WENDY JELBERT DEMONSTRATION
Wendy started with a short talk on materials used in acrylic
painting. For the evening's painting she was using a canvas but watercolour or
acrylic paper, canvas board, mount board and M.D.F. can all be used
successfully. The basic brushes are
flats and riggers - she was using a brush of her own design similar to a
swordtail. Starter packs of paints are good value for money and she always uses
a stay-wet palette. She recommended
using texture pastes such as sand or glass beads to introduce some variety into
the painting but "be careful not to over-do it!" They are put under the paint.
The painting had been roughly drawn onto the canvas and
highlights been put in using masking
fluid and a ruling pen. Wendy started painting by laying in washes for the
background varying the tone and using a mix of blue and burnt sienna with a
touch of green. Foreground shadows and windows were painted next using a dark
tone of the same mix.
Then, using thicker paint, a green canopy and flowers on a
balcony were placed in the picture followed by umbrellas, table and chair legs,
shutters etc and finally people. A wash of yellow ochre was put on the
foreground
The masking fluid was removed and then the highlight areas
toned down slightly with a wash. Finishing touches were then worked by
increasing the contrast between shadow and sunny places and adding detail eg.
to balconies, shutters and foreground areas.
Although Wendy was painting on a white canvas she often uses
yellow ochre for sunny pictures or red under green for foliage etc. Finally she
showed us her sketchbook and photographs of reference material that is used in
paintings or as teaching aids for her workshops.
This was a truly inspirational evening. Wendy had not only
produced a beautiful painting but had taught us many things. Everyone went away
feeling enthused and keen to try out acrylics for themselves.