This past June, I had the pleasure of hosting another one of my botanical art workshops at the beautiful Market at Grelen in the Virginia countryside - and boy was it one for the books! I try to match the workshop theme to plants that are in season so that attendees can be surrounded by real flora for reference. Because it's early summer, I thought it would be perfect to paint vibrant, realistic, and juicy strawberries in watercolor. Just wait till you see the photos from the day taken by Tiffany at WestOakStyle. She did a phenomenal job capturing the event!
Here's an in-depth walkthrough of the day so you can see what attending one of my workshops is like:
Setting Up for the Workshop
As I mentioned, I always like to have the tables decorated with real, fresh flowers and fruit to use as reference and inspiration. This also helps immerse everyone in nature, which is that much more relaxing.
Each attendee's place setting included one of my special workshop folders along with their palette, paint, and brushes. It includes my custom take-home guide to watercolor painting (to help them remember all the tips and techniques at home) and their pre-sketched class project.
Welcoming Attendees to The Market At Grelen
Once the tables were set, everyone started arriving to the Market at Grelen which was absolutely bursting with colorful summer blooms and unique garden wares around every corner. What a perfect venue to partner with - truly a match made in heaven!
We were situated in the shade garden under the covered pergola with climbing mandevilla vines winding their way around the entryways.
Learning the Basics
We started with the basics so everyone was starting from the same place! My favorite thing is having total beginners arrive nervous but leave feeling inspired and more capable. I talked all about the tools and techniques and even more importantly about mindset, why painting is good for your mental health, and how to enjoy the creative process despite its challenges. Everyone was in the right frame of mind before we started putting paint on paper.
Then, everyone began testing out their materials, getting comfortable with their brushes and practiced the painting techniques that would get them ready to begin painting strawberries.
I came around to each table to demonstrate the techniques so attendees could see how things worked up close and in real time. Everyone had a chance to get one-on-one help and ask me as many questions as they wanted. It was really important to me that everyone was relaxed and enjoying the experience as much as they were learning new skills!
The Class Project
Now everyone was ready to put their new-found skills to the test and dive into their class projects. My workshop packets come with different views of what the project is supposed to look like throughout the process so you can have a "map" to reference along the way. It was so rewarding seeing everyone create such bold, vibrant berries right off the bat, clearly feeling more confident after our practice session.
I continued circling around the tables answering questions, demoing skills, and refilling paints. We took breaks throughout so everyone could stretch and grab something good to eat and drink from the cafe.
The Final Result
I cannot begin to tell you how pleasantly surprised and proud I felt of everyone (and I'm not just saying that)! I could visibly see the growth in each person's skillset - just after one class. Each person's art project looked like my guide yet had their own variation in style - kind of like a fingerprint - that made their painting unique to them. This was so cool to see and I see it at every workshop!
Can you believe that these two ladies had NO prior watercolor painting experience?! NONE. They each left with a beautifully completed painting. I was so proud of them!
What did attendees think of the workshop?
★★★★★
"I attended one of these classes and had such a great experience. I have almost no experience painting, but I have wanted to learn. Whether you were a beginner or experienced, she made everyone feel welcome, and everyone turned away with a piece of art that exceeded their expectations. It was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon."
More Kind Words From Students
★★★★★
"My friend and I attended the class together. We enjoyed it so much! Neither of us can paint, and with Courtney's help, we walked away with something legitimately frame-worthy! Courtney is an excellent teacher, and clearly, a talented artist! The location was beautiful! We had lunch, shopped, and walked the grounds. The entire experience was a treat!"
Join Us Next Time!
Grab a friend and join us next time for a creative and fun afternoon out! Whether you're just starting or looking to refine your skills, these workshops provide a perfect opportunity to unleash your creativity! Before or after the class you can have lunch in the Grelen cafe, shop in the boutique and/or hike the six miles of Grelen Trails. The shop and trails are open 10am to 4pm and the cafe is open 11am - 3:30pm. Don’t miss this chance to create and indulge in a fun day with me at The Market at Grelen.