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​Quite breezy today but sunshine too, as you can see from the photo of Frances above with comma butterfly basking on her sunhat.

Next week we are at the old railway at Brockford - see notes from Sally T (click here), then just one more meeting, at Jane’s, to end the Summer Programme.

Carolyn and Roy welcomed six of us to their lovely and extensive garden.  Most of us seemed drawn to the beautiful pond initially, which presented a stunning picture.  However, the complexity of the problems involved in painting it, with its many plants, shadows, reflections, and moving sun, defeated a number of us in our efforts.  A lesson reinforced (for me anyway):  choose your subject wisely, according to the medium/s you are using, and simplify.  Some did just that, or chose other subjects in the garden, - including a teddy bear?!  

Home made fruit cake and shortbread were much enjoyed - thank you, Carolyn - as was the chance just to sit, chat and discuss our work on such a warm and sunny day, though a little cooler than it has been of late, thank goodness.

Next week we go to Southwold Harbour.  Let’s hope there is still some nice summer weather left.  Meanwhile, don’t forget if you put pictures into the exhibition in Harleston these are to be collected on Monday at 10 am.

A visit to Sarah’s is a delight, and recalls our long association with her father Tony, an excellent artist..  I think she puts an order in for the weather, as it was warm and sunny again - warm enough for several to take a dip into her swimming pool.  Only one of us was brave enough to attempt ‘a Hockney’ and paint a swimmer in the water.  But taking photos of the water was a revelation and may lead to some abstract paintings in the future.  
Meanwhile, beautiful surroundings appealed to our various muses and produced a lot of colourful work this week and just a couple of pencil studies.  
Sarah’s daughter served us a delicious tea, for which many thanks, after which we reviewed our work of the day.  
PS  Perhaps I should not have photographed some of the artwork under a green sunshade!

Next week we are at Carolyn’s in Stradbroke.  Click here for instructions on how to reach her.  

A proper afternoon tea was provided, with sandwiches, scones and cake (scrumptious) - all aided and abetted by Dorothy’s friend Christine.  Many thanks to both.
Don’t forget:  next week we are invited to Sarah Hucklesby’s in Hemmingstone. ​

Today was another enjoyable visit to Hannah’s, exploring her garden and surroundings.  Ten of our ‘plein air’ artists came along to practise, experiment, look for ‘angles’ and generally try to advance their art … and have a great day too!  Watercolour, oil, acrylic, pastel, pencil and mixed media - all came into play.  Besides looking at our work over tea (great cakes, by the way, Hannah) we had the opportunity to chat about all sorts of related matters such as exhibitions, courses, workshops and other artists.
Lavender in the border was a great attraction for the butterflies and bees (see right).  
The promised downturn in weather is due tomorrow so we were very lucky today.  

Next week we are at Dorothy’s at Burston.  Click here for update on her available art materials.

A fine day, lovely garden and great hosts, Avril and Richard, for our sketching today.  We had a variety to choose from:  an enormous walnut tree, other smaller trees, shrubs and flowers everywhere, beehives, chickens (if only they would stay still and not hide!), a little pond and more.  Some members arrived early and left early, others arrived later - twelve altogether.  
We agreed, there’s nothing nicer than tea in the garden on a summer’s afternoon, but especially when Richard has done the baking.  
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Next week we’re at Earsham for the river, landscapes and animals - and of course to see our new exhibition there. 
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PS  I gather my cultural reference to “Grasshopper” last week was lost on some of you and may have been taken for loopiness on my part.  In Kung Fu, Grasshopper was the nickname given by the old monk Po to the young monk he was tutoring.  No wiser?  Ah well …

​Click on images to enlarge them.