A week with John Yardley

I have been away for another week of "Painting with John Yardley". John does not really go in for teaching, he doesn't see himself as a teacher he runs the week more as a holiday. He paints every morning, 'en plein aire' if the weather allows. We are free to watch him and ask questions. He finishes the half sheet painting (21 x 14 in  -  53 x 36 cm) in around two hours it's extraordinarily impressive to watch.

A John Yardley Painting

This is a painting that John did during the week. It is of boats on the Town Hard at Walton-on-the-Naze. He kindly lets us take photos of his work.

Below are three pieces of my work from our six days of painting.

Painting at Dedham Hall
Click Image to see larger version in my gallery

14 x 20 in  -  35 x 51 cm     Watercolor     Pleine aire is hard, well I find it hard. This was the first painting of the week and probably the best work I did all week.

This is roughly the view I had while painting. This is the group of us watching John paint. I did the house en pleine air and added the people afterwards.

Walton-on-the-Naze
Click Image to see larger version in my gallery

14 x 20 in  -  35 x 51 cm     Watercolor     Not much I can say about this except that I am still clearly finding pleine aire hard.

This is something like the view I had.

Venice Sparkle
Click Image to see larger version in my gallery

14 x 20 in  -  35 x 51 cm     Watercolor     Rain kept us in the studio on the Friday. This was my effort, done from a ref photo supplied by John.

Addendum
For photos from the course use these links 2008 2007 or go via the RogerPf's photos sidebar on the right. Note each gallery has a slideshow option, use the link top right.

Addendum 2
In the comments I have been asked what "plein aire" is? It is from the french "en pleine aire" meaning "out in the fresh air" as opposed to painting in the studio.