Painting Dahlias at Cowshed Flower Farm with Niki Groom
Saturday and Sunday 21st and 22nd September 2024
10:00-4:00
Saturday 21st at Cowshed Flowers Farm (on location)
Sunday 22nd at Beth Morris Workshops (in the studio)
Adult workshop
(but GCSE and A-Level students are very welcome to join in. It will be a great skills workshop for those taking art)
WORKSHOP:
Day 1 of this 2 day workshop will be based at Cowshed Flowers, Glebe Farm, Porthkerry, CF62 3BZ - you will need to provide your own transport and also bring a packed lunch. We will spend the day together drawing and sketching under the guidance of the inspiring Niki Groom aka Miss Magpie Fashion Spy. The day will comprise of learning how to capture the beauty of the dahlia flower farm using watercolour, pen and urban sketching techniques. Lots of quick captures and loose mark making. We’ll stop for elevenses of homemade cake in the mesmerising location full of flowers, farm animals and stunning buildings that are being lovingly restored over time. It really is the stuff of story books and a weekend to treasure for all flower lovers and water colour enthusiasts.
Day 2 of this workshop will be based at Beth’s studio in Insole Court. The difference in this session will be that the students will be around a table and able to focus on painting loose watercolour flowers, foliage and patterns from the cut blooms from the farm. Niki will teach you to look at how to put together a colour palette, relevant mark-making with various brushes, and those all important finishing touches.
The aim of the day is to use the loose pages to create a beautiful set of unique notecards, envelopes and gift tags. You’ll go away with a lovely set of cards and envelopes, and the confidence to whip out your paper and paints when a birthday appears or when you have invitations to send out. The weekend with be friendly, creative and suitable for all abilities.
Artist / Maker / Tutor:
Niki Groom is an illustrator based in Bristol. Her colourful work features in advertising, social media and editorial for brands such as Clinique, Cartier, M&S, Hush and Caroline Herrera. Prior to turning to illustration full time, Niki was a fashion designer and worked with various brands on the UK High Street for almost 20 years. She loves textiles, print, embroidery and enjoys capturing these on the page. Her style is loose and sketchy and she enjoys creating a mood with her artwork rather than a photographic likeness.
Niki is passionate about drawing, and sketches from life to constantly improve her skills. These days Niki loves to draw people, buildings and scenes and often creates reportage art where she reflects on politics and current affairs. She is a keen urban sketcher and loves to develop her style whilst travelling the world.
What is included in the ticket price?
Tea, coffee, biscuits and cake at the studio! At the farm there will be a little cafe where you can buy scones, homemade cakes and even a Pimms to enjoy amongst the flowers if you like 🌸
All equipment and materials that you need for the workshop are included. You will be provided with drawing boards, sketching and painting equipment for out door work and the studio is packed with all you need.
At the Dalia farm, during the last hour you will be encouraged to ‘pick-your-own’ if you wish. The photo shows a typical £20 bunch. Each stem is priced at £1.50 so you can take home a momento of the day in 3D as well as your drawings and sketches. Any blooms bought are additional and not included in the ticket price. Your support of this little flower farm will indeed be appreciated by Rachel the farmer/small business owner however, who will also be joining us to draw and paint.
It may be a good idea to bring a fold up chair on the Saturday to the farm - also consider wearing layers as who knows what the weather will be like 😉
Where will the workshops take place?
In Beth’s inspirational studio at Insole Court, Cardiff. CF5 2LN