Finding Your Colour Voice - KENT - Jul 2025

This weekend workshop is one of a series taking place at venues around the UK. All events have the same aim: to explore and strengthen personal experience of colour, both as an art medium and as a way of living in the moment.

Structured using the same principles, methods and mindsets, each date and location will offer something different to participants. Tangible and transient sources of inspiration will vary as the workshop moves from place to place. Local stories, artefacts, and vernacular environments will change, as will class dynamics, seasonal light and weather. Suitable for all levels of experience and ability.

DATE: Sat 26th & Sun 27th July 2025
TIME: 10am - 4pm each day
VENUE: Tonbridge Castle, Castle Street, Tonbridge, TN9 1BG, UK

INSPIRATIONAL VISIT: Chagall Windows, All Saints’ Church, Tudeley, Tonbridge, TN11 0NZ, UK (a 10 minute bus ride from the castle).

Marc Chagall (1887-1985) was initially commissioned to design just one window at All Saints’. When he visited in 1967 to oversee its installation he declared 'It's magnificent. I will do them all.' To this day, the church is the only one in the world with all 12 windows designed by Chagall.

We will visit All Saints’ Church during Day 1 of the workshop, having first introduced the workshop in the studio at Tonbridge Castle. During our visit we will sketch and make notes, paying particular attention to Chagall’s use of colour, including the effects of projected colours on white painted window reveals. We will then develop our observations using watercolour back in the studio at Tonbridge Castle.

WORKSHOP FOCUS: Mindful watercolour painting in response to Chagall’s stained glass windows.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sketching on location, including methods for recording colour palettes. Exploring watercolour characteristics, such as opacity and granulation, and the effect different papers have on painted marks. Experimenting with composition. Mindful watercolour painting.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Watercolour, gouache, graphite, coloured paper. Painting, drawing, collage, annotation.

Art supplies and light refreshments will be provided. Please bring your own lunch (a café or supermarket is walking distance from all venues).

Supper at a restaurant in Tonbridge town centre on the Saturday evening will be optional (not included in the workshop price). Tansy will communicate with you via email about this sociable extra nearer the time.

Any questions? Please email [email protected].