4×4 And Vintage Spares..2022

Poppies in Watercolour

ONLINE Chinese Painting: Summer Flowers.

Tutor: Maggie Cross
Thurs 19th May 10am - 11:30am workshop demo
Thurs 26th May 10am - 11am follow up and Q&A session
(UK timings)

Cost--£50.00

Thurs 19th May 10am - 11:30am workshop demo
Thurs 26th May 10am - 11am follow up and Q&A session
(UK timings)

This LivePlus™ online workshop is ideal for those who have attended an introductory session with Maggie, but will also be suitable for beginners who are familiar with the materials.

Workshop details
Summer is a joyful time of year and what better way to celebrate by painting the flowers.

The peony is especially highly prized, not only in Chinese painting, but in embroidery carving and is widely cultivated. In fact the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD) empress Wu Zetian was so keen on them that a “peonimania” developed in China rather like the Dutch tulipmania! The peony is regarded as the queen of flowers and symbolises wealth and beauty. It is the Moutan or tree peonies that we are referring to.

The poppy and iris do not have specific symbolism attached to them but are admired and painted. The iris is often referred to as the butterfly flower.  One of the key features of painting these flowers is the technique of loading the brush with several different colours or tones of the same colour which Maggie will demonstrate.

She will begin by making a few quick sketches of the flowers and leaves showing them in different angles and perspectives. It is important to familiarise yourself with the plant’s structure before painting as the final composition is painted onto blank paper without any mark making. This the Chinese believe gives your composition more “chi” or liveliness.

This will be followed by a demonstration of each part of the plant- flowers, buds, stamens leaves and stems. Maggie will use colour and demonstrate the loading techniques. To complete the lesson Maggie will paint a composition of each flower adding an insect to give additional interest.

Specific skills you will learn at the workshop

• Learn the symbolism and history of the plants
• Detailed observation of the structure of the chosen plants
• Brush loading using several colours and tones
• Learn the rules of composition in a traditional Chinese painting

Equipment & materials list
Materials are not included in the course fee. All the materials and equipment you will need are listed below.

• Chinese brushes -you will need a large one and a finer for the detail
• An absorbent paper such as Xuan - semi-sized papers are not suitable for this technique
• Ink
• Chinese colours or gouache (watercolours may be used) in rose, carmine or peony red, scarlet, rouge, indigo, phthalocyanine blue, gamboge, burnt sienna and mauve
• 2 water pots
• Paint rag or kitchen roll
• Palette
• Cloth to cover your work surface as the paint will soak through the absorbent paper (NB a towel is too rough)
  ​

You needn't have the materials ready whilst watching the live demonstration – the demo session is a time to watch, ask and learn. After the demo you will be sent a link to the recording, which you can watch as many times as you wish for thirty days.

This LivePlus™ online workshop is ideal for those who have attended an introductory session with Maggie, but will also be suitable for beginners who are familiar with the materials.

Workshop details
Summer is a joyful time of year and what better way to celebrate by painting the flowers.

The peony is especially highly prized, not only in Chinese painting, but in embroidery carving and is widely cultivated. In fact the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD) empress Wu Zetian was so keen on them that a “peonimania” developed in China rather like the Dutch tulipmania! The peony is regarded as the queen of flowers and symbolises wealth and beauty. It is the Moutan or tree peonies that we are referring to.

The poppy and iris do not have specific symbolism attached to them but are admired and painted. The iris is often referred to as the butterfly flower.  One of the key features of painting these flowers is the technique of loading the brush with several different colours or tones of the same colour which Maggie will demonstrate.

She will begin by making a few quick sketches of the flowers and leaves showing them in different angles and perspectives. It is important to familiarise yourself with the plant’s structure before painting as the final composition is painted onto blank paper without any mark making. This the Chinese believe gives your composition more “chi” or liveliness.

This will be followed by a demonstration of each part of the plant- flowers, buds, stamens leaves and stems. Maggie will use colour and demonstrate the loading techniques. To complete the lesson Maggie will paint a composition of each flower adding an insect to give additional interest.

Specific skills you will learn at the workshop

• Learn the symbolism and history of the plants
• Detailed observation of the structure of the chosen plants
• Brush loading using several colours and tones
• Learn the rules of composition in a traditional Chinese painting

Equipment & materials list
Materials are not included in the course fee. All the materials and equipment you will need are listed below.

• Chinese brushes -you will need a large one and a finer for the detail
• An absorbent paper such as Xuan - semi-sized papers are not suitable for this technique
• Ink
• Chinese colours or gouache (watercolours may be used) in rose, carmine or peony red, scarlet, rouge, indigo, phthalocyanine blue, gamboge, burnt sienna and mauve
• 2 water pots
• Paint rag or kitchen roll
• Palette
• Cloth to cover your work surface as the paint will soak through the absorbent paper (NB a towel is too rough)
  ​

You needn't have the materials ready whilst watching the live demonstration – the demo session is a time to watch, ask and learn. After the demo you will be sent a link to the recording, which you can watch as many times as you wish for thirty days.

Freekeh – Cooking With Ancient Grains

Freekeh, wild wheat and ancient grains, the staples of our ancestors are growing in popularity as they re-emerge into our modern diet, as healthy carbohydrates. Rich in vitamins and minerals and with lower gluten structures, these wheats and grains are easier to digest and make for incredibly tasty alternatives to rice, potatoes and pasta.

Join culinary author and cook Ruth Nieman, whose recent publication Freekeh, Wild Wheat & Ancient Grains, recipes for healthy eating explores the historical, biblical and cultural background of the staple foods of the hunter gathering communities from the Fertile Crescent, with modern uses in a healthy diet. She will teach you the traditional way to cook freekeh, the Arabic staple that is harvested unripe and smoked in the fields, as well as showing you its versatility in salads, soups and bread.

We will also be making delicious seasonal fayre using spelt, rye and other ancient grains, which you will enjoy after the workshop for a vegetarian lunch with a complimentary glass of wine.

8 people maximum          All abilities welcome

Learn to Crochet

Learn how to crochet with expert tuition and projects to work on each week.

Bring your own yarn and you'll be hooked.

Flower Arranging at Fairclose Centre

Get creative with flower arranging on Thursday mornings! Bring a vase or even an empty jam jar and take your arrangement home with you.