22nd April
What a great start to a new term we had with Dawn Feeney - drawing and embossing onto copper sheets, then using a lighter to highlight areas for enhancement with radiant colour.
2013/14
18th September 2013
Our first session was with tutor Emma Owens, and it was a lively, fun session with Emma acting as the model. We were drawing in charcoal mainly, using an eraser to create highlights and shape, we focused on specific areas of the body following line and form. More photos to follow.
9th October 2013
Stephanie Morris' first session this year was a chinese brush painting of mushrooms and toadstools, with a tiny, wee mouse, because chinese art always features a little creature of some sort and we're working our way through practising these. Here's a photo of some of the work produced this week, and a copy of the handout that Stephanie very kindly provides each time.
16th October 2013
Oliver Lovley's session on self-portraits encouraged us to steer away from needing to replicate what we see exactly, but to focus instead on blocks of shape, colour, shade and measurement. Using the eye as a unit of measurement really helped.
2012/13
Oliver Lovley's three sessions on experimentation and quick sketching, June 2013
Please find below photos and a video of our marvellous sessions with the lovely Oliver. He joined us this year after a chance meeting at the local craft fair. Generously, he spends time with us each half term developing our "outside the box" thinking. He uses alternative ingredients for painting, such as grass, super strong coffee, and red onion skins, to name but a few. During the three week block we recently had with Oliver, we had the opportunity to practise our "quick sketches", different techniques, and application of various art implements. Here's a few of our projects:
Several members of NB hard at work, with Ali, our volunteer helping out when needed
Below, she's doing the tea run - we're a thirsty bunch!
At the end of each session, we have "Show & Tell", and either the tutor or an artist in the group will give a "critique" - although it's much more positive than it sounds - but we all learn a lot from it
It's also an opportunity to see your own piece of work amongst others and discover that actually, you can produce a decent work of art
Oliver Lovley conducting "Show & Tell" on Nicky's work, highlighting the different techniques used to great effect
(From left to right, back to front): Bob's bold piece of work; Tina's breezy palm trees; Caroline's piece on perspective; Lisa's artwork on blocks of texture; Alli's pencil crayon block of sky and cloud; Jenny's clear distinction between layers (both the front ones)
Oliver's demonstration on sketching a composition
Lisa's great use of a sponge to create texture within her composition piece
Tina's bold use of colour to describe the flannel in the eclectic composition
Kerry's typically soft, layered and detailed approach to the composition
Kerry's pieces from Oliver's previous sessions this term
Bob's exercise above his colourful composition
Mary's beautiful creation
Doreen's decisive practise piece adjoins her composition
Catherine's fruity coloured practise pieces and composition
Oliver's first week of the 3 week block: a different style of tree in 20 minutes using a diverse range of materials and techniques. This was very useful and encouraged us to be brave when painting and sketching
"Show & Tell" of our composition pieces. Really helpful to see how others describe the items seen, and a great opportunity to learn about different techniques and styles
Not only do we drink tea, but we eat crisps, biscuits, and sticks of rock! Or whatever has kindly been brought in or left for us by the church members
Emma Owen inspired us to use bold coloured pastels on strong coloured backgrounds, January 2013
The results were most vivid and effective, often capturing a sense of movement.
Art Exhibition, July 2012, and earlier work
We hope you enjoy the following pieces of art work that some of our group members have produced over the past couple of years. It's often the case that it's not until you see your own art work from afar or in photo format that you can appreciate how the project over which you have laboured has taken on a life of it's own and become something worth hanging on your wall. It's simply marvellous to see people's faces change when they view their own piece of work as someone else might see it - we're often far too critical of what we've created, and summarily dismissive of compliments - and then that dawn of appreciation as they realise, "I made that, and it's pretty darned good!" THAT's what this group is about - giving members a hope for a future that has seemed quite bleak with the removal of an opportunity to find a place in the world, make a difference by working, of having a dramatically curtailed social life enforced upon us. We can't meet all your needs, by any stretch of the imagination, but we do understand, can empathise and support one another as we find new ways to be in this wonderful world of ours.
Stella's sessions always bring light, humour and joy to everyone's day. Stella hasn't been able to be with us this academic year, which is a real shame, but we do hope you are well now, Stella, and we hope to see you back with us soon.
Photos by John Watson
Editorial by Alli Bennett
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