Really enjoyed this, thanks for taking us along Sarah! So inspirational. I love Ian’s work but haven’t thought about him in quite awhile. Great reminder. What a special week for you!
I attended my first art workshop about 10 years ago and I was soooo nervous. I was 40 years old and had never even traveled alone (and this workshop was only 5 hours away)! I was worried about not knowing anyone. I thought I’d be in over my head and everyone else would be a better artist, and I was imagining all kinds of other scary scenarios. Boy was I wrong! Art workshops have been one of the BEST things I’ve done for myself in my entire life. I’ve now been to multiple workshops. First of all, no one knows each other. Most attendees are also there alone so people are very open and inclusive. ALL levels have been in every workshop I’ve ever taken. People are not there to judge you, they are there to learn and they just enjoy art like you do. I’m also proud of myself for being brave enough to go alone, and it’s really nice to just have a few days where you can do your own thing without having to worry about taking care of children or scheduling things with a spouse. So if you’re considering an out of town workshop, DO IT! Not only will you learn new art skills, you will grow as a person, especially for women. We can be so irrationally fearful of things and it holds us back.
@gdan9923 Thank you so much for this comment, it really made me think. I'm 71, female, living in Scotland and though I love playing with my painting, have never had the courage to do a workshop. You have made me realise that, no matter how young I feel, I don't have a lot of future so had best get out there! If nothing else, I'll see more of this lovely country through fresh eyes. Happy painting and 💗 from Scotland.
@@EC-lq3qw absolutely!! You will not regret it and you’re going to meet some great people. I promise most of the people in the workshop will be just like yourself, just people who enjoy painting. You will be so glad you did it!!
I love Iain Stewarts work! I attended a workshop many years ago with Nita Engle in the days before cell phones. She was a remarkable woman and painter and we had a great time. I was just beginning my watercolor journey and her techniques were beyond me, but just to witness her painting was enough. Iain is phenomenal! Thanks for sharing.
I've not been to any watercolour workshops but I have been to a several day long knitting 'retreat' complete with in-house chef and private room. I was the least experienced in the room but what I learned!! Many years later I am still bringing up bits of clever that were shared with me. And I always love to see other's colour tastes. It keeps me from becoming hide-bound in my own faves. I can see that you have come away with that same intense joy that comes with focused learning.
Wonderful video. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I am just now at the age of 66 teaching myself to watercolor. I love the softness of watercolor paintings/sketches. That is what drew me to watercoloring.
Hey Sarah! So I’m a fan girl of you AND Iain! So this was a real treat. I did a workshop w Iain in June in San Antonio. I found him to be sooo generous w his art. I did a workshop once and the artist said you can choose 2 photos from my sketchbook to take photos. I get it but as a young artist and paying thousands I was like what? I’m not gonna remember this! Anywho. I’d love to know what you do in your own process after a workshop like this. When I left I learned a lot but I also don’t know what to do w what I learned. I’d love a video on that. Thanks for sharing!
I think what I learned is as much about mindset as it is about technique. Technique is easy to learn - knowing HOW to utilize it to create the result I want is where I struggle. A big thing I learned from Iain is to slow down. Think ahead. He is very playful in his sketches, which I resonate with. But he has the decades of experience to trust his skill and process to create a magnificent piece out of 3-4 layers. To sum it up...basically I just need to keep practicing what I already "know" and in time my paintings will be more like what's in my head.
Wonderful sharing of your workshop experience. Made me understand more fully what that week would feel like. I appreciate that you didn't feel burdened to do complete paintings, and decided to concentrate on observing Iain's technique. Love this vlog!!
Thank you for a lovely video. I am unable to travel for health reasons so now really enjoy these special videos of others traveling. I am restricted to a 2 foot studio around my recliner but amazed at how organized one must become! Beginning a new project of learning watercolours at 82 is really fun and your video gave me some great ideas. Thanks again
Loved seeing Iains work. Sketching buildings has never been a pull for me but after watching the snippets of his drawings its inspired me to try again... Thanks for your immersive story telling and no doubt time consuming film editing. You are one of the better and most interesting videographers on utube , amongst the best art channels for this reason, aside from your art.... (Had to mention this other artistic side to you which is rarely accredited but much appreciated )
So happy for you that you got to buy the painting that you and he sat together doing. You are glowing with your review of your trip. You must have had the time of your life!
