Demo: Painting a landscape in watercolours by Ian McManus

Author name

Monday, 18 May, 2026, 19:15 – 21:00

Conservative Club, Long Street, Devizes SN10 1NW

Yellow biplane on a grassy field near huts, with a small group of people standing beside it.

Man standing outdoors beside an easel, holding a brush and painting near a stone building and trees

Ian is a watercolour artist based in East Anglia and is joining us for a demonstration followed by a workshop (on 19th May). Ian is known for painting street scenes bustling with figures and the hubbub of everyday life, but equally for coastal and pastoral scenes.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Ian is a professional artist specialising in watercolour and full member of the IEA. His atmospheric paintings capture a moment in time from everyday life. Well known for painting street scenes bustling with figures and the hubbub of everyday life but equally for exploring many genres such as coastal, pastoral, figures in landscape or interior settings and more. He strives to catch the energy and essence of a location through lively application of paint using direct brushwork, without overlays of washes normally associated with watercolour painting; he believes this gives each finished painting transparency and freedom of expression.

Painting Plein Air where possible, he constantly seeks locations and subjects with an interesting narrative and focal point, chasing the effects of natural light and shade, very much as the impressionist painters who are a great inspiration to him.

He works continuously to develop and improve his artworks and enjoys sharing this with others through demos for art societies, tutoring and workshops both nationally and internationally. Gaining great satisfaction from helping students elevate their skills and create more satisfying pictures themselves; additionally inspiring others through his instructional DVDs published by Townhouse Publications. He believes that anyone who is passionate enough about painting and commits sufficient time to honing the craft with some guidance from a good tutor can learn to paint. It’s a continual learning experience, and very rewarding when it all comes together and you finish up with a painting you’re happy with.

Visit his website here.

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