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Watercolour painting for beginners – 'en plein air'

Petworth offers the unique opportunity to explore the wonders of watercolour in this iconic location. From blank paper to finished work, your tutor will help and encourage you to learn and gain confidence.

  • Booking essential

This course is for those new to watercolour who would like to learn to paint outdoors in the surroundings of Petworth House and Park. You will meet at Petworth House and spend the whole day discovering where JMW Turner was inspired. You will work in the grounds and in the studio at Petworth House.

The day will consist of demonstrations, explanations, guidance and encouragement. You will be shown how to use the materials supplied to produce a series of exercises that will enable you to move forward with this wonderful medium. You will use the small quick exercises to experiment and develop the options available and progress to complete at least one finished painting.

You will be encouraged to explore the flexibility of watercolour, mixing pigment on the palette and the paper's surface. You will be guided with subject selection, how to construct a painting using composition and collective areas to draw the viewers focus.

At the end of the course, you will have a selection of studies and at least one finished painting. Join your tutor to explore and learn.

Times

Prices

Event ticket prices

Ticket typeTicket category
All £209.00

The basics

Booking details

Call 01243 818300

Suitability

Not suitable for children

Meeting point

Please meet at Petworth House reception from 10am for a 10.15am start (the car park opens at 10am).

What to bring and wear

Please see Course Materials section on the West Dean course information page.

Accessibility

It is a 10 minute walk from the main visitor car park to the studio at Petworth. There is a mobility vehicle for those who might find this walk difficult.

Other

Please be aware that in the event of extreme weather forecast, such as high winds, the site at Petworth may be closed. We will inform you the day before if a cancellation becomes necessary and refund the cost of the course in full.

Upcoming events

Ship Ahoy! Family Trail 

Step into the world of J.M.W. Turner and set sail on an artistic adventure through Petworth House and Garden!

Event summary

on
23 Aug to 7 Sep 2025
at
10:00 to 17:00
+ 15 other dates or times

Introduction to ink at Petworth House 

An introduction to the fluid and versatile qualities of ink, in collaboration with West Dean College. Learn to control and allow the ink to flow to produce a variety of exciting outcomes.

Event summary

on
23 Aug 2025
at
10:15 to 16:45

Fun Art Fridays 

This summer, Petworth House and Garden invites young artists to Fun Art Fridays—a series of hands-on creative sessions inspired by the legendary painter J.M.W. Turner!

Event summary

on
29 Aug 2025
at
10:30 to 15:30

Painting the landscape – Turneresque 

This course will take its inspiration from Petworth House and Park and the exhibition of Turner's paintings. Explore the use of acrylic paints to evoke atmosphere and space in your paintings.

Event summary

on
29 Aug to 31 Aug 2025
at
18:45 to 21:00
+ 2 other dates or times