Ivon Hitchens (1893 – 1979) is much-loved for his landscape paintings featuring swathes of bright colour, many painted in the open air surrounding his secluded Sussex home. Yet there is more to the artist than the post-war work for which he is best known. This exhibition, the largest on Hitchens since 1989, considers the whole scope of the British painter’s career, which spanned a remarkable six decades.
Hitchens was a progressive artist in the 1920s and ‘30s. He was one of the earliest members of the experimental Seven and Five Society alongside Ben Nicholson, Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth. He also tapped into what was happening on the continent, particularly in France. Whilst looking to Cèzanne and Matisse in particular, Hitchens chose to focus on the subject matter right in front of him – the landscapes of Sussex, as well as flower paintings, interiors and studies of the nude and of family members.
For Hitchens colour is light and light is space.
Patrick Heron
His retreat from London to Sussex at the outset of the Second World War gave rise to an extraordinary body of paintings that were international in spirit despite being rooted in the English landscape. During this time he painted repeatedly at his home near Petworth, and at surrounding locations in the South Downs – Heyshott, Didling and Iping Common in particular. The last decade of his life saw a heightening of his palette, as he spent more and more time at his holiday coastal cottage at Selsey.
T202 IM 75
This exhibition of over 70 works provides a once in a generation opportunity to consider one of Britain’s most enduringly popular modern painters in a whole new light.
Curated by Anne Goodchild in partnership with Pallant House Gallery.
A summer heatwave is supposed to hit us today, but there might be a deluge instead. Even Wiltshire can feel uncomfortable occasionally. I am thinking of introducing a siesta for July and August. October in Andalucia should be a gentler heat, with pools, tennis, art, and a Spanish siesta rolled in together.
I am dreaming of Spain even if I have to wait until late September to get there. Persimmon and pomegranates will be on the trees, in the still lifes, and in the evening cocktails.
Contact me if you want more information. Kate Measham
Sunday 29th September – Sunday 6thOctober, 2019
Full Board and tuition, £1,550 per person, no single supplement, own room and en suite bathroom.
“Andalucia is one of the most beautiful corners of Europe, where the excesses of modern life do not seem to have taken root and travellers are welcomed as honoured guests. Beloved by Orson Welles and Ernest Hemingway, it is the Spain of Carmen, Figaro and Flamenco. Rich with the legacies of the Moors and Romans its charm and serenity will captivate you.” Sunday Times
Casa Rosa in the autumn, made for artists
In late September join us for art and culture in the Axarquía, the mountainous area to the north east of Malaga. The hills and orchards of Andalucía will be ripe with autumn fruit. Casa Rosa, nestling into the surrounding hills, will have pomegranates, garden flowers and persimmon fruit growing in their orchards and gardens.
If you join us at Casa Rosa you can expect a week with an intensive painting and drawing program, a week of delicious, healthy food made from local produce, and a week in one of the most delightful, comfy, luxurious houses in southern Spain.
For an inclusive fee of £1,550, all meals will be provided, together with drinks and snacks, as well as transport to and from Casa Rosa. No hidden extras.
The road winds to and fro, taking you to and from Casa Rosa
Kate Measham, an experienced artist and teacher, will tutor the group from the exquisite setting of Casa Rosa ( do look at the website to see more about the buildings and the estate) with our host, Rosie Tatham welcoming you to her home.
Rad.ish in the shape of Jessica Tatham will delight you with her delicious and beautiful food.
Kate Measham, tutor
Kate has been teaching and running courses in Hampshire for over 10 years including regular courses on the Greek Island Zakynthos.
Having studied ‘Visual Art through Drawing’ at Winchester School of Art, Kate has since expressed her ideas through a range of media in painting, drawing, printing, wood turning and teaching, always using her imagination and expressing those ideas figuratively, or semi abstractly.
Drawing is the cornerstone of Kate’s work. She is keen to encourage her students to explore, investigate, be intuitive and imaginative through drawing.
Despite the energy, strength and colour of Kate’s artistic style, she is not interested in creating a house style, but in encouraging students to find their own voice and helping them to develop the necessary skills to explore it.
She has exhibited at Josie Eastwood Gallery, The Angelus Gallery, Fisherton Mill, and other spaces.
Locally Sourced Food and Wine
Pomegranates grow in the surrounding orchards . Their pink blush is matched by this rug from Casa Rosa. This bowl is from potteries in Granada, about an hour away.
