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Session 6 - Welcome to our final tutorial

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Session 6 - Welcome to our final tutorial

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Hi Everyone, welcome to Session 6. Please find below the video where we bring all of the skills learnt from the course into a final painting! We also look at getting scale into a painting and more on shadows. Any questions please ask. Thanks

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A really nice link to explore as you move forwards with your art and wellbeing at the end of this course.

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5. Collage

You will need: a base (thick cardboard or a canvas are both ideal); PVA glue; a selection of images, paper and objects

Collages can take the form of any theme and involve collecting, arranging and sticking paper or other materials onto a base of any shape. Here are some ideas:

An 'all about me' or autobiographical collage could incorporate images and objects that have a personal meaning - for example, photographs, travel tickets, drawings, cut-out images and text.

Try creating a calming collage using colours, patterns, images and words that you find soothing. You might paint your own coloured paper to add to your collage, or you could find patterns and images in brochures, magazines and photographs.

Create a picture using collage, for example an animal or landscape.

Paper can be cut or ripped to add different textures to your collage. A final coat of PVA glue over your collage will make it more durable.

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During busy or stressful periods, allowing ourselves a little time to engage in simple, playful and intuitive art activities can encourage mindfulness and relaxation.

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Hi everyone, welcome to Session 1! Please find the video below, any questions please ask.

In this weeks session, Tracy will go through an introduction into the course, what is included in your packs and how to get the most from them. We then begin to look at some basic techniques leading onto next week :-)

Don't forgot there is a zoom meeting this morning around 10, feel free to drop in to say hello, I'll keep it open for a while after 10 encase anyone is slightly delayed. I'll pop the link up close to the time :-)

Next week alongside Session 2 we will have a second zoom call with Tracy for any content specific questions you may have or anything you'd like to know about your packs / picking up extra materials etc.

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brush strokes with item supplied and cobalt blue tube

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using colours supplied 1

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Good evening to everyone, just a quick note to say congratulations again on completing your on-line watercolour painting course. I will be emailing your course certificate across to you this evening.

Please can I remind everyone to use Brad's link below and complete the end of course feedback form please. Thanks.

What's next - plenty of exciting new painting, art and craft courses from July onwards. Everything will be listed on our facebook page and it will be detailed in the new Community Learning Course Directory for 2021/22 too.

We hope to see you again soon. Best wishes Tracy, Brad and Carol

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I have been taking photos of lovely skies so thought I would try to have a go at one. I will post you the photo I looked at.

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I had two attempts at this as my first one at the top I wasn't sure I looked I thought the shadows on my clouds didn't look right, possibly too brown as well, so had another attempt.

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Just experimenting with colours

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Karen Lewis

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Session 3 - Hi everyone, welcome to Session 3!

Today's session will move on from the practice landscape and techniques learnt last week putting these into practice! We have a more involved painting for you attempt with Tracy taking you through every step of the way. As per usual please ask if you have any questions.

We have also found this great video which is a great link to follow supporting what we learn today. Please take a look, well worth a watch - I'll upload the link on a separate post.

No zoom meetings this week but please fire away with any questions about the session, we will be on hand to answer them during the day.

Nice to see some great art being produced, please keep uploading photos of your work, its great to see :-)

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Karen Lewis

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Karen lewis

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Here are the details for tomorrows Zoom meeting with Tracy - don't worry if you can't make it, its optional and just a chance to meet / ask questions. Any technical problems let me know, I'll try help as best I can.

Thanks.

-------

Brad Parkes is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Brad Parkes' Zoom Meeting

Time: Apr 28, 2021 10:00 AM London

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/83912122611...

Meeting ID: 839 1212 2611

Passcode: 0B4vaP

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Exploring brushes/paints

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Karen lewis -sketch

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Congratulations on achieving your learning goals and course outcomes!

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Congratulations on achieving your learning goals and course outcomes!

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Congratulations on your progress and achievement of your learning outcomes and personal goals on this course.
We will be forwarding your individual certificates to you as a pdf file over the next couple of days.
Please take a moment to celebrate with us - and with Keiron  - you should feel very proud of your progress and achievements.

