Discover how to master the dramatic clashes of temperature that define the British winter landscape.

When the sun breaks through the seasonal cloud cover, it creates a brilliant contrast of intense, glowing warmth—rich oranges, deep golds, and pale yellow highlights—against deeply cool shadows filled with hidden blues and purples. You will learn the classic hallmark of winter painting: balancing these extreme temperature pops to create vibrant, lifelike depth.

We will also explore the unique reflectivity of the winter environment, where frost-coated twigs, wet pathways, and saturated ground act as a giant mirror for the sky. You’ll practice capturing this luminous ground plane alongside the natural "chiaroscuro" of bright, frosted textures popping against dark, damp soil. Through careful observation at the reserve, you will learn to translate these fleeting, high-contrast moments into powerful, atmospheric landscape art.

Bring your own materials that you would like to work with, along with enough surfaces to work on to create several pictures.

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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What to bring: You’ll need to bring 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.

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.

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

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. Public 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: Both the classroom and toilet are fully accessible. 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.

Participants must be at least 18 years old to attend an adult course or event.

As a thank you to our members, for supporting our vital work across Sussex, we offer a discounted price on most of our courses. Join Sussex Wildlife Trust today. (https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/make-a-difference/join)

We have a limited number of concession tickets available to anyone who finds our standard rate tickets out of reach for at the moment, including senior citizens, students and currently unemployed. No proof required.

Please read our terms and conditions (https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/whats-on/terms-and-conditions/course-and-events-bookings-terms-and-conditions) before booking.

(Price inclusive of Eventbrite booking fee)

Photo: Winter sunrise © Sophie-May Lewis

Description supplied by the event organiser.