Pomegranates are in season
The week will have a house party feel. You will eat most meals together with Kate, Rosie and the other students. Casa Rosa sits in the middle of its own orchards and autumn will see the orchards groaning with fruit. The house and cottages are full of delightful surprises collected locally and from years of travel.
This year we have the added temptation of ‘Rad.ish’ doing our catering. Rad.ish is the health and eco conscious catering business of Jessica Tatham, a Ballymalloe trained chef and regular visitor to Casa Rosa. Have a look at her website for a visual feast https://www.rad-ish.co.uk
Having completed chef training, Jessica has gone on to develop her own health and well-being based catering business. Her approach is to serve warm salads and raw food and to combine that with other very comforting solutions to restore the heart and soul after a day of hard labour at the easel.
Together, mother and daughter, Jessica and Rosie have spent many years travelling the world and discovering different gastronomic delights. They will attempt to accommodate any nutritional requirements, but please give good warning before you arrive.
The Artists’ Day
Breakfast will be a rolling affair from 8.30 – 9.30am.
From 10.00 until 1.00pm there will be a three-hour, taught morning session in the studio followed by a delicious and healthy lunch, a possible siesta and time for you to work on your own projects.
Tuition will resume from 5.00 until 7.00pm for a further 2 hours of painting, or drawing. After the evening session, you will gather for drinks and supper.
There will be many opportunities for discussion and analysis – if you want to – over wine, olives and food.
What to Expect on the Course
The week will be suitable for everyone, from beginners to the experienced. Projects will be personalised to meet allskill levels.
The course will be based at Casa Rosa using their studio and enjoying the panoramic views of dramatic mountains, olive covered farmland and mature, colourful gardens and grounds.
painting in the sun
Looking at the house from the pool
A glimpse of the irresistible wiggly road
Complementary colours in the garden
Casa Salvador
evening view from Casa Rosa
You will work on both quick sketches and paintings and longer projects, looking at how to capture a feeling of place and atmosphere. Colour, palette, tone, mark making, and composition will form the basis of the week.
Trying to capture Casa Rosa
Risks, experimentation and new approaches will be encouraged.
A sketchbook diary of the week will help you to recall all when you return home.
Orange and blue still life
There is a tennis court, swimming pool, delightful gardens and table tennis to divert you (if you need diverting). Rosie can advise you about walks in the area. You can use the studio at anytime.
There will be a rest day in the middle of the week. Various activities will be on offer such as walking, or visiting the village of Periana. You may prefer to sit by the pool, catch up on a painting project, or read a book. Participants are free to join in the lessons as much as they like, or to sit some of them out and enjoy the facilities offered at Casa Rosa and its surrounding area, the Axarquía.
Partners may accompany artists and simply relax and enjoy Casa Rosa.
The group will not exceed 12 artists but non-painting partners are welcome.
The Boring Bits
Sunday 29thSeptember – Sunday 6thOctober, 2019.
£1,550 includes full board, with your own room and ensuite and tuition.
There is no single supplement.
However, if two artists book together, and share a room, they will get a £200 reduction, each. For a non-participating partner sharing a room there is a fee of £1150. A deposit of £300/person secures a place on this course.
Collection and return to Malaga Airport at the beginning and end of your stay are included in the price if you choose to book our suggested flights. If we need to book a taxi to collect, or deliver you to an alternative flight this will be at your cost.
Transport as necessary to the sites we visit will also be included. For any further errands a taxi service is available.
If you wish to be more independent there are a number of car hire companies at Malaga airport.
Nearer departure Kate will send a list of suggested equipment. We can supply some art equipment such as solvents, paints, canvas etc at local prices (to leave more space in your suitcase), and arrange for a courier to bring back your work – please tell us what you want.
There will be cartridge paper, drawing boards, and easels available free of charge.
We advise you to have travel insurance.
Places on the course are limited so allocation will be made on a first come, first served basis according to deposit paid. Kate Measham at Casa Rosa reserves the right to cancel for whatever reason. In the event of cancellation you will be advised of vacancies on alternative courses. If you do not wish to book on an alternative course, a full refund for the course will be given when Kate Measham at Casa Rosa cancels.
In the event of cancellation by the student, we will endeavour to fill your place and if successful we will refund your deposit, if we are unable to fill your place the deposit will be non-refundable.
