Painting the Mountains with Phoebe Sleath

We will walk through Glen Nevis, stopping to observe the mountains and rocks with watercolour. Phoebe is a PhD student in Geology at the University of Aberdeen and a Mountain Leader. This workshop is for artists of all abilities and experience levels.

To start Phoebe will show you what's in her field kit and demonstrate how you can work confidently and colourfully in your sketchbooks to document geological features and learn more about the rocks and landscape in the process. Together we will then use a variety of art materials like watercolour, pastels and pens to add different colours and textures to our paintings.

On our walk we will interpret and learn about lots of different geological features; metamorphic rocks, folding and faulting, igneous intrusions and erosion by glaciers and rivers. By the end of the walk you should have plenty of interesting sketches and new found knowledge to learn about geology and sketch everywhere!

All materials will be provided, but please wrap up warm with appropriate clothing and footware for whatever conditions the day may bring. A spare jacket or mat to sit on will also be useful. In the event of terrible weather (February can bring all sorts!), we will be indoors for some or all of the workshop.

Testimonials from participants of the workshop in February 2024

"Phoebe is an excellent guide to both geology and art - encouraging us to focus on the rock formations etc really helped avoid feeling overwhelmed when painting the landscape."

"I came away feeling really inspired and ready to go ahead and use the tips and techniques we learned for painting in the outdoors. Most of all I find it quite freeing to stop worrying about how painting would turn out and just enjoy the process!"

"Phoebe was great, answered all my questions and very supportive through the process."

About Phoebe

Phoebe is a Geology PhD student and artist living in Aberdeen, studying how geologists percieve and interpret structures in rocks in mountain building areas like the North West Highlands of Scotland and the Alps.
After moving to Scotland in 2020, Phoebe started to take her sketchbook and watercolour palette to the hills and crags to paint the landscape quickly and expressively in between climbing, walking and biking adventures. In her PhD, watercolour became her method of interpreting geology on fieldwork. Phoebe's work considers our personal relationship with the world around us - through science, art and language.