Here are a selection of our most recent meetings:
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SUMMER SKETCHING DAYS (JULY - OCT 2020) It was great fun to get back to sketching after the long lockdown. A number of our members met to sketch and paint outside (socially distanced), and thoroughly enjoyed seeing friends again. Here are a selection of photos from the sessions. |
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THURSDAY MARCH 12 WORKSHOP ON PERSPECTIVE IN LANDSCAPES LED BY PETER BROWN Peter gave a brief but instructive presentation on rules relating to atmospheric and linear perspective, including an excellent technique for depicting equally spaced columns receding into the distance. Then it was the turn of members to create their own landscape pictures using these tips. Peter continued to give help and advice to members individually, which was very much appreciated. (Peter's presentation on perspective has been uploaded to the Hints and Tips section of this website as requested by members.) |
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THURSDAY MARCH 5
WORKSHOP ON LANDSCAPE PAINTING IN WATERCOLOUR LED BY FRANK WALTERS Despite the rain, the hall was full this week as members took part in Frank’s workshop in which he gave some tips on painting landscapes in watercolour. He encouraged members to work on two landscapes alternately, letting one dry at a time. He worked step by step to progress the paintings in three phases – a light colourful sky wash reflected in water, then the mid tones, and finally the shadows and darks. He emphasised working with vigour using a big brush, varying the shades of colour, not joining up all lines to create lost and found areas, and avoiding regular patterning in the mark making. His tips included the use of raw sienna colour, particularly in the initial washes and to make greens, and using a beaten up old brush to make irregular marks for foliage. A very enjoyable workshop with some lovely paintings created! |
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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 27 PRESENTATION AND TALK ON PICASSO LED BY VALERIE BROWN This week, members enjoyed a fascinating presentation and talk by HAC member Valerie Brown on the life and some of the works of Pablo Picasso. She took us through the various periods in Picasso's life (Blue Period, Rose Period, African influenced Period, Cubism, Neoclassical, Surrealism) and looked at examples of his work, whilst explaining the political, artistic and personal influences on him at that time. A very enjoyable and informative evening, with many amusing anecdotes from a knowledgeable Valerie! |
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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 20 CLOTHED LIFE DRAWING LED BY KEITH HIGHAM Keith organised a successful life drawing session in which our model Yollanda wore some colourful costumes and held a series of poses ranging from 5 minutes to 20 minutes. Many thanks to both Yollanda, and also to Keith for rearranging the structure of the evening when Yollanda was unavoidably stuck in traffic. Thanks too to the members who volunteered to be sketched in the early part of the evening before our model arrived! |
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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 13 WORKSHOP ON ABSTRACT PAINTING LED BY DEBBIE PROTHERO Debbie gave a brief presentation discussing the difference between abstract and semi-abstract art, which looked at various examples such as Mondrian and Kandinsky's work. She then made suggestions for making marks in different ways using a variety of implements, after which it was up to members to be creative. A thoroughly enjoyable session! |
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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 6
DEMONSTRATION ON SEMI-ABSTRACT PAINTING IN ACRYLICS LED BY HEATHER MILLER Heather started off the demonstration by discussing the sketch she had done earlier of three trees on the edge of water. She then proceeded to mark out using dark acrylic paint her "main characters", the trees. After that she built up the composition in layers to give the glowing light and reflections she wanted to portray. She demonstrated a number of techniques including scumbling dryish paint, dripping thin paint, using complementary colours to knock back bright tones, using newspaper to tonk the painting (remove the top layer of paint), and using a variety of brushes and implements to make different marks. A very informative evening. |
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THURSDAY JANUARY 30
PRESENTATION AND WORKSHOP ON MATISSE CUT-OUTS LED BY DEBBIE KNIGHT Debbie gave a brief introduction and then asked members to paint sheets of paper in colours that appealed to them. While these dried, she gave a very interesting presentation on Henri Matisse, his art over his lifetime and his artistic influences, which culminated in his work in old age with cut out shapes. Members then used the now dry coloured paper to cut out simplified shapes to express an idea in a Matisse style picture, whilst balancing the shapes in terms of colour and weight. A very fun session - ideal to loosen up and be a bit mad and creative! |
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THURSDAY JANUARY 23, 2020 WORKSHOP ON SKY AND WATER LANDSCAPES IN PASTEL LED BY YVONNE BOLTON Yvonne introduced the workshop with a brief video which illustrated using pastels to create a seascape. She then went on to describe the process she uses to create her own pastel landscapes of dramatic skies and seas. Members then created their own pastel paintings, with help and advice from Yvonne. |
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THURSDAY JANUARY 16, 2020 WORKSHOP ON LANDSCAPES IN PASTEL LED BY SONIA BACCHUS In a change to the published programme, Sonia stepped in to lead this workshop. She discussed types of pastels and papers, did a quick demonstration painting in pastel, then encouraged members to create their own landscape painting. She spent the rest of the evening talking to each member individually, and giving tips, ideas and encouragement. A very good start to the new year which was enjoyed by all. Many thanks Sonia for helping out at short notice! |
