WELCOME TO Val's Alentejo -I write about my region of Alentejo. My art ,painting, my cottages, Family life, my animals -Travels And my love for Roses- and rural country life.

Thursday 17 January 2013

Corfu Workshop & Off to Norfork

In 2008 I went on my 3rd overseas art workshop.  
I started some years ago, combining holiday with a workshop.
  I have found this a great way to see other countries,enjoy their cultures and also paint at the same time. 
I went to the Island of Corfu, along with some other 8 or so ladies.

The artist I chose to take my workshop with  was"Jan Blanch" of Wroxham Barns. Norfolk. Jan is a wonderful lady and communicator and I like her method of teaching.  Jan is a very accomplished and well known watercolour artist in the UK. 

 All  the pupils on that course met up that month of September, and flew direct to Corfu from Norwich airport.
It was a delightful 8 days. Lots of fun and laughter.
For me   as a beginner just not enough time really to take in the beautiful Greek architecture ,draw it and paint it 'plein air' in situ!
 I did feel however that I had learnt a lot , that i liked it, and would try to paint with watercolours when the time was right , once back home. This I have done.

It was the very first time that I had been on a watercolour workshop, or painted with water colours.   I  paint in oils.
I felt that it was time to give it a go with watercolours, and now I am hooked. Its a very relaxing hobby .

                                                     
                                                        Some photos of Corfu
CORFU OLD TOWN.  SOME OF THE LADIES SKETCHED THIS SCENE.. I WAS A BEGINNER AMONGS SOME PRETTY EXCELLENT ARTISTS  .-THE VIEW IS OF ST. SPYRIDON'S CHURCH.. A MAGNIFICENT CHURCH THAT I WILL NEVER FORGET.
VIEW FROM OUR HOTEL IN "SAN STEFANOS"

MAIN TOWN AND FORT  CORFU. WE HAD A GREAT LUNCH IN THE CENTRE OF TOWN ON THIS DAY.   I LOVE GREEK FOOD!

OUR HOTEL. JUST A STONE'S THROW FROM THE BEACH.    NO TIME FOR BATHING.
JAN HAS A FULL ITINERY OF BEAUTIFUL  SCENES FOR US TO SKETCH AND PAINT. I WANTED TO GET IN AS MUCH AS I COULD.  


VIEW OF "PALEOKASTRITSA" FROM THE HILLTOP
                                           A BEAUTIFUL VILLAGE.

                                                      San Stefanos harbour
VIEW FROM HOTEL VERANDAH..IT WAS A WONDERFUL SEPTEMBER THAT YEAR.. 

                                         THE HOTEL POOLSIDE.  Cocktails at the end of the day and critique.. that was also great. We could see and appreciate the other artists work .

This first painting on the left  below is my first attempt at watercolour.. Its a view from the beach in San Stefanos.. looking towards the mountains of Albania.
The second painting is monochromatic.. its of the Monastery at Paleokastritsa.. Simple light brown on plain white background.

In October 2012.. I decided , that i was ready for my 4th workshop.. My choice is water colours again.
with JAN BLANCH.
I leave from Lisbon on the 11th of February and will attend Jan's feb workshop.
I am already starting to get excited. 


GETTING SOME OF MY BRUSHES AND PAINTS IN ORDER.

THIS IS WHERE I WILL BE GOING.
TO NORFOLK.
I WILL TAKE TWO MEMORY CHIPS WITH ME FOR MY CAMERA.
I AM HOPING TO SEE SOME OF THE OLD TOWN AND THE AREA AROUND THE BROADS, AFTER THE COURSE.
MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT SNOW!  THIS MORNING JAN TOLD ME THERE IS SNOW IN THE AREA.  I WILL BE GOING IN 3 WEEKS.. SO WE WILL SEE HOW THE WEATHER IS.
WHATEVER THE WEATHER. I HAVE NOT BEEN TO THE UK IN 4 YEARS, AND AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.


SINCE I CAME BACK FROM CORFU. I HAVE PUT MY HAND TO SOME WATER COLOUR PAINTINGS.. OF WHICH A COUPLE I HAVE GIVEN MY FRIENDS.





          Wishing you all a wonderful Thursday..
                             
           VAL.

33 comments:

  1. oh, that's awesome, val! i know you will love it again! your work is beautiful!

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    1. Thank you Tex.. that's so sweet of you. Much appreciated.
      I am excited about going..

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  2. A lovely trip to Corfu !It is my favourite island and I have been three times .It is so nice that you will go again for painting to Norfolk ! I am sure that you will fun and may be have you wonderful
    surprises with your friends !

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    1. Hello dear Olympia.
      I am sure that you know Corfu well.
      I am looking forward to my workshop

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  3. Oh Val! I think your water colors are beautiful. That is one kind of painting I have always wanted to try but haven't yet. Your trip sounds like it will be wonderful. I can't wait to see what you create!

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    1. Dear Lisa.
      Your comments are so kind.. thank you. There is no reason why you couldn't try to paint.
      give it a try.. there are tutorials on u tube.

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  4. Val... are you really coming here? I live in Broadland, North Norfolk, about 15 minutes in the car from Wroxham Barns! Maybe I can meet you there!

    I love the Barns... truly fantastic place! I have bought so much suff from there, you wouldn't believe it!

    I love all the little workshops and the restaurant: local and organic, and the Junior Farm, where little children can feed the lambs!

    You must visit Horning, a beautiful village on the Broads, five minutes out of Wroxham and you must visit The swan Inn, best posh pub in the area (to me, of course!) They serve very good calamary, excellent English food and Fish and Chips (you must have Fish and Chips with Mushy Peas!)

    And you must visit Norwich, truly "Fine City!"

