Friday 29 April 2011

WA


At the WA on Wednesday we tried our hand at silk painting, led by the wonderful Pat. I discovered that precise neatness was required, something which is in no way part of my character! How I wish I had taken my camera, as everyone elses' work was superb.

Sunday 24 April 2011

Hertford Art Society Annual Open Art Exhibition

I went to Hertford yesterday to submit six paintings to the annual exhibition. I stayed to help, because we have to collect unselected paintings later in the day. I had intended to take photos throughout the proceedings but got involved and only have these three, taken before the judging started. My job was to parade the pictures before the three judges, who awarded an A-accepted, D-doubtful, or X- no.
It was a glorious day, sun shining, delicious lunch provided, log chats with rarely seen friends, and to top it all, I had five paintings accepted!

Before Judging, with June Mendoza at the back, far right, perusing the sculpture.
Trevor Chamberlains' back, brilliant plein air painter.

The judges then had the task of selecting the prizewinners from those paintings that had been awarded AAA, one of which was my ' Orange Sauce'. One of the judges, June Mendoza, eminent, brilliant, portrait painter, came to tell me three times how delightful she found my painting, the composition, format and humour all good and how they changed their minds three times about the winner of 'Best in Show'. So close, but alas, not this time! Thrilling and disappointing at the same time.


June Mendoza


So many paintings!


Sculpture, love those cyclists!

After the judging and lunch, the accepted paintings are sorted into some order as to how they will be hung. The rejected paintings are placed in alphabetical order ready for collection by very disappointed artists.
So much going on....
I had to leave to catch my train long before the work was done. I shall do the same again next year...a brilliant day! 

Wednesday 20 April 2011

Bride + Groom 20" x 16" Oil


I just have to fine tune a couple of things, grooms' ear, rose, brides' dress, and it is done!

Tuesday 19 April 2011

Orange Sauce 10" x 20" Oil



Another version of a subject that really makes me smile, and makes still life subjects interesting for me.

Thursday 14 April 2011

Bride + Groom Again Progress


I have been working on the groom today. Not happy yet, but it is getting there.

Wednesday 13 April 2011

Apple Sauce Too 16" x 12" Oil


I made a start on this second version of Apple Sauce, getting in all the elements of the image with very thin washes, hence the evident weave of the canvas, which is very distracting. More to do tomorrow, then.
The brief for the WA was paint a picture for the upcoming exhibition at Hendersons in June, so everyone was doing there own thing. I am always amazed at the diversity of subject, style and medium and we were all so engrossed I didn't have time to take photos!
Oh, and Penny brought delicious homemade biscuits and I was tempted to eat two!

Tuesday 12 April 2011

More Bride + Groom



Only got an hour painting time today, and made a start on the grooms' head. Are profiles really difficult....or is it just me? He's not Jim Broadbent anymore, though, so that is progress!

Thursday 7 April 2011

Bride + Groom Progress


House + garden stuff took my time today but I managed a couple of hours and concentrated on the brides' lovely face. Her mouth is a tad too wide which is easily fixed tomorrow. I love how posting an image instantly flags up the errors!

Bride + Groom In Progress


The initial block in of local colour. You know how a likeness comes and goes during a painting? The grooms' profile keeps bearing a strong resemblance to Jim Broadbent!
So far, so good.