Watercolour Portrait Workshop with Aine Divine at Schoolhouse for Art

Aine was shortlisted for the Irish National Portrait Award three years in a row and was an award winner in 1993. In 2005 she painted Mo Mowlam for BBC 1’s ‘Star Portraits’ and was delighted that her portrait was chosen to keep. In 2007 she painted Olympic triple jumper, Jonathan Edwards and her commissioned portraits include footballers for the Hibernian Historical Society and winners of the British Open Golf Championship. Aine was a finalist in the Sky Arts portrait artist of the year award 2014, painting singer Neil Hannon in the first round, then a double portrait of Richard Dawkins and Sally Hitchner in the semi-final, RSC voice coach Cicely Berry, and Sir Ian McKellen in the final.

Here’s an idea of what to expect on this workshop. “I will begin each day with a demonstration and take the opportunity to discuss ways I ease myself into the painting process. I’m a great believer in looking after ourselves as we go to paint, and being aware of the physical body. So I’ll be encouraging you to remember to breathe and generally look after yourself, keeping a radar up for any tension that may arise. I find we are then more willing to take that joyful leap of faith needed when painting from life.

I’ll also explain practical things, like what colours to mix to represent the shadows on the skin, the hair and so on. We will look at ways of using the flat brushes to explain the position of the features, and the general forms of the model, swiftly and with ease. I’ll also demonstrate lifting-off, so that you can feel the freedom of being able to lay the colour down with confidence, knowing you can ‘eat into it’ like a rubber in charcoal later on.

Dates: Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th January or 2 Day : Monday 21st & Tuesday 22nd January
Times: 10am – 4pm
Fee: €350
Location: Schoolhouse for Art, Enniskerry
Booking: schoolhouseforart.com/classes

Watercolour Portrait Workshop with Aine Divine at Schoolhouse for Art