Rosie Parmley: An introduction to The Bloomsbury Group

Painting by Vanessa Bell

Bloomin Marvelous Bloomsbury Art Course Coming Soon.

Did you know that our Rosie Parmley lived in Bloomsbury in London most of her adult life?

Its an easy walk from Covent Garden and Leisure Square. Back in the 1980s when Rosie had turned 21 it was run down and a bit dodgy – think the Specials video for Ghost Town Roll back to the Bloomsbury of the 1907-30, it wasn’t a respectable place then either, when the Stephens sisters – Virginia Woolf and Vannessa Bell and their brother took up a house after the death of their father. Their Aunt was very upset that they had taken a house in that part of town! It wasn’t a respectable area for two young ladies to be living in and taking in guests, and friends. They were slumming it. Rebelling and rejecting the morality and values of the Victorian England, the Bloomsbury Group was a circle of like-minded friends who championed sexual equality, the importance of personal relationships, rational debate and the arts. The group was formed from the friendships of the writers and the artists of the day, to support each other with discussions, debates, exhibitions. A bit like The Colour Factory! And not a skirt in sight!

Rosie Parmley is running an artist retreat for four days to share her passion for the art of the Bloomsbury Group. In her class, you will be fully immersed in the art, history and the processes and paintings of key members of the group.

Day 1 Introduction at the Bloomsbury inspired café – the Cabinet Rooms. A historical presentation that sets out the Bloomsbury Story in their cinema room with coffee and croissants. Later at The Colour Factory, there will be a tour of the artist’s studios and you will settle into your creative space for the three/four days. Exploring drawing skills and working from exercises inspired by the Bloomsbury artists; techniques in pencil, charcoal, and ink.

Day 2&3 A close look at the techniques processes and paintings produced by key Bloomsbury group artists. A demonstration in colour mixing and different paint applications. Learning about the influence of Paul Cezanne on that period of art across Europe and on the Bloomsbury Group. Recreating a still life and landscape painting.

Day 4 Optional day four. A more informal day of painting with time to build on the skills of the previous days with one-to-one support from Rosie.

Come away with confident sketches, studies and paintings inspired by the group. Price includes all materials, a sketch book and hot refreshments - £300pp (three days) or £400pp (four days) in a small, friendly class with lots of demonstrations. All you need to bring is your lunch. Suitable for all abilities.

The course takes place over 4 days, from Friday 8th - Sunday 10th August with an optional studio day on Monday 11th August.

You can find out more, or book your space by emailing Rosie at rosieparmley@yahoo.co.uk 

Rosie is a professional artist and teacher from Winchester whose practice draws upon collage, drawing and painting. She appeared on Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year Series 6, episode 4. The Colour Factory has been the home of her courses since 2016.