Only three hardy souls made it this week, Sally T, Avril and Harriet. 
Sally said, 'It was a very enjoyable day despite a wet and windy start. There were only three of us myself Harriet and Avril all in one car We started in the very nice cafe fortified by cheese scones and and coffee.As we began to explore the weather began to improve and it turned into a lovely day. The views over the Blythe valley are inspiring. Even the sky had some interesting clouds at the end of the day..'
However, the weather hasn't prevented other members from contributing, so hopefully the blog this week will still be stuffed full with work you will find interesting. 
First of all, it is Hannah writing this week, as Noreen, who was going to take over, is unwell, and it will be me again next week, but I will remind you of that later.  The blog is late because I was at a private view yesterday, when I would otherwise have been doing this, so apologies...

So, courtesy of all three, here are scene-setting photos, and pictures of the three musketeers!

Harriet said, 'We had a very good day, and we didn't get wet, OK a few drops. The weather improved as the day went by. There were only 3 of us, we all came together and it was quite a long trip, but it was lovely. I think it would have been harder if it had been really sunny as there is not much shade. [Very atmospheric sketches - Hannah]

Frances worked at home and has sent two A5 planning sketches and their subsequent paintings in acrylics. Both called. Sunset on the Fen. !!!

All three members who braved the weather seem to have made up for the absence of the rest by the quantity they produced.  Here are Sally T's sketches, three in pen and ink and the fourth, in pencil, yet to be finished.

Now for the third of the brave venturers!  Here is Avril's work from yesterday. As usual, a bumper crop.

And Jackie used the day to finish two of the watercolour paintings we saw started earlier in the season, one of Framlingham Castle, and one of Columbine Hall.  Here they are.

Here are some (quite small) paintings I've been working on.  The last is only just started, and is taken from a small section of another painting.

Finally,  Lesley would like to know if anyone knows of tutors for possible workshops for the next winter season.  If you have been impressed by a workshop you've been to recently, or remember one you enjoyed, please let her or Sally P have details for contact.  And below you will find a download for the poster for our exhibition in July at Diss United Reformed Church.  Please print it and display wherever you can.  Thanks.  Entries for next week's blog to me again, please, by 6pm on Thursday.  Have a good week.

Many thanks to Hannah for lots of location photos from Earsham, including one of our artists at work - apart from Jackie who was tied up meeting today's host, Annabelle, and giving arrivals directions. Glorious weather and beautiful house and gardens. They were constantly serenaded by birdsong - and regularly screamed at by the resident peacocks.  
The final photo of members enjoying tea and cake is courtesy of Sally P.       
​Click to enlarge pictures.

Now here are some of those additional photos from Avril.

It looks like this is a beutiful moated house, and the weather was certainly bound to enhance its appearance today.  Not so many EAG visitors today, because of absence and other commitments.  Sally P said,' Luckily, there was plenty of shade under the trees and also a cool breeze!'.
Thanks to Sally P for the first two photos and to Avril for the rest.

Avril was very busy sketching as well as taking photos.  Lots of interesting detail.

Jackie has sketches from last week at Flixton that fell into a black hole instead of reaching Noreen, as well as her work from today. 

Frances says 'Hola!'  (I think there should also be an upsidedown ! at the beginning, but no idea how to do it - Ed.)  She has sent some photos from Spain, as well as a sketch.
1. Gaudi at Las Comillas
2. & 3. Wonderful Romanesque cloisters at Santillana del Mar. (My favourite architecture)
4. San Vicente de lla Barquera
5. Sketch of cloisters in Santander cathedral.

Another absentee today was Diana, who says, 'I haven’t done anything for weeks so here are a few photos from about 10 years ago.'
1. Brockdish
2. Oil pastel try outs
3 & 4.Pastels

Here are Harriet's two from today at Columbine Hall.

A quick reminder from Lesley that TODAY is the last day for submitting your entries for the exhibition in Diss in July.  She is still waiting for four entries - you know who you are!
Next week EAG is off to Earsham Hall - hope to see you there.  Don't forget to send Noreen your blog entries next week.

It was the Air Museum today, with old aeroplanes on show outdoors, and various engine parts, propellers and so on.  Indoors, the museum areas give lots of historical information.

Hannah writes, 'There were about 8 of us today. Although it was cold and cloudy first thing, the sun soon came through, and hats and sunglasses became the order of the day. I have sent you some scene-setters, and my pen and ink drawing,'  So here are her scene setters.

First some work from people not at Flixton today.

This green glass is a favourite of Carolyn’s and she has made a great job of it with her Inktense pencils.  Also, she has been admiring the gorgeous clematis in her garden, smothered in flowers, and sent this drawing of a small selection.

​

That is all I have received  although I understand there were 9 or ten present today. What happened to the sketches from all the others?

A couple of reminders:  first and foremost from Lesley that Exhibition entry forms need to with her by next Thursday, 15th June.  Secondly from me that next week is at the medieval moated house and gardens at Columbine Hall, and that Hannah will be doing the blog.  Have a good week!  N.

First an apology to Angela, who sent me three pictures for this week's blog, earlier in the week as she is currently away.  She has been away on an oil and cold wax course in Yorkshire. Really good experience and a great way to layer paint to create depth.
The first painting is of early morning dandelions which were like pom-poms, laden with dew. The second is late afternoon pond and the last is a spring meadow with a new pond.

So we got a glimpse of summer, and then had it snatched away again!  I believe other parts of the country are basking in sunshine, but here it has been cold and grey.  Diana said she spent the morning at home with the heating on, and I am sure she was not alone.  So my hat is off to the 11 EAG members who braved the cold (and here in Brundall it was spitting on and off) to go to Wickham Skeith this morning.  At least there would have been a warm welcome from Harriet, and the work sent in is a mixture of sketches in her garden, and the views of the Grimmer and the cottages beyond.

Diana, as mentioned above, stayed at home in the warm. but it looks as though in her mind's eye, she was out there, looking across the pond in Wickham Skeith.  She also produced a collage, based on the idea of a Suffolk pond...

So now to those who did go - and the first of these is Frances, who says, 'Well the sun is just attempting to show its face at lunch time! Anyway I have had to cut short my time at Harriet’s but here are my attempts.
1. Many years ago I did three paintings in this style. Oil or maybe acrylic plus oil pastel . I have been thinking I would like to return to the format.
2.Here is a quick plan based on Harriet’s lovely roses, using watercolour, ink and oil pastel.
3. Another attempt with same media.
4. A loose interpretation with a base of watercolour and then pen and ink. I will now challenge myself to return to a version of my arrangement from those years gone by!!!

Next Sally P, who sent three sketches, one with colour, and a photo of magnificent horse chestnut blossom.

Finally, Harriet has sent an unfinished work from this morning, and a photo of 'artists at work', that has a great composition and a lovely colour contrast to it.

Please look at the 'Stop Press' for reminders about the upcoming exhibition in Diss (cl;osing date for applications rapidly approaching - 15th June) and a change in the Summer Programme.  Details for the latter also on the Events page.  It's Flixton next week - thoroughly recommended if you haven't been before.  Hope to see you all there, and Noreen will be doing the Blog, so you know where to send next week's work...