New Year News from Town House Films

Next year gets off to an exciting start with a number of new releases already in the pipeline. In January we will be releasing Brian Ryder's New DVD Winter Landscapes in Oil.

Early next year will also see our second film with the amazing Jean Haines SWA. Her last DVD for us,  Amazing Ways With Watercolour,  has been a best seller and her army of fans around the world have clamoured for  a second release which will be out in early spring.

We are thrilled  to be working with a new artist Chris Forsey RI who will be showing how to produce incredible watercolours which go beyond the boundaries of traditional  watercolour painting. Chris is a very exciting artist and a member of the Royal Institute  Of Painters In Watercolour. Look out for this title in April.

Spring will also see the release of our third DVD with ROI President Peter Wileman. In response to many request from our customers around the world,  it will concentrate on Peter's abstract  oil landscapes which are a luscious feast of colour and tone.

Plus lots more exciting projects in the pipeline. In the meantime Elaine and I would like to wish all of our customers around the world a very happy and peaceful Christmas and a very painterly New Year!

New Brian Ryder DVD Out In January

We have just finished filming with Brian Ryder  for our first release of 2012 - Winter Landscapes in Oils. Brian is a devoted plein air painter and is keen to encourage all painters to tackle winter landscapes with their sparkling light and special atmosphere.

Brian painted in some lovely locations just a few miles from his home in Wells Next The Sea in Norfolk. The weather only defeated him once  - a picture we see him finishing off in the studio. The cold weather meant that Brian completed each picture in no more than and hour and a half and its fascinating to see just what can be achieved in a short space of time with heightened observation.

Judge for yourselves.

Brian's new DVD will be released in early January 2012

Visit The ROI Annual Exhibition in London

Several of the artists we have filmed with are members of the prestigious  Royal Institute of Oil Painters which holds its annual  exhibition at London's Mall Galleries  from DEC 7 to 18th. Check out the ROI blog for full details and a sneak preview of some of the pictures:

http://royalinstituteofoilpainters.blogspot.com/

Step By Sep Watercolour Demonstration from Robert Brindley

The execellent Robert Brindley RSMA has supplied us with a very usefull stage by stage watercolour demonstration showing his wonderful atmopsheric technique. I hope you enjoy it.

SMOKE AND LIGHT / WHITBY HARBOUR - WATERCOLOUR STEP BY STEP DEMONSTRATION

This painting was inspired by an atmospheric winter morning overlooking Whitby harbour. The reference material was 'cropped' fairly dramatically, to produce a cameo scene which I felt captured the light and atmosphere more successfully.

MATERIALS:

Paper - Arches 300lb rough

Colours - Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna, Permanent Magenta, Cobalt Violet, Cobalt Blue, Cerulean Blue, Ultramarine Blue.

Masking Fluid

S

STEP ONE

The image was drawn out fairly accurately, using a 2B pencil. Masking fluid was applied to the main highlights and also to 'mid tone' areas which are surrounded by 'darks'.

STEP TWO

The following washes were applied to damp paper:

Raw Sienna, Cobalt Blue, Cobalt Violet for the sky and distance, which merge seamlessly together. Cerulean, Cobalt Violet, Raw Sienna plus Cobalt Violet and Cobalt Blue plus Permanent Magenta were introduced for the water and 'mid distant' harbour structures. Cerulean plus Cobalt Violet, Raw Sienna plus Cobalt Violet, Cobalt Blue plus Burnt Sienna, Cobalt Blue plus Permanent Magenta and two mixes of Ultramarine Blue plus Burnt Sienna (a 'warm' and 'cool' version) were used for the harbour wall and its dark reflections, the roadway and the buildings on the right hand side.

The paper was then allowed to completely dry.

STEP THREE

The masking fluid was removed from the distance and also the lighter areas in the water using light pressure and a clean finger. The paper should be completely dry.

Mixes of Cobalt Blue plus Permanent Magenta, Cobalt Blue plus Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine Blue plus Burnt Sienna were then introduced, 'wet into wet' on dry paper, to increase the darks on the bridge. 

STEP FOUR

The remaining masking fluid was removed and the following colours introduced to the buildings on the right hand side:

Cobalt Blue plus Permanent Magenta, Cobalt Blue plus Burnt Sienna and two mixes of Ultramarine Blue plus Burnt Sienna (a 'warm' and 'cool' version). 

STEP FIVE

The lower section of the roadway was tinted with 'wet in wet', pale washes of Raw Sienna, Cobalt Violet and Cerulean.

Details such as lighting columns, handrails, figures etc were painted. Some of the sharp edges and 'pure' whites, which resulted from using masking fluid, were softened using washes of Cobalt Violet and Raw Sienna.

Finally, to add atmosphere, smoke was carefully lifted out using a damp brush and kitchen towel.   

Outr grateful thanks to Robert for supplying that feature. You can  see more of his work on his own excellent website from which you can also buy his insprational teaching books:

http://www.robertbrindley.com/

Here's Robert in action on his DVD Painting Atmospheric Watercolour Landscapes

New John Hoar DVD Out Now

I'm delighted to let you know that we have at last got supplies of our latest DVD which hs been keenly anticipated by so many of you. 

Your can order your copy here: Line, Wash and Watercolour DVD

Trailer For New John Hoar Line and Wash DVD

Just released - the official trailer for John Hoar's exciting new line and wash DVD. It's due out on Nov 29but can be pre ordered here: Line, Wash and Watercolour With John Hoar.

New John Hoar Line And Wash DVD Available For Pre-Order

Our latest release featuring John Hoar - Line, Wash and Watercolour is now avaialble for pre-order on our web site. It should be released on November  29. It is a much anticipated DVD with some people placing their order as far back as March!! Thanks for your patience.

Don't forget you can include a pre-order in any multiple order and still get your 12% discount off the whole order. A trailer will follow shortly. For more details of the content please see  my earlier posting.