Spring is here at last—the days are getting longer, the light feels softer in the evenings, and everything seems to be waking up all around us. It’s the perfect time to pick up your brushes, enjoy the outdoors, and plan some creative adventures!
From plein air days in Surrey’s rolling hills to online workshops, and painting with me this autumn in Italy, there’s so much to tell you about. Grab your diaries and save the dates—we have a season full of inspiration, colour, and joy ahead!
Cherry Blossom In The Park, Oil, 23x30cm
DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES
ROYAL INSTITUTE OF OIL PAINTERS PAINT OUT – Saturday 16th May
I’m leading another ROI Friends’ paint out at the beautiful Denbies Wine Estate in the Surrey Hills. Last year was such a joy—the vines, rolling hills, and all those lovely greens—that I couldn’t resist going back. The café terrace and wine bar are as lovely as ever, and this time I’ll book a marquee table for all of us to gather for lunch or a drink at the end of the day.
Facilities are great: FREE parking, loos, café, restaurant, and the wine marquee, of course. You do need to be a Friend of the ROI to join me, and it is certainly going to be worth it - there’s lots of fun to be had.
If you do plan to join, can you message me by email (lucy@lucymarks.co.uk) or text (07769 697693) so I know who to look out for on the day. We will meet by the entrance of the main building at 10.30am.
I can’t wait to see you all there - we had such fun last year.
When: Saturday 16th May, 10:30am-4pm
Where: Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6AA
INTERPRETING THE LANDSCAPE - Online Workshops - July
All mediums and levels welcome! Come and join me for three live online sessions one of Winslow International Art Center’s Summer Classes. We will be exploring how to interpret the landscape with freedom and confidence. We’ll work from observation in oil, gouache, or your preferred medium, creating expressive sketches and larger paintings.
Learn to:
Simplify and edit from nature
Build strong, dynamic compositions
Capture light, movement & atmosphere
Explore colour, materials, and painting energy
Paint more instinctively, loosen up your work, and find your own voice in the landscape!
Medium: All mediums welcome
Level: All levels welcome
When: Thursday 23rd and 30th July, and 6th August
Class Times:
• 9:30 am-11:30 am Pacific time
• 12:30 pm-2:30 pm Eastern time
• 5:30 pm-7:30 pm UK time
Where: Online through Zoom
Details: Click here for more details and booking information
ROYAL WATERCOLOUR SOCIETY SPRING SHOW & PERMANENT EXHIBITION
The Spring Members Show for the RWS at Bankside Gallery opens on 20th March. This year I have been working on small and large plein air works on a local beach catching the stormy rainy weather.
In the show I have large watercolour - yes, a classic watercolour - of the wild and stormy weather we have had. I’m always in awe of the amazing skies we have over my local beaches.
Rain Leaving the Beach, Watercolour, 60x76cm
When: 20th March to 18th April, Open 11am-6pm, daily.
Where: Bankside Gallery (near Tate Modern), 48 Hopton Street, London, SE1 9JB
I’m also delighted to have a large classic watercolour included in the RWS Permanent Exhibition, at the RWS Gallery in Whitcomb Street. This new permanent collection will feature members work and will be on display in between other shows and events at the Gallery.
My large watercolour that has been selected for the show is part of my series capturing storms and rain over my favourite beaches.
Check RWS website for details and opening times.
Misty Shore, Watercolour, 60x76cm
Artists & Illustrators - Magazine Article - OUT NOW!
I’m absolutely thrilled to share that I have a six-page Step by Step feature in the brilliant Artists & Illustrators art magazine (April issue). This is particularly exciting because it is my own article, where I share my approach to working en plein air and alla prima while on holiday.
In the article, I explain practical tips and simple exercises in oil and gouache, showing how a focused, thoughtful approach while on holiday can help you return home with finished paintings and a wealth of strong sketches as the basis for more work. I offer plenty of guidance for making the most of your time and to help you to get inspired when painting away from your studio.
It is such an honour to be able to share my own techniques and experience with the magazine’s wonderful readership. A BIG “Thank You” to Artists & Illustrators for including me in such a fantastic edition.