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THURSDAY DECEMBER 5 CHRISTMAS WORKSHOP AND SOCIAL As a continuation of last week's theme of looking at fundamental shapes, the evening started off with a workshop in which members drew or painted Christmas baubles and holly. This seemingly simple still life amused and challenged members when it came to the complex reflections seen in the baubles. In the second half of the meeting, members enjoyed a sociable time with wine and a wonderful selection of food. Happy Christmas! |
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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 28 WORKSHOP ON FUNDAMENTAL SHAPES - A BREAKFAST STILL LIFE, LED BY SARAH POPPLETON Sarah gave a brief reminder of some aspects of perspective, particularly relating to ellipses, and some tips about accurate measurement of proportions and angles. Then members drew or painted sections of the breakfast table still life arrangements set up with plenty of spherical, cylindrical and cuboid shapes to grapple with. |
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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 21 WORKSHOP ON PORTRAITS IN MIXED MEDIA LED BY ANNE HIGNELL Anne gave a brief recap of last week's portrait demo and then discussed other potential ways of depicting portraits using a variety of mixed media methods including using collage, paint, pastels and inks. Members then enjoyed putting some of these ideas into practice. |
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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 14 DEMONSTRATION ON PORTRAIT PAINTING IN ACRYLICS LED BY TONY JACKSON Tony gave a very helpful demonstration in which he used ultramarine acrylic to create a tone portrait of his grandfather from an old photograph, which he then brought to life with thin washes of colour. He emphasised the need to keep working on all areas of the portrait at once rather than concentrating on just one area at a time, and to keep adjusting and changing it until it is right. |
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THURSDAY OCTOBER 31 WORKSHOP ON COLOURED PENCIL TECHNIQUES LED BY AMANDA XUEREB Amanda gave a very interesting talk on various aspects of using coloured pencils in artwork, including some useful techniques such as shading, burnishing and using Zest-it medium to improve blending. She was then very helpful with advice as members tried out these techniques. |
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THURSDAY OCTOBER 24 LIFE DRAWING LED BY KEITH HIGHAM The life drawing session began with a few quick five minute poses, and progressed to longer 10 - 15 minute poses. With many thanks to Andy the model, who held some strong positions with a variety of shapes, that members enjoyed drawing. |
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THURSDAY OCTOBER 17 WORKSHOP ON BOTANIC ART LED BY ROGER REYNOLDS Roger returned for a second week to lead a well planned workshop on botanical art. He brought along some materials and a selection of flowers for those that did not have these, and started the session by demonstrating an initial drawing to be transferred to the final paper for painting. After this, members had a go doing their own botanical painting, with help and encouragement from Roger. |
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THURSDAY OCTOBER 10 TALK AND DEMONSTRATION ON BOTANICAL ART LED BY ROGER REYNOLDS Roger gave an interesting talk about the difference between botanical art and other art forms, and outlined the guiding principles, such as not including backgrounds, and painting to natural size in great detail and accuracy. He then demonstrated these principles in depicting rose leaves in beautiful detail. |
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THURSDAY OCTOBER 3 DEMONSTRATION ON COLOUR BIAS THEORY LED BY DAVID LEWRY David gave a very informative demonstration about colour looking at how coloured lights combine and how this differs from how coloured pigments combine. Of particular interest was the demonstration of mixing vibrant secondary colours, that is the pro-bias colours, from the primary colours (warm or cool) nearest them on the colour wheel. He contrasted this with the anti-bias secondary colours mixed from colours further away on the colour wheel. |
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THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 26 STUDIO PRACTICE ON IMPRESSIONIST PAINTING Members chose how to work in this untutored evening, with most continuing to practise impressionist style painting after the last couple of workshops on the theme. It was a relaxed and sociable evening, with quite a number of new members, all being creative and having fun. |
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THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 19 WORKSHOP ON IMPRESSIONIST PAINTING IN ACRYLICS LED BY PETER KEEGAN Members had a good time putting into practice some of the techniques outlined in last week's painting demonstration by Peter Keegan on Impressionist Painting, with a further quick demo this week. |
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THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 12 DEMONSTRATION BY PETER KEEGAN ON IMPRESSIONIST PAINTING IN ACRYLICS The new season of Thursday evening meetings got off to a great start with Peter Keegan's excellent demonstration. He emphasised, among other things, the use of quick unblended brushstrokes working from the distant landscape forwards, and bouncing colour around the painting. A very informative evening! |
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SUMMER SKETCHING DAYS A number of our members met on various occasions in June and July to sketch and paint outside at different venues. With the exception of one date which was rained off, the weather held, and we had a very enjoyable time. Many thanks to all the committee members who led and organised the sketch-outs. |
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THURSDAY MAY 16
PRESENTATION AND WORKSHOP ON PAINTING IN THE STYLE OF CLARICE CLIFF LED BY BEL BLUEMEL Bel gave a very informative presentation on the ceramic artist Clarice Cliff whose designs in the 1930s and 1940s were so bold and distinctive. Then members planned and painted their own eye-catching designs on pre-prepared circular boards kindly supplied by Bel. |
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THURSDAY MAY 9 STUDIO PRACTICE LED BY ROY BENTLEY As a follow on from last week's session, Roy initially talked about his own experiences as an illustrator and then helped and encouraged members to practice line and wash techniques in an illustrative style. |
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