Plein Air Painting to Watercolour journal classes: Nicole Russel Artist Journal

New Artwork is Coming – The Rugby Playing Kiwi

Finally it is ready, "The Rugby Playing Kiwi"! The painting is 61x46cm large, watercolour on Arches watercolour paper. Currently it is at Copyart for scanning and it is scheduled to hang at Wall To Wall Art Gallery, Nelson mid February. It took a lot of research on Kiwi birds and rugby games until the final layout of the painting was determined. I watched YouTube videos and researched conservation websites to understand the anatomy of the kiwi and its posture…

Plein Air Painting, 10th February 2021, Bush Reserve, Aniseed Valley

Meet us for plein air painting on 10th February 2021, Bush Reserve, Aniseed Valley, a lovely peaceful setting by the Roding river. Bring your swim suit if you want to cool off. Please bring your painting supplies, a chair, bug spray, sun screen, morning tea/lunch and good weather. If you have any suggestions on where to go for plein air, please let me know I will include it in the list. Plein air is scheduled for every Wednesday morning, except the…

Plein Air Painting, 3rd February 2021, Mapua Wharf

Meet us for plein air painting on 3rd February 2021, 10am, at the Mapua Wharf. The wharf has plenty to offer from boats, ocean, Richmond hills, gorgeous shops and people. Please bring your painting supplies, a chair, bug spray, sun screen, morning tea/lunch and good weather. If you have any suggestions on where to go for plein air, please let me know I will include it in the list. Plein air is scheduled for every Wednesday morning, except the 3rd Wednesday…

The Simple Secret to Better Painting by Greg Albert

Have you ever heard of the one rule of composition? If not, you will find that the book by Greg Albert, "The simple secret to better painting" is marvellous. Greg Albert talks about randomness in you painting created by "never making any two intervals the same". Interval refers to "distance, shape, tonal value, colour and just about every other element in your painting." The book discusses design dynamics and refers to landscapes, still life, figure or portrait. If you are…

Merry Christmas

Where has this year gone? It feels like we have missed out on a lot of things we normally experience, e.g. international travel and visits from overseas. We have also learned a lot, especially about ZOOM, and values have been modified. All of a sudden Christmas is here and we are already planning the next year. But for now, lets slow down a little and enjoy the festive season. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New…

Plein Air Painting Photos Queens Gardens

This time I completely forgot to take photos of our plein air painting session at Queens Gardens. However, luckily photos were taken of me for a change. It was a gorgeous day today with hardly any wind and beautiful sunshine. The perfect painting day before Christmas. Plein Air painting will take a break and resume on 3rd February 2021.

Art Classes 2021

The art classes program for 2021 is now published and includes Watercolour Journaling, Watercolour Painting, Painting for All Levels, and Private Lessons. The art classes can be viewed here, or you can download a pdf flyer here. Please contact Nicole if you have questions.

The Learning Connexion – Final Exhibition

Here are some photos of my final (Advanced - Level 7) exhibition at The Learning Connexion. It has been a great experience with exciting and challenging tasks. Thank you to Peter Adsett and John Cornish for their guidance and wonderful education. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Plein Air Painting, 16th December 2020, Queens Gardens, Nelson

Meet us for plein air painting on 16th December 2020, 10am, at Queens Gardens, Nelson. Domett Street is sometimes a good street to find unlimited parking. Queens Gardens will offer roses, rivers/lake, the Chinese gardens and bridges. Also, if you would like we could have lunch in the Suter cafe to celebrate the last day of plein air painting this year. Plein air painting will start up again on 3rd February 2021. If you have any suggestions on where to go…

Photo of Plein Air Painting at Rough Island – Kim Filshie

It was a lovely little group painting en plein air at Rough Island. This week I couldn't be part of the group but Kim Filshie sent a photo of her watercolour painting. Isn't it gorgeous? You can visit her website here.

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