Vibrant Impressions

After a lifetime of painting, I have learned more and more over time to not take it all so seriously. It is my profession, my love and my life, and yet it will always be my happy place. During workshops, one of my most cherished goals is to share that approach with my students. Painting should be a process of discovery, of falling in love with something- a garden shed, a pot of flowers, a bounce of light, and chasing it- challenging yourself to capture what it says to you. 

My role is to teach the aspiring painter how to see, quite simply. There are no gimmicks or false promises here. In order to represent the world as we see it on canvas, to express something ‘real’ through the medium of paint, our groundwork has to be learning through drawing, values and colour relationships.
 
I teach about composition and design, how to choose and crop a subject, all the facets one has to deal with when painting plein air or painting from life, how to pare a subject down to its essentials, and what to leave out.
 
My students say that watching me paint is tremendously helpful and informative, I verbally explain my thoughts and process all the way through a full demo painting. I then encourage workshop participants to select their own subject, and I move amongst the group as they paint offering individual advice at the easel. Sometimes a common issue will come up which will prompt me to give a short demonstration to the group of that particular topic – such as mixing greens or simplifying foliage.
 
I’m also aware that each artist comes to a long painting workshop like this with their own expectations, needs, and energy levels so it is very important for each aritst to take rest and step away from the canvas when they need to.

I would say my teaching style is relaxed, friendly and encouraging. I care very, very much about each artist who takes a workshop with me. I am intent on progressing their painting journey forwards, while at the same time enjoying the whole experience. The ideal workshop is a nurturing environment which gives everybody the chance to grow their skills but have lots of fun while doing so.
 
I am so looking forward to this week of falling in love with this corner of France, at a beautiful time of year, with what will certainly be a lovely group artists. The Chateau de Puy Vidal, its family, retreat team, and this week-long retreat we have created together provide something I think is unique even in the painting workshop world. I very much hope if this speaks to you, to consider joining us for what I am sure will be a nurturing, reinvigorating and deeply inspiring experience.

Most sincerely,
 
Haidee-Jo Summers