Excellent Sarah, it was nice to watch that with a cuppa. I don't know how you found time to take all those snippets of video. I'm glad you had an enjoyable week.
I’m just going to comment as this plays or I’ll forget… Oh yahoo for you!!! I’d be THRILLED to have painted next to this artist and I’m close to 65!! Honey, you will treasure this for years and years to come. Hey, I am a fan girl/older girl 😂too…who cares because he is unbelievably talent!! My father was an engineer and designer and I loved watching him making these huge drawings (before computers) so I understand “the fluidity” of movement and how mesmerizing it can be.
Fabulous video of your workshop with Iain Stewart! I am in LOVE with the countryside and wish I could go there some day. Thank you for sharing this wonderful experience.
This video is SO INSPIRING!! ❤ I'm glad you bought that painting; what a special time. I hope you will show us wherever you decide to hang it after it's framed. Thank you for developing your storytelling and editing skills so well. Watching this video gives me such a splendid sense of place that I'm tingling. You are a treasure, and I appreciate you. ❤
Oh, my gosh, the work you did was beautiful. I loved the clock spire-thing and the coloring on the stones was awesome. Thanks for sharing and what lovely pieces you all did. Too cool!
Yes! I found it!! I’m just thrilled for you and thankful you let us get a peek into it too…. I wish I could still travel. My dearest friend of 50 years is always calling me “an old soul” and there’s something about Scotland that just calls me… Good for you!!!
@@SarahBurnsStudio yes!! Tom Shepherd!! It will be in countryside and we will have excursions to the oceanside -- any more words of wisdom besides, be there in the moment? I am a little nervous, sometime I stall with a blank piece of paper.
Oh my gosh Sarah. You are not only a talented artist but you are also a very talented videographer and speaker. This was an absolutely excellent snapshot of your workshop. It looked absolutely fabulous. What fun! Thank you so much for sharing this.💖
Lovely storytime!! I am 3.5 months into my art journey ... watercolor, drawing/sketching ... learning as much as I can from presenters that resonate with me as you do. I don't know where I will land but am really enjoying exploring. I am fan girling a bit on you, Sarah Burns, but love Iain Stewart's work now that I've been introduced. All of the detail, the passion and enjoyment you expressed for the workshop, for Iain, for the locations ... I loved it all. And new as I am, there are snippets from this that I have filed away for my own learning. Thank you! FWIW, I am 68 ... picking up brush, pen and pencil for the first time since I was maybe 14. I am a long time hobby photographer and newish hobby videographer. I saw on another video (I am hopping around as I have time) that you hope to have a coastal cabin and do painting/photography workshops. I hope that I am around and able to attend one of those. Cheers from Northwest Montana, U.S.
Oh wow…how lovely to see this and hear your voice, it brought back memories of a truly special time. You are a smashing story teller as well as being a terrific artist. Not to mention Pool player. I hope we can get together to paint here in the Lake District soon. Thanks again for making this wonderful film. I am completely engrossed in the books you gave me, what a talent you have for writing as well as story telling.. I’ll write more about them when I’ve finished them.. Lyn
Thank you so much Lyn! I had a blast hanging out with you. Your work is so inspiring too. I was thinking of a winter visit...I miss the snow...you said you can see it from your house sometimes. What a dream!
Ps- I made a new palette for the workshop and got all of Iain’s colors. I asked him to sign the palette w a sharpie so I have a true “Iain Stewart” Pallete. Lol! 😂❤
What a wonderful video. I’ve always heard such positive things about Ian Stewartas a person and an artist. Thank you for sharing those beautiful sites and experiences with us.😊 BTW-Your sketches were pretty amazing too.
Thank you so much for introducing me to Iain Stewart. I hadn't heard of him before. Your enthusiasm and passion for watercolour shines through this video - subscribed!
