John Christian is one of Dartmoor's foremost watercolour landscape painters. Painting has been running, like a thread, through his life for over 60 years. Inspired by Wesson, Seago and Merriott among others, he is rooted in their distinct tradition. Like them, John is driven by an immediacy of response to a deeply felt sense of place which necessarily involves fast sketching. He is profoundly inspired both emotionally and visually by the landscape of Dartmoor, of which he has an intimate knowledge. He works swiftly, with spontaneity and a sense of quiet passion, preferably out-of-doors and is known for his fast, wet-into-wet approach. He has contributed to 'Leisure Painter' and is a popular demonstrator. Heorganised his own residential courses for 16+ years and tutored too in Scotland, the South of France, Tuscany and Majorca. He has also exhibited with the Pure Watercolour Society.
Join nature-connection expert Dartmoor's Daughter and artist John Christian for a day of gentle walking, sketching and painting. We will wander slowly to the mighty Kestor, through Bronze Age stone rows, burial cistvaens, a standing stone, and an Iron Age pound. Watercolour tuition will be for all levels - you will learn to enhance the artistic skills you already have or learn new techniques and media.
And the walk will be approximately 1-1.5 miles across open moorland. It will be a slow pace with several stops to sketch, paint, and have lunch. There is also one gentle incline hill to the tor, and down again.
Tickets
£45 adults
Further Information
Meeting place: Meldon Aplite Quarry car park. Map Reference SX567921. The nearest postcode for satnav is EX20 4LR but that won't get you past Betty Cottles Inn (see below) so please don't rely on it to get you to the exact spot!
From the A30 (East or West direction) at Sourton Cross follow the B3260 signed for Okehpamton. After about 1.5 miles you will see the 'Betty Cottles Inn'. Take the road with a 'dead end' signpost to Meldon Quarry. Drive over the A30, and under the viaduct. Keep driving past the quarries on your right until you reach a no entry sign where there is a small turn off to the right and a large one-storey building next to it. Turn down here and into the carpark.
What to bring: Dartmoor weather is changeable so bring plenty of warm layers, sunscreen, sturdy walking shoes, waterproofs. Bring lunch and a drink. And bring your own painting/drawing materials, pencil, rubber, sharpener and sketch pad.
Cost: £45 for adults. Group size is limited so pre-booking essential.
Cancellation: The walk maybe postponed if the weather forecast is awful (strong winds or heavy rain) and you will be sent an email 12- 24 hours prior to the event so please keep an eye on this FB event page and your emails (including junk mail). You will be invited to attend the new date or offered a refund. Sorry no refunds if you are unable to attend.
Risk: Walks are at your own risk. No responsibility accepted for accidents or incidents.