Watercolour Workshop Derbyshire - Kingfisher

This week's Kingfisher workshop was everything I hope my classes will be... calm, creative, and filled with lovely conversation.

There's something so special about watching a room full of people gradually relax as they lose themselves in painting. Every brushstroke builds confidence, every painting develops its own personality, and by the end of the session everyone has created something they can feel genuinely proud of.

One of my favourite moments as a tutor is seeing students realise they're capable of far more than they expected. 💙

Thank you to everyone who joined me on Wednesday and made it such an enjoyable day.

If you'd love to spend a few peaceful hours painting with like-minded people, keep an eye on my page for details of upcoming workshops.

No Experience necessary - Just a willingness to have a go

Step-by-step worksheets - to easily follow along and take home with you.

My next workshop is at Art in the park, Derby. If you would like to join me, book your spot here

Derbyshire Watercolour Workshop - Harvest Mice

There’s something incredibly rewarding about watching people reconnect with creativity — especially those who arrive convinced they “can’t paint”.

This short reel is a little glimpse into my watercolour workshops at Art in the Park, where I guide participants step by step through painting nature-inspired subjects in a calm and supportive environment.

My next workshop focuses on these charming little harvest mice climbing amongst spring dandelions, and I’ll be teaching it next week in Markeaton Park.

One of the things I value most about these sessions is creating space for people to slow down, observe closely, and enjoy the process of making something by hand.

It’s always amazing to see what people create when they give themselves permission to simply begin 

Watercolour Workshop Derby - Harvest Mice

Really looking forward to teaching my next watercolour workshop at Art in the Park on Wednesday 27th May!

In this relaxed step-by-step workshop, we’ll be painting these adorable little harvest mice climbing amongst bright spring dandelions 

This class is perfect for beginners as well as those with more experience — all materials are included and I’ll guide you through the painting every step of the way.

📍 Markeaton Park, Derby
🕤 9:30am–1:30pm
🎨 All materials included

Spaces are limited to keep the workshop small and supportive, so if you’d like to join me just book Here

Harvest Mice - Watercolour Workshop - Derby

 🌼 Bookings are now open for my next watercolour workshop at Art in the Park, Derby!

 Tuesday 27th May | 9:30am – 1:30pm
 Art in the Park, Markeaton Park, Derby
 £46 – All materials included, plus a complimentary parking pass

Spaces are limited and advance booking is essential.

Join me for a relaxing and inspiring four-hour watercolour workshop in the beautiful surroundings of Markeaton Park.

In this adult workshop, I’ll guide you step by step as we paint two adorable harvest mice climbing amongst sunny dandelions—a delightful spring subject full of charm and character.
Designed to be calm, supportive, and enjoyable, this workshop is suitable for all abilities, including complete beginners. No previous experience is necessary.
During the session, you will:
 Learn how to mix and balance colour
 Build confidence with layering techniques
 Follow clear, step-by-step demonstrations
 Receive printed reference and instruction sheets to take home
 Enjoy a mindful and creative escape in a beautiful park setting
All materials are provided, so simply come along and enjoy a few peaceful hours of painting.
To ensure plenty of individual support, spaces are limited and early booking is recommended.

You can book your place here: Harvest Mice Workshop

Derbyshire Watercolour Painting Workshops

My Bee Orchid workshop was fully booked – thank you so much to everyone who came along!

It was such a lovely, relaxed day and I’m always so happy to see what my students create. 

If you fancy discovering the calming rhythm of watercolour painting, I’ve just released dates for my next workshops at Art in the park Derby.

27th May

29th July

2nd Sept

28th Oct

16th Dec

These workshops are suitable for beginners. I provide step-by-step guidance. 

Booking can be made here: Book Workshop

Capturing the first wild flowers - Watercolour nature illustration

 I look forward to capturing the first wildflowers of the year, every year 😊 Their burst of colour feels like a gentle welcome after the winter bleakness!

I photograph them so i can take them back to the studio with me and sit and appreciate them a little longer.

Painting them in watercolour feels like a way to honour that fleeting moment before they sipper again 😊

Hand painted nature art for a new Aquapaints range

A little peek behind the scenes of my new commission for the fantastic Relish. We are creating a new Aquapaint theme. Can you guess what it might be? I will be posting more about this project over the next couple of weeks, stay tuned ☺️

Autumnal Watercolour Class

 🍂 Autumn Watercolour Workshop – Paint a Red Squirrel! 🐿️

Join me at @Artintheparkderby, Markeaton Park Art Studio, on Wednesday 29th October for a relaxing, step-by-step watercolour session inspired by the colours of autumn.