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king keraun clap GIF by Fuse - Find & Share on GIPHY

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Discover & share this king keraun clap GIF by Fuse with everyone you know. GIPHY is how you search, share, discover, and create GIFs.

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Hi everyone, please find below a short video which helps round up your online learning course. Big well done for completing your course. Great achievement and you've all achieved so much. Even though its the end any questions please ask. Thanks.

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Please take a look at our group agreement, we want everyone to feel safe, supported and included.  We want everyone to achieve as much as possible by taking part.

To approve and to leave an suggestions please leave your comment/approval below.  It is important that all course members submit their approval of the Group Agreement.

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Latest Covid 19 information and support links in your local community

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Latest Covid 19 information and support links in your local community

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Thank you for enrolling on our course, I really hope that you enjoy learning some of the basic painting skills and techniques for water colour painting and that you will go on to develop and enjoy your new skills once the course finishes.

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Hi Everyone welcome to Session 5 where we move on to learning new techniques for painting water, landscapes and stormy skies! Any questions please ask, Thanks.

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How to Paint a Sunset with Watercolors for Beginners | Art Journal Thursday Ep. 12

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Morning Everyone, please find below a supporting link for today's session where we learn new techniques for painting skies, clouds and stormy weather! Loads of great content in today's video and the link below goes into further detail in particular in creating shadows in your clouds.

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Learning Outcomes for Today:

1. Use a range of arts materials for practicing watercolour painting
2. Create a design for a project - sketching
3. Manipulate different art materials
4. Use different methods of applying watercolour paints, practising using a brush and different strokes
5. Use arts equipment safely
6. Identify online sources of inspiration for watercolour painting, arts and crafts
7. Reflect on the effectiveness of my projects
8. Share photo's I've taken with other course members on-line

Wider Learning Outcomes for Today:

1. Keeping active in your home and outdoor space
2. Enjoying learning new skills
3. By feeling more confident in your ability to learn something new
4. By understanding that taking part can improve my wellbeing
5. Interacting as part of a group, learning how to collaborate with others on the course, and by learning how you can use your new watercolour skills to give to others.

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Please complete this at the end of your session to capture your comments and feedback on your learning.

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The purpose of this is to feedback any thoughts you have had with the session. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Carol Parkes at 07772 273 033 or carolparkes@chaseaquaruralenterprise.com Please find the padlet link here: https://padlet.com/CAREcic/employability

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Please use this form to capture your comments and feedback on your learning as part of session 1.
Many thanks.

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The purpose of this is to feedback any thoughts you have had with the session. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Carol Parkes at 07772 273 033 or carolparkes@chaseaquaruralenterprise.com Please find the padlet link here: https://padlet.com/CAREcic/employability

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Learning Outcomes for Today:

1. Use a range of arts materials for practicing watercolour painting
2. Create a design for a project - sketching
3. Manipulate different art materials
4. Use different methods of applying watercolour paints, practising using a brush and different strokes
5. Use arts equipment safely
6. Identify online sources of inspiration for watercolour painting, arts and crafts
7. Reflect on the effectiveness of my projects
8. Share photo's I've taken with other course members on-line

Wider Learning Outcomes for Today:

1. Keeping active in your home and outdoor space
2. Enjoying learning new skills
3. By feeling more confident in your ability to learn something new
4. By understanding that taking part can improve my wellbeing
5. Interacting as part of a group, learning how to collaborate with others on the course, and by learning how you can use your new watercolour skills to give to others.

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Introduction to your course and your learning Padlet/Facebook group

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Introduction to your course and your learning Padlet/Facebook group

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INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
Good Morning Everyone - Here is Session 1 of the course! Today we talk through an introduction to water colours and take a look at the equipment you’ll be using going forwards.

Our Zoom session will be hosted at 10:00am, so please join us and meet everyone. Great chance to interact directly with the tutors and have any questions answered.

We also have a video which introduces how online courses at CARE will work, how to use Padlet and Facebook Group and a little ice breaking activity 😊 I’ll post the link for this before the watch party, it will take you to the video on YouTube.

