Abstract Forest Painting Workshop
21 November | 9:30 - 15:30
Join artist Jo Starkey in The Studio for a fun and inspiring day creating a vibrant abstract forest painting at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens.
Inspired by the magic of woodland scenes, this full-day workshop focuses on building rich layers of colour, light and atmosphere to create a striking contemporary forest painting full of depth and luminosity.
Working with acrylics on board, you’ll experiment with a variety of techniques and tools as you gradually develop your painting layer by layer. No artistic ability is required, and the trees themselves are surprisingly easy to paint. The process is relaxed, enjoyable and highly rewarding, with each stage adding more colour and character to your work.
Suitable for beginners and more experienced painters alike, you’ll leave with your own magical woodland masterpiece.
A break for lunch will be taken with afternoon tea which includes scones with cream and jam, a sandwich, a slice of cake and a tea or coffee per person. Please email info@leonardsleegardens.co.uk if you have any allergies or dietary requirements.
£125 per person | 10% off for Members | Over 16s only
Garden entry included | Tea & coffee will be provided throughout the workshop | Materials included | Free parking for Leonardslee members | Parking Information
About Jo Starkey
Jo Starkey is an established local and worldwide selling artist. Working from her studio in Ditchling, the inspirational portrayals of meadow flowers, windblown grasses and trees, originate in her lifelong passion for nature and her experience of the Sussex landscape.
Growing up in a rural environment, gave her a great appreciation of the natural world and the countryside, which along with her love of art enthused her to become a floral and landscape artist.
Jo’s intention is to distil the essence of nature and its magic into her paintings, which she creates using acrylics and mixed media. She uses a layering process, incorporating a range of different materials, which lends itself to the scenery that she paints, creating depth and texture.
Jo likes to play with colour, and this can dictate the composition of a painting. She spends all the time she can walking in the Sussex countryside, and always has her camera to hand which allows her to capture a tableau as and when it happens.
She says: “There are those moments where the sun creates a beautiful light, glinting through wild grasses or meadows, or other times when it can be grey and mysterious, with light shining through the trees. I am drawn to colour and light, and I love the way nature is affected by the seasons and is constantly shifting and changing.”