28TH NOVEMBER 2024 - WITH ANGELA

I finally made it back to the Bowling Club this morning.  What a treat to be with real people after what seems like, and on reflection actually is, weeks of seclusion.  It was great to see everyone today, and experience the wonderful atmosphere of concentration that descends as the members settle to work. 
Angela brought a clever still life, with varied textures, shapes and colours, and proved a very good model for the portrait painters.  there were about 18 of us in attendance.
There were at least three sheets to sign this morning, involving the Christmas party and Open Studios, more below...

First here are some pieces done by members who brought their own work in, rather than using the still life or the model.  You are always free to come and enjoy the companionship of the morning, while working on a project of your own. 

Here is a watercolour that Jenny has started.  Let's hope we get to see it develop from this promising beginning.

Carolyn took a week off last week for heavy cooking responsibilities, and is following up this week with a drawing of winter vegetables.  She said, 'The squash was half eaten, which accounts for its odd shape.  I used InkTense watercolour pencils and blended it'.

Diana came in to the Bowling Club this morning, and worked on two of her still life paintings at once.

And this is from Judith, combining something from a magazine with the watercolour workshop.  She had some criticism of the balance of light and dark, but the general consensus was that it is very successful.

Josie produced a mixture of her own work and the still life.  An abstract, a very plumptious pumpkin, and the third, she said she wasn't sure what it was going to be!

Here are the still life offerings...

First, Jane, with two very detailed drawings, the still life, and a tree study. (Sorry about the shadow across the tree, Jane, I think that's my camera)

Next, Lesley, with two watercolours.  She had tried not to go over the same ground twice (something that I gather came out of the recent workshop), but had succoumbed anyway.  Very difficult to achieve the right depth of colour without revisiting the subject in this case, I think.  The composition of the group works very well

Here is Penny's drawing.  she said this was not something she generally does, but it is good to stretch oneself. She said she will probably try again another time.

This is Maggie-Anne's lovely composition from the still life.  The jug is particularly successful, with all its reflections.  good practice for the Chairman's project!

And this is from Barry, who has been quite successful in capturing the differences in texture of the fruit.

Frances decided to challenge herself today using a simple pen, having found at home a drawing she had done in the same manner some years ago.  She drew elements of the still life, a cup from among the club's trophies, and Angela.  Again, the reflections are good practice for the project, and she has captured the shapes very well.  She said the challenge is that you cannot erase, so you have to consider what you do very carefully.

Frances' sketch of Angela leads us nicely into the portraits.

First, Avril filled several pages of her sketchbook and also made a larger portrait with more colour added to it.

Elizabeth also sketched a number of portraits. A number of the artists said the standing portrait had been challenging because of the angle of Angela's body.

Here is Ian J's work from this morning.

I have left Harriet's as a single photo, as they looked very good as a group. It was said that she had dealt with the folds of fabric in the clothing very well, helping to convey the angle and shapes of the poses.

And here are Sally T's portraits.

I did a drawing from the still life, photographed it and added colour to it on my iPad.  I also did a quick (10 minute) sketch of Angela, using digital charcoal.  I apologise to Angela for the likeness!

Several notices were given out this morning, and the sheets for sign up were many!
1.  The collages have been put into the frames in Thornham Magna village hall, and Mick reports they are looking very good.
2.  There are only two weeks to the Christmas party on 12th December.  If you are coming next week, please sign up to let us know if you will be coming to the party, whether you are bringing a guest, and what food you will contribute to the feast.
3.  Don't forget, if you are doing something for the Chairman's project, 'On Reflection', you will need to bring it with you for presentation at the party.
4.   There are two pieces of the patchwork picture still available for collection next week, if you are interested.

Next week's blogger is Avril.