Today Josie sat for us in a variety of poses, some longer, some short, and provided an interesting still life, which might have taken some of us back to a musical youth, as well as cheering a rather dull day with spring colour. As you will see, there were some very well executed takes on the different elements of the still life, and at least one outstanding likeness among the portraits (a little round of applause for Elizabeth and her keen observation). First a set of sketches from Frances, the first three of Josie, and the last of an element of the still life. The trumpet proved popular, as you will see. She said she felt she ought to do a charcoal drawing among them as she is off to see the Frank Auerbach exhibition at the Courtauld Gallery nex t week. Next Avril's usual prolific output. This week both portrait and still life were examined. Jackie first drew a sketch and then began a watercolour portrait. She was sorry when we reached the end of the morning not to be able to continue. Perhaps we will see something completed down the line? The drawing on the left of the sketchbook is me (Hannah) from a couple of weeks ago. Here are interpretations of the still life from Liz, Sandra, Ian J, Maggie-Anne, Bea, Harriet and (sorry) one I cannot remember the attribution for (let me know and I will add it!) And portraits from Sally T (the first three), Jill (I am sorry the blue one is not very clear), Elizabeth, and three from me done on my iPad. (Mine definitely not good likenesses!) Sally P took two different approaches to the still life, the continual line, and a colourful flower arrangement. The trumpets look particularly interesting! The final two are by Judith, who also used a continual line to create her compositions. Next week Sandra will be in charge of the still life and model. Hope to see you all there!
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15 members were present at the Bowls Club today for a Textiles workshop presented by Lesley and Avril. We had been well primed and arrived with copious amounts of equipment, and after our programme for the day had been outlined we began with some instruction and encouragement from Lesley and Avril to create our own texture sample boards mixing natural found materials with PVA glue, which we would use to create textured areas in our final pieces of work. Our sample boards We then painted our samples to reveal their texture. And used those textured surfaces in our final pieces of work, with very varied and pleasing results. Here are the ‘finished’ pieces
What a great day to be in the bowls club inside nice and cosy while the rain persists. Hannah made an oriental style still life that was very colourful with lots of bamboo and interesting bangles. Hannah arrived bright and early and set up Lots of poses were selected today starting with a standing pose then one sitting on armchair and another on armrest Liz produced a colourful painting using her pen to emphasise shapes. Maggie-Anne’s flowers are to be finished and Judith's painting included the wavy bamboo. Sally P produced several drawings and paintings today. Jenny did a delicate watercolour. Sally made a lovely expressive mixed media and pen and ink Lesley experimented with watercolour paints and also did a still life. Harriet produced a still life with a landscape-like feel. Jackie did two drawings of Hannah and a watercolour of flowers Gill made a start on a beautiful butterfly, and Irene doing flowers Frances says Bonjour and sends a quick sketch of some daffodils. This is followed by a very small butterfly using gold leaf and acrylic. She says the ersatz gold leaf is very tricky to manipulate. The small linocut is to be finished with two other blocks when she gets home. Hannah sent me her iPad drawings from this morning which I think are very expressive I have a gallery of drawings as usual. (Avril) Here is a drawing from Carolyn, another interesting composition. Don’t forget that next week is Lesley and Avril’s workshop. All details are on Stop Press, but Lesley added today that you might need small containers or yogurt pots for mixing texture. See you there!
Sorry not to have made it to Eye myself this morning, the weather warnings were somewhat alarming. I am very lucky to have Avril as my co-blogger, as she has sent not only the photos from the morning, but also a round up of some of the comments from the end of the morning showing. So first of all, the scene setting for both still life and portraits (thanks to Judith for both this morning). The first four of these portraits are John's work. The next four are Elizabeth's distinctive drawings (she said she liked to draw feet). The next group includes the very prolific Avril (7 drawings!), who also produced the 'group' that is a sketch of Judith's moving pose. And giving her a run for her money, Ian J., with another four. Finally, two pencil sketches from Frances, followed by a pen drawing from Sally T. Diana has asked that we pass on her thanks to everyone for their kind thoughts following the death of her husband.
