Youth Arts Open Fund: Exploring Land, Sea and Sky Through the Seasons in East Lothian

Snowdrop Symphony

Welcoming the Signs of Spring in North Berwick

As winter's chill began to soften, our YouthLink project embraced the first whispers of spring with an inspiring session held at the North Berwick Youth Project youth club. The young participants (CYP) were able to capture the budding and flourishing snowdrops in gouache and watercolour. Snowdrops are a great subject to reflect the shift in season, as they appear throughout the coastal communities.

The timing of the workshop meant the group were able to create Mother's Day cards and vignettes, perfectly timed to celebrate both the changing seasons and the upcoming holiday. The session began with an introduction to the technique of 'toning the canvas' - in this case, our paper. The CYP learned how to apply a base colour to their paper, creating a harmonious background that would make their subjects pop.

Armed with gouache and watercolours, the group dove enthusiastically into their creations. The bright, spring-inspired palette reflected the slowly returning vibrancy of the North Berwick landscape. Soft blues, fresh greens, and crisp whites dominated the colour scheme, mirroring the delicate hues of snowdrops.

As they worked, the CYP engaged in thoughtful discussions about the shifting season. They shared observations of the subtle changes occurring around North Berwick - the gradual lengthening of days, the softening of the light, and of course, the emergence of snowdrops in gardens and woodlands. This conversation not only inspired their artwork but also encouraged them to connect more deeply with their surroundings in a mindful way.

While demonstrating accessible techniques for working with gouache, I was able to share how these delicate flowers often grow in historic and picturesque locations, such as old churchyards, castle grounds, and ancient woodland, and the importance of preserving natural and cultural heritage sites.

The technique of adding their subjects and motifs in gouache on top of the toned background allowed for an experimentation in the interplay of opacity and transparency. The YCP experimented with layering, creating depth and texture in their studies. Some chose to focus on close-up studies of individual flowers, while others created broader landscapes showcasing the snowdrops nestled among awakening trees. The creation of Mother's Day cards brought a personal touch, and added an extra layer of meaning to their work, inspiring them to express their gratitude through their art.

This was a very busy session and the room buzzed with creative energy as the group experimented with different techniques, shared ideas, and encouraged one another. It was clear that spring was definitely in the air.

The spring vignettes produced during this session will be a fantastic addition to our upcoming exhibition in May 2024. They will serve as a beautiful representation of the transition from winter to spring, showcasing not only the artistic skills developed but also the growing connection between the young artists and the natural world around them.

The session reaaly set a tone of renewal and optimism, perfectly aligned with the spirit of the season and the ongoing journey of our YouthLink Scotland project.

Kat 👩🏼‍🎨