This workshop is focused on understanding how light interacts with water in the landscape at Woods Mill Nature Reserve.

We’ll begin by observing the qualities of water—its movement, reflections, transparency, and ever-changing textures—learning how these visual cues can be captured through careful tonal studies and colour exploration. By examining the appearance of water, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of what truly brings painted water to life.

Through guided exercises, we’ll explore techniques for depicting reflections, surface patterns, depth, and the subtle shifts in colour that occur across water. You’ll then bring these ideas together in a small painting that applies what you’ve learned. Whether you’re new to painting water or looking to strengthen your landscape skills, this workshop offers a calm, insightful space to develop your confidence and sharpen your ability to portray one of nature’s most captivating subjects.

What’s included: Drawing board, easel, cartridge paper and charcoal, equipment needed for painting outdoors, coffee, tea and biscuits will be available on the day.

What to bring: Bring your own materials that you would like to work with, along with enough surfaces to work on to create several pictures, including your own paints. The session will focus on acrylics, but you are welcome to bring watercolours if that is your preferred medium, brushes, palette, several sheets of A3 card or (watercolour paper if using watercolours). Suitable footwear and clothing for walking onto the reserve. Pack lunch and something to drink. Please feel free to bring something to sit on for the outdoor part of the session.

Alternatively, an A3+ polyholdall pack of all the materials required for this workshop can be purchased at check out, including: 5 Sheets A3 Acrylic card, 3 Acrylic brushes (2 flats, 1 round), Set of 10 Acrylic Paints: Black, Titanium White, Primary Yellow, Lemon Yellow, Crimson, Cadmium Red, Cadmium Green, Ultramarine Blue, Primary Blue, Burnt Umber, Tear off palette. Price £30.52

Danny McBride is an artist and designer, living in Shoreham by Sea, and draws much of his inspiration from the Sussex countryside. He strongly believes in the benefits of spending time in nature and his classes are safe spaces where participants can focus on enjoying the process and developing their observational skills rather than creating the perfect finished piece.

Previous attendees on Danny's art workshops have said:

" Danny is a great teacher and he ran a really well structured session ... all in a very supportive and kind atmosphere. An excellent course!"

This session is one of a series of art workshops and can be booked as a stand alone session or as part of a series (https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/natures-arts-and-crafts-4795467?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=creatorshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=odclsxcollection&utm-source=cp&aff=escb).

Meeting point: The Classroom, Woods Mill Nature Reserve, BN5 9SD

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Why not arrive early and spend time exploring the reserve. Woods Mill (https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/visit/woods-mill)is a prime example of what the wider countryside once contained. Visitors can walk past the old ponds and lake, through the ancient woodland, alongside the streams and waterways into the unimproved meadows with their wild hedgerows. This variety of habitat attracts an impressive number of species including mammals, insects, amphibians and birds.

Other information: Free parking available. Toilets can be found in the car park and classroom.

Public transport: Compass Bus 100 Burgess Hill-Pulborough stops outside Woods Mill. Monday – Saturday service. Check timetable (https://compass-travel.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2025/02/100.1.2.3.4.pdf) for updates. Please be aware that the walk between the bus stop and the reserve is on a busy road with no pavement.

Accessibility: If you would like to discuss any adaptations that will make your time with us more comfortable, please email swtbookings@sussexwt.org.uk and we will be in touch.

Cancellation: Refunds are available up to 30 days before a scheduled event. Our outdoor events are weather-dependent. If you have booked, we will inform you by email if a trip needs to be cancelled and refund your ticket.

Please ensure you include your email address during booking and check your emails the night before and before leaving home in case of cancellations.

Attendees must be 18+ to attend this event. Please read our terms and conditions (https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/whats-on/terms-and-conditions/course-and-events-bookings-terms-and-conditions) before booking.

As a thank you for supporting our vital work, we offer member discounts on many of our events. Become a member | Sussex Wildlife Trust (https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/make-a-difference/join)

A limited number of concession tickets are available to anyone who finds our standard rate tickets out of reach, includ

Description supplied by the event organiser.