Antonia Black
My basic approach to teaching, is to first discover and appraise the talents and abilities of my students and to generate within them, the confidence and enthusiasm to maximise these abilities and create work that will inspire their future output.
What will students gain if they come on one of your courses?Students new to watercolour will be shown enjoyable ways to mix colours and the basic technique of watercolour painting. They will be advised as to the best materials that can be successfully utilised in this medium.
More advanced students will be guided to be adventurous with the use of colour, and taught how to make the best use of it. They will learn how to be imaginative with the composition and painting of every day objects, how to be inspired by landscape, and capture the ver changing moods of a particular location. Painting gives pleasure to the observer as well as to the artist. Painting is a joy and can be alot of fun. Shared pleasure and enjoyment, as well as new learning is a particular element we like to bring to those Artsists who paint with us. There will be time for criticism and appraisal and how we can all benefit from this.
Are there any particular techniques/processes you use in your teaching?Mixing of watercolour. Assembling imaginative still lives from basic and available objects. Demonstration and discussion of the basic techniques for watercolour, guache, mixed media including the use of inks, pencil and other elements along with basic watercolour. History and place of watercolour in the arts movement.
What inspires your own work?Particular inspirations are the colourful and vibrant works of the Impressionists, The Fauvres, The Scottish Colourists and other 20th century artists who brought new life, new colour, imagination and creativity to painting. With watercolour we can produce delightful and perfect landscapes, or use our medium in new colourful and imaginative ways.
Where can students see examples of your work?Roman Black Gallery, London
Where did you gain your training? Experience?
National Art School, Sydney Slade School of Fine Art, London
Teaching experience:London secondary schools and Kingston and Richmond Adult Education
Is your work in any public or private collections?UK, Australia, USA, France, Germany, Italy and Singer and Friedlander bank, London
Books and articles:Beginers Guide to Painting Watercolours - Rosemary Williams Who's who in Art Dictionary - Woman Artists of Australia A41 Artists and Illustrators The Artist
Professional groups and societies:University College Woman's Dining Room Friend- Royal Academy Friend - Tate Modern/Britain