Even in the shelter of Frances' lovely garden, the wind was spectacular today!  At one point it swept away a pencil I had been foolish enough to put down, and I couldn't spot where it was for half an hour or so.  It was much warmer today though, quite comfortable even when sitting still for a while.  The garden has all sorts of different views within it, and collections of pots, objects and plants that offer interest for sketching.
Your committee had a very productive meeting about the upcoming exhibitions.  If you are participating, there will be information available on the website under the Stop Press heading about the nitty gritty of bringing in your work etc., which you should check.
The last of these photos shows most of those who were still there at lunchtime... I was just leaving at this point [Hannah].

So now to those who came to Mellis this week.  There were several members who focused on the wonderful colour and form of the poppies in full bloom.  First, Frances herself, with a selection of views from around the garden, including a nice poppy study.

Next, Ian and Josie, who both tackled the poppies.  Ian's is the first picture.

Both Lesley and Avril were attracted by the markings on the geranium (pelargonium) leaves, among the arrangement of leaf shapes and colours on offer. Lesley's are the first two, and include a delicate study of an iris.  Avril also selected a 'Green Man' head, and a wheelbarrow arrangement, with a lot going on...

Next week Harriet will be having her first turn at blogging, when EAG goes to Lackford Lakes, so work should be sent to her.
If you are taking part in the exhibitions in June, please look at the Exhibitions June 2025 page under the Stop Press heading, for information necessary to bringing and collecting your work.

Nine members came to the wonderful garden today. the weather improved and we were given chairs to sit on to do our great works. Here are a selection of photos taken to give a taste of our surroundings. Plus Lesley talking to Jane the owner.

Lesley stayed until after lunch and produced 2 Hosta's black and white sketches plus a delicate water colour.

Ian J drew used his pointillism skills to capture the trees and flower, a vibrant peony and went to the church and made a competent architectural sketch.

Jo took a little time to get started but made up for it by producing lively sketches of Hostas, Peonies  and a great ink view.

Harriet made a bold rendition of the Hostas, a structured pen and watercolour of a rose and an interesting pencil and pen sketch of the lemon tree.

Jackie used two pages to  spread the clematis which gave the rambling feel to the watercolour and the peony looked delicate with its salmon pink petals. 

Avril attempted the tree and foliage and realised it was too great an ask, then knuckled down to 3 pencil sketches

​Four small canvases I am working on….stencils, leaf prints and acrylic..  one finished! from Frances

Hannah will be the blogger next week, so send contributions to her.

Eight hardy members present today. You may be forgiven for thinking that we were at Base Camp about to ascend Everest from our clothing, but no! We were about to embark on a day’s sketching at Wickham Skeith. A picturesque village, and Harriet’s lovely garden to boot, difficult to fully appreciate this when you are almost rigid with cold .

However…wearing several layers we sallied forth.( all three Sallys present)

The picturesque village pond was a popular subject.


​        Ian C                                                                                                      Angela

Diana sent some images from past visits, in collage and pastel, on sunny days.

I
​a quick run and sketch from me

Then I found the church, with a lovely watery glass window, and a very convenient loo!

Hannah, And Harriet were drawn to the beautiful grey white  Iris in Harriet’s garden.

And Sally P choose the same subject for a series of sketches where she looks at the subject not the paper ( there must be an official name for that, or a better description, but you know what I mean)

two from Last week,
​first Judith’s view of Bridge Street, Bungay

And Angela’s views over Falcon Meadow

​ Lesley sent these ‘postcards from her holiday in Devon views from Sidmouth,

and a watercolour of a distant view towards Honiton.

Carolyn has sent a drawing of the red currants still developing in her garden.

and just to rub it in Frances has sent two charcoal sketches, and a view from her favourite restaurant in Carnac. Look at the colour of that sky!

And Avril has been busy producing some quirky Lino prints which she calls ‘This way to Cairo’

Tea time, and we’ve still got our coats on

That’s enough of me moaning about the weather, next week the sun will be shining and Avril will be in charge of the blog.
Happy painting,
​Sally

We were 11 at coffee, though arrival was spread through the morning.  Angela and Judith had to leave before tea.  My apologies to them [Hannah] that my photo was taken at tea time, but by then we were all at one table at the wonderful Earsham Street Cafe, who looked after us very well.  The weather was dry, but colder than some had expected, and of course, if you are sitting still, you get even colder.  Bungay was busy, with a market at the Butter Cross, and a church event for VE Day.  I have included some scene setting photos.  In some you may spot EAG members at work.  As Avril wasn't with us today there was some competition for who could produce the most sketches -

The first two here are Josie's, she used charcoal and a nitram stick for the first drawing, watercolour, charcoal, ink, whatever she had in the second,.  Then we have Ian J's sketch from the churchyard, and Sally T's sketches of the churchyard and then the meadows.  The last of these is across two pages, and much larger than it looks here.

Jackie drew a sketch with many notes to enable the making of a painting, in the churchyard, and then painted a watercolour showing some of the many greens in the landscape.  Sally P also chose the arch (you can see them both hard at work in my photo of the churchyard above), and then produced a sketch of Jackie, deep in concentration, surrounded by her equipment.

Highest on the leader board for the 'Avril' this week was Ian C, with a wide array of sketches, showing the variety of subject matter in the town.

Next week Harriet will be our host, and Sally L will be your blogger.  Anything for inclusion then, please send to her.

What a wonderful turnout today for Thornham walks, so everyone was eager to sketch and paint their way around. We could not have asked for a more beautiful day.

Jackie gave us instructions about the thumbnail sketches and how they will help us with finding the right format to us for further study. She was also kind enough to handout leaflets to help us.

Barry studying an old tree stump, Jackie surveying the view, Lesley, Ian and Sally working hard and Jill and Bea all set up for a mornings painting. Ian S hiding in the shrubbery and Sally T sketching

I caught Sally T before she had to leave a bit early, she produced sketches showing lots of shading.

Quite a lot of the members only stayed for the morning so if they send me copies I can include them in the blog. The members who stayed for afternoon tea showed their efforts and discussed them.

Jackie made thumbnail sketches as mentioned earlier, and the finished painting was very atmospheric.

Lesley made thumbnail sketches and then a snarled up fallen tree which is well grounded

Sally P was also productive, using thumbnail sketches to help the final piece and thought very hard about composition which I think worked very well.

Avril must be slipping as she only made three sheets of sketches, because she took time out to have a cream tea and talk to the potter and artists in their studios!! 

Frances said 'Sorry I couldn’t stay and that I missed Jackie’s intro and thank you Ian for putting my bike chain on'.  First done some years ago at Wortham with same theme… looking through the Lych Gate the other two paintings are of the chapel.

Harriet sent the following:
​Here is sketch 1 the view from our holiday accommodation. Sketch 2 Borthy Y Gest
Tide going out
Hope you are enjoying the weather 
See you soon
Harriet

​Ink tense sticks on Thornham walkabout 2012 from Diana and watercolour early 2000s

Sent to us from Carolyn - Here is my nostalgic effort. Before TV, I used to listen to radio a lot. Now not at all. The wireless does still work on FM but nothing on MW or LW.  (On the drawing I only hinted at the perforated front view)