If you want to chat about the trip please contact:
Kate Measham on kate@artdrawpaint.com or T:+44 01980 863155
Or Rosie Tatham on rosie@tatham.biz or T:07940 833025
At the push of a button you can capture your image on a phone. Who hasn’t taken a selfie? Who hasn’t taken a second, and a third to find a better image? A self-portrait is an altogether slower, contemplative process; we are all much more than a moment’s click on a phone. This is an opportunity to explore portraiture and work on the face we think we know so well.
Renowned portrait artist, Nick Bashall, will be teaching at The Studio, Bransbury, nr Winchester for a 2.5 day self-portraiture course. Lessons at his studios in London are highly sought after. This is a chance to learn how to look, see and to paint through the eyes of a master of his craft.
The course is suitable for all abilities. Whilst the focus is on learning, the atmosphere is one of fun in a relaxed environment. This promotes the sharing of ideas both in the studio and over meal times.
Nick Bashall
Although born in England,to a British army officer and a painter, Nick Bashall emigrated with his family to the then British colony of Southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, when his father joined the colonial forces. At the age of 20 Nick returned to England to study law at Cambridge University and was a heavyweight boxing blue. He practised law for a few years before returning to his first love, art, studying at the art school of Joaquin Torrents Llado in Mallorca, Spain for 5 years.
Nick has developed an impressive portraiture clientele, including HRH the Princess Royal, HRH Princess Michael of Kent, the family of the Duke of Westminster, General Sir Michael Jackson, and Bill Powers, President of the University of Texas, to name a few. He has an established reputation as a war artist. The British Army has invited him several times over the years to paint in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. Under its protection, he has painted large canvases on the streets, with crowds of local inhabitants looking on.
In 2016 he and Nicky Philipps joined forces in the historic Rossetti Studios in Flood Street, Chelsea, to share their combined and considerable knowledge with students.
For more information about Nick’s work, his approach to teaching, and videos of him in action try these two links:
The course will take place in a delightful, purpose-built wooden studio overlooking the Hampshire chalkstream, the River Dever. It is tucked away on the edge of a small hamlet but still easily accessible from the A303, from Winchester and Stockbridge. Both residential and non-residential students will be welcomed on the course.
Non-Residential
£425/person for 2.5 days tuition, materials, lunch, tea, and coffee included.
The course will start promptly at 10.00 on Friday morning, through until lunch at 1.00. The afternoon session starts at 2.00 and runs until 5.00. There will be coffee and tea breaks at regular intervals throughout the day.
Sunday morning class will run until 12.30 followed by buffet lunch.
We suggest you join the residential party on the Thursday evening and join us for supper at Riverside Cottage at 7.30, before the course begins.
Supper will be available for everyone on the course each evening. It will be a sociable event with a chance to catch your breath and relax after a good day’s work. If you are staying at Riverside cottage the meal is included in the price. Those of you who are not staying at Riverside have the option of a hearty supper for an extra £25 per night.
Residential Options
If you would like to stay near the Studio in Bransbury here are a few options, in addition to the cost of the course. Please speak directly to the places concerned. We would recommend Riverside Cottage so you are on site. There are 5 bedrooms so it is on a first come first served basis.
Clare Dryden, who created the delightful studio, house and gardens is offering a special price of £300/head for three nights, dinner, bed and breakfast. If you wish to share a room there will be a reduction of £20/head/night. Arrive at 6.00pm on Thursday 14thNovember giving you time to unpack, unwind and relax before supper.
Please inform us of any dietary requirements in advance so we can prepare alternative options.
Plus ones
We welcome ‘plus ones’. Whether your partner / friend is a painter, or not, there is plenty to do around Riverside Cottage. We can recommend the Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery, Winchester and Salisbury Cathedrals, walks in the Test Valley, or curl up in front of a log fire and read a book.
Don’t hesitate to call us for more information. Plus ones are required to pay £240 for dinner, bed and breakfast.
For more information please contact Kate Measham: 01980 863155 or kate@artdrawpaint.com
£320/2 day course, to include a light lunch each day
Sarah Spackman is a contemporary figurative artist well known for her still-life paintings. The Josie Eastwood Gallery regularly shows her work. It is in many private collections and a number of paintings are part of the contemporary art collection of the AIB Bank.
This course is open to anyone who would like to learn about, or to improve their colour mixing skills.
Using oil paints, you will look at how colours are created, and what effect they have on each other in a painting. Every artist should make their own colour wheel and you will start by making wheels and looking at how colours are mixed. Then, working from a simple still-life set up, you will mix a large variety of colours and look at the difference between them and how they interact.
Experience is not necessary, just a large palette to give plenty of space in which to mix paint.
