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