Paint loose, layered abstract botanicals, without worrying about getting it right

A self-paced mixed media course with nearly 2.5 hours of step by step video. Made for complete beginners, and for artists who want to loosen up.

Enrol Now, £45

"It's on my gotta-do-that again list! Loved it! Kim

TAKE A SHORT LOOK AT THE COURSE HERE:

does this sound familiar?

  • You stand in front of a clean canvas for ages, because the first mark feels like a big decision.
  • You start a painting, then stop halfway because it isn't turning out "right".
  • The voice in your head goes crazy, and you put the brush down feeling worse than when you picked it up.
  • You work hard to keep everything neat, and the painting ends up feeling stiff.

If any of that rings true, you're in good company. I lived there for years.

Enrol Now, £45

hello, I'm carla

For years I made careful, tightly controlled artwork. Every line was planned, and I felt stressed the whole time I was making it.

What changed things was play. I started layering paint and ink, letting drips happen, and stopped deciding how a painting had to end up. The mistakes slowly became the parts I liked best.

Painting is my happy place now, and I no longer worry about the results.

I'm a full-time artist based in Cornwall, and I made this course to show you the process I use, one layer at a time, so you can give yourself the same permission to play.

painting with less pressure

I built this course around one idea: 

You can enjoy the process and still finish something you love.

You don't plan the whole painting before you begin. You start with a loose shape and a few layers, and let the paint and ink do some of the work.

When something unexpected happens, a drip in the wrong place or a colour that surprises you, you keep going. Those moments often turn into the best part of the painting.

By the end, painting feels less like a test and more like something you look forward to.

from white paper to a finished painting

Although I walk you through the process, step by step, your creativity & energy lead the painting.

We begin with a reference photo and turn its shape into a loose abstract design. 

Then we build the painting in transparent layers, with ink, stencils, drips, hand drawn pattern and coloured pencil, until it feels finished.

You can pause any video, paint at your own pace, and come back to the course whenever you like. 

Many students work on two pieces at once because it prevents you from overthinking, giving your style more freedom and your work more depth.

Enrol Now, £45

what you will learn

  • Expressive mark making with acrylic paint & acrylic inks
  • Colour mixing that gives you a harmonious palette
  • Using colour and light to bring energy and movement into a painting
  • Building depth with transparent layers, coloured pencil & Posca pens
  • Stencils and drips, and how to make the most of happy accidents
  • Hand drawn pattern, to create focal points that draw the eye
  • Pushing back the areas you don't like, and bringing forward the parts you love
  • Turning leaves and flowers into abstract shapes, loose and layered
  • A repeatable process you can use again with any subject matter!

what is included

  • Nearly 2.5 hours of video, in eight lessons
  • Reference photos to inspire your first botanical shape
  • A supplies list guide as a PDF, which you can read before you buy
  • Subtitles on every video (select CC at the bottom of the video)
  • Lifetime access, so you can watch and paint whenever suits you

what you will need

Acrylic paint, acrylic inks, Posca pens, coloured pencils and stencils.

You don't need to buy everything on day one. The supplies list shows exactly what I use, and you can see it before you enrol.

[ See the supplies list here ]

see how a painting grows

what do I need to bring?

  • BRING A PICNIC

    Bring your favourite picnic & find a quiet bench down by the river during lunch break.

    OR, purchase a light lunch from the small cafe inside the gardens.

  • FOOTWEAR

    Make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes suitable for all weathers. The ground is slightly uneven in some areas.

  • clothing

    Please either bring an apron or come dressed in clothes you don't mind getting paint on.

    Although we’ll spend most of the day under a gazebo, please also come prepared for chilly weather & light rain.

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workshop Testimonials

  • " Carla provided a wonderful woodland setting full of inspirational shapes and colours to provide the basis for our artwork on the day. We were given a huge variety of materials to work with, some of which we collected from nature, and encouraged to let our creativity run free! Carla demonstrated a variety of techniques to transform our sketches, marks and colours into a unique work of our own. A super enjoyable way to relax and get into a creative flow, all expertly guided by Carla in a natural way. Her humility and sweet nature brought out the best in all of us, and we shared a memorable few hours together, with a beautiful piece of art to remember it by. Thank you Carla!

     "

    - Susan B

  • " I love Carla’s workshops , she has this calm & gentle way of teaching with clear instruction . She is confidence giving & I love her unique style of work .. the adding of layers brings in so many dimensions which you can achieve even if you're a complete beginner . I will definitely do another course. "

    - Clare W.

how will the day work?

  • morning

    After a brief introduction under the gazebo, we'll soak up the environment & take a slow meander around the gardens, sketching quickly as we walk.

    You’ll also play with natural found objects & ink to create a collection of your own expressive marks.

  • lunch

    You're welcome to take your picnic on one of the many benches down by the estuary with stunning views over the water.

    There is a cafe on site offering a selection of drinks & cakes.

  • afternoon

    You will learn how to create a collage base from your sketches, how to use contrast & a limited colour palette.

    Adding layers with ink & acrylic we’ll compose our finished semi-abstract botanical pieces to take home.
 
 

Cornwall’s best kept secret

Antony Woodland Gardens is a place where time has no bounds; there are no rules or restrictions….just seemingly endless woodlands to explore.

The 100 acre gardens sit adjacent to the National Trust property, Antony House, & provide a natural haven in which to find sanctuary from the pressures of modern life.

Unspoiled woodland sweeps down to the Lynher estuary where you will discover secluded coves and stunning views across the water.

Read about the Gardens HERE