Blog Archives

23rd September 2021

23/9/2021

The numbers who got to Dunwich are at least 6, but not all of them knew the others were there. The weather was perfect (unless you are Ian, who wants more drama in the sky). I had not gone, and was at home helping to dig a pond and move a strawberry bed, with one ear on the phone, waiting for news of a new granddaughter, who arrived safely.
While I am at it, a reminder that the itinerary for next week has changed. Please see the Stop Press, and hopefully, we will all meet the following week for the AGM at the Bowls Club. Don't forget to return your forms about the new rules for the autumn season. These need to be with Sally P by 27th September.

So I will start this week with Carolyn, who sent a drawing of her garden, but also had sent me an interesting take on self portrait, 'I have been hatching the attached for a few days having seen two TV programmes on self portraits and Maggi Hambling. One can select items in self portraits that are important to oneself. Mine of me represents "Sight and dexterity"'

Next Harriet, who said, 'Here are some sketches that I did last week in Wales.
As the weather is nice I'm supposed to be gardening - getting ready for the winter etc but I'm doing this instead, just in case I forget later.'

Frances said, 'I went to Dunwich but was unable to arrive until about 1.00pm. Didn’t spot any EAGS but took myself off to Greyfriars Priory where I did my first sketch. Then for a lovely walk along the beach and found some sea poppies withstanding the strong breeze. I had fun paddling as I walked back and decided to go to Dingle Hill Café for a cup of tea. As I sat there with tea and carrot cake I had a view of Dunwich Church ( which has a fascinating history) framed by much foliage...so there is my third offering.
All in all, although I spotted no one I knew I had a really wonderful,day. Thank you to those who thought of the venue.

Jackie also went to Dunwich, sent sketches and photos and a report.
'First sketch I practiced perspective - and ran out of paper.
Second colour sketch squeezed in before we met at cafe for lunch.
Third is work in progress. Did the window but the rough and colourful stonework of the wall will take more time and care. There were four of us today and the weather was perfect.

Lesley is away, and said, 'After a very successful exhibition with my textile group last week ( I sold 5 pieces!) followed by a 2 day workshop in Essex, we’ve set off in the motorhome and are relaxing in the New Forest.
The first sketch is of an oak tree which has undergone major surgery, in our campsite, the second is the view of chalk grassland in and woodland seen from our pitch.
Both are using waterproof pen; apologies for rubbish ponies,they kept moving!
I hope everyone has a good time in Dunwich tomorrow, we’re off to Dorset.
Well done for the exhibition, Lesley!

Although Noreen is still recuperating, and was unable to go to Dunwich today, she has found a beautiful pastel in her archive, from 2002, of a previous visit.

Like Frances, Ian didn't encounter any of the other members who had gone today, and would have preferred a sky with more cloud, so he used a little artistic license.

Avril was busy with sketching both traditionally and using her iPad, with interesting results.

From Maggie-Anne, 'Here is today's acrylic pic. It is from a photo of a favourite hydrangea sent by a friend recently.
I haven't really managed to replicate the vivid flower colours and have perhaps ended up with a design/pattern rather than a realistic depiction.' I think a rather well-composed graphic type image.

From June, a watercolour which she has titled, 'Salad'

Finally, from Sally P, 'Couldn't make it today but have managed to work on some Gelli prints this week. Rather pleased with the results.
Also worked on a technique from an old magazine using acrylic and painting knives. Again, pleased with the result but think it might have been better using oils. (Which is what they suggested but not wanting to waste some acrylic already on a palette......)The colours would have been picked up from below which didn't happen with the acrylic that well.

Maybe I'll get around to some art work myself before the next blog! Have a good week, everyone.

2 Comments

16th September 2021

16/9/2021

0 Comments

Eight members went today to the Brockford Light Railway for a sunny day of drawing and painting. Tracks and trains and dilapidated carriages. Here are the photos to prove it, sent by Sally P and Diana. Group photo taken by Sally P (hence her absence).

Diana sent a round up of both her sketching from this morning and a previous year at my house (looking out through the gate that doesn't open into the field at the side of the garden.), and photos from earlier in the week, and the carriage (above - last picture) from today.
2. Wonderful window display at Southwold on Monday. 2. Field view, Hannah's house, a couple of years ago. 3. Double ended felt tip , plus water, plus drawing pen .