What an amazing experience you have just had. I'm guessing that you are still processing the whole experience. For me, the biggest advantage of attending such events is the boost to your energy and inspiration. Spending an entire week immersed in creating art and learning from a master is the biggest act of self love an artist can do. I loved this video and how kind that Iain allowed you to buy that work. Just magical.
I’ve recently found your channel and loving it. Scotland is beautiful! I love how supportive and involved your hubby is. You’re a lucky lady. I just want to know, does he call you a Sassanach? Keep painting and sharing. You’re an inspiration to me
Color me envious! I've only recently started going through Ian's book "Light & Color". I would love to take a workshop with him, it sounds amazing. My wife and I will be headed to Scotland sometime next year and we will certainly be bringing our art kits. Oh, and yes, other artists sketchbooks may be my favorite thing. As much as I love the finished work, it's the sketchbooks that truly capture my interest.
Ooh. This looks like it was such a special trip. I'm planning on making a trip out to Scotland or Ireland next fall for a painting holiday. If I decide on Scotland, I may use some of this itinerary as inspiration. Would definitely love to do a workshop with Iain one day too.
I love your channel. I met a Scotsman in Nairobi in 1995. We would sit at the bar at the Hilton, drink Scotch and he’d talk about Scotland. I’ve always wanted to go ever since. Your channel makes me want to go! I live in Australia. So far away! 😭
Fab to see. Thanks for sharing. I'm an expat Scot living far away from the coast (and miss it sooo much. I tried some coastal watercolor paintings at the weekend (relative beginner) of a view I know well from a RU-vid video, and it was so hard. Sketched it 3 times on stretched paper and didn't get past the sky... Practice makes perfect! I know some of your locations here as I visited Culross last year and also took some incredible ref photos. I will keep an eye out for Iain's workshops.
Thank you for sharing this, you clearly had a wonderful time. Sarah! You could do retreats like this, have you ever thought about it, I’d definitely be interested 🤩🤗😜
Thank you for your workshop experience and seeing scenes of Scotland is always a joy. For your materials, were you provided a list beforehand and did you use everything you took with you? For me it's hard not to want to bring everything.
How terrible for you, 🤣😂 having to suffer with a week of art, a wonderful sounding workshop, reasonably good weather, 100s of reference photos and videos for future art. As always a wonderful video, lovely to see the storybook. Did you find any goodies to change your own plein air set up?
This looked like such a good time! I don’t know if we have those sorts of workshops here but it’s worth checking out. I miss connecting with other creative people.
Thank you for sharing your experience with Iain’s workshop. I’ve admired his work for years. What a treat that you were able to do this and to have a quiet moment together sketching. I watched your trip supplies video before you left but would also be interested in seeing how your setup worked or didn’t work for you on this trip. Best to you and Wolfie.
What a great experience for you to have. I actually ended up taking screenshots from your video of some of the locations you went to so I could try and sketch and paint them as well. Sketching architecture has been something I have always wanted to try but haven’t yet but this has so inspired me to…thanks for another fantastic video.
I totally agree with having your private art or "art to be." I'm very private about some of my work and have no need or feel pressure to share it or my process with anyone, unless I want to. I'm an extrovert, but still covet my privacy. 👍
I have been to many workshops and courses and think it is perfectly okay to film as long as you do it discreetly, with permission and of course do not share online. As you say, you have paid a lot of money for that course, you want to learn and reflect and taking notes does not teach you how to paint , but a visual record does. No tutor has been opposed to this if I have asked. But as you say, filming does take away some of the concentration you need when to learn something som I have mostly taken as many notes that I could and also some photos. The tutors I have had has always been very generous as soon as I promise never to share anything online. The problem has been other artists, when there has been guest lectures on these courses from other artists about their art ( I do botanical painting) and they have brought art with them to show during the lecture they have been very reluctant to let photos be taken which to me is ridiculous. We are there to learn, how can we learn and reflect without any visual reminders? They have the copyright, there is no way I could post a photo of their painting without doing something illegal and I hope most people are aware of that. But the ungenerosity of some artists have left me very baffled! The same artists can show their painting on their website but still forbid students to take photos! I think people have also become more and more ungenerous online as well-artist who freely shared painting tips and ” how to”-videos online now more and more hide these behind a patreon subscription. I do not say artist should do everything for free, far from it, but just showing teasers for free will, I fear, in the end turn against them as people feel this person who used to be generous, talking avout sharing , community etc is now only after my money and not interested in connectimg and sharing. Do 50/50 would be my advise to YTartists and other artists on other platsforms. No one has forced anyone on to social media, to keep that spirit of sharing, connecting and community generosity w knowledge is important. I want to stress this is in no way aimed at Sarah , who is very sharing and generous,but to YT-artists in general.
