ART AFTERNOON IN SEPTEMBER

Lots of inspiration and beautiful new ideas in September! 

We enjoy 'doing our own thing' and relaxing in a friendly environment.

WENDY JELBERT'S WATERCOLOUR MAGIC IN AUGUST

Wendy has had a long career as an artist, teacher, an author of 41 art books, a demonstrator for well-know art material brands, and a presenter of TV series and videos. So she gave us an evening packed with useful information in August. 

Watercolour can be hard to control at first. Wendy not only uses different brush strokes, but also sponges and cling-film.

A favourite technique is Wet-in-wet for soft blending.

Salt applied to wet paint makes different patterns.

Adding coffee granules is an unusual technique!

It is important to use different hues to suggest a three dimensional object.

Looking at shapes is important too.

Wendy applies masking fluid with a ruling pen for small areas and thin lines. The fluid can be rubbed off later. Alternatively the end of a brush could scratch out a thin line.

Negative painting - such as around leaves - is another way of preserving light coloured areas.

Wendy composed her sunflower painting from more than one reference to produce a balanced, visually pleasing painting.

We admired the examples of Wendy's work and enjoyed her masterly demonstration. 

SKETCHING AT GILBERT'S NURSERY IN AUGUST

Ten lucky Adventurous Artists were treated to a myriad of glorious colours and shapes to bring floral sparkle to our sketching.

Who would have thought there were so many varieties of dahlia?

Afterwards we relaxed in Gilberts beautiful nursery for tea and cake.

SKETCHING AT LECKFORD WATER GARDENS IN AUGUST

 One Saturday in August, seven artists enjoyed plein air sketching in the tranquil Longstock Park Water Garden (also known as Leckford Water Gardens) on the Leckford Estate owned by Waitrose.

Covering 6 acres, there are little islands linked with wooden footbridges over meandering water ways and a profusion of colourful beds and borders.

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Many thanks to Helen, for selecting such beautiful places for our summer sketching programme this year.