Welcome to Polly's Blog

Welcome to Polly's Blog
Watercolour, humour, this and that

Sunday 23 March 2014

BRUSHO WORKSHOP (MINE) !!!!

Yes, you read that right.  I was bludgeoned into doing a 2 hour workshop at our little art club, Churchtown Art Club (we are on facebook check us out).  After people had seen me having fun with Brusho they wanted to try it for themselves. So having plucked up the courage to say I would, I set about organising a plan of compaign, as I didn't want to let them down.

Because there was only two hours, I decided I had to fit in as many techniques as I could. So after explaining what Brusho was and showing some of the work I had done, to show them how versatile it is, I decided to do a pen and wash, which would incorporate wax on an elephant, and some silver birch type trees out of a dark background to demonstrate the use of bleach. You can also just use it like watercolour.

I was soooo nervous I started out by telling them that if they had constipation, then volunteering to do a workshop would work wonders!!!

Ok, so this is how we did it.  We drew an elephant in thick permanent ink (pens from the £1 shop), used wax candle for highlights on the ephalump, and for the grasses.  Sprinkled - sprayed - tilted.  Done and dusted Brusho did it for me.


Second was using pure thick bleach.  Taking care to cover clothes, using separate container for water and old brushes.  We sprinkled (through a hole in the top of the brusho containers) - sprayed - tilted NO DRAWING FIRST - dried and then whoosh, in with brushstrokes of pure bleach, and as if by magic the tree trunks appeared, then some thicker branches and because we had no fine brushes, used cocktail sticks for the thin branches - plus some imagination.


Considering we had to share 2 boxes of brusho with 8 people, it worked really well.  There was quiet concentration and laughter.  They seemed to be having fun. I have had more recruits, and now have to do another two.  Yikes!!!


Please, if you are interested in seeing a quick demo of this wonderful medium, check out Joanne Boon Thomas's Brusho Secrets, ( it shows a short video). There is a DVD and ebook, which are both easy to follow and inpsiring and shows the versatility of this medium. Good pressie to yourself! I had been on a day workshop with her, and used some of the techniques, she generously passes on to all her students and also her enthusiasm for a new and exciting way of painting.

I would like to say a big THANK YOU to her for all the fun I now have using Brusholicious paint.

23 comments:

  1. Well done you!!! Both lovely pieces... particularly like the trees, works really well and 2 more to do eh? I hope you enjoyed it... as you know I love running them, and I think you have such a lot to share not only with the Brusho but with your watercolours too... I know people are thirsty for art knowledge and the nerves would settle when you see how much fun people are having and how much they are enjoying it!!

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    1. Thanks Judith for your gentle encouragement. It really helps.You seem to thrive on your workshops I am not a natural teacher and find it difficult. But nice to pass on my knowledge to those you are unable to go to workshops and courses.

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  2. I'm so proud,for you and with you,dear Polly!!! I love your way of painting in watercolor as in BRUSHO!!! WELL DONE!!!

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    1. Oh Rita, thank you. You really are a tonic!

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  3. Polly - - great fun I am sure. Wish I could have been one of those eight people. Love how the bleach made those trees stand out...I am just going to have to check that video out. Hope you rest up and are ready to teach two more. Have a delightful day!

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    1. Thank you Debbie. We had fun. Be glad though when I have finished them, then I can sleep without thinking about it.

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  4. Polly, it looks like everyone had a lot of fun...and nice results too!

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    1. Yes, they did some great pics and did as they were told!!!

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  5. I'm sure you took them all by storm and that you had a wonderful time in the end :-) Maybe this will be the start of something new ! I love what I am seeing here , two great pieces .

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    1. Thank you. I nearly enjoyed it. Wouldn't do it for a career, too stressful.

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  6. I am sure you do just fine Polly, you have the techniques and your wonderful humorous banter will get you over any nerves. Wish I could come to your workshop, with all the experimenting I do my Brusho box sits untouched. Perhaps it's the mess I am afraid of?

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    1. Oh you are kind! I only use Brusho at club because I worry about the crystals getting in the house, so looking forward to nice weather when I can paint outdoors. If you ever have a go you will have such fun.

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  7. bravo you, looks as if you had lots of fun, the bleach thing looks well cool :-)

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    1. It's great watching the bleach work, like magic.

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  8. Thanks for introducing me to Brusho, it does create amazing effects and with the bleach. Beautiful works, very vibrant and loose!! Your class looks like they had fun too!

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    1. Thanks. Joanne Boone Thomas is spreading the word to us mere mortals.

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  9. Well done Polly!!! Hopefully, now that you've done one, you won't be as nervous before the next two - I'd have been exactly the same as far as nerves go!

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    1. Thanks Sharon. I am already feeling nervous for tomorrow!!!

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  10. The first time is always the worst, try finding the most friendly person in the room and talk to them. Your demonstration pieces are good, I would be terrified of doing those!

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    1. Good advice Cathy, thank you. Fingers crossed for this afternoon

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  11. wow---what nice paintings! congratulations on the workshop--I am sure your students had a wonderful time and learned so much!

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  12. Thanks Celeste. I felt I learnt off them so it was a two way workshop!

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  13. I bet you were nervous Polly glad it went so well for you ...it,s great you have been invited back to run another workshop

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