Morandi, Still Life and Abstraction
Michael Weller’s paintings fill me with joy, and remind me of the joy of painting.
When I discuss a class with him he shares his enthusiasms, especially for the artists who have influenced his work. The enthusiasm is infectious. Michael sees the world with a pencil in his hand (or a biro, a Little Brian paint stick, a felt-tip, a pastel, a wax crayon), always catching the shapes, the colour, the line and the moment.
Below is his description of the class, Inspired by Morandi. Not to be missed.
When I started to study art, I liked the abstract artists. I went very abstract for a while, enlarging sections of drawings till they were just shapes.
A teacher said you can have abstract relationships within a figurative painting. I came back to form.
I still like the semi-abstract artists, the outlines of shapes and the flat patches of colour. What is that thing? Oh, yes, it’s a milk bottle, a cup, some apples.
I keep coming back to Morandi.
I like his trembly pencil drawings of shapes, just outlines. I like his watercolours of lozenge-like shapes balancing against each other. I particularly like his very reduced late paintings. Soft earth colours. Quiet and calm paintings. It’s very appealing to me.
- Tutor, Michael Weller NEAC
- Monday 1st, Tuesday 2nd March, 2027
- 10-4.00
- £295/2 days, lunch included
- Mottisfont Village Hall, between Stockbridge and Romsey
- Plenty of parking available, constant tea and coffee.
- Some experience of drawing needed
What to expect on this Inspired by Morandi Workshop
This is my plan for the two days. I do a few demonstrations, just long enough to show what I’d like people to try. Then I go around and talk to people one to one. It will be a small class so there will be plenty of time for individual feedback.
At the same time, I like people to feel there is room to explore without me standing over them. The class is studious and relaxed at the same time.
We draw and paint a few domestic objects on the table. A cup, a bowl, a teapot, a teaspoon. Fruit. A milk bottle, my speciality.
The aim of the class is simplifying and quietening down to less lines and greater clarity of colour.
People’s work will be recognisably their own. This is rare in a class. Good conversations will be had. Also it will be great fun.
Materials
Drawing – day 1
The first day, paper, pencil, Bic pen and colour studies of things on the table. I love ordering new art materials, but it is fine to use whatever you have. It’s better to work with the materials you like.
This is what I like:
- Small to medium sketchpads. A5 is ideal. Or scraps of paper, backs of envelopes if you like.
- Black Bic Pen. A black sharpie pen.
- Chunk of compressed charcoal.
- Soft pastels. Jacksons Art soft pastels are good value. Unison pastels are supposed to be the best. Little Brian Paintsticks (age 3+) are cheap and good for blocking in colour.
- Watercolours
Painting – day 2
On day two, painting in oil colour, the things on the table. There are easels set up in the hall. There are tables and chairs.
I use oil paint, students can use the materials they like – pastel, watercolour, acrylic, it’s fine.
- Oil paint. This is my preferred palette. Titanium white. Jackson’s or Gamblin lemon yellow. Rose Madder. Cobalt blue hue. 60ml tubes or bigger, and at least twice as much white.
I use Jacksons Artists Colours. Use the brand you like. - Low-odour oil-paint solvent – not turps or white spirit. A small jar for the oil solvent. Zest-It or Sansador are fine.
- Brushes. Good to have some bigger brushes.
I like long filbert brushes, household brushes, palette knife, rags, newspaper, hands and fingers. - Small painting surface, up to 10 x 12 inches. I like cardboard with two coats of acrylic primer on either side. Not corrugated card. But use the surface you like to use.
- Palette or mixing surface. Paper tearaway palette is great. Wooden palette fine. Not too small. You want to have enough space to mix your colours.
- Kitchen paper or rags. (Bucket or bag for rubbish)
- Plastic disposable gloves are great.
- Apron is good. Don’t be like me and not wear an apron.
- Some hand gel to wash your paint-covered hands.
- Newspaper, or similar to cover work area.
If you have any questions contact:
You may be interested to try Michael Weller’s November 2026 course: Inspired by William Scott, Line, Shape and Colour – with Michael Weller
This two day weekend workshop will focus on painting things on a tabletop. You will pare things down a bit, just lines and colours and see what happens. To find out more take a look at the William Scott Website, run by his family.