An Evening with David Lewry, entitled “Colour Bias”.
Tuesday, 15th November 2011 at the Active Age Centre, Chislehurst
We didn’t know what to expect at an evening entitled “Colour Bias” but I think we were all pleasantly surprised by the content and the lively presentation.
David Lewry was an entertaining and informative speaker and the subject matter was engaging and interesting, especially as it was about something we all, as aspiring artists, tend to take for granted. David explained a new way of looking at colour and helped us to understand the fundamentals of mixing, which should inform the future work of many of us. His work was illustrated with on-screen pictures and diagrams, and he actually mixed paints, too, to illustrate a point.
It was clear that, as well as being something of a scientist and an inspiring teacher and presenter, David is also an excellent artist: several of his recent sketch-books were on display.
Amongst other things, he is employed to run Art Workshops on board cruise ships, and he is planning to lead a painting holiday in Spain next year. (For further information go to:  www.murcia-paintingholidays.co.uk)

 

18th October 2011

Predictably, we had a thoroughly good evening listening to Professor Anthony Slinn talking to us about Constable and Turner. As always, his talk was supported with a huge range of slides depicting work from both artists, many of which I had never seen before. He also included many others showing the environment and adding his theories as to how many of the paintings might have been constructed.

It really was a most enjoyable evening and we look forward to welcoming Professor Slinn again in the not too distant future.

 

20th September 2011

Heather Joliffe, a founder member of the Colour Pencil Society, presented us with an excellent demonstration of painting in acrylics. She also gave a short talk about Paul Nash, the "War" Painter, who is a great favourite of hers, not least because they share a passion for the Swanage countryside. Heather passed round a collection of Nash's books and prints and told of his being influenced by, among others, Samuel Palmer and the poetry of William Blake.

She painted a view of Durlaston Head in Dorset, with an unusual Portland stone dome in the foreground and a distant view of the Isle of Wight across the sea. She had previously prepared her canvas with a wash of blues. She worked from a sketch of the view, first drawing in details of shapes with a water-colour pencil and then blocking in areas of colour. Her palette was limited but the result was a lovely bright colourful picture, with plenty of light and variation of tones.

 

 

"My Choice"

The "MY Choice" evening was a first for us and a real success. Eleven members spoke about their choice of picture and why it had such significance for them.

It was a most interesting and entertaining evening.

 

19th July 2011

 

Life drawing: We all had another challenging evening trying to capture the poses Peter adopted for us.

All good practice and we agreed we need more!

 

21st June 2011

 

We had a most enjoyable and informative evening with Rob Wareing, who did a marvellous pastel portrait of Sean, aged 13 years.

Rob stressed the importance of measuring, which we saw him doing throughout, and how crucial it is to get the eye distance correct. The mouth is incredibly difficult - it should not dominate. He suggested that the mouth be painted while looking at the eyes!

A super evening with a most patient model.

 

17 May 2011

 

A most enjoyable evening led by Ken Potter and his wonderful model Ann Witters. Ann gave us some very interesting poses to portray. Every one a challenge but nonetheless enjoyable. I know I went home exhausted after all the concentration needed! If you were not there you missed a treat.

 

19th April 2011

 

We had a sparkling evening with KEN KEMPLEY who demonstrated his limited palette with watercolour. He told us about the very heavy weight paper he uses, told many of us about a gorgeous colour Potter's pink (Winsor & Newton) and gave us some very good general hints. He encouraged us to stand up to paint as this would help the flow. I can only hope.....