This plein air workshop is for watercolour painters who are seeking a quick direct approach. The workshop will concentrate on the beautiful seascapes of Port Fairy. The workshop is designed for artists who want to advance their current skills to a new level and get the most out of their watercolour. Expect to spend a large proportion of the workshop painting outside.

About the tutor: Herman Pekel was born in Melbourne in 1956 of Dutch parents, the art teachers of Herman’s youth, Roger Webber, Ernest Buckmaster and Lance McNeill were all primarily oil painters, but the experience of painting with them on location left a strong impression on Herman, giving him the freedom of spontaneity and leaving him an intuitive painter, ultimately working from the light source. Herman painted spasmodically until 1981 before commencing a Fine Arts degree at RMIT and studying under Dale Hickey and Jeff Makin. Like many young artists Herman experimented for a time with abstract expressionism, but he is now well known for his oils and watercolours. Herman is an artist of energy and enthusiasm. He is able to see a painting in almost any subject matter and is capable of producing award winning work in oil, watercolour or gouache. Environmental issues are a great concern to Herman and his love of the landscape reflects that in almost everything he paints. He produces paintings of strong design and powerful impact - every brushstroke vibrant and visible. The scope of Herman’s work has ranged from dynamic industrial scenery to soft, draped interiors and broad Australian landscapes, which indicates the creatively fearless nature of this unique artist.

Materials list for students to bring to the workshop:

Name tag

Coffee mug

Plastic to cover your table

MATERIAL LIST

Ultramarine blue

Burn sienna

Raw sienna

Alizarin

Cad yellow pale

Viridian green

Australian red gold

small tube white acrylic

These are essential colours bring other colours

iPads are very useful

Hake brush

Brush with sharp point

Watercolour paper - cold pressed rough Arches or Saunders 300 gsm

Your general painting things including easel and equipment require for plein air painting

Bring as much as you can brushes colours etc etc