This week members were catching up with past work. We had some wonderful work compete this week or finished off at home. First up are two from Steve Warbis, 'Paint what's in front of you' exercise--watercolour and Who's Watching Who-watercolour then one by Tony Jones was a watercolour titled ‘Its cold outside’, Sue Smallman painted a portrait using pastels, Angie Dunn’s was a Robin in watercolour, Jim Atkinson’s acrylic scene of a view from his house, Sandra McStein completed seven watercolour over the last week, Mick Muddimer’s acrylic paintings of a wild bird and a tench painted on a piece of bark, Rita Hill has a painting of a Bazar using iridescent paints, Lynn Reph’s Rabbit in watercolour and Tony Triscari cliffs using watercolour.
Still life- draw or paint whatever is in front of you of you.
This week's exercise encouraged members to create a drawing or painting of an object, focusing on perspective, tonal values, and reflections. Participants were free to use any medium of their choice, allowing for a wide range of creative expression. Several members embraced the challenge, with many more likely to join in as the week progresses. We look forward to seeing how these artistic explorations continue to unfold! Blow are this weeks paintings along with other paintings,
First up is a watercolour from Janet Bilsbury, followed by a lock in pen and wash by Tony Jones, a vase of poppies by Angela Dunn, a Christmas decoration by Tony Triscari, a winter scene by Jimmy Bamber, four watercolour paintings by Sandra McStein, Beach scene using Acrylic by Mick Muddimer, an Oriental style painting on rice paper now framed by Lynn Relphs, and two by Steve Warbis - Autumn Woodland-watercolour & Inktense and My Opposite Neighbours' House-pen & wash.
Catchup week.
This week's meeting served as a catch-up session, where members had the opportunity to finish up paintings from previous weeks or dive into new projects they had been meaning to start for some time. A wide range of mediums were explored in their creative exercises, showcasing the diverse approaches and techniques being used by each participant.
We can see the finished paintings below.
The first is by Janet Bilsbury of ‘Ridy’ in oil, the the next four are by Steve Warbis first Castelnaud-la-Chapelle pen and wash, next a Shropshire Scene - watercolour & Inktense, then Poolside View - pen & Inktense, Waterlogged Sunset - watercolour, then Tom Mellors painted ‘Maggie in watercolour, Tony Jones painted a scene from Bourton-on-the-Water using watercolours, Sandra McStein has two watercolour paintings an owl and a cat, Mick muddlers crashing waves using acrylic, Lynn Relphs has two paintings, first the crashing waves in acrylic and a Chinese painting on rice paper, followed by Jim Atkinson’s enhanced painting of autumn leaves in acrylic, Eustace Collier’s Spanish horse rider in pencil and finally Tony Tricari’s chair by the lake using watercolour.
Crashing waves.
This week, we held a workshop led by our resident artist, Janet Bilsbury, where she demonstrated how to create a thick paste using plaster and PVA glue. The paste is applied to canvas and allowed to dry before acrylic paint is added. Janet walked through the entire process step-by-step before members had the opportunity to try the technique themselves.
Below is a mixture of the above technique along with other methods using watercolour.
We also have a collection of paintings from members completed a home or at the club.
First is a painting using acrylic of Durham from the air by Jim Atkinson pre-paired for his Christmas card, a beautiful vase and flowers using watercolour by Joan White, a whimsical Mad Hatter painting By Di Harrison, a seascape using Gauche by Arthur Powell, Autumn leaves in watercolour by Angela Dunn, a winter scene in watercolour by Tony Triscari, and a wonderful Mad hatter painting by Sue Smallman using Pastels.
Catchup
This week, we had a catch-up week, with members wrapping up past projects and creating new ones. First, we have a watercolour painting by Tony Jones, based on his photograph of a house in Bourton-on-the-Water. Next, Olive Appleby presents a stunning collage, masterfully arranged—though the image doesn't fully capture its beauty. Following that, we have two watercolours by Tony Triscari, along with a charming pumpkin lantern by Sue Smallman. Then, Linda Todd shares a pastel abstract of a cat, followed by Mick Muddimer's painting of Penmon Point in Anglesey. After that, we have a whimsical creation from Chris Bury, inspired by the Mad Hatters week, and finally, an abstract acrylic piece by Eustace Collier.
