Last summer, I had the chance to take a landscape painting course in London that left me feeling inspired, fulfilled, and full of gratitude for the experience.
I randomly stumbled upon London Fine Art Studios (LFAS) during one of many Google searches for an intensive art class. I had been looking for something for a while, but I felt like most painting courses I came across were not as “intensive” as I wanted or cost a lot.
As I looked through their website, I felt like it was a perfect fit for me. I have tried planning a trip to the United Kingdom several times throughout the last 10+ years and it’s never worked out, so the course being in London felt like more of a sign that this was the one! I talked to someone at the school and she was so positive and encouraging, which made me even more excited about the course.
LFAS offers a full month of intensive classes every July. I really wanted to do the full month, and we tried to make it work, but logistically, it was really difficult. Even making one week work was tough to arrange. Miraculously, a lot of things lined up perfectly, and I was able to do the 1-week landscape painting course in London in the summer of 2022, and then do 12 days of travel around the UK after that.
The course was truly wonderful. The instructors for the course were Ann Witheridge, the founder of LFAS, and Maddy, the assistant instructor. Ann and Maddy were so lovely and I so appreciated their feedback, tips, and help as I dove into oil and landscape painting. It was a bit overwhelming, but I love that we just jumped right in.
Ann talked a lot about harmonious color, and I think about that and the tips she offered along with that every time I paint. Both Ann and Maddy worked on paintings during the course as well, and it was helpful to see their process, color choices, strokes, etc. I had a great week and felt so fulfilled. I hope to make it back to London at some point to take more courses!
Day 1 | Monday
We started at London Fine Art Studios in Battersea for our landscape painting course. After an introduction and a short lecture at the studio, we walked to Clapham Common. We did some sketching around the park of different angles and landscapes. It started to rain, so we decided to break for lunch.
After lunch, we met back at the studio for another short lecture and then walked to a small park and did more sketching. Ann and Maddy walked around and observed, answered questions, and provided feedback throughout both sketching sessions.
Day 2 | Tuesday
For day two of my landscape painting course, we met at Clapham Common near the bandstand. We had a short lecture and then broke off to find a spot to paint. I set up painting a group of trees for my first painting. I literally stood there, unsure of where to start for quite a while before putting paint to canvas. Quite intimidating (some may say). It started raining at one point, so I moved under a large tree for a bit to shelter from the rain.
After a few hours, I broke for lunch and went to Pear Tree Cafe that was just nearby. I ate with a friend from class and enjoyed a sandwich and some crisps. Then, back to painting!
For my second painting, I picked a church steeple a ways off in the distance with trees surrounding it. Ann and Maddy walked around again, observing and assessing our paintings.
Day 3 | Wednesday
For class today, we met at Battersea Park near the Peace Pagoda. We started by doing a value painting of our chosen subject. I painted a view of the River Thames with a building and a boat. This painting really gave me a hard time! I struggled with it a lot, I couldn’t get it to look right!
I went to Pier Point Cafe at Battersea Park and ordered a sandwich, crisps, and tea. It was kind of chilly, so it was nice to warm up a bit!
After lunch, I continued to struggle with the painting, especially the boat and the building. I felt like the boat started to come together, but I ended the day with an unfinished painting.
Day 4 | Thursday
We met in the same place today as we did the day before (the Peace Pagoda). I decided to paint the Chelsea bridge today. Again, we started by doing a value study.
Next, I moved on to my color version. It is always so scary to start! After painting for a bit, I took a break at Pier Point Cafe for some lunch.
After lunch, I picked back up with my painting. Ann and Maddy were just a helpful as always. I really enjoyed walking around and seeing other people’s paintings, and watching their process. It was helpful to see how they were creating their strokes and moving their brushes. Ann and Maddy were both painting too, and it was helpful to see their process.
Day 5 | Friday
We met at a different part of Battersea Park today, near the Boating Lake. After a short lecture by Ann, we broke off to begin our final paintings. I decided to paint the pond with the trees in the background.
For lunch, I walked over to Pear Tree Cafe and grabbed a sandwich and crisps. After that, I flipped my painting upside down to switch things up while I worked on the reflection of the trees in the pond.
I flipped it back the correct way and was able to finish it by the end of the day. The week went by fast, but it was filled with so much, exactly what I was hoping for!
I loved my week landscape painting in London and I can’t say enough good things about LFAS and the course!
