Jem Bowden

Artist Details

Artist Name: Jem Bowden
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Tuition

I am available for watercolour workshops and demonstrations in the city of Bristol and surrounding area.

I aim to tailor workshops specifically to each group's needs and experience level.

Demonstrations can be of whole paintings, or of techniques to achieve specific effects in context. My usual method is to work fairly fast, so it is possible to do 2 paintings in a 2 hour session. It usually depends on the subject, and how much you'd like me to talk!

I am also available to tutor one-to-one, always tailored to your current level of proficiency in watercolour and to your desired outcomes.

OUTDOOR PAINTING WORKSHOPS 2013

In May and July I will be running whole-day workshops in the inspiring 'plein air' tradition.
Places are limited to small groups, and jam-packed full of very practical advice specific to watercolour painting in the landscape.
The day includes demonstrations, close tutor support for each student and a clearly defined developmental structure.
There is nothing I enjoy more than introducing others to the absolute delights of the whole plein air experience. There is no substitute for the practice of working from life, surrounded by the beauty of nature.
I aim, before the day, to ascertain the expectations and desired outcomes for each participant, and this helps inform the exact content of the day.
The workshop is flexible to accommodate different levels of ability, but is primarily aimed at those with at least a basic grasp of watercolour as a medium, and up to intermediate level. More advanced painters who have not previously worked outdoors can also benefit from the workshop in many ways.

NB: The days are held entirely outside in locations close to Bristol, and sometimes at nature reserves within the city. There is the possibility that bad weather can necessitate a postponement at the last minute! I will communicate with all participants on the day previous to the workshop, to confirm the situation.

SPRING DATE:
Wednesday 8th May
(with possible postponement to Weds 15th May)

SUMMER DATE:
Wednesday 3rd July
(with possible postponement to Weds 10th July, and 2nd reserve day of Weds 17th July)

Price for the day is £35. Please telephone (0117 9711735) or email me, using the Contact form, to book a place or for further information.

 

Biography

I have painted watercolour since childhood.  At age 12 a visit to the Turner collection at The Clore Gallery then inspired an 'impressionistic' approach to capturing the experience of our landscape.  This is with me to this day. 

Self-taught in watercolour, I later obtained a 'Graphic Arts & Design' degree specialising in landscape oil monoprints. 
Following graduation, a period of 'subsistence' as an artist - exhibiting regularly in galleries, theatres, cafes etc while selling at a craft market and shops - gave way to a fairly brief stint as a 'Junior Graphic Designer'.  With no real passion for that type of visual work I am now employed part-time in an unrelated capacity and currently paint in all the 'spare' time I can find.
I work mostly outdoors, painting in the studio during the winter months, whilst also developing new workshops. 

Being a city dweller, local day trips, and holidays around the UK - largely spent painting - are my greatest pleasure. 
My inspiration comes from close experience of our countryside, flora and fauna.  I also enjoy the experience of all meteorologically interesting conditions!  It is only a shame that some of them are not conducive to on-the-spot painting.
The 'grandeur' of mountain, wilderness, and coastal scenery is a constant favourite; however a good light or atmospheric effect can bring just about any scene alive with all a good painting needs.

 

Exhibitions

30th of August - 26th of September 2013: The Folk House, Park Street, Bristol.
This will be an exhibition of recent work, all for sale.

 

Awards

'Highly Commended' in Professional Landscape or Woodland Scene category, SAA Artist of The Year 2013 competition, for painting 'Across the Weald from Malling Down'.

 

Media

Watercolour

 

Subjects

Landscape, Seascapes and Water, Skies, Trees and Foliage