The Theme of The Mad Hatters tea party.
This week's theme was to create a painting inspired by the Mad Hatter's Tea Party. Several members embraced the challenge, and the result was a delightful collection of finished pieces that truly captured the whimsy and eccentricity of the subject. We can see the finished work below.
We also had paintings finished from past weeks or work done on the day and at home.
The first seven are all watercolour by Sandra McStein, followed by two from Mick Muddimer using acrylic, a watercolour of St.Thomas church, Autumn leaves and a horse study all by Janet Bilsbury, Jim Atkinsons autumn leaves now framed, a Poppy field by Dee Mc Millan, Dried poppy heads using tissue paper, Pauline’s Granddaughter in oil and a pencil drawing by Anne Haughton.
We have also changed our display of artwork at Golborne library,
Theme of Halloween.
Members created Halloween-inspired artworks, exploring a variety of mediums to capture the spirit of the season in unique and imaginative ways.
The first in watercolour by Tony Jones, a spooky night by Mick Muddimer in acrylic, nighttime scary eyes by Ruth Relphs, pumpkins in the field by Eustace Collier and Wiches waiting by Angie Dunn in Guache.
We also had a few catchups from previous weeks.
First there are three autumn leaves paintings, the first created by using tissue paper and real leaves by Chris Bury, one by Lynn Relph’s and one by Sandra Surridge both using watercolour, next we have the Angel of the North by Jim Atkinson in acrylic, then the Red Arrows display team by Tony Tricari in watercolour, a country scene by Tom Mellors, Two fighting Zebra in oil, and St Thomas Church, Golborne in acrylic both by Janet Bilsbury.
Catchup week
This weeks catchup members were finishing off past projects, here we have two on the theme of autumn.
First from Jim Atkinson using acrylic and one from Tony Jones in watercolour.
Members Choice.
This week, we had a 'Members' Choice' session, with Jim Atkinson selecting autumn as the theme. A few members shared their completed works, and more will be showcased during next week's catch-up session.
The finished paintings were:
Tony Jones in watercolour, Diane Bloxham using collage, Tony Triscari in watercolour, Tom Mellors in watercolour, Mick Muddimer using Acrylic and Eustace Collier using watercolour.
We also had a catchup from a previous week’s Abstract theme by Rita Hill and one ready for Christmas by Tony Jones using Brusho and Guache.
The Painting Policeman
We were thrilled to welcome back the talented painter and local favorite, David Wiles, known for his serene landscapes and his painting style inspired by Bob Ross. David treated us to a live demonstration, where he masterfully captured the ethereal beauty of the Northern Lights on canvas. In a delightful coincidence, the Northern Lights were visible in our area that very evening, making his artwork even more fitting.
On the right, you can see David in action, and just below, his completed painting showcasing the vibrant display of nature's light show.
Alo on the day we had three paintings produced at home. from left to right is Tony Triscari’s watercolour of a lake scene, a detailed vase of poppies using acrylic by Jim Atkinson and a portrait painting using oil by Tom Mellors.
Catchup week
Members are diving into a catch-up week, wrapping up unfinished projects, including last week's thought-provoking abstract challenge and personal work completed at home. It's the perfect time to tie up loose ends and showcase creativity in action! Below are finished painting for this week.
Starting from top left we have one from Tony Triscari using watercolour, then two from Tom Mellors, a comical elephant in watercolour and a portrait using oil, then an abstract by Tony Jones using Guache, Sandra Surridge produced a delightful greetings card in watercolour, then a portrait by Sue Smallman in watercolour, Jim Atkinson produced an abstract in acrylic, followed by three from Angela Dunn two using Guache and one in Inktence pencil, lastly an abstract by Diane Bloxham.
Abstract week.
This week's theme focused on abstract painting, allowing artists to explore their creativity using any medium of their choice. The results were impressive, with many stunning pieces completed throughout the day. Even more exciting work is expected in the coming weeks as the creative journey continues.
