One day atmospheric landscape oil painting course aboard the narrowboat Peewit in Ely by Melanie Max

As a complete beginner, I spent a fabulous day with Melanie on her beautiful floating studio. After a short boat ride onto the fens with views of kingfisher, egret, coots and moorhens, Melanie gave a good introduction to the day, explaining about paints and how to mix them, even teaching me how to use the palette and various brushes, then demonstrating creating a gradient before cutting in and adding colour to create a wonderful landscape. When it was time for me to have a go she was extraordinarily patient, providing advice about how to create perspective and create light and using tone and colour to create interest. She provided rescue remedies when things went wrong and I was amazed at the artwork I created by the end of the day and delighted to go home with Melanie’s demonstration piece. It was an absolutely amazing experience with a wonderful instructor which I will remember forever. I would highly recommend it.

Thoroughly enjoyed a fantastic, relaxing, creative day aboard the Peewit with the talented Melanie Max.
Melanie is an excellent tutor who creates a stunning ethereal landscape in front of your eyes and then gives you the opportunity to create two of your own with her help and guidance.
Will definitely return.

Melanie is an excellent tutor, patient, clear and concise. It was a great environment and enjoyable from start to finish. Her work is inspirational and it was lovely to watch her produce a beautiful piece whilst explaining how colours mix, perspective and light work. The use of a fan brush was a revelation! I learnt so much, was very pleased with my completed pieces and had the bonus of keeping her example. It was so worth the distance I travelled and would highly recommend the day.