WA

The brief today was to paint a picture as described by Penny. Here are our efforts.

This is the Lowry that penny was describing for us, which we didn't see until the very end. I think we all did a good job, and it's very interesting how similar they are. The object of the exercise was to get away from slavishly copying.

I bet you can guess which one is mine!

This is Pennys' work for today, as she obviously couldn't join in.

Or.......III 8" x 10" Oil

And another.

Three 8" x 10" Oil

Another sketch for hospital babies.

Two 8" x 10" oil

One 8" x 10" Oil

I finally have an idea for the outstanding hospital paintings. They want babies....they shall have babies. It is to be called One-Two-Three, ie one baby, twins and then triplets.

After the disaster of the boy on the swing sequence, I will first get approval of the idea with sketches, before I go large.

WA

The very best bit of this afternoon was the homemade cake, sandwiched with homemade blackcurrant jam. Call me piggy, if you want, but I had two pieces because it is a real treat that I don't have often. Really, really scrummy, delicious, perfect cake! Thank you, Christine, you are a treasure.

My artistic efforts today are now in the bin! Far too embarrassed to show you.

HAS Life Drawing

Made it to Hertford for the monthly all day life drawing session on Saturday. For more see http://www.sharonelaineart.blogspot.com/

Violin 20" x 16" Oil

Not Mine! 16" x 20" Oil

Double Take 20" x 16" Oil

Swervy Scarf 16" x 20" Oil

I thought 'Hat' needed his companion.

Swervy Hat 20" x 16" Oil

I like this man....or maybe it's the hat!

Sharing Again 16" x 20" Oil

The good news is that I sold two paintings at the Hertford exhibition! One lady was so enamoured of 'Sharing', and so disappointed it was sold, that she tentatively asked if I would paint it again for her. Well, of course I would!

WA

Today was a portrait study, and on previous occasions I have demonstrated first and then the girls have a go. I thought it a good idea to have them draw along with me, so instead of each of us posing for 15 minutes, I brought a photo and pinned it to the wall. My hope was to get them to see the general form rather than concentrate on specifics, like nose, eyes, etc.

 Here are the results, along with the reference photo. Considering that no one else paints portraits at all, and there was some groaning before we started at the difficulty of the subject, I think they are all amazing. I don't think anyone will make portraiture their subject after today, but they can all be very proud of the 100% effort and enthusiasm they put in and of their drawings. 

And this one is mine.

Rosemary + Thyme 10" x 12" Oil

The task for today at the WA was 'a sprig of herbs'. A daunting task! Out of chaos a reasonable painting emerged I think. I do like the colour combination, kinda pretty.

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.

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! 

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!

Orange Sauce 10" x 20" Oil

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

Bride + Groom Again Progress

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

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!

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!

Bride + Groom More Progress

I like it.

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.

Sharing 20" x 16" Oil

Street Vibe 24" x 19" Oil

I started this yesterday, so took it to the WA to carry on, even though the brief was 'something that flies (not aeroplanes).

My natural inclination is to carry on further, tidy up the drawing errors, get more detail in the instruments, but I am not going to because I have been trying for years to paint like this. With immediacy and feeling and definitely no fiddling!

We shall see if I can resist the urge tomorrow.

I offered this band first option to buy the painting....and got myself in trouble for not asking permission to use the images I took out in the street. My apologies.

Finger Painting

PENNY   24" x 19"   Oil

I've been enjoying myself again, by way of getting back into the swing of painting. I love getting my hands dirty (and clothes and furniture), and slipping, sliding, dabbing the paint on a smooth surface is glorious!

I framed this yesterday while it was still wet, forgetting to photograph, and then proceeded to vigorously clean the glass! You can imagine the outcome. And I very nearly re-framed after the clean up without photographing again. Senior moments are becoming an all too frequent occurence.

Looking at this now, I have a mind to darken the background. We'll see. Painted from a photograph taken at one of the HAS life sessions.

WA

The brief was 'farmyard' so I surfed the net and this appealed to me, reminded me of my childhood surroundings. It is a detail from a painting by E Hersey, who I am sorry to say I have never heard of.

I have been laid low by a virus, and have spent 10 days dozing by the TV, feeling very weak and feeble. I've had disappointing news that none of my three paintings have been accepted for the Eastern Open.

It can only get better.....today could be masterpiece day!

Eastern Open

'Out To Lunch'   24" x 24"  Oil

'Swing Jump'  60" x 36"  Oil

These are as good as they are going to get! I ran out of time. I had it in my head the submission day was 28th March.......wrong! 4th or 5th March it should be. Happily, they telephoned to ask if I wanted to withdraw and gave me until Friday, when I made my excuses. I was delighted, and surprised to be given leaway, but it means I don't have the extra week to tiddle them up. They weren't framed yesterday! The third one I am submitting is still in progress! Is this what they call by the skin of your teeth?

I will post details of the exhibition nearer the time and whether I get any accepted.

WA

We had a 'Bob Ross' afternoon, led by Pat, who had printed a picture of trees and bluebells for us to interpret. She had printed step by step instructions and demonstrated along the way.

Thank you Pat. 

And here we all are showing off our efforts.

back l - r  Pat, Veronica, Judith, 3 x anonymous!, Mary, Jacqui.

front l -r Me, Sue, Christine and Penny.

Shame on you (I think) Doris, June and Iris for hiding!

We all agreed it was a good afternoon.

I haven't ever investigated the Bob Ross phenomenum, too slick for me, but I always think you can learn from everyone. I wouldn't normally work from back to front, light to dark, quite the opposite, in fact, by placing my darks first, but today I added another way of working, which may well be appropriate for a painting one day.

Still Life No 5

A L'Orange     20" x 16"   Acrylic

I enjoyed painting this, because I giggled the whole time!