"Girls’ Night In' ~ A Two-Day Watercolour Workshop' ~ with Sarah Stokes

Part of a Long Weekend of Watercolours and Charcoal, with Sarah Stokes

'Girls’ Night In' ~ A Two-Day Watercolour Workshop with Sarah Stokes - all abilities.

This cheerful two-day workshop focuses on painting a trio of hens in watercolour — full of character and charm, and all achieved with just three colours and black. All materials will be provided.

Day 1 – Getting Started

We’ll begin by tracing the Hens onto watercolour paper so you can concentrate on painting rather than drawing accuracy. From there, we’ll move on to colour mixing practice, exploring how to create a surprising range of tones and shades from a limited palette.

You’ll spend time getting to grips with the behaviour of watercolour — how it moves, blends, and reacts on the paper — before applying your first loose washes, working mostly wet-into-wet to establish soft shapes and gentle transitions.

By the end of the first day, you’ll have a lovely underpainting with the mood and structure of the piece already in place.

Day 2 – Layering, Detail and Finishing Touches

On day two, we’ll add the third and final layers, deepening tones, strengthening shapes, and starting to bring out each hen’s personality.

You’ll learn how to add texture, form, and fine detail while keeping that expressive, light-handed feel that makes watercolour so fresh.

We’ll also look at simple mark-making and decorative touches to tie the composition together and give your finished piece character and polish.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll have:

A completed painting of three lively chickens full of warmth and charm

A solid grasp of limited-palette colour mixing

Confidence in layering, tonal control, and brushwork

A better understanding of how to handle watercolour with both control and freedom

This workshop is relaxed, friendly, and ideal for anyone who wants to build confidence in their painting while enjoying a creative couple of days with like-minded people. Beginners and intermediates welcome!

9.30am - 5.00pm each day

Taking place in the first floor Swallow Barn - accessed by stairs£295 home made lunch/ fresh coffee/ home baking/all materials included