Wilding the Watercolour Autumn Edition 2026
Contemporary watercolour workshops with Noël O´Callaghan
DATES
Wednesdays 26 August to 30 September
TIMES
SHARE
Wilding the Watercolour – Contemporary watercolour workshops with Noël O´Callaghan
Autumn Edition
Wednesdays 26 August to 30 September
10:30 to 12:30
Limited places / €180 per person including materials and refreshments
Booking direct with artist – 085 2748144 / nocal@gmx.net
This watercolour course is energetic and bold in direction, taking inspiration from fauvism and expressionism. There will be special emphasis on the Autumn watercolour. The colours at this time of year are so beautiful that they can sometimes be almost overwhelming. The course will therefore focus on conveying this rich variety through reduction with an emphasis on the elemental colour and forms to be found in nature during this season.
As always, we will be embracing the dynamic nature of the material, enjoying its sensuality and fluidity rather than pursuing a strict academicism. However, we will also study classical techniques and concepts such as washes, layering, perspective, figure, foreground and background, and using the white of the paper as light. In other words, we find out about the rules, and then break and bend them to serve our own individual creativity!
Watercolour as a medium is sometimes perceived as staid and conservative, but this does not have to be the case. In fact, the immediacy of watercolour makes it especially suitable to spontaneous work. The materials are light to transport making it perfect for outdoor work (even for those without a car) and because it is odourless and fast-drying, it is especially suitable for people with limited, or no, studio space. This workshop provides an opportunity to try out and get advice on professional quality watercolour paint, brushes and paper and get a feel for the materials before committing to the expense of purchasing your own.
We will explore the various properties of paper and brushes, look at colour theory and colour recipes, gestural mark-making, negative space and practice exercises which take the fear and nervousness out of making a watercolour. We will strike the balance between delicacy, transparency, strength and intensity which makes for a vibrant, lively and modern watercolour. We will also look at ways of rescuing ‘failed’ works in what is often considered an unforgiving medium. I will share tips on reusing and recycling materials, thus promoting sustainability in our practice. This is
not only beneficial in terms of the environment and our pocket, but also helps to loosen up and can lead to painting in a freer manner. Using mounts and frames, we will see how these radically change our perception of our work. There is no pressure to create a “finished” work but most participants find that they make a watercolour which they want to frame and have the basis for a number of others which will evolve to completion over time.
Noël was born in Cork City and her early art experience was in the studio of her father, the artist, Diarmuid O´Ceallachain, who was teacher of painting at the Crawford College. She studied for a time at the Crawford but found the art school system restrictive and left to follow a course of self-study through constant life-drawing and plein-air painting. She has used this experience to help many students to discover their own unique creative “voice” She moved in the mid-80s and has worked as an actor, singer and percussionist. These experiences all feed into her art practice. She has exhibited widely in solo and juried shows, has taken part in many festivals and events and has received awards from the both the Irish Arts council and the Berlin Ministry of Culture. Her work can be found in many private and public collections. She was artist -in – residence at Uillinn August- October 2024.
Her solo show, “Reasons to be Cheerfull” took place in the Lavit gallery in July 2025. Among the places she has shown are The Highlanes Gallery Boyle Arts Featival, The Crawford Art Gallery, Uillinn: West Cork Art Centre, RHA,, RUA, Dublin Theatre Festival, Catherine Hammond Gallery@ VUE, The Fenton Gallery, Cork, The Drawing Hub, Berlin, Gallery im Turm, Berlin, Hallward
Gallery, Dublin, Origin Gallery, Dublin., Lavit Gallery Cork, The New Theatre, Dublin, Cnoc Buí Art Centre, Union Hall, Galerie Michaela Helfrich, Berlin.
