It certainly seems to have become autumn now, and the leaves and conkers are falling. We are told that the coronavirus spread is likely to get worse rather than better over the next few months as it thrives in the cold, and we are likely to be more confined again.  Who knows what this means for Christmas festivities - but it does mean that you have no excuse for not contributing to the blog!

It has been suggested that, since the winter programme has been put on indefinite hold, we should try to add some of its structure to this page.  So there will be some photos at the end of this blog, designed to give you subject matter, should you want it, ideas for your own still life, if that is what you prefer, and a landscape or cityscape of some sort for inspiration. You don't have to use any of them, of course, and we will continue to welcome any contributions on any subject. 

From Frances, four bold-coloured offerings that definitely say 'Harvest'.  Two drawings in sketchbook of autumnal quinces and sunflower then translated with acrylic on small block canvases.

And a wonderful harvest of squashes from Sally P. She is planning to use a different medium for the same subject next week. This is the first suggestion we have for a subject for anyone who wants to use this for next week's still life.

A cool image from Avril this week, that she describes as: 'cream dream in pastels'. She was concerned she has made the shadow too dark, but I think the drama of the contrast works well.

Here are two stages in Harriet's picture of recently harvested apples.  A great study with real solidity.

'Here are my pictures for today an attempt at harvest. Two water colour of tomatoes not my favourite medium and quick pen and ink of a beetroot. Now I shall eat them.' From Sally T.
A great trio, such a glossy plum tomato, and hairy beetroot!

This week I haven't managed to do anything myself.  So here are some pictures to hopefully inspire you, either to use them directly, or, Sally L's idea, the corresponding items in your house to be set up in a similar way; and a landscape photo, from 2012, of the very romantic-looking Scotney Castle.  Feel free to use as you please.  Don't forget there is also Sally P's still life.

If you want to download a larger version of any of these to print or view larger on your computer, click on any of the links below. Once the bigger image appears, you can choose to save it on your own system.

Just a brief extra note today to direct you to Jackie's sad news of John Blake at the bottom of yesterday's blog.  If anyone wants to add their own memories to Lesley's, which are already on the Messages from Members page (click HERE), just drop them to me as an email.

In the light of all the latest restrictions, it has been reluctantly decided that the proposed amended Winter Programme detailed in the recent letter sent out to members cannot go ahead.  The Bowls Club has imposed a limit of six people using the building at any one time.   To comply with this, we would have to have in place a rota system, there could be times when only one person in a group is able to come, the space needs cleaning before and after use, and we only have two keys.  The situation will be reviewed in December, in the hope that we can resume in January, and of course, if there are any other changes we will let you know.
In the meantime, it has been suggested that we have a theme for each month, starting with ‘HARVEST’ to take us to the end of October.  Send in either the stages of a larger or more complex piece of work as you go along, or smaller pieces as and when you complete them, so that the blog can be something of a substitute for the times when we stop for coffee and talk to each other about what we are doing, the cross-fertilisation that is so valuable in the process  of making art.
The committee would very much like to hear from you, either using the Comment form on the blog page, or by phone or email, to let us know how you are getting on, and to give us ideas for themes, and more general feedback.   We are investigating the possibility of setting up a closed  Facebook group (only visible and usable by members) to enable better communication during this period.  This would mean that you could post messages that other member could see, and send in photos at other times than for the blog.  We will let you know when/if this happens.

Right,  now down to this week's crop of pictures.

First - Avril, 'I thought I would try oil, not that good at the technique. I thought I would leave it at this because if I carry on too much it will be muddy, maybe it needs to be left to dry before more detail can be added.'  I think she has made a painting with very good solidity and colour - I'm not sure it needs more detail.

Diana sent us these photos from the top of the castle in Eye.  I thought these might make interesting subjects for someone to draw or paint from, such a different glimpse of the town.

Frances says, 'I have played around with inks and Art Graf on Yupo ‘paper’ and have actually finished my very large canvas of summer flowers in oil inspired by sketches in the garden earlier in July.'

A final note from Jackie.

Sadly, I have to inform you that John Blake died this morning at the N&N hospital.

John had been battling cancer for a while and suffered a stroke early summer from which he seemed to be recovering well.  However, a recent hospital visit revealed the seriousness of his condition.
John was not always able to attend our weekly sessions as he was so committed to his other activities and was a Town Councillor for Eye but he enjoyed painting and produced some lovely work..
If I get any more information about the funeral, I'll pass this on to you all.

Sad news.

Jackie

PS (from Noreen) To see some of John's work, see his Gallery Page - click here.

18th September:  Late runners from Diana and Les Bragg (the latter thanks to Sally P.)

So now the 'Rule of 6' has come in to muddy the water.  Your committee are trying to negotiate the convoluted path of working out what to do for the winter programme, and stick to the new rules.  Did you know that (according to the official list) you can take part in Dragon Boat Racing (22 crew members in a boat), but not amateur dramatics?  No, I don't understand it either.

