e7939f5a9ac94ae28bf2906d70725c6b

From the Studio to Your Screen: My Mission to Teach the Nation

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 15:22:04 GMT

Connecting Artists Nationwide: 2027 Workshop Dates and a Sneak Peek at What’s Coming Online

There is something incredibly special about the energy of a live workshop. At my home base in the Westbury Arts Centre, the walls are thick with history, and the light in the studio is an artist's dream. Locally, I’ve had the joy of watching hundreds of students find their "aha!" moment at my easel. However, art shouldn't have geographical boundaries.

I’ve heard from many of you across the UK - from Cornwall to the Highlands - asking how you can learn the Nicky Hunter style without the commute. I am thrilled to share that I have a number of in-person dates available across the country in my 2027 calendar. As you may already know, I will also be teaching again at a glorious location: Big Sky Art in Norfolk (make sure you book your space soon before they fill up!), find out more here.

Looking further ahead, I am also hard at work behind the scenes developing a suite of Online Watercolour Masterclasses, which I am hoping to launch at the end of 2027.

These won't just be "watch and copy" videos. They are being designed as a true journey into watercolour painting. Whether you join me in person in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, or across various locations in the UK—or eventually follow along from your own kitchen table - my goal remains the same: to help you build strong foundational skills so you can enjoy painting in this magical medium as much as I do.

Stay Tuned : I’ll be sharing more details and progress updates as we get closer to the end of 2027.
Make sure you’re on the mailing list to get the "Early Bird" invite and be the first to know when doors open!

Behind the Easel: Experience a 1-to-1 Masterclass in My Art Studio

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:58:02 GMT

There is something truly magical about spending dedicated, uninterrupted time surrounded by original art, fresh colour palettes, and natural light. While running group workshops and creative painting holidays across the UK is always a joy, some of the most rewarding moments happen right here in my Westbury studio during 1-to-1 bespoke painting sessions .

A Space Designed for Creativity

Tucked away in the historic surroundings of Westbury Arts Centre, my art studio is built to inspire. Walls framed with vibrant floral and wildlife watercolours set the tone, while warm sunlight fills the working space. When you book a 1-to-1 experience, the studio becomes a beautiful working space for the day - a calm, welcoming haven where you can relax, experiment, and paint without distractions or pressure.

Tailored Entirely to You

No two 1-to-1 sessions are the same. Before you arrive, we discuss exactly what you hope to achieve from our time together.

Unlocking Expression: If you already paint, we dive into watercolour painting methods - capturing atmospheric light, letting pigment flow freely, loosening up brushwork, and finding your own unique artistic signature.

What to Expect on the Day

From the moment you arrive, everything is set up and ready for you.

Throughout the day, you’ll observe live, close-up demonstrations tailored to your specific subject - whether that’s luminous botanical petals, expressive animal portraits, or dramatic light-filled compositions. You'll then put those techniques directly onto paper with immediate, hands-on guidance and encouragement every step of the way.

Ready to Step Into the Studio?

This is a wonderful opportunity for a personal time to reignite your own creative spark, a private studio day is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself fully in the world of watercolour.

Interested in booking a 1-to-1 session in the studio?

Get in touch with me today to check current availability and discuss your tailored session.

The Ultimate Creative Escape: Big Sky Art, 14–19 March 2027

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 13:44:42 GMT

Why a Luxury Painting Holiday in Norfolk is the Ultimate Gift to Your Creativity

When was the last time you gave yourself permission to step away from the daily routine and simply create? No distractions, no household chores, no endless to-do lists - just you, a room full of like-minded souls, and a solid block of time dedicated entirely to your passion for painting.

Following the incredible success of our immersive retreat this spring, I am absolutely thrilled to announce that dates are officially open for my next Luxury Five-Day Painting Holiday with Big Sky Art in March 2027.

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the North Norfolk coast, this holiday is designed to be much more than a standard watercolour masterclass. It is a complete creative reboot.

If you’ve been standing on the edge, wondering if a multi-day painting retreat is right for you, here is why a creative holiday is the finest investment you can make in your artistic journey:

1. Five Days of Complete Creative Freedom

In a standard day workshop, time flies by in a flash. On a five-day retreat, time stretches out beautifully. You have the luxury of slow mornings, deep-dive afternoon sessions, and the freedom to start a piece, let it dry, reflect on it, and revisit it with a fresh eye the next day. This expansive timeline is where true artistic breakthroughs happen.

2. The Inspiration of the Dramatic Norfolk Landscape

There is a reason artists have flocked to Norfolk for centuries. The vast, open northern skies, the atmospheric coastal marshes, and the shifting maritime light combined with rural tranquillity offer the perfect environment for relaxing and practicing my "Loose and Lively" style. , no need to get blown around in the spring elements we don’t paint plein air like many art holidays, we are warm in our bright studio enjoying our creative retreat and all the comfort of the boutique hotel at hand.

3. Luxury Accommodation & Artistic Camaraderie

A painting holiday with Big Sky Art is as much about relaxation as it is about learning. You will enjoy premium, comfortable accommodations, delicious home-cooked meals, and the wonderful, warm sense of community that naturally forms when a group of creatives live and work together. You'll swap stories over dinner, share technical tips at the easel, and form friendships that outlast the retreat itself.

"Am I good enough to attend?"

This is the number one question I hear, and my answer is always a resounding yes. Whether you are a studio regular or a hobbyist still learning the good fundamental principles of how to use watercolour well and building your "Creative Brave," this retreat is tailored to meet you exactly where you are. Because we have five full days together, I am able to provide extensive, individualized guidance at the easel, helping you break free from rigid lines and unlock a looser, more confident watercolor style.

Secure Your Spot in Our Creative Community

Because this is a premium, small-group luxury retreat, spaces for the March 2027 Big Sky Art Painting Holiday are strictly limited to ensure everyone gets plenty of individual tuition time. Our previous retreats have filled up incredibly fast, and I don't want you to miss out on this spectacular week of painting, laughing, and learning.

Ready to join me for a creative escape?
Get in touch today to find out more details by Contacting Nicky Hunter today

Why Flowers and Wildlife are the Perfect Teachers

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 13:30:22 GMT

Why Nature is the Ultimate Watercolour Tutor

People often ask why I gravitate toward roses, kingfishers, and foxes. While they are undeniably beautiful, they are also the perfect subjects for anyone looking to master watercolour techniques.

Nature provides the ultimate "high stakes" challenge for an artist:

1. Transparency in Petals:
To paint a rose, you must master the art of capturing the lightness and delicacy of the multiple layers of petals without getting lost in the detail of each petal, light is the hallmark of a master.

2. The Texture of Fur and Feather:
This is where we play with "dry brush" techniques versus "wet-in-wet," creating the illusion of softness in contrast to the hard edge of a beak or an eye.

3. Organic Movement:
Nature isn't static. Capturing the "sweep" of a stem with minimal effort helps students develop a more fluid, gestural way of painting.

When we study a flower or an animal, we aren't just painting a "thing" - we are studying how light and shadow have impact in creating form in the objects and dynamic representative art.

By mastering these organic forms, you gain the skills to paint absolutely anything.

✉️ Ready to join me for a creative escape? Get in touch today!