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27TH MARCH 2025 - WITH MICK

27/3/2025

Perhaps it was the beautiful weather that prompted Mick's modelling as a hiker? He often seemed to need to consult his map during the morning, maybe he should have asked a passerby for guidance! He certainly inspired a lot of good likenesses among the portraitists, and gave the still lifers an eclectic array of objects to draw or paint.

Here are the first of the portraits of Mick. The first three are Angela's, the next two Jackie's and the final two in this group are by Jane.

Next we have Elizabeth, Penny and Jax, who was trying us out with a view to joining the group.
Elizabeth revealed the secret of the colour behind the middle drawing of her three, achieved using pastel with a brush to knock back the white of the paper, before working on top. Penny's are next three and she said she has not done much in the way of portraiture, and Jax was experimenting with different ways of painting the subject.

Now Sally T, Ian J and Avril. Avril worked on her iPad as well as in her sketchbook.

Both Sally P and Josie spent time on both subjects. Josie's bold drawing of the still life is full of energy, Sally makes the still life elements really solid, and tackles the difficult hat very well!

Four different versions of wood anemones now, from Bea, Maggie-Anne and Lesley, in that order. When Lesley had finished working on the flowers (two versions), she sat outside in the sunshine and sketched the cottage opposite.

Ian and Jill worked on their own creations. Ian producing two landscapes with wonderful skies (my favourite was the one on the right), and Jill working on what she called her 'Dali' - you can see why!

I had a go at the anglepoise lamp, which was a wonderful object that I have not done justice to. I think I should have stuck to black and white.

Although Frances was away this week she still sent me three pieces she has made recently,
1. Based on an image found in newspaper
2. Masterpiece in the making!!! Cold wax and oil!
3. Mixed media…. Not happy with it…
I hope these are the right way round...

There were several notices at break time. A reminder that it is nearly the end of the winter season, which means that subscriptions are due for renewing membership, and that the Chairman's Project is looming over the horizon fast. There will be application forms available shortly for the two exhibitions in June, which must be returned by the last meeting at the Bowls Club. Next week is Andrew Harrington's second workshop, so only those who have booked to attend are expected to come, and attention was given to Avril's textile exhibition in Felixstowe (details on the Stop Press page, where you can also find what to bring for the workshop next week.

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20th March 2025 with Jill

20/3/2025

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We had 16 members today on this fine sunny day and were treated to an interesting still life and portraited workout.

Jill did a spot of cleaning today and was tired out with the effort and decided to have short nap and after that read a book.

The still life had bronze looking statues and a good selection of flowers

On the top row are Avril's efforts for today, first one on the second row is Jane's which is technically correct and the last two Jackie's, both wonderful renditions although Jackie thought she made the face a bit wide but I think it is full of character and her second one has really captured Jill resting.

The first row are Sally T's, she said they were quick sketches and that she was distracted by the patterns on the figure. The second row are Ian's he liked the pencil one and I thought he got the repose and the skin is very good.

The first two are Barry's he had trouble with the nose on the pencil sketch but captured the colours beautifully with his watercolour. the next two are Judith's, she has made a super pencil sketch of Jill and the vase showed a lot of texture.

We start off with Jo on the first row with her mixed media using inktense and pen painting. In the middle Maggie Anne's Easter cards following on from last week which are lovely. Penny's sunflower looks delicate although she said the yellow needs to be more vibrant.
The second row starts off with Bea's lovely flowers and everyone agreed that it was difficult to do but she achieved it. In the middle is Harriet's which has good depth, she said she enjoyed doing it.
The righthand side is Jenny's accomplished piece.
The last one is Jane's graphic flowers done with her keen eye for detail.

Diana worked on her own projects, very inspiring as usual.

Carolyn sent this:
Attached is a blended InkTense drawing of a pub chair (partially hidden by a table).
As ever I hope you all have a good day.

Next weeks blogger is Hannah

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Thursday March 13th

13/3/2025

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Nineteen members were present today, a good attendance for a chilly bright morning, the bright blue sky complementing Sandra’s bright blue beret.
On the still life table was an arrangement of spring flowers and foliage interspersed with interesting pieces of twisted wood, and Sandra struck some challenging poses - in some challenging outfits!