There will shortly be some details on Stop Press for the workshop Lesley and Avril are doing on 7th March, what to bring and so on, so make sure you check there. I have added some info on Messages from Members today that might be of interest, about the Stradbroke Annual Exhibition, and a film show at the Bank. Thanks again to Avril for her sterling contribution this week to the success of the blog. Next week you will get my still life and me as a model, as I have swapped my turn with Ian J (and Josie), who will now do 14th March. Got to get my thinking cap on! Have a good week. Well I was there, where were all of you?! Not really. This is what the Bowls Club must have looked like this morning, with no power. I think we could have managed without the heat (lots of layers) and the kettle (thermoses), but you can see from the above, how dark it can be in the depths of the room. The Blog has been rescued from potential invisibility by the hardy souls who have sent work in today from their sheds and studios flung around deepest Suffolk. Thank you to all of them for their contributions. From Frances, a butterfly in the process of being painted on a piece of cut up printing she had done. The second two are Ginkgo prints turned into cards which she has done recently. Sally P hope you have had a good morning devoted to EAG! She says, 'I myself have had a productive one. I went over to my studio to paint the prints of previous pen and ink drawings with watercolor. I had also made a lino cut which I printed onto cards. I'm pretty pleased with it as I haven't done one since school! ( A couple of years ago, if my memory is correct!). It's not perfect but I like the effect. 'These are all for my sister in law's coffee morning in aid of the British Heart Foundation.......And.....I sorted out and tidied up some of the dumped work from previous weeks and months!' Well, difficult to top that! I've been busy with my iPad, using Procreate to make some bird drawings for greetings cards. Rather enjoyable. I also turned a watercolour into a small oil, and a big oil into a small one, but that was actually last week! Well, hopefully next week we will be back at the Bowls Club, as usual, with more pictures all round, lots of still life and portraits of Judith (whose week it will be). Have a good week. Today was really much warmer than recent weeks have been, let's hope the seasons have turned a corner, and we'll get more of the same.
The workshop was a wonderful thing to do on such a wet grey day. Sue was very knowledgeable and organised giving us plenty of information on photocopied sheets She bought some very colourful flowers, fresh and artificial to give us inspiration Sue also displayed some of her work Sue started the demonstration showing how the different colours reacted with each other Everyone started work and Sue came around and gave everybody instruction on the way we coukd improve or work After lunch there was another demonstration showing how to paint white flowers At the end of the session we all gathered around and discussed every painting Here is Carolyn's work for the blog this week, with her comment, 'I have had a very quick WC go at our lovely snowdrops, which seem to thrive here.' Here is Frances' Scraperboard completed this week. Based on a sketch of tree and surroundings at Redgrave Fen. Thanks to Angela for taking over this week at short notice. She then threw herself into modelling with some gusto - I don't think we have had anyone lying down on the job for some considerable time, or with such theatricality! The portraitists were all thoroughly absorbed. She also gave us an interesting still life, with lots of varied shapes and texture. Josie started the plenary session at the end of the morning, when all the work was put up for comment by those who had stayed the distance. The first five portraits are from Avril, then Judith, two from Ian,, a page of bodies from Freda, sally T, then, lastly, Josie. Tthere were more in the group than this (a total of 22 people came today, including Angela) but quite a few went off early, without having their work photographed (you know who you are!) Here is the work done around the still life. I know I did pine cones last week as well, but they are rather absorbing and interesting to draw. Again, there are some people who left early... Most of these are labelled, but the first three are me (Hannah), Liz and Frances. Next week is an all-day watercolour workshop. Those of you who are attending, see Stop Press for details of what to bring. The blog will be in the capable hands of Avril next week. She will be reporting on the workshop, if you are not going, but you have something you want to share, please feel free to send it to her.