We can see the finished paintings below: from left to right are:
Anna Dawson’s in Acrilic, Tony Jones using Acrylic, Sue Smallman in acrylic, Tom Mellor’s watercolour, Angela Dunn Inktense pencil, Olive Appleby’s watercolour, Sandra Surridge using watercolour, Mick Muddimer in acrylic, Joan White’s watercolour and two by Eustace Collier in watercolour.
We also had work by member of other themes,
First by Tom Mellors sleepy time in watercolour, followed by a still life in watercolour by Sandra Surridge, an updated Piazza painting by Jimmy Bamber, a figure painting in acrylic by Janet Bilsbury, and an autumn scene by Jim Atkinson.
Catchup
This week's session offered a blend of progress and fresh creativity.
We dedicated time to catching up on work from previous weeks while also embracing new projects. Our members showcased a varied selection of artwork, with a mix of completed pieces and new ideas emerging. Some members were already thinking ahead with Christmas-themed paintings, adding a festive touch to the atmosphere. Overall, it was a session filled with inspiration, as both finished works and evolving concepts came together, showcasing our group's creativity.
A painting worthy of its own display is a completed Masquerade masks from an earlier session by Janet Bilsbury using acrylic.
The painting produced today were from:
Sailing today in watercolour from Janet Bilsbury, a mountains scene in acrylic and flowers using gauche from Lynn Relphs, two from Tom Mellors, Tweet pie and Dunster Somerset, an abstract cat using acrylic by Rita Hill, an unusual Christmas tree by Mick Muddimer using acrylic, a Robin on a snowy branch by Tony Jones using watercolour, Sorrento Piazza Tasso using watercolour by Jimmy Bambern, a seascape in acrylic by Jim Atkinson and a country track in watercolour by Tony Triscaro.
Port Sunlight visit.
Members enjoyed a delightful visit to Port Sunlight, a picturesque village renowned for its charming architecture and historical significance. The highlight of the trip was a guided tour of the Lady Lever Art Gallery, where participants were treated to an in-depth exploration of its impressive collection. The tour offered fascinating insights into the gallery's rich array of art, including masterpieces by renowned artists and exquisite decorative arts.
Following the guided tour, members had the opportunity to explore Port Sunlight at their own pace. They were free to wander through the village's quaint streets, take in the scenic surroundings, and visit other local attractions. This free time allowed for a leisurely and personal experience of the area's unique heritage and beauty.
Catchup day.
Members had the opportunity to either catch up on previous weeks' work or pursue their own creative projects. Here is a showcase of a selection of paintings created throughout the day or over the past week.
The first three are by Steve Warbis first being a volcanic scene from Iceland, then a Polar bear on the edge of the ice and then a mountain scene. We the have two by Janet Bilsbury finished from previous weeks the Mask and the Waterfall, one by Tony Triscari, a Butterfly by Tony Jones, Waterfall by Arthur Powel and then four by Sandra McStein and lastly one by Tom Mellors sheep in the field.
Paint a mountain using a palette knife.
This week, we were presented with an exciting challenge: to paint a mountain landscape selected by Janet. The task required us to use acrylic paint and a palette knife, which added an extra layer of complexity and creativity to the project. Unlike traditional brushwork, using a palette knife requires different techniques to achieve texture and depth, allowing us to experiment with bold strokes and layers of paint to bring the rugged mountainscape to life.
Despite the challenge, several participants managed to complete their paintings within the allocated time. Their finished pieces showcased a variety of interpretations of the mountain scene, each reflecting their unique style and approach to the medium. For those who didn't finish, additional time has been provided in the coming weeks to continue working on their artwork. This time allows everyone the opportunity to refine their techniques and complete their paintings, ensuring that each artist can fully realise their vision of the mountain landscape.
A collection of the finished painting from the day are displayed below.
Shop front by Joan White - Watercolour.
This painting is by one of our members, Joan White. It is a detailed rendition of a shop front, originally painted by Astrid Wielinga, also known as Urban Anna, who offers online courses on Domestika. The original painting is titled "Watercolour Urban Illustration: Portray Your City." Joan has received full permission to reproduce the painting in her own style
Further paintings by members, painted on the day or over the past weeks.