This third pose just shows you how exhausting posing is for the model!

First three charcoal drawings from Frances ( tap on image to get full view)

A selection from Avril’s sketch book, the first two in pencil meeting the challenge of that draped scarf/ shawl, and the last in gouache which was more difficult to work with.

Three wistful delicate charcoal drawings from Elizabeth.

and in contrast three very strong pastels on coloured paper from Ian .J .

and a companion piece, three, also on coloured backgrounds from Jill, with an effective contrasting hat brim.

Finally from Angela, a lovely depiction of Sandra’s boots, a difficult foreshortened pose, but the soles of those boots! Perfect in every detail.The second and third pictures were drawn without looking at the paper, something I find nearly impossible, and a really useful exercise ( I tell myself)

Still life.
First Sally T’s delicate pen and ink drawing

Harriet -left, Diana -middle and Sally P,-right, all tackled the beautiful spotted Moth Orchid. Three very different interpretations in different mediums.
Sally P also painted the vase of Hellebores, a lovely delicate watercolour.There was some discussion about adding a background in contrast to the flowers, or whether to add a coloured mount before framing. -watch this space…

Maggie Ann also painted the Hellebores for an Easter card, a very effective subject.

Penny -left, and Bea-right, both chose daffodils Penny in Watercolours and Bea in pastels, a difficult medium for a small picture

Josie - left, and Lesley -right, both tackled the tulips, in a really difficult ‘tulip vase’ .

and Jackie painted in beautifully observed detail some complicated background pieces of timber and fabric, I’m sure we’ll see the rest of this picture completed at sometime in the future.

and this is my watercolour, pen and wash, and maybe a little bit of Neocolour crayon …in an attempt to capture a very full vase of assorted foliage.

Carolyn has sent two images, the first of daffodils just coming into bloom in her garden, and the second a fresh look at last week’s autumn crocuses adding a dark background making the crocuses stand out.
Telepathy Carolyn! This was a hot topic this week in our plenary session, whether and when to add a background.

Ian C and Barry were both working on their own projects. Ian continuing with a pastel painting from the workshop day, adding foreground detail, which really stands out, my photograph doesn’t do it justice.
Barry is working into previous Lino prints adding colour with Posca pens to define the shapes, and working in a completely different style on a pointillist picture, a lovely atmospheric painting.

That’s it! Next week’s blogger is Avril, so please send pictures to her.

Sally

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Lesley and Avrils gelliplate session 6th February 2025

6/3/2025

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11 members came today for the workshop, all ready and eager for the challenge. Lesley demonstrated the use of the Gellie plate and gave instructions on how to use it and things to do with the prints. Here are her crib notes

Lesley printed some Gelli prints before they had been cut up and collaged.

The first one is Lesley's when she cleared her roller on a scrap of paper, the second one is Sandra's who enjoyed the technique and is thinking of getting a Gelli plate. The third one is Hannah's experiments using a very interesting roller that can change shapes by moving the wheels in different orders.

Lesley made a very striking picture using special paper given to her as a present and Harriet's tiger looked good with the sage leaves breaking up the background and shinny leaves concealing him. Sally L made some impressive marks using deli paper.

Ian and Josie were very adventurous and used charcoal to make an impression on the plate and then add colour, the top row is Ian's, he enjoyed discovering new and easy ways to create, sorry they are a bit blurred (do not what happened to my photo Ian).
Josies are the two at the bottom. I think the technique works well.

Jackie was kind enough to show me the notes of a previous workshop

Jackie used deli paper effectively and incorporated the home made stencils

Sally T sent these as she had to leave earlier today but said she enjoyed the session

Frances sent this e mail
Not a jungle per se but my barn owl seems to be emerging from a ‘jungle ‘ of ferns!
I have added some ink and Sennelier 3D liner. An enjoyable day, thank you both.

Avril's attempts for today, on the photo the light looks like cloth instead of a light haze

Carolyn has sent this InkTense blended drawing of her autumn crocuses.

The blogger next week is Sally and we can look forward to Sandra's session

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27TH MARCH 2025 - WITH MICK

20th March 2025 with Jill

Thursday March 13th

Lesley and Avrils gelliplate session 6th February 2025

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