17th September 2020

18th September:  Late runners from Diana and Les Bragg (the latter thanks to Sally P.)

So now the 'Rule of 6' has come in to muddy the water.  Your committee are trying to negotiate the convoluted path of working out what to do for the winter programme, and stick to the new rules.  Did you know that (according to the official list) you can take part in Dragon Boat Racing (22 crew members in a boat), but not amateur dramatics?  No, I don't understand it either.

Starting this week with a contribution from Noreen:
'This painting, inspired by a spring walk along a local lane, has been sitting on my easel for many weeks, mocking me.  This week I thought I’d try to add a few touches and now I’m calling it finished.'

It's been a long time since the spring, but it's good to know that Noreen is painting again, and I love the light and shade in this.

Here are two pictures from Carolyn. She says, 'The flowers are gorgeous in real life, Schizostylis coccinea, but by the time I plucked up courage to have a go they were over, so this is from a photo. The pencil drawing looks better than the scan has made (excuses, excuses!). They are 3 glass objects, which  were waiting on a shelf for inclusion in a still life.' 
She may have a go at adding colour to it.

Avril had not done figures for a while, 'So I decided to use a family photo which think is fun, it is my daughter and granddaughter. I think mommy is having far too much fun. 
'This effort is done in pastels.'
I think they will both enjoy their portraits.

Sally P worked from an old art book on ballpoint and colour wash, using her own flowers. She said it made a lovely change.

Frances has been fiddling around with an old linoprint and experimenting with a coloured background. Looks like an enjoyable experiment. She also had this query:
'If anyone has Inktense blocks in a little palette please let me know what you think of them. I bought some on a whim yesterday and am not sure?..'

Harriet has been in Wales this week, and sent these two sketches of Borth y Gest, with lovely swirling waters and sand.

Three pictures of Beccles Quay from Sally L. (left and centre) and Lesley, who met, in a socially distanced way, this morning, with Jackie, to sketch. Lesley said there was strong sunshine but a chill wind. Lovely to be outside in another bright autumn day. 
Jackie said, 'What a super day today. I finished the Felixstowe painting of drying nets yesterday and today went to Beccles to sketch more boats and still find portraying water rather difficult. I found a better position and view later in the day, for the next visit.'
I think the fishing net is amazingly successful in the Felixstowe painting, now I can see why we didn't get it until this week - such  intricate work!

Sally T's contributions this week: 'The flowers were given to me by our daughter when she came to visit and are a quick water colour sketch. The still life I have been working on for ages, too long but is finished at last.. I was constantly correcting and re correcting the drawing. Red peppers came and went. I should have persevered with the drawing and got it right at the outset but there are two ways of looking at it and you can just let the painting evolve. Also my canvas was too textured and would have suited a more impressionist approach.' I like the composition with the view from the window, the outside and inside are good contrasts with one another.

Finally, flowers from Jane, who says the blog encourages her to try and finish something each week. And I like the echo of the petals in the pattern of the plate.

I wish it had that effect on me - I am afraid that I haven't done anything except fiddle a little with my oil painting of the garden, and I am not sure if it has given up on me, or me on it - and I have no excuse at all.  We hope to have some decision on the winter programme as soon as possible, and will let you all know when it is sorted.