24th June 2021

extra - 26th June

There are now pictures of our latest exhibition on the Exhibitions page (under the Events menu), I think you will agree it looks like a fine display, and is on until the end of July.

A couple of late additions, the first from Ian, from Thursday's visit to Redgrave and Lopham Fen.

And the second from Diana, 'No inspiration at the moment so here are some more old ones .One of Eye from behind the fire station and the other two were  In Rachel’s garden I think. I  don’t use pastel much because it makes me cough but it does get good results with the ink.'

When I arrived at Redgrave and Lopham Fen this morning, there was no one else in sight, so I had a leisurely cup of coffee looking out at the wide horizon and took this panoramic photo.

Shortly I was joined by Sally P and Jackie, and we went walkabout.  Jackie did keep trying to get us to stop and sketch, but we took lots of photos and then had the great adventure of actually seeing the Fen Raft Spider, which Jackie and I had never seen on previous visits, and which thrilled two visitors with immensely long camera lenses, who had thought they were going to be unlucky.  You will have to wait until the end of the blog...

But in the meantime, here is my take on a portion of that panoramic view, from the right hand side of the fence.

Avril worked on a number of botanical sketches throughout the day, and produced some lovely images from very detailed observation.

Noreen and Carolyn were unable to join us today, but that didn't stop them from contributing work that was most appropriate to what we saw.

These are Carolyn's pictures - first wildflowers from last week's photo, and second an orchid flowering with many buds to come.

And Noreen's pair of flower studies.  First watercolour and pen, and second, mixed media.

Angela and Sandra were using a technique they have been learning about on the Newlyn School of Art 'Abstracting the Landscape' course, making strong sketches to crop and use to make abstract paintings.

Sandra's sketch, left, and Angela's, right, have used compressed charcoal which is water-soluble.

Frances was away this week, in Northumberland near Hadrian's Wall.  She says 'Here are some of my sketches. My little travelling watercolour box has limited colours . I think a palette knife version is calling me for Steel Rigg. Such wonderful countryside, walking and electric biking!'

Like me, Sally P didn't get started with her drawing until after lunch, didn't finish it and  intends to  continue to work on it.  She worked in pastel on pastelmat paper.  Love the colour of the grass flowers.  She also photographed wild roses which you will find at the end of the blog as inspiration. and she said, 'But I did see a fen spider with you and Jackie. Not bad for my first visit!'

Jackie chose her fellow artists as her subject - can you guess from these backs who they were?  And also sent a study of cows, of which she said, '... still to be finished but am at the scary stage. Could go so very wrong!'  I like to think they are jostling to be centre stage.

Harriet said. 'I found drawing/ painting the grasses very hard - which is in front of which?' and thinks she might add something on top of the painted version of the iris.

More grasses and plants from Sally Tyley, and, right, a landscape sketch.

And here is that spider, at last, along with three other images for you to use. And a photo of some of us enjoying the day1  There were about 10 who came, and most stayed for most of the day.

Don't forget to go and see our current exhibition at The Bank, open Wednesday to Saturday 10.30 to 3.30.  It will be on until the end of July, and I hope to have pictures on the Exhibitions page under the Events menu shortly.
Just a little reminder that submissions should be sent to whoever is doing the Blog by 6pm on Thursday, if at all possible, so as not to delay its publication.