of the group.