Gouache and Impressionism Workshop with Emma Morrissey

Emma Morrissey is leading a gouache and impressionism workshop at Southampton City Art Gallery on Saturday 17 October, from 2pm to 5pm. It's a three-hour session that takes the basics of impressionism and lets you work through them on your own canvas, so you'll leave with something finished rather than just a few sketches.

The whole thing draws its inspiration from the work of John Armstrong, whose paintings are currently on display as part of the Art Then exhibition at the gallery. That's the starting point for the afternoon: you'll be looking at Armstrong's work and then learning how to capture that same impressionist style using gouache. Along the way, Morrissey covers the fundamentals—brush technique, how to build up layers, and how to get the paint consistency just right. It's a good way to get a handle on the mechanics of the style while you're actually painting, rather than just reading about it.

One of the best bits is that all materials are provided, so you don't need to turn up with your own kit—just yourself. The workshop is open to adults and young people over 16, so it works as a solo afternoon or something to do with a friend. If you've already been to Art Then, this is a chance to go back and look at Armstrong's work from the other side of the easel.

It runs from 2pm to 5pm on Saturday 17 October at Southampton City Art Gallery, Commercial Road, Southampton, Hampshire SO14 7LP. The cost is £25.00.