Don't forget the Chairman's Project, Looking Up! Have an enjoyable week. Today 18 members attended the Bowls Club despite the grey day spirits were high. Josie made a interesting still life and Ian gave us three poses for us to grapple with Some poses of Ian Josie's still life with people settling into a morning drawing session People's work produced People's take of Josie's still life Hannah's was done on her iPad and so was sallys left-hand one Sally wishing Les a happy birthday and his painting for today I am afraid Angela's photo was rather blurred, my apologies Eileen's painting nearing completion from a previous week Carolyn has sent a drawing of her Christmas cactus. It did not make 25/12 but has flowered beautifully since then. Lesley sent this - 'Here is my take on Josie’s tulips painted in watercolour. I thought I had better get in some practice before next month’s workshop!' We had no control over the direction we were going in this morning, and that meant we let go and went with the process. Thanks so much to Frances for leading us today, and introducing a most interesting way of taking the elements of an original image and turning them into an abstract painting. The first part of the process was to draw, in simple line form, the small still life of jug, spoon, bowl, etc. that we had brought with us. That was then set aside, and a collage was assembled, using coloured and other card. This was largely random, but might include elements that were in the original drawing. Here is a selection of this second stage: The final stage was to take the original drawing and transpose some or all of it on to the collage, not necessarily in the composition of the first drawing, and to paint or add colour. the first two below are Frances's version of the exercise, then, in order, Sally P, Harriet, Judith, Les, Lesley, Josie, Sally T, Maggie-Anne, Jane, Avril, Angela, Jackie, Freda, Ian J, Sandra, Hannah, and finally Irene, who left early, and therefore only completed the line drawing. This has proved to be thoroughly enjoyable as well as instructive, and I shall certainly use it again at home. I am glad that the snow reached my home too late to stop me leaving this morning (there was no snow in Eye today). Thanks again to Frances for a most enjoyable workshop.
Don't forget that next week is the deadline to pay for Sue Williams' 'EARLY SPRING FLOWERS IN WATERCOLOUR' workshop. Next week Josie is in charge! Have a good week, everybody. Despite my best intentions, I was not able to go to the Bowls Club this morning, as I had to spend the morning as the chauffeur to an injured party in A&E (writes Hannah), an experience I could have done without. It seems a lot of work was completed today, with some fine likenesses among the portraits. I have to say, that although I counted all the photos carefully in, each time I did so I got a different number (and I tried several times!) - so I hope no masterpieces have been lost in action... There was a total of three models this morning, Jill having persuaded her husband Dennis to sit, and then Angela providing some short poses, as well as sharing some of the new techniques for oil painting that she has been learning. Jill herself sat after the coffee break. There was also an interesting and multicoloured still life to draw and paint. So here are some images of the still life... And now the work that used the still life... two of Josie's, Maggie-Anne's and Bea's And here are the three models - Dennis, Angela and Jill... Angela's portraits... by John, Jackie, Sandra and Avril And these are of Dennis... by John, Sally T, Jackie, Sandra and two of Avril's The final model - Jill, by Sally T (x2), Sally P, Ian, jackie, Sandra and Avril (x3) Here, from Frances, 'My two sketches today. Experimenting with my new Duke pen with a Fude nib! Information about it gained from Sally L. Wished I’d had a little gold for the peacock feather!' It's Frances's workshop next week, morning only, the subject being 'From Still Life to 2D Abstract', and she has provided a list of equipment you will need, which is on the Stop Press page. I look forward to seeing you there!
There were 14 members today at the bowls Club today Sally Tyley did a splendid still life including very bright cyclamens Sally sitting very still for portraiters The still life and people getting ready for arty tasks Jo starts off with her colourful mixed media painting followed by Jane's, Liz's is very colourful and acurate and Lesleys cyclamen is positioned well. Sally enjoyed working with the candlesticks and Angela's pencil drawing of the pot had wonderful shapes and shadows We start off with Ian's two drawings then Jackie's, Angela's Hiliary's and then Avril's Eileen had to leave early but had started on this tree picture. She expects it to take several weeks to complete From Diana, her work so far today, and then two photos looking towards possibilities for the Chairman's Project 'LOOKING UP' (to be ready for the last winter session in April) - Mahonia in bloom, and then 'millions of cobwebs'! Finally, from Frances - Small scraper board barn owl. Three A5 sketches: From the Coastguard cottages on Boxing Day.Playing with images of pollarded trees in Brittany, Quick sketch of my birthday tulips. Happy New Year to all, from Avril, who was actually there, and compiled most of this, and from Hannah, who finished up the end! Hope to see you all next week, when Jill will be in charge...
We had a good turnout today for the Christmas party, and much enjoyment of the quiz and the morning's activities. There was a fine spread of delicious food, mulled wine, lots of chat and good company. The pictures produced for the Chairman's project, 'Where on Earth are we Going?' were shown and explained, and the patchwork picture for this year was revealed... Spot the 'photo bomber' below! Thanks to everyone for the very good lunch, to Frances for the quiz (a difficult stretch as usual), and to Richard Court for the Carol music. Maggie-Anne and Jackie made the Pictionary harder than last year, so that we could not guess the answers straight away, and to Lesley for keeping us to the timetable! FORGOT TO SAY - LESLEY ANNOUNCED THE NEW CHAIRMAN'S PROJECT: 'LOOKING UP' to be completed by April 2024 And thanks to Avril for sending me more pictures. she was much more diligent about it than I was!
