Actually, Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset Avon, a Chalk Stream, sketching and painting, with Sam Clayden
The River Avon is a chalk stream in the south of England. It rises in Wiltshire, flows through Salisbury, continues through west Hampshire, eventually reaching the English Channel through Christchurch, Dorset.
The chalk streams of southern England are a precious resource with their own flora and fauna. Interestingly, 80% of the world’s chalk streams are in England.
Seize this chance to learn about our beautiful river environment. Discover how to capture your days by the Avon in paint, and drawn sketches. This course is suitable for anyone but some experience of painting with oils would be helpful if you want to work from Sam’s demonstrations. You will look at the stretch between Amesbury and Salisbury.
John Constable thought Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows was his best work. He spent a lot of time making small sketches and paintings, capturing bite size views of river Avon landscapes.
Join Sam Clayden on this landscape workshop, and learn from his demonstrations at every step along the way. In August, make sure you are with him for three days on the Hampshire Avon, sketching and painting as you go.
Please note, the emphasis will be on drawing and oil painting.
- Tutor, Sam Clayden
- 18, 19, 20 August, 2025
- 10-5.00 each day.
- £330/3days To include a picnic lunch
- Meet in Amesbury, different spot each day, working outside
- Suitable for all.
Delicious lunch, coffee, tea and other refreshments provided through the day.
What to expect on Hampshire Avon Painting workshop
You will be exploring this chalk stream, and the surrounding water meadows. A different view each day involving sketching, tonal sketches, colour studies, compositional studies and work towards a final piece.
We will be walking on footpaths, small country roads and by the river. This is a beautiful place to paint but the ground may be damp and uneven.
Materials
A more comprehensive materials list will be issued with booking.
- Canvases or panels
- pochade box with tripod or field easel
- Brushes
- Solvent + jar/tin
- Linseed or safflower oil + jar
- Kitchen roll/rags
- Backpack or means of carrying materials
Sam Clayden
Sam Clayden is a portrait and landscape artist working in London.
Alongside working on commissions and personal projects for exhibition, he is an experienced teacher. Sam runs drawing and painting workshops in his Lonmdon studio and elsewhere. He regularly exhibits across London and the rest of the UK. This includes work in the Royal Institute of Oil Painters Annual Exhibition at the Mall Galleries.
When painting landscapes, Sam is primarily interested in capturing moments of light and atmosphere through attention to colour harmony, tone and shape. Sam has painted hundreds of landscape sketches whenever he has a spare moment. He believes anyone can learn to paint convincing impressions of nature. They just need to be prepared to fail a lot along their journey…note failing along the way whilst experimenting, exploring and learning!
To find out more about the Hampshire Avon follow the link below:
If you are interested in landscape painting you might like to find out more about this competition, based in Salisbury…on the river Avon