Thursday 8 December 2011

WA

Where's the Lads?  16" x 16"  Oil

The brief today was to make Christmas cards, so, as I don't do Christmas, I did this, from a photo taken at Cromer.
I really like using the board for the beach, and now I'm wondering if using a proper sheet of wood, instead of this MDF, or hardboard, would make an even better painting, because of the grain.

Tuesday 6 December 2011

Thursday 1 December 2011

WA

The topic was 'Chinese Painting', where we were given a few basic guidelines, and step-by-step fish, to copy.
Well, we all had a go, and we all felt we just didn't have the knack!
No-one else wanted to publish.










I would love to be proficient at this technique, but with watercolour on watercolour paper. I fear I am way too lazy and impatient to put in the necessary practise.

Thursday 24 November 2011

WA




The topic this week was 'DOORWAYS OR WINDOWS'.

I had enjoyed working with charcoal last week so I took them along to play with. I do love black and white images!

Unfortunately, I forgot to take my camera, so have nothing to show of my fellow WA-ers work.

Saturday 19 November 2011

Wednesday 16 November 2011

WA

The brief was to paint on an object...stone, wood, etc.
Two people chose wood.

Judith.WIP

David.
Three people chose pebbles.

Jacqui

June.

Penny.
Some folk chose flower pots.

Veronica.

Sue.

Jacqui.
 Everyone else carried on painting their animals from last week.
Brenda.

Brenda. WIP

Christine. WIP

Pat. WIP
I took the commission I have been working on, sorry.

Tuesday 15 November 2011

As Nature Intended



An exhibition of nude bodies


King’s Lynn Arts Centre - 12th to 20th November - 01553 779095 / www.kingslynnarts.co.uk

'We love Nature and most people will admire an art work of a landscape, a flower or a wild
animal. This exhibition features work that admires our own bit of Nature, our bodies. The body
evolved over thousands of years and Nature knew what she was doing. We are hard-wired to instinctively respond to these forms and enjoy the gift that Nature has provided. We enjoy performers and the energy and power in an athlete’s body or the grace and elegance in that of a dancer. Our culture demands we don’t stare at the bodies around us or flaunt our own bodies in front of others. But secretly everyone is peeking! This exhibition features the work of four Norfolk artists, who do more than peek. They admire our connection with Nature: Peter Kavanagh (drawings and paintings,) Becky Robinson (prints,) Janice Alamanou (photographs) and Becky Brown (sculptures.) Peter and Becky are inspired by life drawing, a great way to appreciate the body. Their drawings and prints convey the relationship of artist and model, of looking and showing. The handling of various media is quick and lively as the gesture of a pose has to be captured before the model tires. The pose communicates to us with poetic depth. Janice photographs the body as she would any other aspect of Nature. Light and form are particularly important in her images. Becky Brown creates stylised ceramic figures etched with organic forms that emphasise our dependance on Nature. Enjoy the pictures and sculptures and enjoy your own Human Nature.'
To help promote the exhibition we thought it would be fun to record our drawing sessions
in this blog, illustrating the work in progress along with our thoughts and ideas. Your comments
will be welcome!


I went along to this exhibition and highly recommend it. If you are in King's Lynn, do go and have a look. It's magic!

Peter Kavanagh will be giving a workshop at King's Lynn Art Centre this Friday, 18th Nov, 7pm-9pm, cost £15. Should be very interesting....see you there?
Peter will also be giving a workshop on Dec 4th in Wells. Count me in!

Monday 14 November 2011

Hertford Art Society Members Exhibition

The good news is that I sold both framed paintings.






But, even better, I won the Members Choice vote! How's that for a boost to the confidence. I am suitably chuffed!

This week I will be concentrating on outstanding commissions, for which I do not have permission to post.



Friday 11 November 2011

Young Roy 20" x 24" Oil


'Young Roy' after John Singer Sargent 'Lord Dalhousie'

I have been working on my Sargent copy this week, purely for my own pleasure. A bit naughty really when I have promised commissions unfinished. Slow progress and lots more to do.

Is anyone else having trouble adjusting to the new time? I cannot get going!

In Remembrance



In honour of every person who ever fought to preserve our freedom, but especially those who gave their lives doing so and for my Granddad in particular. I shall never forget.

Wednesday 9 November 2011

WA, aka Wednesday Afternooners, aka West Winch Art Club

The topic for today was 'paint or draw and animal'.


Skyline  14" x 18"  Oil

I have long wanted to paint these bulls, who live in a field near me. I am drawn to their silhouettes as they meander along the ridge of the hill, but have yet to get the perfect shot.


Not many folk wanted to show off their work today but Jacqui was quite rightly very proud of her giraffe. He is so cute!


June has portrayed this little dog so sensitively with pastels. Brilliant colour choices, including the paper, which sets off the drawing to perfection. That look in his eye is so emotive. 


I admire Davids use of watercolour in painting this crab. No washes for him, just pure colour, which is how I have been trying to pluck up courage to use it, so it was very interesting to watch.

Wednesday 2 November 2011

WA

The brief today was to paint a copy of a masterpiece, or paint in the style of your favourite artist.


Remember this? A copy of Lady Agnew of Lochnaw by John Singer Sargent, but with my younger face. I didn't like the head, as I felt it too small, so.........

 

I changed it. Needs more work, but I am happier with the proportions.


I also made a start on a companion piece, featuring a young Roy, which is also a copy of a Sargent, Lord Dalhousie.

Wednesday 26 October 2011

WA


The brief today.......post box! 

Mine, watercolour.

Jacqui, acrylic and pastels, that post box is awesome!

Pat, amazing detail and gorgeous zoomed in composition.

Christine, delicate watercolour washes and intricate pen work make a superb study.

Brenda, watercolour pencils, I think, but she forgot her brush! Lovely study, hope to see it finished.

June, love the incongruity!

Veronica, simple but very effective. Splendid brickwork!

I didn't want to fiddle with mine, so I did this poppy too.

Who would have thought such a simple idea would result in so many different and amazing paintings? No way would I be able to pick a favourite.

Sing and Dance WIP


My other blog, here, has a fuller post, ie. the reason I painted this

Friday 21 October 2011

Reflections Too 10" x 12" Oil


This is another version of a painting I did back in Aug 2008, done at the request of a friend. This is the third time that someone has wanted a painting that has already been sold! I am always happy to do another version, which has been agreeable in each of the three cases.
Does this happen to you? Do you offer to paint a similar painting?

Wednesday 19 October 2011

WA


Wells Boats   20" x 13"  Pastel

A very enjoyable afternoon again. I wasn't brave enough to go for full colour, but I do think the tiny touches lift the painting a bit. Shame the red flag is slap bang in the middle!

Monday 17 October 2011

More Boats 12" x 20" Pastel


As I had retrieved my pastels from the bottom of a box last week, I had to have a go. It's  probably a work in progress, as I can see where just a flick of a pastel would make a big improvement and I could make a lot more of the sea. I enjoyed it, though, so I might well go back to it! Maybe.

Wednesday 12 October 2011

WA


Today we enjoyed a pastel demonstration by Maureen Drake.

 

She began by warming up with a 40 minute demo of her blending tecnique.


Then Maureen began work in earnest with a very complicated scene of trees, flowers, water and reflections.


At the end of the afternoon, with a not quite finished painting. Such a shame we ran out of time, Maureen worked like a demon!


Next week we shall be putting everything we have learned into practice. In the meantime, to whet your appetite, here are a few examples of my pastel work from quite a few years ago.