Eye Arts Guild - Blog

thursday 15th november, jackie's session

15/11/2018

Jackie gave us two very interesting, differently coloured, and seasonal, still life set ups, and a lively model, dressed with panache as a flamenco dancer, with all the poise of her costume. I think it's fair to say that she gave those who drew her a thorough workout, as I think the pictures below demonstrate.

Lesley had a list of materials for the printing session next week, which you will find on the 'Messages from Members' page. There won't be a still life set up, but if you don't want to try the printing (which sounds very interesting), please feel free to bring something to draw or paint with you.
The images below show her practicing what we might do next week - hope it whets your appetite!

Diana put out a plea for quirky questions (with the answer) to add to her Christmas Quiz. Yes, it's nearly that time of year again! So if you have an idea, let her know.

thursday 8th November, John shave's workshop

8/11/2018

John demonstrating

Work in progress

Demo complete

Framed!

Painting a landscape in oils.
It was so interesting to watch John Shave’s demonstration and at the same time hear him say what he was trying to do and how he was achieving it. Right from the start he stressed the need to look for the darkest darks and lightest lights and think how the composition was going to work. Getting colour into the darks was important, as well as repeating them in lighter areas.
He also talked about brushes (quite cheap ones are useful too), paints (student quality oils, though not so pigment rich as artists quality, are still good for most purposes), also about thinners, canvases, scumbling, glazing, brush strokes and more. All helpful and reassuring advice!

After the coffee break we were all very keen to get started on our own landscape paintings. John had a large selection of photos to choose from as subjects. From what I could see, members were benefiting greatly from John’s individual advice on our work as he went round. And at the end, I thought his critiques were helpful and inspiring for all of us.

Our members excelled themselves and the resulting artwork was great. You get a gallery view today, so click on individual pictures to see them in full then scroll through them.

I’ll miss you all next Thursday as I have another commitment but Hannah will be doing the blog.

Thursday 1st November, Avril's session

1/11/2018

For the still life Avril presented boots and shoes, or plants and booze (oh, no, the bottles were empty!) with some delightful results. See below.

For the model, she presented her husband, and we started off at a rattling pace with three ten-minute poses. Bearing in mind he was dressed in full cycling gear and posed complete with pro-looking bike, we had our work cut out. A twenty-minute pose followed, then a whole hour after the break - without bike. I don’t know about you, but I often feel I would like to start all over again, bearing in mind some lessons I have learnt along the way, and do things rather differently - be more focussed. However, I would probably end up making all the same mistakes!

Sally announced that anyone who has not yet brought in a picture for the Earsham Wetlands exhibition can still do so next week. Also, there are still some places left on John Shave’s workshop on landscapes in oils, so do come if you can.

thursday 25th October with Hannah

25/10/2018

Hannah had a busy morning, setting up the still life tables - one of which she described as “pick and mix” - then donning different clothing to pose as three distinct characters. First we had the … er, biker? in black leather gear and dark glasses, then the … er, lady of leisure? (boots not such a good look for this maybe), and finally the … er, pixie (I’m going by the hat here). All good fun to try and draw / sketch. It produced a variety of results from our members as you can see below.
Click on images to enlarge them.

We were reminded that when bringing money to pay for things, eg the forthcoming workshop, it should be put in an envelope with your name and what it is for. And don't forget next week to have your entries for the Earsham exhibition ready.

Avril is in charge next Thursday.

thursday 18th October, with Maggie-Anne

18/10/2018

What an array of goodies to practise our art this morning, most of them probably from Maggie-Anne’s garden. Then M-A sat patiently as our model - why didn’t I remember to photograph her too? Senility setting in! We had a good crowd in for the first model/still-life session of the winter season and all were quiet and industrious, either side of the coffee break.
Next week Hannah Muskett will be doing the honours.
Sally P, our new Chairman, reminded us that the following week we need to be ready to enter our work for the next EAG exhibition at Earsham - full details here.

thursday 11th October, Angela's theme

11/10/2018

For her theme “a sense of space”, Angela inspired us by describing and demonstrating her own methods in working towards an acrylic painting. She showed us work she admired in her books, notably on Kurt Jackson and Joan Eardley. Outside, we all got our charcoal or graphite out to do a few quick (very quick! - timed by Angela!) sketches from which we would then have to start working up a painting. No time for fussing - just concentrating on the darkest darks and lightest lights.
The results were very interesting, with such varying approaches, and some already looking like finished paintings to me. Diana had to leave before the final show, but look below at her completely different take on “sense pf place” - I’m sure you recognise her style. Sue had to leave early too so missed the end show but I’m glad I didn’t miss photographing hers.
The alternative still life set-up (right) seems to have been redundant.