Avril had a very busy day today, with two very different kinds of results. The afternoon sketches are very graphic and almost schematic - very interesting, and I expect she will be using them for printing...

Jackie included a wonderful watercolour of a rose in her garden with her contribution today, as well as the railway sketches. She said, 'We had such a welcome at the Mid-Suffolk Railway Museum with many choices of subject. I started with this sketch, moved on to another dilapidated carriage that I shall continue with at home then finished with another sketch of the worn timbers and rusted ironworks.'

From Frances, 'Here are two sketches and one oil pastel and ink, the latter inspired by the shapes I observed.'

Ian sent this sketch, and said, 'Calmer skies today. This one needs finishing...'

From Sally T. 'Two pencil sketches. One of rails disappearing into the distance. The perspective was difficult. The second is of a dilapidated railway carriage. I liked the peeling paint and broken wood. The last is the beginning of a watercolour which I need to work on. It is looking through carriage no 13.'

Finally, of the Brockford visitors, here are Sally P's sketches. As you can see, she had to extend the paper in the first of these!

So now for the contributions from those who couldn't make it in person to Brockford, but still sent something in, and thanks very much to both of them for doing so.

First Jane, who is away, but has sent what she is working on when she is home, a very seasonal image.

And now Carolyn, with more sketches from her lovely garden, which we visited earlier in the season. Because the spring was so late this year, she was disappointed in the show of blooms at that time (none of her visitors were), and she has been sending in regular updates ever since!

I haven't got down to any art this week, but I have been busy in a crafty way, making jewellery. But here is some more inspiration for you from my garden. Have a good week.

0 Comments

9th September 2021

9/9/2021

0 Comments

STOP PRESS - Many apologies to Maggie-Anne, who had sent me a picture in plenty of time, but I failed to add it yesterday!
She said,, 'I seem to have spent pandemic months of regular birthday card production.
Here is a water colour of Mabel -the only Reardon dog now left standing . This pic is for our son who enjoyed regular walks with her during a visit in the summer.
Sorry to have missed yet another beautiful Thursday with the team! Still tapestrying and knitting- and -drawing cards!

It was guaranteed, I think that as soon as the children went back to school, we would finally get some summer weather! I gather we may be in for thunderstorms later, but this morning was basking in sunshine and blue skies.
Today it was Harriet's turn to be host to the artists, seven of whom came, and were rewarded with fine weather, plenty of subject matter, tea and coffee and cakes.

Sally L spent the day at Walberswick to make the most of possibly the last bit of fine weather. S

Carolyn has been drawing in her garden, the plums on a tree, and a detailed study of a tree trunk.

Diana has sent not only the pictures from today, but also from a previous visit. She said, 'Always enjoy going to Harriet’s. The neat tidy one is from a few years ago. The scribbles are oil pastel and pen on top of Quink done earlier and left to dry.'

From June, two wonderful animal studies, the first is from a photo by Valerie Bevan and it is on a favourite paper l enjoy using, Bristol Board, suitable for light watercolour and pen, in this case l used a mixed media of pen, ink watercolour and charcoal pencil. The second is a mixed media portrait of Buttercup.

Ian took only pencils to Harriet's as he thought it would rain today. He said, 'It was a good day for being outside. However I drew some sketches for later working up to paintings - good intentions...'

'Seven of us turned up today at Harriet's.' Said Sally P, 'The sun shone and by the end of the day we were all feeling a bit fatigued. Luckily Harriet made some delicious cakes, Kale, orange and chocolate and a fruit from the orchard with stem ginger (both scrumptious) to go with our tea and coffee. Along with drinks on arrival and at lunchtime.
'My offerings are below. Two drawings of crab apples and a pastel of Rudbeckia.'

And here is Harriet's photo of some of today's group together with a luscious-looking basket of fruit, and her own sketches and an unfinished painting.

Last week Sandra drew the field behind Les's house on her iPad, and sent me one of the resulting, striking images. She said at the time that it was very freeing, because of the limits of the medium.

This week Avril also used her iPad, with quite interesting results. She said it took quite a long time to work her way around the programs, but it got better later in the day.

Jackie was not able to go along today, but instead sent a view of Wingfield Church sketched on Tuesday, when she said it was too hot to stay out for long.

