TALENTED artists have been brushing up their watercolour techniques with the help of a local painter.
Barnard Castle School art scholars and sixth formers spent the day with Lartington artist Anne Lee working to develop their skills with a challenging medium.
“If you aren’t careful you can end up with a muddy puddle when mixing your watercolours,” she told students from Years 9 to 12. “But it’s a fabulous technique, if a little unforgiving.”
Students were asked to draw a cockerel, then use a wax crayon on certain areas to protect them from the paint.
Head of art Kate Baptist said: “We like to provide opportunities for the students to work with professional artists to build and enhance their portfolios, experience different techniques and processes and immerse themselves for a day.”
For year 12 student Ava Pittaway, whose mother Lucy is a professional artist, the workshop provided the chance to work in a new medium. “I do work on commissions but not normally in watercolours,” said the 16-year-old, of Richmond, who is studying A levels in economics, chemistry and biology. “I feel like I’ve learned a lot from the workshop.”