18TH MAY 2023 - MELLIS (AND SALLY T'S)

The day was not promising - a dull sky and not enough contrast, even after coffee and biscuits at Sally T's house, and none of us were sure how warm it would be.  I know I had two jackets of different weights in the car... but the sky cleared through the morning, and we were soon basking in sunshine, with blue sky (and clouds laid on just for Ian C).  There were seven of us present for coffee, but Diana, Hilary and Ian J and Josie all turned up a little later.  It seems to have been a productive day, as you will see.  I left early, so thanks to Sally T for the T(ea)-time pictures!

First, Ian C, who was working in watercolour, something he hasn't done for a while.  He said he kept moving them out of the way, and then thought, he would have a go again, and as you can see, he got the kind of sky he likes in the end...

Jackie also worked in watercolour.  Given the weather, there was no paint medium that wouldn't have dried quickly, so my hat is off to all those who were painting today!

And here's another accomplished watercolour, this time from Liz, who tackled the pub very successfully.

Diana came and left early,   she has sent work that relates to last week.  She says, 'I used google earth to walk round Walberswick, a route that once we did for real.
This collage loosely based on photo, next 2 of Mellis  from previous years...'

Carolyn has tackled a difficult subject, a view of her garden that caused her some difficulty, though she persisted... very hard dealing with so much perspective.

Lesley was at a textile workshop in Thetford.  She made it to tea at SallyT's, and was impressed with everyone's efforts.  She said of her submission, 'My Contemporary Quilt group had a workshop led by a member doing Shibori, a Japanese way of manipulating fabric (like tie dye), then we were to dye it with woad (note the link to the Iceni,) After a talk on woad, we tied, objects into fabric( I used washers from my husbands shed), stitched, gathered and scrunched fabric. See first photo.
However the woad dye bath didn’t work. So the second photo of  ‘some I made earlier’ ( several years ago) shows the effects one can get from these techniques using indigo, which is the same pigment as woad. Apparently these ancient dyes are quite tricky to use.'

Frances is still in Brittany, and has sent two pictures, the first a very quick sketch done balancing on a fence overlooking a marsh by the sea. Second a continuation of her scraper board hare. This time on canvas with acrylic.  She said, 'Not sure about little hare top right. He was done in a hurry to send blog to you! He may have to be repainted.'

Sally P worked in oil, and has achieved rather a lot.  The perspective she worried about early on is definitely there, as is the suggestion of the mixture of flowers, etc. growing in the grass.  She got rather a lot done after I left, which may say something about interruption!

Finally my drawing.  I was quite happy with this, although I think the sky needs something to show its brightness, but probably not colour, as it would over-balance the picture.
There is a message on the Messages from Members page about finding tutors for next winter's sessions.  Have a look, and let Lesley know if you have any ideas to offer. 
Noreen's turn next week, and the venue will be Framlingham.  Let's hope the weather holds out...