Melanie Max reviews

Jacqueline Baxter reviewed: One day atmospheric landscape oil painting course aboard the narrowboat Peewit with Melanie Max

"A nice day with a professional artist, certainly brought me on in my practice and provoked my thinking on aspects of colour and blending. I would have valued a shorter demo before doing practice , as taking in all aspects of a longer demo, was challenging when it came to putting it in practice."

Melanie Max responded:

"Hi Jacqueline thanks for your feedback. I will consider breaking the demo and steps down into stages."

Alison Ayres reviewed: One day atmospheric landscape oil painting course aboard the narrowboat Peewit with Melanie Max

"I had a really super day with Melanie, she is an encouraging and supportive teacher. After a little boat trip, Melanie gave me a demonstration that was amazing and then she guided me in my own painting. I learnt so much and then went home with a series of lovely paintings. I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone for a unique creative day out."

Lynn burrow reviewed: One day atmospheric landscape oil painting course aboard the narrowboat Peewit with 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."

Nicky Perry-Thorne reviewed: One day atmospheric landscape oil painting course aboard the narrowboat Peewit with Melanie Max

"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."

Lesley Ainsworth reviewed: One day atmospheric landscape oil painting course aboard the narrowboat Peewit with Melanie Max

"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."

Cathy McCall reviewed: One day atmospheric landscape oil painting course aboard the narrowboat Peewit with Melanie Max

"I spent the day with Melanie to try my hand at painting with oils. She is a very enthusiastic teacher/mentor, and had set out the days aims and tasks very clearly on arrival. During the day we covered perspective, light and focal point. How to mix the paints and various techniques with brush and palette knife as well as discussing the materials themselves. Melanie did some demo pieces, and then I had the opportunity to try too. The ambience on board was lovely - a tiny studio with calming views along the river. Just shows what is possible in such a small space! I really enjoyed all aspects of the day and learnt a lot - especially about perspective - which sounds scary and dull, but Melanie has a clever and I feel unique way to explain that - and it makes such a difference to the success of the piece. I should definitely want to return another time to do more. If you want a day getting away from the rush of daily living and the chance to connect with the landscape and your inner eye, then this is the course for you. Enjoy!"