Watercolour Class with Tony Burke

Tony’s teaching ethos is to launch straight into it, no lengthy preamble or theory. The class will learn as it paints.First he will determine what experience each attendee has regarding watercolour painting, in order to gauge the pace of the workshop. His choice of the first painting will please all, a simple but rewarding picture to take home. This will be a full size painting of a local view. Tony will work from a photograph, a copy of which will be provided for all. He will talk through choosing the view, simplifying complexities and planning the painting order. He will demonstrate each phase and the class will follow. They can refer to Tony’s painting and their photocopy. Tony will guide and advise as each phase is completed. As the course progresses, the class members are welcome to bring in their own subjects for painting, Tony will help in “finding the art”, simplifying complications or deconstructing classic paintings.

Tony Burke, is a Huddersfield artist with 60 years of watercolour experience (and he’s still learning). His style is frank and contrasty, unusual for a watercolourist. He will draw the main elements in pencil (mainly for correct positioning), paint from light to dark, then add the all important detail. He works at his desk or stand at his easel depending on the subject. He loves painting outdoors and meets with others on Fridays when the weather permits. He is versatile and will tackle any subject. You may think that watercolour has a traditional look about it; “Unfair” says Tony “Nothing is off limits”.

Tony studied at Bradford Art School in the seventies, before a working life as a Product Designer (with two patents and forty-odd registered designs under his belt) without ever forgetting his love of watercolour. He has his own YouTube channel, takes a live class each Monday and a Zoom session every Friday. He is a member of Huddersfield Art Society and last year he won Best in Show at the annual exhibition.

Watercolour paints:. A limited palette of colours: Burnt Umber, Burnt Sienna, Raw sienna, Alizarin Crimson, Scarlet, Ultramarine, Payne’s Grey, white gouache. All these are series A grade (“low” cost). Also useful, but not essential are: Naples yellow, Hooker’s Green, Cobalt Blue, Sepia and Neutral tint. Professional quality is best but expensive, student or Cotman grade is okay but you’ll use twice as much.

Brushes: Watercolour brushes: Keep it simple, I do 90% of my work with a Chinese goat hair at less than £10. Also useful, but not essential are 1” synthetic for washes and a No4 for detail work.

Watercolour paper: Good quality is required. Saunders Waterford, or Arches. 140lb minimum. CP or Rough. Loose or block (expensive). I will be using 15” x 11”

Sundries: Masking tape, soft pencil, eraser (putty is best), ruler. A mixing palette is provided but you should have your own

All materials are available online at www.calderartsupplies.co.uk. Or you can pick these up in store before the class begins.

Table Top Easel

13 x 17 12mm Warp resistant MDF Board

Palette or Mixing Plate

Minimum numbers apply for courses to run. Payment is due in full at the time of booking, either through the shop, phone or online. All sales are final unless transferring to another class in which a price difference will be paid. Full refunds will be given if the courses cannot take place. If you cannot make the classes for any reason no refunds will be given. We will allow the cost of tickets to be transferred to an alternative workshop (if space is available) but this request must be made at least 30 days before the start of the event you wish to transfer from, in such circumstances please give us a call at Calder Art Supplies 01484 422991.

Phone: You can book by calling us on our telephone number 01484 422991 or visit in-store.

Facebook: We also have an online booking option through our Facebook site:

https://www.facebook.com/CalderGraphic/

This will also give you a breakdown of the class details and times to attend.

If you have any issues booking online please give the shop a call and we will endeavour to sort this out over the phone.

Refreshments are available all day (tea, coffee, biscuits etc.) and there will be a lunch break of approximately one hour.

There are plenty of local shops and cafes in the area within close walking distance from the arcade.

Alternatively, you may bring your own lunch.

There is lift access to the studio on the second floor for those with mobility issues. Toilets are located close by on the studio level, however there is a small flight of stairs to access these. Alternatively, there are also toilets located on one level on the ground floor.

The nearest car park available to the venue is the multi-storey next to Huddersfield bus station. Levels 4, 5 & 6 - Monday to Saturday (8am to 6 pm)

£4.10 for up to 5 hours

£6.50 up to 6 pm.

After 6pm £1.60 per visit

Further parking information can be found here.

Alternative car parks can also be seen within similar distances on the same link above.

Our venue is also a 2-minute walk from both the main bus and train stations.

PLEASE ARRIVE AT LEAST 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE START TIME OF THE WORKSHOP AND “CHECK IN” AT CALDER GRAPHICS ON THE GROUND FLOOR.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Calder Art Supplies, Westgate Road, Huddersfield, United Kingdom