Sally T cycled to Harriet's and produced these three sketches.

Frances' three sketches are:
1. Early Thursday morning in Mellis. Just applying some colour.
2. Southwold on the beach, Thursday.
3. Basket of fruit at Harriet’s...had to leave early.

Before you go, remember to check the Stop Press before going to any of the remaining venues. You will find changes to the arrangements for 30th September are listed on the page. There will also shortly be details of the new Winter programme available to view on the Events page. Let's hope the weather continues nice enough for the remaining Summer programme.

0 Comments

2nd September 2021

2/9/2021

0 Comments

I did make it to Les's house on a grey morning that looked more like February than August (though not so cold), but I only stayed for the committee meeting and to take some photos, as I had tree surgeons at home trimming hedges into shape.
The field behind Les's garden had just had its crop harvested, and had a wonderful pattern of cut stalks lying in huge swirls along the ground. I went up the steps to his studio to get the full view, which included a little group of EAG members capturing the scene. Pictures below include a little montage of those who came, but there were others not pictured, including Jane, who came after I left, Lesley, who was too busy to stay after the meeting, and Eileen and Harriet, both of whom I somehow failed to include. Thanks to Les and Barbara for the hospitality - sorry I missed the cakes!

So first Frances, who will be on her way home from Brittany tomorrow. there is a somewhat competitive element here, as her son-in-law has also asked to be included this week following her grandson's drawing last week. His is the architectural drawing. Her own entries are an acrylic based on her sketch of shells on beach, and a quick sketch in her garden yesterday evening, after a lovely day on the beach!

As I said, Lesley was too busy to stay, but she said,
'Les and Barbara made us very welcome. Here are some photos of the field behind Les’s garden, taken after a very long committee meeting. No time for painting this week as I’m preparing for one of my textile groups exhibition next week. One of my pieces has been chosen for the publicity poster. It’s a long way to Snape but it would be lovely to see EAG members - I’m stewarding on Sunday.'
Here is one of the photos and the poster for Lesley's event.

Carolyn has been very busy this week - she has set up a still life that included reflection and directional light. She said, 'The orange peel was not quite right. I could not get rid of it, so put the knife in to indicate consumption of the orange?! It is part WC and part Inktense. The hydrangea and the tomatoes (now suddenly fruiting well) are also Inktense, the first without water added, and the second with.

Angela has produced some really interesting drawings of the field, that I think could be described as wide angle, midshot and close-up!

Jackie worked on the field too, She said, 'It was a lovely, relaxing venue. So colourful with the heaped straw creating lines that drew the eye across the fields. Picture 1 was the view towards the church. Picture 2 was the composition looking in the opposite direction. Thank you Les and Barbara for hosting this session and providing more than adequate refreshments.
'Ps. I used the actual straw to make marks on the field area and think these were successful.

Sally P. Said, 'No work from Rushall from me today. Too much coffee, tea and cake being handed around. We did have an important committee meeting that lasted quite some time that was productive.
The paintings below are for my sister they are copied from an artist's work called Michelle Collins. She is founder and artist for her company called Green Lili.
1st picture photo of print of her work
2nd picture my two. Acrylic on canvas board

'Sploshed a bit of paint about but didn’t get any further, first time these paints have been opened since last session at Bowls club. Too cold.' Said Diana.

Here is Sally T's pencil sketch of the field.

Jane really enjoyed sketching the statues in Les's garden this afternoon. they can just be seen under the fig tree in one of the photos above.

Lots of pages from Avril's sketchbook

Harriet managed to send me her work despite a power cut, using her phone directly.

When Noreen saw where the group went last week, it jogged her memory of a previous visit with EAG to the same venue, and she delved into her archive to send me this painting, from a not-dissimilar viewpoint as one of last week's photos, and with painters at work depicted in it.
This painting is from 1999, and not surprisingly, she can't remember who the other painters were. Does anybody know?

And finally, I didn't do anything this morning, but this week I have been messing about and experimenting with different means of putting oil paint on canvas paper, and this is what happened. Good fun, if nothing else!

Have a productive week...

0 Comments

23rd September 2021

16th September 2021

9th September 2021

2nd September 2021

feedback

Archives

Categories