    I love watercolours, Val, and also like drawing with willow charcoal. I love drawing live models. Unlike some artists I studied art with, I have an excellent sense of proprtion when drawing the human figure.

    Keep me posted, Val! Let me know when you're coming!

    There won't be snow, in 4 weeks, don't worry!

    PS: The old part of Norwich, near the Cathedral is beautiful and make sure to go to Tombland and Elm Hill (all in the same part of old Norwich- very, very beautiful. Also, walk down "The Close" near the Cathedral, all the way down to the River and beautiful Bishop's Gate)

    BTW: Excellent for shopping, at the Castle Mall and Chapelfield's, and everywhere else, in central Norwich.

    BIG HUGS

    ANNA

    xxx

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    1. How wonderful Anna.
      I do hope that we can meet up. how exciting.
      I am looking so forward to my trip.. another 3 weeks.
      I have already started to organise.

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  5. Hello Val

    How exciting for you. A working holiday. I have no doubt you will have a wonderful time and lots of interesting painting. Another advantage of watercolour is how rapidly it dries. I will be looking forward to seeing your work and hearing of your adventures.

    Helen xx

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    1. Thank you Helen,
      I do like working holidays. One can fill in a little bit of everything.
      I am so looking forward to it.
      3 weeks to go.

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  6. Hi Val,
    That sounds a wonderful way of spending a holiday. Your photos and pictures from Corfu are wonderful. What a shame you won't be near Dorset! I'm sure you will have a wonderful time hopefully you won't feel to cold!
    Sarah x

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    1. Thank you for your comments Sarah,
      I am looking forward to my workshop and seeing some of the Norfolk area.
      Maybe next time.. near Dorset who knows.
      already bought a winter coat.

      Delete
  7. Hi Val: What a remarkable experience for you to do it again. Your paintings are so beautiful and I hope you have a great time. How could you not??..Happy Thursday..Judy

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    1. Thank you Judy.
      It will be a change.. pleased you liked my paintings.

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  8. Have a fantastic time! I love going to workshops!

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    1. Thank you Carol..
      nice to hear that from you.. your paintings are lovely too.

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  9. I am excited for you Val, this is wonderful! your watercolour paintings are so lovely, and you will have many more after this trip. Never having been to Greece I love the Corfu photos and paintings; you are a very good artists. Have fun with the preparations. xxx

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    1. Dear patricia..
      thank you for your kind comments.
      Its all exciting. Its like I have never been anywhere ):
      Yes , indeed I hope to do more workshops.

      Delete
  10. Dear Val - although I knew of your intended trip several weeks ago, I cannot believe that the time has arrived so quickly.
    Lots and lots of excitement for you, and I am sure that the snow will have gone on its merry way by then.
    How wonderful that you may have the opportunity to meet our lovely Italian friend, Anna,
    I shall really look forward to your recounting of the trip, your paintings and seeing your photos.

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    1. Dear Rosemary,
      Can you believe how quickly the time has passed.
      I am excited.. like a child really. silly me.
      I am not to bothered if there is snow. I will be inside most of the time.
      I do hope that our dear friend Anna can meet up.. sorry that you cant.!

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  11. Hi Again Val. Just wanted to say thanks and we used to have 2 of the 5&dime stores in Santa Cruz where I grew up. Newberry's and Woolworths. That was the first place I would head if I had a little money in my pocket. I remember buying nail polish. My grandmother used to take me to lunch at the lunch counter in Woolworth's. Great milkshakes!! What fun..Happy Thursday..Judy

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  12. Dear Val, You know how to make the winter blues go away. I love attending workshops and I love giving them. There is nothing like getting together with like minded spirits. It always brings out the best in us. Have a wonderful time and please share with us. ox, Gina

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    1. Dear Gina,
      That is exactly what i planned after summer last year.. I must get through our next winter and attend a workshop.
      I know that you understand the excitement..
      How I would love to attend one of yours.. who knows.. we can dream.
      will be sharing.

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  13. I went to Corfu many years ago, and it's high on my list of places I'd like to return. Your paintings are charming. Have fun at the workshop!

    I've never been to Norfolk, but I'd like to go one day. Look forward to seeing your pictures.

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    1. Thank you Jen.
      Hope one day that you get to visit Norfolk.. I will be getting to know a little about the area.

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  14. Dear Val,my friend has her house in Corfu,i've have been many times there,Corfu is a Greek island,in Ionian Sea,we call the island KERKIRA,your paintings look amazing!You are so lalented!Have a good time to Norfolk,i will be waiting to see your photos and paintings when you'll return back!Thank you for your kind comment on my blog!!Take care!!
    Have a happy weekend!
    Dimi..

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  15. Dear Dimi.
    How wonderful you have a friend in Corfu.. you can go to see her and see the Island.
    Thank you for your kind comments Dimi
    have a good weekend.

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  16. Hi Val what a talent you have . It sounds like you are going to have an amazing time. Good for you !!!

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  17. Dear Val,
    How exciting for you! What a great learning/holiday experience that will be. No doubt you will meet some kindred spirits.
    Look forward to reading about and seeing the results of this creative get-away.
    Beautiful photos of Corfu, thanks Val.

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  18. How fabulous to travel and be inspired for your art! Beautiful paintings my friend!

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  19. A dear friend is traveling to Italy in April, to paint as part of a tour. It sounds like a dream. I enjoyed reading about your trips - gives me an inkling of what she's in for.

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  20. Beautiful watercolors, Val! I love painting with watercolors. I am not good enough to paint with oils, but the watercolors are very forgiving and I enjoy painting flowers especially. I hope you have a wonderful time in Norfolk and a safe journey there and back again. What a wonderful opportunity!

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