Summer Shoreline: Landscape in Ink and Coloured Pencil

You will be using tutor Helen Hanson’s unusual but effective mix of ink and dry coloured pencil during this course. You will focus on the water, sky, rocks and flowers that make up the summer shoreline. Unlike pen and wash, her method is not water-based, nor does it involve “colouring in”. Instead, the two media are integrated as you work, bringing the landscape to life with layers of rich colour, mark-making in ink and the use of easy to learn creative techniques.

Discover how to represent rocks, sea and sky in an inventive way and introduce the plants that will give your picture an authentic sense of place.

Using your own or the tutor’s images you will be guided through the processes with demonstrations and individual help and encouraged to follow your own style. This is slow art but you will have time to complete one or two small images. The process is very therapeutic and absorbing, and you will be surprised at the uniqueness of the result!

About the Tutor

Helen Hanson

Helen Hanson is a Fellow of the Society of Botanical Artists, winner of the President’s Award and a former Council Member of the Society of Women Artists.

She was for many years a successful printmaker, exhibiting her landscape etchings in galleries and exhibitions throughout Britain. Always inspired by the natural world, she now concentrates on ink and coloured pencil landscape and botanical coloured pencil works, and enjoys tutoring adults locally and at residential venues in the UK.

About Flatford Mill

We have four buildings that are used for visitor accommodation. Whilst most rooms are either en-suite or have a dedicated bathroom, there are some rooms in The Mill that share showers and toilets at the end of the hall. If this is un-suitable for you please make the office staff aware upon booking or as soon as possible. Please be aware that you are visiting a Field Centre that caters in the main for school parties; the accommodation is basic and dormitory style, but warm and comfortable.

Explore our range of drawing and sketching courses hosted by our engaging tutors and learn from their expertise and skills. Our art courses are a chance to meet like-minded people and a chance to unwind from everyday life. They are a great opportunity to experience the UK’s glorious countryside surrounding our field centres.

Example Timetable

Check-in is between 1400-1800, if you are arriving after 1800 please advise us, so we can ensure you are advised of access codes, room key location, and
room location.
You will meet the tutor at dinner, and you will have your first session after dinner.

What's Included

Expert Tuition
Free Wi-Fi
Full Board Accommodation
Hot and Cold Drinks
Picnic Lunch

Full board accommodation and picnic lunch are for resident bookings only.

Before You Attend

What to Bring

Artist quality coloured pencils (preferably non-watercolour, although these can be used dry) - Faber Castell Polychromos, Derwent Artist or Procolour, Caran
D’Ache Pablo or similar.
A4 Bristol board (Strathmore Series 300 smooth is recommended). This will be available to purchase from the tutor by the sheet.
An HB pencil and ruler
A good pencil sharpener with a very sharp blade (Möbius & Ruppert round brass sharpener is highly recommended)
A grey putty rubber
Waterproof Indian ink pens - Faber Castell Pitt artist pens (SX, S, F, M) or Staedtler pigment liner pens (0.5, 0.3, 0.1 and ultra fine 0.05)
A sketch pad or cartridge paper for preliminary drawings

Feel free to bring your own summer landscape photos, images or sketches, or to work from the Flatford environment. If you need inspiration the tutor will bring some seasonal images. Please keep to landscape and plants rather than buildings, people, boats etc.