Depicting Water in Art course

Emma Chaplin
, 25 September 2025
Depicting Water in Art course
Woods Mill lake © Emma Chaplin

On Thurs 6 November, illustrator Danny McBride is running a one day course at Woods Mill called Depicting Water in Art: Beginners' Workshop  

We asked him to tell us a bit more about himself and what people might expect from the day. 

Tell us a bit about yourself

I’ve worked as a commercial designer/illustrator for the past 40 years. I took up painting about 10 years ago, starting with watercolours of the town where I live - Shoreham By Sea. I enjoy painting a wide range of subjects, landscape, seascape, still life and the figure.

Why is water special?

Painting water evokes a wide range of emotions. I find that the emotional response to weather and diverse conditions translate into colour and movement. The vastness of a seascape or the tranquillity of a lake or river foster a sense of ‘otherness’ and I hope this will resonate with people on a profound level. As an artist, I want to convey these emotions and experiences through my paintings. My favourite body of water is currently the River Adur.

© Danny McBride

Tell us what people might expect at the Woods Mill course you are running in November.

At the Woods Mill event we’ll be looking at how light creates different effects on the water, how shadows and reflections interact with the waters surface. We’ll look at how we can attempt to translate some of these effects in into drawing and painting, applying some theory into practice. We’ll use some printed pictures of water and also take some time to look at the pond in Woods Mill. Weather permitting, we’ll do some small studies of the water using whatever medium you have chosen to bring. 

If the weather is bad, we’ll work in the studio using reference materials. If you have your own pictures of lakes or rivers that you would like to use, feel free to bring them along to the session.

Do people need to have some experience of art or design work?

It would be helpful if you have some experience in drawing or painting and some experience in using the materials that you have chosen to bring along. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t painted water before.

Find out more & sign up HERE

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