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Rusko Studio – Art holidays Dumfries & Galloway

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Weekly Classes - £25 per session

Liz Gilbey is an excellent teacher, who has taught us all so much in her classes.  They are a joy to attend!  Not only is Rusko Studio in a beautiful setting, it is light and airy and fully equipped with all one needs to make the perfect picture!

Charlotte I

Liz runs regular weekly classes from Tuesday to Thursday afternoons from 2pm – 5pm.

The classes cost £25 per session or buy a five and get at sixth free – just £125.

All abilities and experience very welcome.

Cast studies – students use casts to practice drawing and painting – the white cast is not just a beautiful form but encourages accurate and expressive work.

The Thursday group at work. We stop for a tea break at 3.30pm and enjoy comparing notes and a good chat.

Palette work – students learn about paint handling and colour harmony.

A flower demo – a still life in progress.

A winning formula, excellent, enthusiastic and knowledgeable instruction given in superbly appointed studios.  The setting in the beautiful Fleet Valley is a painters’ paradise.

Pam P

Thank you for an inspiring week. Rusko Studio and the surrounding countryside are a wonderful setting and your excellent teaching has helped me to close that gap between what I see and what I paint. More please!

Nancy B

The courses are taught by Elizabeth Gilbey. The course will be taught outdoors painting “en plein air” as much as the weather permits.  Otherwise work will take place in the studio with state of the art controllable lighting.

The first day begins with how to start a painting, selecting a view and making a simple compositional sketch or underpainting using a limited number of colours and light values.  The tutor will demonstrate techniques and support guests in making their own starts. 

Participants will learn about the basic principles of creating work direct form nature.  These principles include:

  • Drawing and composition – seeing shapes and mass.
  • Working with light and dark values,
  • How edges help give a picture depth
  • How to work with colour and understanding “temperature” of colour.

The owner and Tutor, Elizabeth Gilbey:

Elizabeth trained for ten years with London Fine Art Studios, London’s first and only atelier teaching artists traditionally working in groups with a master practitioner.  Elizabeth has worked with artists such as Ann Witheridge, Scott Pohlschmidt, and Nick Bashall. 

“Having returned to my first love, drawing and painting, after a career in other areas, I know how it feels to learn as an adult and sometimes struggle.  The journey is so rewarding I am passionate to share it with others.”  Elizabeth Gilbey.

Elizabeth specialises in vibrant still life and landscapes painted direct from nature.  She has exhibited in London and has work in private collections.  Her current work is available from McGill Duncan Gallery in Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway.