Judith gets herself a watercolour shopping list

I met Judith Whately many years ago on the recommendation of my friend Anne who had trained with her to become a Reflexologist. I too had wanted to follow this path and so was very excited to discover that Judith was still running the Academy for Combined Reflexology and that there was 1 space left for the next intake.

I studied with Judith and finally got the coveted title of MAR and have used this brilliant holistic therapy since with family and friends.

A few years on and I thought about mentioning to a few friends that I was now running workshops and Judith was among them.

With her very busy schedule as the Senior Lecturer in Reflexology at Cardiff Metropolitan University and Clinic Director of Something Else Therapy Centre in Merthyr Tydfil it was hard to pin her down to finally come for a watercolour taster with me.P1130724

She told me that years ago she had tried watercolour in a holiday setting and that it had left her feeling that she would never manage to paint in it.

As her morning progressed slowly but surely she realised that there were ways to manage the mercurial nature of watercolour and that beautiful effects could be attained quite easily.

Taking the watercolour brush for a spin

Taking the watercolour brush for a spin

She felt so excited and pleased that here she was - just a few hours on - being able to produce a poetic seahorse, watery reflections and other techniques that would allow her to progress at home.

After she left I was sending her a long watercolour shopping list feeling so pleased that she had been bitten by the painting bug.

Thanks Judith for being such an adventurous student and let me know when you have that smock and beret.

 

 

 

Treat yourself to some art supplies!

Why not!? It’s an investment in yourself to get some new gear and supplies now and then.

As I am teaching a lot now I have a perfect reason to go paint and equipment shopping!

Top of my list this month was to treat myself to 2 brand spanking new Frank Webb watercolour palettes.

Finally - after 20 years I get two new Frank Webb watercolour palettes - joy!!!

Finally - after 20 years I get two new Frank Webb watercolour palettes - joy!!!

My fist one bought 20 years ago is still in use every day - see how it looks next to the new one:)

before and after (20 years after that is :)

before and after (20 years after that is

I am going to fill one of the new ones with paint colours I have never or would not normally use. Why you ask? Well - I want to shake thing sup a bit and try different colourways. A change is as good as a rest as they say.

P1130710So watch this space as I go for new paint colours on my next shopping trip.

The other day I popped into my local art store for some paints, pencils and a rubber.

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Even these simple things give me a lot of joy as I can sketch with the pencil and the new rubber was much needed.

I would strongly recommend your buying a lidded palette if you are going to start in watercolour. It will save you tubes of paint as once given a little spray with water each day and the lid is replaced the paints stay moist and don’t go mouldy either.

To buy the Frank Webb palette you will have to get it from the USA as I haven’t found a UK supplier. Has anyone else found one?

Anyway - here is the link - but please know that it will be expensive as you pay all sorts of taxes and shipping is high plus you may get stuck with a UK customs charge as I did.

http://www.cheapjoes.com/frank-webb-watercolor-palette.html

If that is all too much for you there are a few lidded palettes here that aren’t too bad at all:)

http://www.saa.co.uk/shop/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=watercolour+palette

Into these of course you will need to squeeze watercolour tube paints - have fun!

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