July 30, 2008

We just finished our back-to-back oil painting workshops with HongNian Zhang and Lois Woolley. We had 5 students who took advantage of the back-to-back discount for these two workshops.

HongNian’s workshop started with some still life set ups on the first day and then worked from a live model for then next two days.

And now for a brief intermission featuring the lilting melody of some Irish Harp and Violin music performed by Fiona and Gillian Graham.

Fiona and Gillian were attending the Irish Music Festival classes while staying at the inn with their mom, Mary Graham, who was taking the workshop with HongNian. What a talented family!

Immediately following HongNian’s workshop, Lois’ workshop started.

I didn’t have the chance to snap any photos, but Lois’ started the class out working on a clay model of a person’s head. The purpose of which was to really get a hands on feel for the anatomy of a human head — to get a better understanding of the angles and planes used in a portrait. What a unique idea!

The remaining 4 days of the workshop were spent working with live models.

The lillies are blooming all over the property and everyone is enjoying the lovely scent, including this butterfly.