It's snow season!
Plus, some exciting news this week.
Hello everyone, and welcome back to anther edition of Loose Watercolours, direct from HQ. How’s your week been? Did you manage to relax? Did you get any painting done? Are you, like us here in the UK, getting a bit of a cold snap, and are convinced that snow’s on the way? However your week’s been, it’s Monday again, so time to rest, rejuvenate, and grab those paints out from that drawer!
It was so lovely to see so many faces at last week’s live broadcast! I hope you all enjoyed painting along to ‘Winter Robin,’ and I hope you’re all starting to feel a little of the Christmas spirit as the season rolls round again. It’s another seasonal theme this week, with the subject being ‘Bauble Delight.’ If you’d like to join in, it’s on at the usual time of 8pm GMT, and you can find it by following the link here: https://loosewatercolours.com/live-broadcast/
Watercolour Basics #3: Wetness of Paper
Continuing on with our look at watercolour basics this week, I thought we’d continue on with a look at the wetness of paper today. It might seem a little obvious, but for watercolours, you have to, well, make sure the paper is wet - it’s one of the first things we have to think about when painting in this style. So here’s a little deep dive into how exactly we can make this work for our loose style.
If you’d like to practice your new-found skills, why not head over to loosewatercolours.com where there’s a new tutorial to be found, ‘Poppy Trio.’ It was Remembrance Day last weekend, which is always a solemn occasion, but I’ve always been struck by the beauty of poppies in full bloom. Here, I try and capture the delicacy and vibrancy of this beautiful yet haunting flower.
There’s also another tutorial on Patreon this week, which is ‘Quinacridone & Blue Floral!’ Try saying that one fast three times in a row. Phew. Either way, this tutorial features a lovely little contrast between the calming blue tones and the bright, vibrant yellows, which makes for a beautiful floral at the end. So why not give it a go? You can find the link here: https://www.patreon.com/andrewgeesonloosewatercolours
And that’s not all new on Patreon this week, as there’s also a step-by-step tutorial of a Venice street scene now availible if you fancy some Italian inspiration this week. Maybe you can imagine yourselves strolling along the Rialto Bridge in slightly warmer weather. Anyway, here’s a sneak peak at the street itself, and then a little look at the finished picture. Can you spot any differences?
Paint Historic Wells & Somerset: September 2025
Some exciting news this week! Now that this year is drawing gradually to a close, you might already be thinking about 2025 and what that might bring. So how about treating yourself to a nice painting holiday as something to look forward to?
I’m actually hosting a Loose Watercolour in September of next year - 7th September to the 11th September to be exact - in the gorgeous setting of Wells & Somerset, so you can paint along to your heart’s content in the scenic landscape of the English South.
Painting destinations will include places like Kilver Court and Nunney, as well as Vicar’s Close with its stone buildings, Bishop’s Palace with its moat, and the captivating medieval market.
The cost is £925 for four days, which includes full accommodation at the Swan Hotel in Wells, as well as tuition in both studio work and plein air painting.
If you’re interesting in finding out more information or you’d like to book, feel free to contact Alpha Painting Holidays for more information. You can reach them at www.alphapaintingholidays.com, or on their phone number at 0044 01934 733877. You’re also more than welcome to contact me if you’re interested, and you can reach me at andrew.geeson@btopenworld.com.
A quick link for you to :- Andrew's Painting Holiday in Wells 2025
That’s all from me this week, as I’ve got to go and prepare for this week’s Live Broadcast. Hopefully I’ll see you there! In the meantime, though, as usual, there’s an exclusive tutorial for all of you paid subscribers to this Substack. After all, as I’m sure you all know by now, your help is invaluable in running this blog, so I hope you enjoy painting along to ‘Evening Setting’ this week! It’s a lovely landscape this week, with red skies, birds migrating, and blue shadows starting to colour the fields - all in all, a dramatic sunset scene. I can’t wait to see how you all get on!
In the meantime, though, it’s goodbye from Toby and I, and have a lovely week! Until next time, happy painting!
