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Saturday, October 31, 2015


PORTRAITS WITH CAROLE MASSEY

Carole started her demonstration by pointing out that the skull is basically box shaped and facial features are related to underlying bone structure e.g. the eyebrow ridge and jaw. She then showed how to measure guidelines and angles to get the proportions of features correct. The character is added afterwards.

Carole starts with a drawing in dark pencil then uses sanguine, dark brown and white to build up tones and emphasise features.

 She usually starts her  portrait by drawing the eyes . In an adult the eye-line is halfway down the face. She then measures the distance from pupil to pupil and draws in the eyes. The gap between the eyes is equal to the width of the eye although a child's eyes are wider apart. The irises are put in next. The top eyelid cuts through the iris and is more curved while the iris sits on the bottom lid. Finally the curves of the lids are added.

Next with careful measuring ( See Diagram Below) the position of the nose, eyebrows and mouth are drawn in. It is best to avoid teeth if possible and individual lines of teeth. The mouth often tilts so use the line of the eyes and measure to the corners of the mouth.

Carole was using a photograph and working life-size from it. If this isn't the case the image can be transferred by tracing, using a grid or using Tracedown paper.

Areas that are two small to measure have to be judged by eye.

The curve of the cheek and chin are drawn in using careful measuring and then the ear placed on the head. To do this measure from the start of the ear lobe to the corner of the nostril. The distance should equal the distance from the outer corner of one eye to the outer corner of the other. The hair is drawn in next.

Finally shading is done using white for the highlights to get the character and likeness of the subject - in this case Professor Brian Cox.

Carole was working on the smoother side of Contes paper. She uses Derwent pencils and the colours she uses for these and for paints and pastel pencils include dark brown, sanguine, raw sienna, cadmium red and Naples yellow. Alizarin red, burnt sienna and cobalt blue and sometimes purple are used for shadows. When painting in acrylics Carole outlines the face then underpaints in ochre or a similar colour then blocks in the main colours.

Finally this fascinating evening ended with a flourish as Carole produced a brilliant portrait which she had previously fully completed of her famous subject.


Monday, October 19, 2015

 ADVENTUROUS ARTISTS

The next opportunity for members to spend time sketching together is at 10-30am on November 13th at Southampton City Art Gallery. The galleries are always interesting to look around and the cafĂ© at Sea City is also worth a visit.

 The next day(14th November) is the One-Day Sale so start sorting out your paintings etc.!

Saturday, October 17, 2015


Carole Massey Evening

On October 25th we are fortunate to have for our demonstration a visit by Carole Massey. Carole is a very talented professional artist who is nationally well-known.

On this occasion she will paint a portrait.

 

The next opportunity for practising your sketching with the Adventurous Artists is at 10-30 am on Friday 13th November at Southampton Art Gallery.

The next day November 14th is the One-Day Sale!

SATURDAY WORKSHOPS
We spent a very creative day at the workshops run by Anne (Knife painting in oils), Claire (Other ways to paint in oils) and Helen ( Drawing to inform your painting) These workshops are always very enjoyable and everyone comes away feeling artistically stimulated and that they have added to their knowledge of the techniques involved. We thank the three leaders and Di for arranging them on the programme
Anne and the knife painters

Claire and the oil painters

Drawing group 1

Drawing group 2

Sunday, October 11, 2015


ADVENTUROUS ARTISTS at ELING.

Members of the Society met at Eling Church on Friday 9th October for a sketching session and enjoyed a relaxing and productive morning. The weather was excellent - warm, sunny and no wind. The light shining on the church porch and through the leaves of the lime trees around the gate gave us plenty of inspiration for our drawings and paintings.


Tuesday, October 6, 2015


REMINDER

 

Adventurous Artists are meeting at 10-30 am on Friday (9th October) at Eling Church.

 

Workshops will be held on 17th October in the Palm Room at the Community Centre starting at 10 am.

 

 Details for above contact Di Alexander Tel 023 804833958 0r e-mail dga_home@btinternet.com

  A demonstration of "Brusho" by Maralyn Allis 


Maralyn (a former SAA Artist of the Year) explained that Brusho crystals were sugar sized and contained pigment. They expand in contact with water. The colours produced are very intense. The crystals are sprinkled on paper then either sprayed with water or water is added from a brush. She then did a demonstration painting of a music group.

First the clothes were wet then sprinkled with Brusho crystals of different colours and the colours then teased out with a brush. Some areas were left white or reserved with masking fluid. (If this is used make sure all the crystals are removed before removing the masking fluid). Details were put in using paint made from crystals and water or black ink using a bamboo pen. Some of the crystals were put into a sprayer and water added to produce ink. The main part of the picture was then covered with tissue paper and the background sprayed with different colours. After removing the tissue paper the result was a vibrant picture in brilliant colours.                                    

 Maralyn then went on to paint a "fairy" using colours such as shimmering turquoise and silver. Details were put in using black ink and highlights added using white iridescent acrylic paint.

The next subject was a group of cyclists. A sketch was done first and then areas painted in with registration paint which darkens with age.  She then blocked in the colours with a large mop brush using mainly primary colours and orange and purple. The background was a yellow wash with a sprinkling of  Brusho crystals. The result was a very striking picture.

The Brusho crystals give the brightness of acrylics with the transparency of watercolours. Maralyn had given us an excellent introduction to a new medium.  

Cyclists

Music Group

Tea-break