The blog contains society news and activities. You are welcome to comment on the pages. Find out more at: tottonartsociety.org and Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/134056857189218/

Saturday, July 30, 2022

STEWART BECKETT PAINTS FIGURE IN OILS



The Figure painting in Oils demonstration in July featured Southampton artist Stewart Beckett painting Gail Morris our Programme Coordinator. He used the traditional method taught by fine art ateliers. 

The form of the figure was created with blocks of subtle colour applied with precise strokes without using detail. His colours had been premixed. They included cadmium red, quinacridone red, ultramarine blue, cobalt blue, purple, yellow ochre and white. Gail's face and body appeared to gradually come into focus. Stewart compared the process to doing a jigsaw puzzle.



Sometimes he used a gloved finger to blend background and soften edges. He painted quickly and the canvas was mostly covered within half an hour. 

The background colour was a light teal mix to compliment the warm colours of the skin and hair. Contours of the figure and features were created by setting warm colours against cool colours and saturated colours against de-saturated colours. For example a cooler de-saturated greenish colour against the warm skin colour on the arm created the impression that the arm was not flat.



Drawing a likeness is a skill that requires practice and Stewart told us that he trained himself to study faces by sitting in a cafe, looking at a face for a short time and then sketching it from memory. He teaches both outdoor landscape and studio portrait painting. For more information see https://www.stewartbeckett.com/.









Monday, July 18, 2022

SKETCHING AT BEAULIEU

Our July sketching at Beaulieu was organised by Helen Bartlett and it turned out to be a perfect afternoon. It was pleasantly warm and the scenery gave us a lot of choice: the river, the buildings and even a herd of cattle.  A couple on holiday were very complimentary about some of our sketches. 




Helen took this fabulous photo of us relaxing at the garden centre cafe after sketching. 


T.A.S. members can see more on our members' Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/161632347660794

JULY ART EXTRA

Nine of us spent a convivial afternoon working on our individual projects and chatting in the Forest Room at Calmore Community Centre. Claire Palmer organises these monthly workshops for members. 





See more at our Totton Art society Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/134056857189218/permalink/1119938235267737/