MAGGIE FLOWITT ON CHINESE BRUSH PAINTING IN OCTOBER

Maggie Flowitt lived in Hong Kong when a child and this led to a passion for painting in the traditional Chinese style.

Members enjoyed her demonstration for us at our October meeting using different papers, special Chinese black ink, and some colours made with powder pigment or from tubes.

The brushes were made from natural animal hair which allow different marks to be made, according to the pressure applied.

Her first painting, which was a typical Chinese landscape done on absorbent mulberry paper. The second painting (pictured at the start) was a flower painted on a bamboo paper which was less absorbent, giving cleaner edges.

The third painting was on a greenish paper with gold flecks in it. There were two hares boxing in the foreground using a mix creating a neutral colour.

Maggie has written books on Chinese brush painting techniques and she also produces beautiful cards.

See more on her website: https://www.maggie-cross.co.uk/

 

SKETCHING TRIP TO SOUTHAMPTON OLD CEMETERY

Three Adventurous Artists stepped into another world at Southampton Old Cemetery in October.

Some areas are now "is maintained in such a way as to preserve the diversity of flora and fauna" (Southampton City Council). Nature had free rein where we were.

 We set off to explore. There was beauty if you looked for it.

We took lots of photos ........ 

Sketches were done afterwards in the Bellemoor Tavern

Thank you Helen. You gave us an amazing sketching experience.

TOTTON COMMUNITY FAIR OCTOBER 2023

 TOTTON COMMUNITY FAIR AT ST. WIN'S CHURCH

Monday 10th October 2023

Totton Art Society's stand was booked by Helen Bartlett and the display was mounted by Di Alexander & Sue Canton. 

It was an excellent opportunity to publicise our activities.

OCTOBER ART EXTRA

 MORE ARTISTS CAME TO ART EXTRA IN OCTOBER!

Lion cubs

Watercolour & Light

Atmospheric Watercolour

Roses Drawing

Owl Sketch

Houses Watercolour

Tiger Cubs

Female Portrait

EXHIBITION & WILDLIFE COMPETITION 30TH SEPTEMBER 2023

Our autumn exhibition took place at Calmore Community Centre on Saturday 30th September from 12 noon until 4 pm.

Many beautiful paintings were entered for our wildlife competition.

The winner was announced after the exhibition closed.

Jill Gillespie's painting of pigs in the New Forest won the competition and she received the £20 prize.

There was a table for cards and small pictures and a table for visitors to try their hand at drawing.  

Many thanks to local artists Alan & Janet Langford for judging the competition entries.

Alan did this sketch.

Here are a few of the paintings on show.

Tiger by Chris Jackson

A seascape by Mary Maskell

Breakwater by Helen artlett

Highland Cow by Claire Palmer

Funky Lion by Tina Horsefield

Anemones by Pam Payne

Lion by Jill Gillespie

Leaves in a Stream by Gail Morris

Giraffe by Sue Canton

The Spray by Trevor Pike

 Thanks to everyone who worked hard to mount the exhibition.

ALAN LANGFORD'S FANTASY FIGURES IN SEPTEMBER

 

Alan Langford demonstrated how he creates his fantasy figures at our September meeting. He has two strings to his bow - with a graphic design career alongside his colourful equestrian paintings.

He worked freelance illustrating a strip cartoon series in the Warlord comic using brush and ink in the 1980s. Unfortunately the popularity of comics decreased as computer games became available. Alan's graphic skills became less in demand and he has since concentrated on his paintings.

 

His autobiography "Welgora: the equestrian art of Alan Langford" is lavishly illustrated with drawings and some of his paintings. It is a terrific read too! 

Alan still uses a brush rather than pen to draw his figures.  He chatted and painted two detailed figures during the evening, making it look so easy.

 He generously offered to raffle the pictures at the end. Chris won the warrior on horseback and Richard won the big hulk.

Many thanks to Alan for giving us such an interesting and entertaining evening.