JOURNAL

Plein Air Painting, 3rd May 2023, Gravity Winery, Mahana

Meet us for plein air painting on Wednesday, 3rd May 2023, 10am, at Gravity Winery, 243 Old Coach Road. Gravity Winery offers views over the vineyard and the Nelson Bay towards the Richmond hills. Currently the colours of the vineyards are changing to a stunning yellow which are offset by the blue ocean in the background. Hopefully it will still be that beautiful by Wednesday. The winery/restaurant knows that we coming and is happy for us to paint on the…

Autumn Reflections

Autumn Reflections is painted in oil on stretched canvas. The background is achieved with smooth brushstrokes and in the foreground Nicole used thick palette knife strokes. The painting was inspired by a tree located in a private property (Silvan) in Richmond, New Zealand. The Nelson/Tasman plein air painting group often visits this private property in autumn when the trees change their colour. Autumn Reflections Oil on canvas 40" x 30" Click here for more information.

Mount Arthur Through Colour

Mount Arthur Through Colour is painted with chunky oil paint on stretched canvas. The mountains in the background appear somewhat realistic while the foreground is more and more abstract, however, every area of the painting is done with more or less rough palette knife strokes. The final touch is the colourful palette knife stokes. Mount Arthur is a mountain range which can be seen from Nicole’s farm in Ruby Bay, New Zealand. This mountain range has often been an inspiration…

Plein Air Painting, 26th April 2023, Silvan – Fundraiser for RDA

Meet us for plein air painting on 26th April, 10am, at Silvan, 205 Champion Road, Richmond. Silvan is a beautiful private property with a lake amongst forest trees. The leaves are changing colour and the lake is always a lovely subject to paint, no matter what season it is. As always, we are very grateful for this opportunity. Sarah Griffin, the property owner, advised that the Riding for the Disabled (RDA) School has a fundraiser and open day for public on…

Plein Air Painting, 12th April 2023, Cable Bay

Meet us on Wednesday, 12th April 2023, 10am at the Cable Bay car park, which is located on the left hand side of the bay before you cross over to Pepin Island. Cable Bay offers lovely views out to the Nelson Bay or inland. Let’s hope the weather holds up. The Cable Bay Cafe is open from 9:30am and we can meet there for coffee after painting. Please bring your painting supplies, a chair, bug spray, sun screen, morning tea/lunch,…

Plein Air Painting, 5th April 2023, Lake Rotoiti, St. Arnaud (RSVP)

Let’s try it again. On Wednesday, 5th April 2023 we are going to Lake Rotoiti, St. Arnaud for plein air painting. If our drivers are still available we have Paul, Nicole, Jo and Lois (tbc) driving with places available to take someone who would like to share a ride. Paul is leaving from Richmond, Jo is leaving from Atawhai, Lois is coming from Monaco and Nicole is leaving from Ruby Bay. All of us will meet at 9:30am at the…

Plein Air Painting – Change in Location!

Unfortunately, the weather forecast for St. Arnaud for tomorrow is not great and therefore the plans have changed. St. Arnaud shows at 10am sunny but 4 degrees Celsius, then the clouds come in at 11am and the maximum temperature for the day is 7 degrees Celsius. The forecast for next week is much better with 16 degrees Celsius and partly sunny. Let’s plan to go to St. Arnaud next week and hope that the forecast holds up. Instead of going…

Painting Classes with Nicole Russell – Colour Mixing

Colour Mixing - Colour Theory - Colour Harmony Have you ever wondered how to mix a colour? What colour is the shadow? What colour is green? What is hue? Tint? Tone? Shade? Value? Why do artist worry about colour temperature and how do I use it in my work? In this two-day workshop you will get a fundamental understanding of the capabilities of your palette. You will have a play with complementary colours, split-complementary colours, analogous colour and triads. You…

Painting Classes with Nicole Russell – Watercolour

Watercolour Painting Watercolour Painting is the ideal watercolour class for the beginner to the advanced artist who wishes to refine their skills. You will learn fun watercolour techniques and each step will be demonstrated to you. You will practice through exercises and work on your own chosen subject. Where: Nicole Russell Art Studio, 300 Pomona Road, Ruby Bay When: Mondays, 8th - 29th May 2023, 10-12pm (4 weeks) Fee: $96

Plein Air Painting, 29th March 2023, Lake Rotoiti, St. Arnaud (RSVP)

What a treat! On Wednesday, 29th March 2023 we are going to Lake Rotoiti, St. Arnaud, for plein air painting. So far it looks like we have three drivers (Paul Deacon, Nicole Russell and Jo Crompton). Paul is leaving from Richmond, Jo is leaving from Atawhai and Nicole is leaving from Ruby Bay. The cars have space for more artists available if you like to share a ride. All of us will meet at 9:30am at the Wakefield Bakery, 12…