Go and get your copy or you can order back copies online.
SOUTHERN PLEIN AIR - GROUP SHOW - May 18th-24th
This May, the Southern Plein Air Group will be holding a group exhibition, and I’m thrilled to be part of this wonderful band of painters. I’ll be showing a brand-new collection of oil plein airpaintings painted along the South Coast. It’s going to be such a joy to have us all together.
It is already shaping up to be fantastic show, celebrating the joy of painting outdoors - do come along if you can!
When: 18th to 24th May, Open from 10am to 5pm
Where: Fishing Quarter Gallery, 201 Kings Rd Arches, Brighton BN1 1NB
Beach Days, Oil, 23x30cm
Leisure Painter & The Artist - Magazine Article - EMPOWERING WOMEN ARTISTS (SWA Feature) - OUT NOW!
A big thank you to Leisure Painter & The Artist Magazine and the wonderful Society of Women Artists for including me in their SWA Members’ article “Empowering Women Artists”.
The feature, in the current April edition celebrates women in art and includes works from our new President, Rachel Parker, and other fabulous SWA Members. My own large oil, Golden Dawn gets a spotlight!
WINSLOW ART CENTER - Spring Fling!
As part of this year’s free online art festival, I’ll be chatting for an hour and demonstrating the painting of a beautiful Mediterranean view from the castle I’ll be teaching at in October.
More details on the Winslow Art Center website here.
GALLERY NEWS
Arundel Contemporary - August
Exciting news for later this summer! As part of the Arundel Art Trail and coinciding with the August Bank Holiday, I’ll be holding a select solo show at the Arundel Contemporary Gallery.
I’ll be showing a hand-picked collection of new oil paintings - some small and some very large - of landscape in and around Arundel and across Sussex. More details coming soon, but I can’t wait to share this special selection with you!
When: Open daily 12-5pm during Arundel Art Trail 22nd-31st August, then continuing throughout September.
Where: 2 Maltravers Street, Arundel, BN18 9AP
COME PAINT WITH ME IN A CASTLE - October
Join me in Umbria with Winslow Art Center for an inspiring week of plein air painting among rolling hills, olive groves, and the timeless beauty of the Italian landscape. We will be staying in a beautiful castle; the perfect base for a week immersed in painting the Italian countryside.
Together we’ll explore the joy of all prima painting in oil and gouache, working with spontaneity and freedom to capture the light, atmosphere, and mood of this extraordinary place. Through quick sketches, painterly exercises, and more developed studies, I will guide you as you respond to the landscape with fresh eyes and a lively brush.
Imagine painting on cobbled terraces as the Italian light drifts across centuries-old stone, the scent of olive groves in the warm air. Each day is a chance to slow down, look deeply, and connect with both the landscape and your painting.
Thinking of Joining the Italy Trip?
If you’ve been dreaming of joining the Italy trip—and especially if you’d like to stay in the castle—booking early is a must! Places are limited and spaces are filling fast.
It promises to be such a fun, inspiring week: painting, exploring, and soaking up the incredible Umbrian light and atmosphere together. Don’t miss the chance to experience it all in such a beautiful setting!
When: 3rd to 10th October 2026
Where: Castello di Petroia, Gubbio, Umbria, Italy.
Details: See Winslow Art Center for details here.
BUY DIRECT FROM MY STUDIO
Over the coming weeks, I will be adding fresh new work onto my website. It will be available to purchase directly from my studio - just me sending artwork direct to you.
A “New Work” tab will make it easy to browse the latest paintings and to buy directly as they are released.
STUDIO DIARY
I will also be adding a Diary page where you can quickly see all my upcoming exhibitions, demonstrations and other events. I am often asked “Where can I see your work?” - and this will make it easy to see everything at a glance.
Spring is such a joyful season for creativity—whether you’re joining me at a paint out, exploring online sessions, or daydreaming about Italy, I hope the coming months bring you colour, light, and plenty of inspiration.
I hope to see you at one of my shows, events, workshops or just painting!
Lots of love and look after yourselves,
Lucy x