So here are the Chairman's Project pieces. I have given brief details where necessary for clarification of size etc. We appear a gloomy bunch, as most of us interpreted this in a pessimistic way... So, first a very tall (over 6 foot) collage from Diana - a chaotic road gradually smoothing out into harmony. Next, John was struck by an image from a newspaper of a fireman rescuing a child during the forest fires in Greece. And then two views from Harriet, the choice of pathways for the future, and the deluge submerging a village if the right choice is not made. In Josie's painting, the answer to 'Where on Earth are we Going? is somewhere else! Ian J's picture is a postcard from someone careless sailing away from it all, obliviously! And Sally T gave us Mellis completely under water. From Freda, a more positive image, showing children being taught to grow food; thinking globally to acting locally, Jill's modern day Noah's Ark...and Jenny's 'End of the World' scenario... Bea pictured 'The Last Polar Bear', And Avril gave us a turtle caught in plastic, while Sally P pictured a much-maligned lemming, which, like us, has at times to deal with over-population. Ian C envisages the world after the waters recede, with no vegetation or people and Richard's inscrutable question. Frances gives us The Green Man as symbol of rebirth, together with fire and flood, with words from Milton and Gerard Manley-Hopkins (sorry about the reflections)... Lastly, Angela pictured ruins and people walking towards their unknown future over bodies of the dead. Judith made a collage dealing with the inconsistencies of attitude in society, and my work (Hannah) is about the many, many wrong turns and false starts along the path of dealing with climate change. Don't forget to navigate to the Christmas Greetings page (it will pop up if you hover over Messages From Members), to see the virtual cards.
Hope to see you back at the Bowls Club on 4th January 2024, when Sally T will be in charge. In the meantime, have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year, and let us hope the world starts changing for the better next year. There were 21 members at the Bowls club today and a happy buzz went around the room as we all got to grips with Jane's super still life, she sat very still for us so the results were good. Members busy with the still life pictures Jane sitting sedately with two father Christmases for company The likenesses are great, now for the still life pictures Diana sent this one by email. 'Good shapes in plant and added apples and coffee pot from my old watercolour which I had photo of.' A reminder from Lesley to send in your Christmas greetings into Hannah for the website. Have a look under Messages from Members for the greetings that are already there. See you next week at the Christmas party.
Helen Ball from the cafe gallery in Botesdale visited this morning to see a wide variety of members work on display. *** see note below Sally reprised her still life setting as last week, a useful opportunity to continue and explore further. And a ‘live’ game of bridge Work inspired by the bridge players Pictures inspired by the still life challenge
Hints and tips from Diana…a useful way to decide where to place the lemons on her picture And a picture she completed during lock down in her kitchen. And Finally…
*If you have a Patchwork picture piece to complete, bring it to the Christmas party on Dec 14th. If you are unable to come to the party send Sally P your completed segment preferably by next week by first class post. **If you are coming to the party please let a committee member know, so that they have some idea of numbers. *** a note from Frances, Helen Ball seems more interested in displaying work from individuals, and possibly cards and other craft work. Frances will be in touch with her again after Christmas. On this bright sunny morning 17 members attended. Sally Procner made a splendid still life with lemons and glass, she also did the first portrait sitting. While people were working, you could hear a pin drop due to the concentration. Three different views of Sally, including a very good likeness from Jackie. Elizabeth used her pastels to good effect. Work produced using Avril as model. John was pleased with the smile and faraway look in his drawing. Still life photos: Hannah's creation from the iPad. Carolyn drew a picture of Avril and Richard's dog Sam Diana sent these. Lovely colour in the garden. Son Charlie's art on old piece of tin. Lesley says, "Here are my efforts from this morning from Sally P's arrangement, both in acrylic. First, hydrangeas painted thickly on canvas board. Second, sea hollies and grasses on cartridge paper using acrylic heavily diluted to give watercolour effect." Please can members remember to bring a couple of finished small paintings/drawings next week to show Helen Ball of the Cafe Gallery at Botesdale. She is coming at 10-am so it may be a good idea to try to get to the Bowls Club a few minutes before, so we are settled when she arrives.
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February 2024
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