4th February 2021

6th February 2021

Late addition from Frances, two oil paintings ..hellebore of some years ago and one down the Mellis Straight last month...

The self portrait project has given some members their inspiration this week, and I am sure none of you will find it difficult to recognise any of the individuals involved.  There was some discussion on Zoom about how to tackle wrinkles, etc.  It is always disconcerting when it's your turn to sit for others on a Thursday morning, to find that your double chin and saggy neck are faithfully reproduced by those who are drawing or painting you; and worse; everyone else recognises you in those drawings!  I think our inverse Dorian Gray portraits are inside our heads.  Until we have to do an exercise like this, we still see ourselves as much younger than we are when we look in a mirror.

Let's start, though, with some really young faces.  Carolyn has been using her young neighbours as subject to practice portraiture on.  She started with the pencil sketch and then printed it onto watercolour paper to enable the adding of colour.  She plans to use the next month to brush up on portraiture (which she enjoys) and produce her self-portrait. 

Here is a clever idea from Hilary.  She had a self portrait that she started some years ago and has now finished, showing a 'then' and 'now'.

And now for one that has the artist herself saying, 'Hmmmm.  Not sure I recognise this person.
Must do better.'
I expect, Jackie, that quite a lot of us will know it is you, but we look forward to the next version.

Diana has made very interesting collages from her own photos of last week.

And from June, a watercolour still life in a very restrained palette, but with a wonderful use of pattern in the composition.

Harriet's interpretation of last week's photos.  Lovely, delicate colour.

Avril took the alternative path of making her own still life based on the same materials.

Another unmistakable face.  Sally P. did one last week in pencil, this one is in oil, and she says she started one in pastel but could not achieve the fine detail she wanted, so the next one will be in watercolour.

Maggie-Anne says, 'Beginning  of my self portrait and as said I found it quite depressing. However I was some what cheered whilst chatting this morning it was suggested that wrinkles could be left out 'In case one was insulted'  by showing them ( the truth hurts sometimes), and that actually wrinkles are  just 'contours'! 
I may leave a few out!!
And the chunky chicken is watercolour pen and ink. [Love those feet! - Hannah]
You know me. Has to be an animal pic of some sort on the go.
Plenty of dogs in my sketch book too.'

Jane has tackled the hellebore with acrylic ink, and says her self portrait is not yet good enough.
The texture on the petals was achieved with salt used very effectively.

Sally L. has been reminding herself of Gelli print technique, creating lots of very small scraps of print, which I am sure she will put to good use. 

Just some of Angela's output this week.  She sent the self portrait to Noreen, who pronounced it 'Terrifying!'  So I asked for a copy for us all!

Sally Tyley returned to the waterlilies of a couple of weeks ago, and worked in watercolour, using the idea of glazes that was mentioned last week.  Another self portrait (pencil on paper) that didn't entirely satisfy its maker, but none the less carries a good likeness.

Noreen's first picture is an attempt this morning to do some hellebores.  [Rather more than an attempt, and there is something very satisfying in the conjunction of the delicacy of the painting and the texture of the paper - Hannah]
She says, 'The second is my first try at a self-portrait a couple of weeks ago. I don’t know if you want to put it on the blog. I think the chin is too small, or maybe the head (skull) is too big??? Will try again for the Rogue’s Gallery.'  [I think that might well be a good title for the eventual collection of portraits!]

From Lesley first a collage of eryngiums against a dyed background, and second the beginning of a painting of the gas works from last week.

Three images from Sally L.  who says,
'1. I chose this frosty morning for the texture on the frozen grass
2. I’ve heightened the colour a bit on this one of icy puddles
3. Old hat. I thought that this was a bit like Sally’s shoes, everyone must have an old hat hanging about somewhere.'
So use as you would like.

Nothing from me this week (says Hannah).  I have been busy with bubble wrap and boxes as we are on the move.  We are going to Brundall, near Norwich, but you won't be getting rid of me that easily. I will still be blogging and am looking forward to when we can all meet again properly.  The image below was sent by Carolyn, and gives us all the promise of spring.