We have a water colour kit for you all 😊 some have been posted already and received. If anyone hasn’t received them yet don’t worry, they’ll be on there way to you as they’ve all been posted.

Thanks again - See you Soon 🎨

Session 1 documents:

Please read and send your responses back to us:
Course Aims/Outcomes
Learning Group Charter
Photography Consent Form
My window, My world
Initial Assessment Survey -

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Here is a great little video with 5 great tips for watercolour beginners

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5 Tips For Watercolor Beginners | Shayda Shorts

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This link will take you to an artist who does a great video on watercolour textures

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This is a great website which talks about art generally but there's also some great information on weights of watercolour paper.

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Do you want to learn how to draw or paint? Are you looking for painting tips and drawing techniques that will help you along your artistic journey? Or perhaps you'd like to deepen your understanding of and appreciation for art?

This website has something for everyone - from the complete beginner to the avid art enthusiast. Basically, this is a website for the creative spirit!

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Do you want to learn how to draw or paint? Are you looking for painting tips and drawing techniques that will help you along your artistic journey? Or perhaps you'd like to deepen your understanding of and appreciation for art? This website has something for everyone - from the complete beginner to the avid art enthusiast.

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The Five Ways to Wellbeing has been a very important corner stone for this course and you may remember we started by taking a look at where you felt you were on the WEMWBS scale. It would be really good if you could pause again now and complete WEMWBS again to see what impact taking part in the course has had on your wellbeing.  If there is anything that we can help to support you with on-going as a result please let me know.  Link to the form is here:

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The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS)

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This is a very brief questionnaire that is meant to help you measure your own mental well-being. (c) NHS Health Scotland, University of Warwick and University of Edinburgh, 2006, all rights reserved. Used under licence to Chase Aqua Rural Enterprise CIC. Link to find out more information here: htt…

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Hi Everyone, welcome back to Session 4. Today we move on from larger sweeping landscapes to some lovely smaller detailed artwork. Any questions please ask.

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On-line learning platforms for your On-line Learning Course:

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On-line learning platforms for your On-line Learning Course:

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If you need help getting on-line, or navigating with the on-line tools please just let me know.  Once you’re up and running please stay safe on-line, remember there’s some great advice here on your Padlet/Facebook pages, or please ask me if you have any questions at all or need any other support.
Thanks, Brad Parkes 07772 273033

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Your Watercolour painting journey starts here.   What do you Already Know?:

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Your Watercolour painting journey starts here.   What do you Already Know?:

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Please can I ask you to complete this form using the link below.

All of this information is really important and helps us to make sure your journey takes you to where you want to go.  Thank you.
.

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Positive wellbeing will influence many aspects of our lives, as well as being an  important employability characteristic. Please complete and return the wellbeing survey form below.  We can repeat this again later to see the impact taking part in this course has had on your well-being.  Thank you.

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The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS)

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This is a very brief questionnaire that is meant to help you measure your own mental well-being. (c) NHS Health Scotland, University of Warwick and University of Edinburgh, 2006, all rights reserved. Used under licence to Chase Aqua Rural Enterprise CIC. Link to find out more information here: htt…

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On-line learning at home - Home Safety Tips and Workstsation Advice

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On-line learning at home - Home Safety Tips and Workstsation Advice

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Are you sitting comfortably - no, then take a look at these links:

A short youtube video on workstation safety: https://youtu.be/ZLwIP8cBaWA

Health & Safety Executive workstation checklist: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ck1.pdf

Always make sure that you are plugged in safely - take a look at this really useful guidance provided by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

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Did you know faulty electrics such as overloaded sockets and faulty electrical appliances cause around 7,000 house fires across the country every year?

General Advice

When using electronic devices always use the official charger and don't be tempted to use cheap counterfeit replicas instead.

Ensure that you replace all damaged cables and chargers.

Make sure all electrical appliances have a British or European safety mark when you buy them.

Don't overload your sockets - keep one appliance to one plug where possible and use the socket overload calculator to reduce the risk of fire.

