Tom Kane
Artist, Composer and Musician
Demonstration - "Watercolour Painting"
Tuesday 14th May, 2.00 - 4.00pm in the Pavilion
"Watercolour Workshop"
Saturday 5th October, 10.00am - 4.00pm in the Pavilion
Extract from Tom's website:
Tom Kane is an award-winning composer and multi-instrumentalist, specializing in music for film and television. He grew up surrounded by music and musicians and began to compose at the age of seven. After University, Tom worked as a songwriter and session musician, often in partnership with bass player and fellow composer Colin Baldry. Together they wrote and produced the critically acclaimed album ‘Reach Out’.
Tom soon began writing music for television, composing both commissioned scores and a large catalogue of production music. More recently, Tom has moved into scoring films to which he brings a wealth of experience. In 2016, his score for the period drama ‘Miss In Her Teens’ won Best Music at the British Independent Film Festival.
For more about Tom, his music and films see his website
In recent years, Tom has expanded his artistic talents into painting. He is drawn to landscapes and portraits in watercolour. He regularly offers classes in Cheltenham.
Some photographs of the demonstration follow. The subject is Hepworth Parsonage, Kirklees, West Yorkshire. See more of Tom's art on Instagram
A short report on the demonstration follows the photographs. The report and photographs for Tom's workshop on 5th October 2024 are further down this page.
A short report on Tom's demonstration
Tom explained his approach to a watercolour painting as three stages or "layers".
Layer 1 is an amorphous wet cloudy vague fluid wash to get the mood and temperature. For this subject, Tom used different washes for the sky (top), building (centre), trees (right and left) and foreground (bottom) covering almost all of the paper.
Layer 2 is the mid-tones applied after Layer 1 is completely dry. Never put a wet brush into a drying wash - unwanted effects and colour mixes will result. Still not too much detail but somewhat drier paint than Layer 1. For this subject the building (ultramarine and burnt umber), trees on the left (Hookers green and Winsor yellow ochre with a little red) and trees on the right (very dark so thick Winsor violet and Zoecite). Use a wet brush and light random strokes.
Layer 3 is the highlights, details (the amount will vary with the subject) and shadows. Use a dry brush with colours such as ultramarine and burnt umber. For this subject the drainpipes, gravestones, chimney and windows etc. Highlights can also be added by light scratching, lifting paint (edge of a flat brush) and using Holbein paint (which contains white opaque and is available in different colours). Holbein is better for covering watercolour than watercolour white/titanium or gouache.
The subject was drawn beforehand with a 2B pencil. The drawing is not to "colour in" but to interpret as you go. Tom does not use greens (because they get everywhere) and prefers to mix yellows (lemon or ochre) and blues (ultramarine, cobalt and cerulean) as required. He is colour blind (red green) so tone, value and temperature matter.
Tom uses Daniel Smith and Winsor & Newton Pro paint with sable brushes (small flats, round, mops and lift-out). Being photo-realistic is not Tom's style - water colour must be loose and impressionist.
A great demonstration and very well explained by Tom throughout.
Martyn Worman
Tom Kane's "Watercolour Workshop"
Saturday 5th October, 10.00am to 4.00pm in the Pavilion
Saturday 5th October, 10.00am to 4.00pm in the Pavilion
Gill Cox, Workshop Coordinator, wrote to participants in advance of this workshop:
"The day will comprise various exercises & instructions, working towards making a simple landscape. You will need to bring watercolour materials you feel comfortable using, with no special requirement to purchase additional products. Having said that, large brushes for loose marks, and tubes of watercolour if you have them will be useful. And substantial papers for watercolour, i.e. not too thin and fragile for taking on water. Paper will be on hand to purchase should you require it. Lunch will be at a suitable time to break at around 12:30 or so, so please bring a packed lunch. Coffee tea and biscuits will be provided throughout the workshop in the kitchen. If you have any questions, please do ask. And I look forward to seeing you on the day.
Kindest regards, Gill Cox"
Workshop Report and Photographs
This October had tutor Tom Kane offering us a one day class of short exercises in how to use watercolour. It would result in us producing a simple and effective landscape painting.
The first of our tasks was how to move watercolour paint and water on the paper without getting unwanted marks such as cauliflowering and backstaining. Although “happy accidents” are to be encouraged, it was important to have control of our brush marks in this exercise.
Next, we were taught to understand the impact of painting light and dark colours together and against each other by painting an image of three birds on a wire. This was both enjoyable and educational at the same time.
Then we moved on to our final challenge - to produce a landscape of sky, tree, gate and path in A3 size. This would encompass all the skills we had practised throughout the class and all of us produced excellent loose paintings.
Tom was a relaxed and informative educator; he will be welcome to return at a later date.
Note: Workshops are available, primarily in the winter months, for a modest fixed price of £35. See Workshops
Thanks to Gill for writing this report and for taking photographs on the day with her Motorola g54 5g 'phone. Just how do we know this? There is a clue.