We’ll paint a beautiful red squirrel surrounded by glowing autumn leaves, exploring techniques for fur texture, layering washes, and capturing seasonal warmth.

🖌️ Suitable for all abilities – from total beginners to confident painters

🎨 All materials provided

☕ Friendly, creative atmosphere

📅 Date: Wednesday 29th October

📍 Venue: Art in the Park, Markeaton Craft Village, Markeaton Park, Derby, DE22 3BG

🕓 Time: 9:30am - 12:30pm

💷 Price: £35 (all materials provided + Free Parking)

🎟️ Book your place: On the Art in the Park website www.artintheparkderby.co.uk/adults-art-classes

🍁 Let’s celebrate autumn in watercolour together!

Art Licensing for Jigsaw Puzzles

Ever wondered how a jigsaw puzzle illustration comes to life?

Here’s a little peek behind the scenes of my Jungle Life puzzle for @Relishjoy where every element you see on the finished puzzle started as a hand-painted watercolour. 🐒🦜🌿

I paint each piece larger than it’s final size to capture every tiny detail — then they’re carefully scaled down and woven into the final jungle scene.

It’s one of my favourite parts of the process: watching a painting transform into something people can hold, touch, and enjoy. 💛

Jigsaw puzzle illustration

I’m excited to share that I’m once again teaming up with the wonderful @relishjoy on a brand new art commission, this time creating a new theme for their amazing Aquapaints collection. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing a peek behind the scenes as the new theme comes to life. 

But before diving into this latest project, I wanted to celebrate one of our previous collaborations: the vibrant “Jungle Life” jigsaw puzzle. A vibrant, nature-filed scene I had the joy of illustrating.

Relish are a truly special company with a meaningful mission: they create thoughtfully designed products to support people living with dementia, helping to spark moments of joy, connection and shared experiences. 

Projects like these are a reminder of why i love what i do, using art to make a difference, to bring colour, joy, creativity and connection into people’s lives.

Stay tuned, Can’t wait to share more about what Aquapaints are and the artwork that created them.

Timelapse video of watercolour painting moths

 Timelapse video of watercolour painting moths

Timelapse of my watercolour Goldfinch painting

From pencil sketch to finished Goldfinch, watch the process unfold in seconds 🎨☺️

Hummingbird Hawk-moth in my garden

So happy to have captured this little beauty on my very own Buddleia! It's called a hummingbird hawk-moth 😍 I had the pleasure of illustrating one for Homecoming, so was super excited to actually see one in my own garden.

Absolutely beautiful! Hope you enjoy watching my little video of it. 😊

Homecoming Longlisted for the Wainwright Prize for illustrative books.

It has been an absolute joy to illustrate Homecoming, the nature journal written by the brilliant Melissa Harrison.

Reconnecting with nature is something i care deeply about, so when first read Melissa's manuscript for Homecoming, I knew right away this journal was something special! 💖

Sound of the ocean - Seashell headphones T-Shirt

Who remembers holding a seashell to your ear as a child, amazed by the sound of the sea whispering inside? 🐚✨

That wonder stayed with me — and it inspired this painting.

I imagined seashell headphones, carrying the ocean’s magic wherever you go...

Dolphins leaping, fish swimming, waves spilling out in a cascade of life and sound. 

This piece is my tribute to the endless beauty, mystery, and life held within the sea.

You can now buy The Sound of the Ocean on T-Shirts in my Tee Public Shop

For those who still listen to seashells! 😊

https://www.teepublic.com/user/amanda-dilworth

I was also thrilled to learn that Sound of the Ocean had been selected by Pangeaseed as one of the top 10 art submissions for their Sea Wonder: Share wonder campaign!

In celebration of Earth month and world oceans day the Pangeaseed family invited artists from around the world to submit original art that explore wonder, celebrating the emotional and scientific beauty of the ocean. The campaign is to spark curiosity, build connection and inspire care and empathy through the arts.

June - Nature Watercolour Illustrations

 June is one of my favourite months in the UK. Grab your copy of Homecoming and step outside-there's so much waiting to be noticed! 😍

When the fields become your studio - Out in the Derbyshire dales sketching nature.

 

When the fields become your studio...

I absolutely love this time of year, the fields look incredible 😍

It's nice to gather inspiration for my artwork from photographs and from getting out and about with my sketchbook, to capture some quick studies.

I hope you will follow me for more nature inspiration and artwork.

https://www.instagram.com/amanda_dilworth/

Watercolour Illustration of Great Tit Nest

Magpies are natural nest predators, as this great tit knows! Hand painted watercolour illustration from Homecoming, a beautiful nature journal written by the wonderful Melissa Harrison and fully illustrated by me.