En Plein Air Session on Exmoor

This event forms part of a series of En Plein Air sessions taking place on Saturdays throughout August to accompany our summer exhibition, Sir Alfred Munnings: Exmoor Through the Seasons.

The lead artist will give a short demo at the start of each session and be on hand to offer guidance throughout.

En Plein Air: Sketch and Paint Outdoors with artist, Anne Ware
Meeting point: Withypool Tea Room, Exmoor
Date: Saturday 8 August
Time: 10am-12.30pm
Cost: £10 (£45 for all five sessions)

Itinerary
Meet at the Withypool Tea Room at 10am with your chosen En Plein Air kit and we will paint or sketch some of the favourite views that inspired Sir Alfred Munnings when he and his wife lived here for 5-6 years during World War II. Munnings reportedly used the loft at The Royal Oak Inn as a studio. We’ll reconvene at the Tea Room for a friendly review of our sketches at 12.15pm.

What to bring
Please bring your own art materials – see below – and dress appropriately for the weather. A hat will be essential for shielding your eyes from the sun. Sessions will take place come rain or shine!

Suggested materials for sketching:
Sketchbook or paper clipped/ taped on to a drawing board
Your choice of sketching materials – pencils, charcoal, pastels, watercolour paints/brushes, pen and ink, etc.

Suggested materials for painting in watercolour:
Watercolour palette – with at least a red, blue and yellow
Watercolour paper – loose sheets on a board, or a pad
Water container and water bottle
Watercolour brushes – varying sizes
Tissues
Lightweight Easel (for standing up) or portable canvas chair to sit on
Masking tape
Pencil

Suggested materials for painting in oils or acrylic:
An outdoor suitable easel or tripod set up
A support to paint on – primed panels or canvas boards
Paints
Medium/thinners or water
Brushes
Palette
Rags/kitchen roll

Who are the sessions for?
These sessions are aimed at adults. Those under 18 years old must be accompanied by a fee-paying adult.

No previous experience is necessary – come with curiosity and an open-mind!

About the artist
Anne has been painting predominantly in watercolour for around 50 years – and about half of that time has been En Plein Air sketching and painting in the UK and abroad.

Anne believes watercolour is ideal for En Plein Air because of its freshness and immediacy. There is nothing quite like sketching or painting outside to ensure you get important information down quickly without thinking too much… and you may even sell the piece as soon as you finish it! Whether you’re painting or sketching in pencil, pen, or ink, there are many benefits to being outside.

See more of Anne’s work by visiting her website, www.annewareartist.co.uk

Images: Courtesy of Anne Ware

For further details about the full programme
For details of the full programme of En Plein Air sessions happening in Barnstaple or on Exmoor this summer, visit our What’s On page.

These events are run by North Devon Arts as part of the The Big Draw Festival 2026. North Devon Arts is an organisation representing artists and those who appreciate art throughout North Devon. The Big Draw is a global movement campaigning to get everyone drawing. For full details, visit thebigdraw.org