12th AUGUST 2021

I wasn't the only one who was led astray by sat nav today.  Mine took me just outside Stradbroke and said, 'You have reached your destination.'  But I did get there, and what a tranquil spot!  We had a great threatening sky just for Ian, chickens that wouldn't sit still for a portrait, a colourful garden, no rain (and not too much sun) and welcoming hosts - Avril and Richard.  Avril showed us her new studio - very impressive, and some of the work she had done for her course, which was very interesting - and in the garage, the BFG looked down, ready to wow the Redlingfield children in the scarecrow festival.  I wasn't able to stay for tea, but I gather there was cake as well.

So here is Ian's treatment of that cloudy sky, and the huge walnut tree that predates the house, its name is Percy (after the person who planted it, I think).  Ian was more pleased with the tree on the right.

Rachel has given us another view of Percy and then my back view as I sketched some lychnis, very badly.

Frances has been busy sketching in Brittany, and sent me this selection:
Acrylic based on last week’s sketch, Part of our house, Oak tree in garden which I saw had a face!
View from our favourite beach (behind me) as I sketched chateau and nature reserve. 

Carolyn has been watching internet videos this week to see if she could improve on the Inktense work. She said, 'There is lots that one can try but it takes time!  trying new techniques. The best find, for me, was to show that the burnisher acts like wax resist.'  The moose drawing, together with doodles, illustrates the different experiments.
The second is of fuchsia, which only works in part. Greens are difficult.

Diana did come to Redlingfield but did not want to inflict her 'harvest cough' on the rest of us, but was sorry to have missed tea.   She did the collage earlier in week and the sketch today, and took the photos at Redlingfield this morning.

Jackie has listened to a most enjoyable programme on World Service earlier this week about paint, that she wanted to share with you all, so I am giving you a link to it. It is still available on the BBC iPlayer (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct1tdb).  She said, 'Two sketches today. As I needed to get in the right mood, the chickens were my first choice as a subject. They were not very cooperative and took a while to come out from a dark corner. As we had spent some time looking at Avril's fabulous textile creations and books on arrival, lunch came next after which some of us worked on 'Percy', Avril and Richard's Walnut tree. Great texture and looks like some mythical creature.  Thanks to Avril and Richard

Avril managed between being the perfect host, to produce a quantity of sketches that give quite a snapshot of the garden.

Harriet has given us a quick sketch, part of the garden and the house next door, and another view of Percy.

Sally L was not able to stay for long, but made three sketches in the time she was there.

I am not going to inflict my sketch from today on you, and instead give you two paintings.  The first is the finished version of the abstract from my cherry tree painting, and the second is a bit of fun using filling knives for decorating that looked like they would be interesting for painting with over an old, unsuccessful painting.

Finally, some views around the garden, to give you inspiration, concluding with a full view of the magnificent Percy, and the assemble EAG visitors, minus Sally L, with our hosts at lunchtime - and a bit of sleight-of-hand thanks to Jackie taking a picture that included me after I had taken one of the rest.  Thanks again to Avril and Richard.