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If It’s Good Enough for Vincent…

Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings immediately spring to mind when you think of his vast body of work: canvasses thick with paint, running riot with colour. His work is exciting, tangible, and firmly in the present.

But van Gogh drew almost as much as he painted. As this article by Colta Ives and Susan Alyson Stein for the Metropolitan Museum of Art explain, the artist was largely self-taught, and he believed that drawing was the root of everything. As a beginning artist, he drew to master his work before attempting to paint the same subject. There were periods when he did nothing but draw, perhaps enjoying the casualness and the freedom it afforded him. And with paints and their associated materials being expensive, sometimes a poor struggling artist had to weigh up the price of bread vs. the price of painting.

In fact, saving money was the impetus for his chopping off some nearby reeds when he was living in Provence, sharpening the tips, and dipping them in ink. Using a naturally hollow reed which he could sharpen with his own penknife gave him the flexibility to be spontaneous and artistic, yet still save his pennies.

This fascinating medium helped him produce most of his greatest drawings during the two years he spent working in Provence. We now know it today as his most prodigious and productive period.

Barnes Class is delighted to bring you a class where you can learn for yourself how to draw with a reed pen. Taught by our popular local expert Michael Ajerman, you’ll be introduced to this medium over a 4-week course. Drawing from reproductions by van Gogh himself and working from a live model, you’ll be able to explore the human form and gain new skills in a fun and casual environment at the OSO Arts Centre.

All materials will be provided for you, and don’t worry – absolutely NO SKILLS are required. This class is for complete beginners and you’ll be led along gently, with plenty of bracing coffee for sustenance.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to let us know. And remember, if it’s good enough for Vincent, it’s good enough for you!

Daisy’s Top Tips to Start Writing the Book

Have you been aching to write the Great Novel you know is within you but are stuck getting started? Don’t feel alone – it’s a common problem.

So common in fact, that we asked Daisy Waugh, author of 8 novels and the expert delivering our upcoming creative writing class, to share the Top Tips for Getting Started with Book Writing which inspired her to begin. Check out the quotations which best inspired Daisy and keep her going!

Still hesitating? Here are five pieces of advice, from five great authors, to get you started:

“A writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word on paper.” E.B. White
“You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” Saul Bellow
“There’s no such thing as a writer’s block. That was invented by people in California who couldn’t write.” Terry Pratchett
“The first draft of everything is shit.” Ernest Hemingway
“The scariest moment is just before you start.” Stephen King

So … the worst bit’s already almost over… it’s time to WRITE THE DAMN BOOK!

Now that you’re fired up to start, don’t let anything hold you back. Book onto Daisy’s class beginning 19th January. We look forward to reading your work!

Slider 3: Local Experts

Barnes Class carefully vets each of our teachers, ensuring they are properly insured, capable of teaching in an easy and friendly manner, and have a real desire to share their skills.

We know that diversity of courses is important. That’s why we select local experts whose expertise spans a wide variety of interests, such as pottery making, yoga, cookery, mindfulness, social media, wellness, photography, calligraphy and even tarot reading.

We have something for everyone – why not grab a friend and choose your perfect course?