Filbert’s Newsletter: June 2008 - Issue 31

Life Painting Weekend: 31 May/ 1 June 2008

Eight people attended the course some of whom had not painted from life before. We started with a few simple sketches, concentrating on proportion before moving onto longer 10 minute drawings. These drawings were broken down into segments, a couple of minutes to capture the structure of the figure, a short period to check proportion, before moving on to applying light and shade.

The tonal qualities of light and shade are important when it comes to modelling in paint. After demonstrating how to mix warm and cool flesh tones we went on to explore underpainting and its effects. We looked at how green underpainting compared with umber and a few tried bolder colours such as blue and red. The flesh tones were added and it was interesting to note how the underpainting effected the outcome. Some people painted flesh tones directly onto a white background which created a lighter effect. Towards the end of the Saturday session we experimented with a much bolder colour scheme of bright primary and secondary colours.

On the Sunday we completed two longer paintings with people choosing whether they wanted to use the more traditional approach of underpainting and then applying flesh tones, or using a much bolder approach. Everyone who attended produced some really successful paintings and congratulations are due to: Tee Holden, Lorna Heard, Ann Siviter, Lorna McDonald, Sarah Jemmett, Geoff Gooding, Geoff Hamby and Mags Egby.

Forthcoming Art Courses

• June Courses
• Abstract Painting at Storridge village hall on 21/22 June – Feelings emotions and all those abstract concepts we feel are expressed visually. What will your inner vision have to say.
• Exploring Monet at Aston on Clun village hall on 28/29 June – Monet was a wonderful painter, using his techniques and methods we shall explore Shropshire’s scenery.
• July Courses
• Landscapes in Watercolour at Burton Court on 1 July – After initial demonstrations paint the lovely gardens, views and house That make up Burton Court. A must for those wishing to develop their watercolour skills out of doors.
• Drawing for the Terrified at Aston on Clun village hall on 10 July – Absolutely no experience required, if you are willing to have a go you’ll have a great time.
• Portrait Painting at Hampton Bishop village hall on 14/15 July – Learn techniques for painting faces and explore the effects of underpainting and creating flesh colours.
• Berrington Hall Painting Course at Berrington Hall on 21/22/23 July – Imagine drawing and painting against a backdrop of magnificent views towards the Brecon Beacons, in the vast acreage of ‘Capability’ Brown’s last garden design.
• Landscapes in Acrylic at Burton Court on 25 July - After initial demonstrations paint the lovely gardens, views and house That make up Burton Court. A must for those wishing to develop their acrylic skills out of doors.
• You can book courses online, for details click here

Just a thought

The exhibition season is upon us. There are often open exhibitions and small village shows all over the West Midlands and other parts of the country, so isn’t in about time most of you plucked up the courage, got your work framed and entered into one of these shows. It may get rejected, it might not sell, but hey, imagine the pleasure of seeing your work exhibited and on sale. Even better imagine how it would feel if your work sold. It can happen. So why not take the plunge and let others see your masterpieces!

Paul Priestley

Filbert’s Newsletter: May 2008 - Issue 30

Van Gogh Weekend: 10/11 May 2008

The weekend started with painting the traditional Van Gogh image; sunflowers. This was done so I could demonstrate some of the techniques he used to capture an image. There was very little preliminary drawing and virtually no underpainting I encouraged everyone to ‘go for it’ and they did. The produced some wonderful paintings during the day. I encouraged everyone to think about ideas for the following day and on the Sunday morning, some chose to create a painting from their own ideas, others went out side – it was a beautifully sunny day – and sketched ideas. The rest of Sunday was spent working on the paintings. It was really great to see everyone taking Van Gogh’s ideas and techniques and adapting them to their own work. By the end of the day we had some wonderful paintings of which two are shown here. Congratulations to the following artists: Taff and Jane Alexander, Jamie Cramp, Jenny Underhill and Christine Cale.

In less than couple of week’s time we shall be at Aston on Clun for the Life Painting weekend, if you are interested in trying your hand at life painting there are a few places left on this course. You’ll have the opportunity to paint the figure using realistic flesh tones and also with much more bold colours like those Matisse would have used.

Forthcoming Art Courses

• June Courses
• Life Painting Weekend at Aston on Clun village hall on 31 may/ 1 June – To paint the subtleties of colour and tone that flesh reveals is inspiring. Explore the subtle and the bold means of expression.
• Drawing Animals at Hampton Bishop village hall on 3 June – Using simple techniques you can draw animals easily
• Beginners Watercolour at Storridge village hall on 14/15 June – No previous knowledge of painting required. If you can hold a brush you’ll have a great time.
• Abstract Painting at Storridge village hall on 21/22 June – Feelings emotions and all those abstract concepts we feel are expressed visually. What will your inner vision have to say.
• Exploring Monet at Aston on Clun village hall on 28/29 June – Monet was a wonderful painter, using his techniques and methods we shall explore Shropshire’s scenery.

Courses up to March 2009 can now be seen online, you will notice that from September 2008 the price of courses has risen by £5. Day courses will be £55 and weekend courses will be £100. This is the first price rise for over two years and really has been forced on my by the rise in the cost of hiring halls and of course fuel.

• You can book courses online, for details click here

Cartridge Paper

I have been looking for a cheap source of good quality cartridge paper and came across this website http://www.technologysupplies.co.uk They will only supply schools online, but I rang them up and they were quite happy to supply me. They sell packs of A2 140gms cartridge paper (200 sheets) for £10.95 plus VAT. If you order over the phone you will have to give them the relevant code which can be found next to the product on the website. Could be a good source if you do a lot of drawing.

Paul Priestley