Here are two pictures from Carolyn. She says, 'The flowers are gorgeous in real life, Schizostylis coccinea, but by the time I plucked up courage to have a go they were over, so this is from a photo. The pencil drawing looks better than the scan has made (excuses, excuses!). They are 3 glass objects, which  were waiting on a shelf for inclusion in a still life.' 
She may have a go at adding colour to it.

Sally P worked from an old art book on ballpoint and colour wash, using her own flowers. She said it made a lovely change.

Three pictures of Beccles Quay from Sally L. (left and centre) and Lesley, who met, in a socially distanced way, this morning, with Jackie, to sketch. Lesley said there was strong sunshine but a chill wind. Lovely to be outside in another bright autumn day. 
Jackie said, 'What a super day today. I finished the Felixstowe painting of drying nets yesterday and today went to Beccles to sketch more boats and still find portraying water rather difficult. I found a better position and view later in the day, for the next visit.'
I think the fishing net is amazingly successful in the Felixstowe painting, now I can see why we didn't get it until this week - such  intricate work!

Sally T's contributions this week: 'The flowers were given to me by our daughter when she came to visit and are a quick water colour sketch. The still life I have been working on for ages, too long but is finished at last.. I was constantly correcting and re correcting the drawing. Red peppers came and went. I should have persevered with the drawing and got it right at the outset but there are two ways of looking at it and you can just let the painting evolve. Also my canvas was too textured and would have suited a more impressionist approach.' I like the composition with the view from the window, the outside and inside are good contrasts with one another.

Well that was very quickly overruled, wasn't it?  It looks like everything is on hold again... We'll let you know if and when there are new decisions about the winter season.

In the meantime, four intrepid artists went to Felixstowe today and sent back sketches, photos and descriptions of the day.

First, some scene setting...

Our four heroines, Frances, Sally L., Lesley and Jackie.  and then Frances at work.

Here you can see the outcome of Frances's busy day. 'One photo, three small watercolour sketches and one experiment with my oil pastels which were becoming very soft in the sun. Enjoyed a paddle too!'

Lesley was prolific too.  1. Five minute watercolour of a heap of nets 2. The Harbourmaster’s Shed, which really is that wonky! Pencil  3. View at low tide between houseboats, looking upriver. Pencil. And then sent me a further photo to prove the wonkiness of the shed.

Jackie said, 'The weather being perfect,silver sunshine highlighting the boats and all the interesting flotsam and jetsam on the foreshore, the valiant four set to work. As a slow sketcher I decided to make as many sketches as possible backed up with photographs. The ferry made a fascinating subject but patience required as it only moored up for a moment to offload passengers and take new ones on board then off it sailed for the opposite shore. Lesley, Sally and Francis produced some lively paintings and sketches which we showed at the end of our session. My other sketch is faint as it will be painted at home away from so many distractions. ..or at least, I hope to!'
Some of Jackie's photos are featured above. The photo below shows the tyres which Jackie has focussed on in another sketch.

Noreen has sent me two she did earlier, and it looks as though at least one of the boats in the photos taken today hasn't moved an inch since she was last in Felixstowe!

And now, something I don't think we've had before, but I expect Noreen will let me know if I am wrong.  Avril has continued with some of her creative stitch lessons done on pic collage.
'This was one of my photos that had been digitally altered. The result was very flat so I made a painting done with gouache, ink, wax crayon and felt tip.'
So here is the resulting video; and the painting. Hopefully you can see the video move!

This is me for this week.  I finished the drawing of apples, for which I have used a mixture of sketching and colouring pencils.

A quick extra post.  The committee has been discussing the effects of the coronavirus on the upcoming winter programme.  A letter will have been sent to you this week with details of the outcome of these discussions.  If you want to respond electronically, you can download the letter HERE, to then email to Sally P.

Apparently the 1st of September is the beginning of meteorological autumn, and the weather is certainly feeling rather different this week.  Thank goodness we were not meant to be at Burston this morning, when it was still raining.

Firstly this week, Noreen has told me that she has added two pictures of Abbey Farm that she made on previous EAG visits to her Gallery page.  You can see them HERE, full of detail and beautifully composed.

And next, Avril has taken two different aspects of what she does, two of her sculptures In front of a fabric backdrop she had made, and made a third, a drawing of them together.

And now for something completely different...
Diana sends pictures of the Tour De France;  'Best 3 weeks of the year. Helicopter tour of the all the beautiful scenery of France thanks to ITV 4  every day.These two sketches were done 2 years ago from the tv screen while I was mending from my second hip op' She says.

Jane has gone back to drypoint this week, but she laments, 'The message to self on my whiteboard isn’t having much effect !' 

Frances, now back from Brittany, and in quarantine, says, 'I decided to take up Diana’s challenge of a fortnight ago. So here is a self portrait (Think Linda Ronstadt and Blue Bayou) and something else possibly a bit prettier!'