Unplug appliances when you are going to bed or not using them.

High powered appliances such as washing machines should have a single plug socket.

Never use square box plug adapters, and if using a strip adapter/extension make sure it's fused and don't overload it.

If using a cable drum extension lead, it should be completely unwound to avoid overheating.

Never put anything metallic in the microwave.

Do not leave your washing machine on overnight or when you go out.

Clean the filter on your tumble dryer regularly and remove fluff.

Clean behind the fridge and freezer in order to avoid the blocking of air vents.

Don't leave electric blankets folded when storing them over summer months as this damages the internal wiring - store them flat or rolled up.

If your electric blanket isn't thermostat controlled, unplug the blanket before you get into bed.

Don't buy second-hand blankets - check your blanket regularly for wear and tear.

If your blanket is over 10 years old, replace it and dispose of the old one at your nearest recycling centre.

Socket Overload Calculator

Are you overloading your sockets?

Overloaded sockets can easily cause fires, which could be easily prevented. Use the socket overload calculator to plug in some typical household appliances to see the effect on the load, and to get useful tips on how to avoid overloading your sockets.

Register your electrical appliances for a safer home

Only 36% of consumers register all of their large domestic appliances.

The register my appliance website is designed to make it quicker and easier for the public to register all of their appliances. It provides up-to-date, accurate, contact information for owners who have acquired specific models of appliances within the last twelve years, so manufacturers can issue safety updates or repair notifications to the right homes. The website provides access to the registration pages of over 40 leading brands of domestic appliances, including most of the UK's top-selling brands of major white goods.

Other electrical items should be registered with the manufacturer when you purchase them. They can be checked for recalls and registered using the Electrical Safety First website.

The site above also gives advice on what to do if you get a recall notification.

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Did you know faulty electrics such as overloaded sockets and faulty electrical appliances cause around 7,000 house fires across the country every year? When using electronic devices always use the official charger and don't be tempted to use cheap counterfeit replicas instead. Ensure that you replace all damaged cables and chargers.

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Please read through out our course aims and outcomes below. Will be hoping to achieve all of these by the end of the course, and they will help you to identify your personal course goals too. Please leave us a comment if you have any queries below.  Thank you.

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Safeguarding information for learners from Staffordshire Community Learning / county council

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Safeguarding information for learners from Staffordshire Community Learning / county council

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Safeguarding and Prevent duty: overview - Staffordshire County Council

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Information, guidance and documents on Safeguarding and the Prevent Duty.

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https://www.getsafeonline.org/

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From the Blog

Blog

Who are you really talking to online?

The internet is a fantastic innovation that has, in many ways, made life more convenient, given us more choice, brought enrichment and for many, made...

Our Partners & Supporters

Our Mission

Our Mission

Get Safe Online is the UK's leading source of unbiased, factual and easy-to-understand information on online safety.

Our website is a unique resource providing practical advice on how to protect yourself, your computers and mobile devices and your business against fraud, identity theft, viruses and many other problems encountered online. It contains guidance on many other related subjects too - including performing backups and how to avoid theft or loss of your computer, smartphone or tablet.
Read more about who we are

Get Safe Online around the world

Get Safe Online has a presence in 24 countries around the world. Each country benefits from its own Get Safe Online website, customised to deliver the best and most relevant experience for individuals and businesses. Many of the countries also have a community of Get Safe Online Ambassadors and Advocates working on our behalf.
Read more about our International Sites

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Get Safe Online | The UK's leading Online Safety Advice Resource

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The UK's leading online safety advice resource. Providing free, impartial internet safety advice to help keep you and your family safe online.

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More online safety including advice for parents

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More online safety including advice for parents

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Welcome to the UK Safer Internet Centre, where you can find online safety tips, advice and resources to help children and young people stay safe online.

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Thank you for your feedback from session 2.  Today we will progress your new skills further and look at how we apply them.

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Staying safe online - tips for older people | Age UK

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Online scams are becoming increasingly common. These include viruses which can damage your computer and online scams. Read our guide to staying safe online.

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Thank you for all of your feedback and photographs which have been uploaded onto our Closed Facebook Group.