Oh my gosh! I died when you said “Dysart Harbor”! That’s my maiden name, and my paternal ancestry is from Scotland! I want to visit Dysart, Scotland so badly! How amazing this workshop would be. I was totally drawn in from the beginning of it, with this very deep pull to all you were showing, not realizing you were in that area! So very cool to me! Thank you so so much for documenting this!
Thx for sharing your perspective... it certainly helps to be able to have such amazing artistic ability - take a reference photo or draw like this directly from nature - to allow you to create such art but I think it is important to keep trying even if all you come up with is a bunch of blotches on paper!
What a wonderful video Sarah! Thank you for putting this together! I have just signed up for a workshop with Iain next summer in NY and am already nervous, but this definitely helped ease my fears!
I was happy to hear you enjoyed your time with Iain. I was soooo disappointed when he wasn't able to make it out to the big Plein Air Conference in Denver a couple of months ago, as he was one of the main reasons I'd signed on. Ah, well! Maybe another time. Thanks again for sharing. :)
we've driven through there a few years ago, hubby says the towns name slightly differently, but almost everything here is said differently depending on where you live lol😝 looks like a great time wh a lot of art from you, the rest of the group and Ian. shame on the typical scottish weather😆
Haha yea...I have learned to ask locals how to say a town name because it's always different than how it's spelled! Plus each local might say it different... 😂
So this is my second comment because I watch this video twice. It was so inspiring. I can’t thank you enough for sharing love to looking at your sketches and your painting.
Love this video Sarah, brings back memories my grandparents stayed in Fife and we visited Aberdour beach making sandcastles. Lovely watercolour paintings.
Thank you so much for the vlog! I love Iain's work and have his book. Now I'm inspired to get out my sketchbook and draw and paint vignettes. I've attended several workshops and enjoy them but I've never been to one that was a plein air type . Fortunately I get to attend a plein air workshop in September....so excited. Scotland looks beautiful and the harbor scenes draw me in. Thanks for bringing us along on your trip.
Oooh I've been waiting to see your review of this workshop! Lovely summary of your experience - you sound exactly like I did after an amazing week with Tony Allain last year on the Gold Coast - I learnt so much and was on a high for ages afterwards. I hung on his every word (and every mark he made) and just loved every second of the workshop. Just watching an utter master of the craft at work is totally exhilarating. I was also lucky enough to come away with some of his paintings and sketches which as well as being wonderful pieces of art are a great reminder of a wonderful week. Love the work you produced here too :)
I would have loved doing this, especially when I heard Robert the Bruce...it's an ancestor of mine and not till I was much older and grandpa had passed did I understand why he had such pride in his heritage...I can no longer travel and barely able to paint. How lucky that you could do this .....I guess I am jealous. ( a new feeling to me and I don't know how to handle it) I have a young friend traveling to Scotland and I am hoping she returns with photos and I find the strength to sketch....thank you for sharing your experience.
What a wonderful video! It. Was an honor for you to share your time and experience throughout the workshop. I couldn’t agree more. What a wonderful experience! As always Sarah I look forward to seeing what your up too. It’s a treat! I appreciate the time and effort you take. I am always learning something new. So with that I say, “ Thank you!” Warm Regards, Martina
Thanks for sharing this amazing account, Sarah. I can only (just... maybe) imagine what the actual experience was like. Iain's approach and wonderful style looks so appealing and I'd imagine he's a dream to sketch and paint along with, as you did.
Sarah, I just have to say how much I enjoyed this video. I live just south of the river Forth and I know all the places you showed - it was so lovely to see them through your eyes. Glad you enjoyed your visit, thank you for sharing it with everyone. 💗 from Scotland.