Sally P advised us that we will be getting an entry form shortly for the next Earsham exhibition, so look out for this and be preparing your entries for the beginning of November.
Next week we have a model and still life, courtesy of Maggie-Anne.

thursday 4th october, agm

4/10/2018

Another year, another AGM. Sally T held the chair, for the last time (after the constitutional 3 year tenure) and Sally P has now been voted in to replace her. Sally T gave her annual report, which will appear on the website in due course and she will stay on as vice chair in place of Angela L, who has stepped down. All other committee members remain in place, including treasurer Ian who was unable to attend today. He has done a valiant job for his first year, coping with a number of changes, including our bank.

Some discussions followed concerning the programmes and how they have worked out for the year 2017-18. For the winter, attendances were good. Sally P observed that only a few items were required for each still life set up - and probably better than a mass of stuff or elaborate arrangement. Some of the summer sessions were not so well attended and there was speculation as to the reasons, which were varied.
Exhibitions were also discussed. Results in terms of sales and footfall were disappointing, but this seems to have been happening generally, not just to us. Depending on developments at Dickleburgh we may not exhibit there next year. Hannah told us about the plans for us to hold an EAG-exclusive exhibition at The Bank in Eye in December, starting on the 5th (set-up on 3rd). Watch out for more details.
Sally T was thanked for all her hard work as Chairman of the Guild and presented with a bouquet of flowers.

Angela H took the opportunity to tell us about her ideas for next Thursday’s meeting, which will introduce us to her way of working. It will involve going outside the club house first to make a few quick sketches and then bringing them in to develop a painting on the theme of “a sense of place” - in this case the Bowls Club. There will be a still life for those who wish to do that instead.

The meeting finished with a showing of our “best” work from the summer season. Sadly (and I am very embarrassed about this) I was so engrossed in observing the meeting that it was only when people had started removing their work that I realised I had not photographed any!!! My sincere apologies for this omission as I know you do look forward to seeing our pictures.

thursday 27th September, Mellis

27/9/2018

We met for a Show and Tell session at Frances’ home today, the last session of our Summer Programme. Some of the work on show was done today, some was work in progress, and some was completed earlier - an interesting mix. The day was beautiful, but either freezing cold sitting in the shade or scorching hot in the undiluted sunshine - leaving some between a rock and a hard place as the sun inevitably moved round. (Such a brilliant blue sky seems to have caused rather a blue cast on a number of the photos - sorry about that.)
Delicious tea and cake, and always interesting to dally on the way to the loo to enjoy some of the many pictures Frances has on the walls.
We hope to see all of you next week for the AGM and a look at your best work of the season.

Click on images to enlarge them.

thursday 20th September, Felixstowe

20/9/2018

If you listened to the weather forecasters and stayed away, it's a pity. Although it was breezy, it was not cold and we did not have a drop of rain. Okay, so not much in the way of sunshine and shadows, but still fabulous for sketching and painting. Lots of boats, of course, on the hard standing and on the water, also quirky things like old tyres, mud, ropes, personalised huts ..... I could go on. We all enjoyed the day - and sharing a car (thanks, Sally).
Don't forget it's Show and Tell next week so bring some work done this season that you'd like to share with us, at tea at Frances' - the earlier time of 2pm.

All at sea - er, tea!

thursday 13th September, Thornham walks

13/9/2018

Cold in the shade, hot in the sun, with great skies. A bit rushed today as most of us didn't get started till lunch-time, after our committee meeting in the Forge Café. Sketching was around the café or in the Walled Garden, followed by meeting for tea and analysis in the Coach House.
Beautiful cattle arrived in numbers, rather late though for much in the way of sketching.
Photos below of work produced. Spot the tree-trunks-inspired 'Rothko's!
Felixstowe next week, with car-sharing as far as possible. See you there.
Click on images to enlarge them.

feedback

Your committee strives to organise programmes and events to interest and challenge you and help you to develop your skills. It would assist them to know what you have liked or not liked, or if you have any new ideas or suggestions to put forward. Do let us know, either by speaking to committee members direct or by using the "Comments" facility on this page. Just click on Comments and a reply form will pop up. If there are previous comments, again just click to read them.

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