Thank you to all learners who have returned their photo consent form and learning agreement - if you still need to action this the links are in the safeguarding and ground rules column (2).

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Useful Learner Information -  British Values, Protect yourself, Feeling and Staying Safe:

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Useful Learner Information -  British Values, Protect yourself, Feeling and Staying Safe:

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https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Education/Community-learning-service/ProviderInfo/Safeguarding-and-Prevent-duty-overview.aspx

Using the internet safely and protectiing personal information:
https://www.deliveringforscotland.gov.uk/at-home/internet-safety/

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Please share your photos, top tips, ideas, feedback with us.  If you have any difficulty uploading your work please just get in touch with me - Carol Parkes, 07772 273033 or email carolparkes@chaseaquaruralenterprise.com

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Please share your photos, top tips, ideas, feedback with us.  If you have any difficulty uploading your work please just get in touch with me - Carol Parkes, 07772 273033 or email carolparkes@chaseaquaruralenterprise.com

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What do I want to Learn?Learning Outcomes

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What do I want to Learn?Learning Outcomes

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Once you have successfully completed your course why not try another course with CARE or one of the  learning courses available with Staffordshire Community Learning.  Please follow the link below for full details.

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Staffordshire Community Learning - Staffordshire Adult and Community Learning

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This is the official website for Staffordshire County Council's Adult Community Learning service.

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Other websites of interest for "reading around" the subject

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Other websites of interest for "reading around" the subject

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Please complete this at the end of your session to capture your comments and feedback on your learning.

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The purpose of this is to feedback any thoughts you have had with the session. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Carol Parkes at 07772 273 033 or carolparkes@chaseaquaruralenterprise.com Please find the padlet link here: https://padlet.com/CAREcic/employability

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Please complete this at the end of your session to capture your comments and feedback on your learning.

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The purpose of this is to feedback any thoughts you have had with the session. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Carol Parkes at 07772 273 033 or carolparkes@chaseaquaruralenterprise.com Please find the padlet link here: https://padlet.com/CAREcic/employability

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Learning and wider outcomes achieved on our course:

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Learning and wider outcomes achieved on our course:

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When we started six weeks ago this list might have seemed quite long, and the content of the course challenging.  But looking at it now it is amazing how far you have come, how we have each week worked together to achieve these and what a fabulous feeling it is to have come so far with your skills development and your wellbeing.  Please take a moment to complete the end of course survey and evaluate just how many of your individual and course goals you have achieved.

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Just wondering where you are sitting as you log in to take part in this course?  Please add a photo and caption to the top of this post, it would be great to have a glimpse through your window, into your world with you too.   Please add a photo and caption to the top of this post, it would be great to have a glimpse through your window into your world with you too.

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Please complete this at the end of your session to capture your comments and feedback on your learning.

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The purpose of this is to feedback any thoughts you have had with the session. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Carol Parkes at 07772 273 033 or carolparkes@chaseaquaruralenterprise.com Please find the padlet link here: https://padlet.com/CAREcic/employability

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What do I Want to Learn?Learning Outcomes

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What do I Want to Learn?Learning Outcomes

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Tutor comments on learners' photos and replies to learners' comments

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Thank you to all learners for their comments and feedback and for our discussions about your next steps.  We look forward to seeing you on future Community Learning courses and if you need any further information with the progression pathways we have discussed individually with you please get in touch.

Please be aware that at some stage in the future you may be contacted by Staffordshire County Council for feedback from you about how you have been able to use your new learning.  If you have any queries with this at all please get in touch.

Best wishes Brad

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Staffordshire Community Learning - Staffordshire Adult and Community Learning

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This is the official website for Staffordshire County Council's Adult Community Learning service.

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Please complete our course feedback form below, it will give us its lots of really useful comments about what you have enjoyed, learnt and what you would like to do next. Please be honest, but if you have anything you would like to discuss personally before you complete the form please ring me, Carol Parkes on 07772 273033 or you can email me on carolparkes@chaseaquaruralenterprise.com
The Course Code you will need to complete this is SUPCARE18

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Overview
Transforming lives and communities through lifelong learning.
We offer a wide range of exciting and stimulating short courses for adults and families.

