Controlling the Uncontrollable: Bold & Expressive landscapes

Date: Saturday & Sunday, Dec 6th & 7th, 2025

Time: 10.00 AM - 4.00 PM (PST)

Location: Federation Academy on Granville Island,  1310 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3S1 

Level: Suitable for Beginner & Intermediate Level

Medium: Watercolour

Workshop Overview: 

Bruce Lee once said to “be like water,” and that lesson is key in learning watercolour. Many people attempt watercolours like they are using acrylic or Gouache, often leading to frustration, muddy colours, and overworked brushstrokes. This workshop is designed to help you embrace watercolour’s unpredictable nature, learning how to “control the  uncontrollable” while also knowing when to let go and go with the flow.

Over two days, we’ll explore two local landscapes, one from West Vancouver and the other from Steveston looking North to the mountains. Through  step-by-step demonstrations, you’ll practice brush techniques, colour mixing, composition, and depth while learning how to react flexibly when things don’t go as planned. Along the way, you’ll discover when to take control and when to let the paint move freely.

This workshop, full of fun and encouragement, is best suited for intermediate artists ready to loosen up, gain confidence, and experience the joy of painting with watercolour.

About the Instructor - Scott Pleydell-Pearce:

Scott hails originally from the South West coast of England, he went through 6 years of Art school doing varying courses at a pre digital age, covering drawing, painting, graphic design, printmaking, sculpture and photography. His further education at a higher level took him into the world of 2D and 3D animation where his career has spanned over 30 years. 

His journey into painting began in 2012 when he fell passionately for the world of watercolour and Plein Air painting, he successfully combined being a director of Animation alongside learning what many artists call “the most challenging of mediums”. Painting in watercolour for Scott is a continuous process of learning, failing, experimenting, mastering certain things then starting all over again. By painting En plein air as much as possible and always looking for new locations and subject matter or even reimagining often painted scenes keeps his work fresh and lively. 

His style can be described as: Bold, Energetic and Dynamic. He has the ability to draw and paint very accurately but also turn his hand to a looser impressionistic approach as well.  

After immigrating to Canada in 2016 Scott has taken full advantage of the many different areas in and around Vancouver and the Okanagan. Mountains, Lakes, Ocean, Beaches, Farmland, Urban scenes, Figures in everyday life all offer variety and stimulus for this prolific painter of the world around him.

Student Testimonials:

• " Scott is incredibly down to Earth and approachable, his critiques are honest yet kind and constructive. " 

• " Scott wields his brush at times with such care and the most delicate  touch, and other times like a Hollywood pirate with gusto and bravado,  it’s most entertaining to watch and very inspirational. " 

• " I really enjoyed his c’est la vie approach to happy accidents and human error, the way he then turned these into positives is really amazing. "

• " He really inspired and motivated me to push myself and paint more."

• " What I enjoyed most about Scott’s classes, apart from his obvious talent, is how dedicated he is to making sure every student gets proper attention and help, and he always finds something positive to say. It’s really encouraging. "