The first one is by Lynn Relphs and painted this after her inspiration of seeing some CD’s reflecting light, followed by a snow scene by Tony Triscari, then a fun painting called ‘Bad Hairdo’ by Anne Shaw, the next five are all by Sandra McStein using watercolour, last is the French horn musician in watercolour by Anne Houghton
Design a Book cover
This week we had guest artist Steve Williams talking about designing an illustration for a book cover. He took everyone through the process of designing and laying out an illustration for the book cover, from interpreting a minimal description of the book's content into imagery, then attending to the layout of the particular details needed, and finally combining it all into a proficient piece of graphic artwork. Steve's explanation was both interesting and informative, and a very novel subject for the group to consider (if you'll pardon that pun). After the initial discussion, each member chose a book cover to design on their own. Steve provided personalised guidance by going around to each member individually to offer feedback and help them with their creations. It was a fantastic opportunity to learn directly from an experienced artist and get hands-on advice for our ideas.
Hey are a few pictures of the work done on designing a book cover.
Also a set of pictures from work from previous weeks. First is from the masquerade exercise by Steve Warbis using pastels , then a fine example of Durham Cathedral using Acrylic by Jim Atkinson, a Grand Canal scene of Venice by Jimmy Bamber, two house landscapes one by Pauline Griffiths and one by Sandra McStein and one from Anna Dawson called Blossom Tree.
Still life
This week’s still life session had an interesting twist with Janet bringing in masquerade masks as the subject! Masks can be intricate and challenging to capture, especially with all the details and textures they often have. While not everyone may have finished their paintings, the group was able to push their skills and tackle something new. I’m sure those unfinished pieces will turn into stunning artworks once completed, and it’ll be exciting to see how everyone interprets the subject in their own unique style.
Below are a couple finished on the day
Also our usual collection of paintings completed by members on the day or from home.
First being a landscape by Angela Dunn using Guache, followed by an acrylic painting of the sea with seagulls by Mick Muddimer, then one from a past week theme of Olive by Sandra Surridge, followed by a Stately home by Tony Triscari and five watercolours by Sandra McSein.
Catchup day.
This week members had a productive week focusing on wrapping up the waterfall exercise. Catchup weeks can be really valuable for consolidating what’s been learned and ensuring everyone is on the same page before moving on to the next challenge. Did members encounter any particular insights or challenges while finishing up the exercise?
We can see the results of this weeks finished waterfall paintings below.
We also had our usual collection of paintings from past weeks and completed at home or done on the day.
From left to right we have a seabirds perched on rocks by Lynn Relph, a painting of member Olive by Deb Joy using watercolour, a large truck in watercolour by Eustace Collier, two watercolours by Sandra McStein, Pop art by Angela Barton and a country scene by Tom Mellors using watercolour.
Member choice
This week was members choice and was chosen by Tony Jones. Tony chose a waterfall scene consisting of a dramatic rock formation with water cascading into a large rockpool.
Tony’s choice of a dramatic rock formation with water cascading into a large rockpool certainly provided a complex subject, especially with the interplay of textures, lighting, and movement. While the difficulty of the scene might have been a topic of some good-natured grumbling, it's great to see that members tackled it with a variety of mediums, leading to a diverse collection of interpretations.
This kind of challenge can really push artists to explore new techniques and perspectives, whether they're capturing the ruggedness of rocks, the fluidity of water, or the reflective qualities of a pool. The upcoming catch-up session sounds like a perfect opportunity to refine those pieces or even start new ones inspired by the scene.
Best of luck to everyone with their ongoing projects! It's always inspiring to see how different artists approach the same subject in unique ways.
We can see below paintings finished this week.
We also had a selection of paintings from members compiled over the last week
The first is a watercolour and pen by Ken Jones, next a lovely dog by Sue Smallman using charcoal, then two watercolours by Sandra McStein, followed by Horace the Hare by Anna Dawson using pastels, finaly a portrait in acrylic by Tom Mellors.