These courses bring together adults, often of different ages and backgrounds, to follow an interest, gain a new skill, become healthier or learn how to help their children with their education.

Why your views matter

The Community Learning Service welcomes learner feedback, we appreciate and take on board all of the comments from our learners to improve our services within Staffordshire.

If you have any queries in relation to learner feedback please email communitylearning@staffordshire.gov.uk or alternatively you can telephone 01785 278770.

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Community Learning Service - Learner Feedback 2020/21 - Staffordshire County Council - Citizen Space

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This site contains consultations that are run by Staffordshire County Council.

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Please read through our course aims and outcomes below. We will achieve all of these by the end of the course. If you have any queries or personal outcomes you would like to discuss please get in touch using the contact details provided.  Many thanks.

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What I have Learned:        Please add your photographs and comments in this column and share what you have learned from session 1.

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What I have Learned:        Please add your photographs and comments in this column and share what you have learned from session 1.

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Hi Everyone, welcome to Session 2. Today we cover watercolour painting techniques, how to stretch paper and attempt our first watercolour. Any questions please ask, thanks.

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Links to English, Maths and IT support here

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Links to English, Maths and IT support here

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Numeracy and Digital Skills - The government have launched The Skills Toolkit, a collection of free online courses for adults to access whilst at home, to help you build new skills and boost growth and productivity.

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One in three people have used online learning to help them get a better job. On average, online learning can boost your annual pay by £3,640 too [ 1]

94% of employees would stay at a company longer if it invested in their career development [ 5].

Help boost team productivity and motivation by upskilling your employees with free, high-quality digital, numeracy and soft skills courses. All courses on The Skills Toolkit are free and available online, so your teams can learn flexibly from home at a time that suits them.
Explore courses

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Learn a new skill at home. Find free, high quality digital courses in The Skills Toolkit.

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Hi Everyone - just uploading a great link to a website that gives you loads of tips for painting water colour flowers. It will help support what we learn today so worth a look after the session

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Watercoloring is an art form that many dabbled in as children but can easily be done as an adult. It's not only used to create art but is a great way to unwind and relax. This craft may seem intimidating at first, but like most things, it just takes a little time and the proper instruction and you'll end up with a piece of artwork you didn't know you could create.

To help get you started, we have a tutorial to teach you how to paint watercolor flowers. Read through the tips and techniques and then try your hand at these beautiful floral designs. Try adding this simple painting to a place card or thank you note that accompanies a bouquet to make the sentiment that much more special!

Watercolor Techniques and Tips

Use a Variety of Brushes

To paint objects of different sizes and shapes you'll need a variety of brushes. Each one is made for a different purpose, so the type you need will depend on what you're trying to paint.

Common brush shapes:

Round - The most versatile brushes, used for both details and broader strokes.

Flat - Used for both washes (a technique that creates a transparent layer of color) and stronger linear strokes.

Detail - As the name suggests, these are smaller brushes used for smaller details.

Wash - These brushes are much wider and used for applying a lot of color to the page.

You'll also want to test out different brands of watercolor brushes. Keep in mind that the cheaper the brush, the poorer the quality and you may be left with bristles or unwanted streaks in your painting.

Use Proper Watercolor Paper

Using watercolor paper is important, even when you are a beginner. Watercolor paper is thicker (or has more weight) which allows the water-based color to sink in rather than collect on top. It also has texture which helps with the absorption. Keep in mind that if you use another type of paper or a cheaper watercolor paper, the fibers will begin to pill if you try to layer colors or add too much water.

Experiment With the Amount of Water You Use

Watercoloring is all about the amount of water you mix in with the pigment. Before you start with your painting, test out adding different amounts of water to the color. See what a difference it makes in hue and spreadability.

Work from Light to Dark

In traditional watercolor painting, artists start with light colors and then work their way to dark. This means you'll start with more water mixed in with your pigment and then reduce the amount of water as you go.

Practice the Thickness of your Stroke

Gaining control of the thickness of your brush strokes will make painting much more enjoyable. For a thicker stroke, you'll want to press down harder. For a thinner detail, you'll need to apply very little pressure. The brush size and amount of water you're using will also impact how thick the strokes are.

are one of the most beautiful flowers and are an easy starting point when it comes to painting watercolor flowers. They have a simple structure and you can play around with color and water consistency.
What You'll Need:
Step 1: Mix water into your watercolor pigments.

The watercolors will have a thick consistency to start. You'll have to add water to achieve the coloring you desire. The middle of your palette is the best place to mix your colors. Mix the red and white pigments to make a pink color. Then, in another section of your palette mix the same color but add more water so that it's a lighter shade. To make a deep green color for the leaves, mix the traditional green with a little bit of black.

Step 2: Start by painting the center of the rose.

The center of the rose will have thinner strokes. To create this look, hold the paintbrush perpendicular to the paper or straight up and down. Use very light pressure and create "C" shapes. Begin by using your lightest pigment. You'll be able to layer darker colors on later.

Step 3: Work your way out from the center, painting larger petals.

To paint the larger petals you'll still want to create a "C" shape, but you'll press down harder on the brush to create a thicker stroke. Layer two rows of these medium-thick petals.

Step 4: Finish with rows of thick petals.

For the thick petals, you'll want to add even more pressure to your brush. Create a larger "C" shape by pressing down completely on your brush and holding it at more of a 45-degree angle to the table.

Step 5: Add in darker color accents.

The beauty of watercolor is that you can add in touches of darker colors and the hue will spread in the water. If any areas of your watercolor rose appear too light or you'd like to create more dimension, add a touch of the color on top of the painted petal and it will blend in naturally. Add in additional darker petals to fill in white spaces as well.

Step 6: Paint leaves.

Create petals by painting two parallel stokes using medium pressure. Add another layer or include shading by adding on another dark pigment.

Step 7: Let dry and use!

Watercolor flowers are a beautiful addition to any card or note. Add a personalized note to a custom watercolor flower card and pair it with a spring bouquet for a special gift that will be kept for years to come.

Other Watercolor Flowers to Try

Roses aren't the only flowers that can be captured with watercolor. Try your hand at watercolor daisies, watercolor lavender and watercolor leaves. Play around with mixing colors, brushes and strokes. We've included some watercolor tips, but feel free to personalize the designs with your own style.

Watercolor Pansy

Pansies come in almost every color, from oranges and golds to purples and blues. One of their attributes is that they have a different color center and oftentimes it's a darker hue. Practice mixing different amounts of water in with your pigments. Start by painting the petals (a lot of water) and then work your way to the center (a little water).

Watercolor Aster

Purple is the most popular color of aster, symbolizing royalty , but this variety of flower can be painted with any color you choose. Start by detailing the light yellow center, then paint the petals coming out from it. Finish with a deep green stem and leaves.

Watercolor Lavender

Lavender is an easy flower to paint because it doesn't require much mixing of the paint. Simply take your purple pigment and mix it with white for a light lavender tone. If you don't have purple, mix red, blue and white together until you reach a soft purple color.

Watercolor Fan Palm

This type of tropical leaf is a fun addition to any themed party. Whether you're hosting a summertime bash or a bachelorette party, painting palm leaves on the place cards or thank you gifts will add an extra special touch. Play around with layering different shades of green and brown for a natural palm look.

Watercolor Eucalyptus

This eucalyptus-inspired greenery is easy to paint and is a good way to practice layering colors. Start by painting the leaves with a light green and then transition to a darker, more blue-green color.

For a complete tutorial on how to paint watercolor flowers, download our step-by-step guide. Share with friends and family so they can paint with you!

Now that you know how to paint watercolor flowers you can add them to any birthday gift or include them in a note along with some just because flowers for an extra special touch.

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How to Paint Watercolor Flowers for Beginners - FTD.com

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Watercoloring is an art form that many dabbled in as children but can easily be done as an adult. It's not only used to create art but is a great way to unwind and relax.