Elected a full member of the SWA

Thrilled, excited and honoured to announce that I have been elected as a full member of the Society of Women Artists.

The Society will also be hanging 4 of my paintings at this years exhibition. I would like to thank all the ladies who work tirelessly at the SWA and a huge thank you to all my family and friends, without who's continued comments, support and inspiration I wouldn’t have made it this far. 

From left to right: Emmeline,  Behind the eyes,  Somita girl

Bottom:  Punda milia

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Society of Women Artists 157th Exhibition

Mall Galleries:  The Mall . London . SW1

Exhibition Open: Tuesday 25 September at 4.00 to Sunday 30 September 10am to 5pm daily, closing at 3pm on Sunday 30 September

Portraits in Watercolour - 2 Day workshop UK

I had such a wonderful afternoon demonstrating at the Babylon Gallery in Ely a couple of weeks back, while stewarding at the Society of East Anglian Watercolourists Selected Exhibition.

It's a beautiful gallery in a lovely setting on the river, lots of light and a charming area. 

This was the painting I did for the demonstration. Today it sits in my studio while I decided, what and if it needs more. I have to thank Frans Devriese for the kind use of his photograph.

I have been invited to teach at the East Devon Art Academy on the 13th and 14th October this year, so if you would like to come join me and learn how I paint just get in touch with me or the Academy. www.eastdevonart.co.uk

©Stephie Butler

©Stephie Butler

"In this exciting, informative workshop, Stephie will show you how to paint portraits in watercolour full of colour with an impressionistic feel. Suitable for all abilities. Stephie will share how to portray feelings and emotions in your work making it unique."

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Portraits in watercolour

2 Day WORKSHOP

13th & 14th OCT 2016

Contact

East Devon Art Academy

Old Fore Street

Sidmouth

EX10 8LS
 
Tel: +44 1395 516284

E-mail: info@eastdevonart.co.uk

New work . . . .

I have just got back from a trip to Holland where I gave a workshop. I'd like to say a big thank you to all those who attended. It was such a lovely friendly atmosphere and hopefully you all learned a lot to help you move on in your journey. You created some amazing work and made me very proud as a teacher. I'd like to also say a huge thank you to my friend Joanna who put so much work in to helping me and the students, couldn't have done it without you.



After the workshop I spent a further two weeks with Joanna visiting various places in her country and of course lots of painting. This was one I completed while I was with her. There is nothing more inspiring than painting with a friend, you bounce ideas around and develop your each others creativity.

This one was based on a photo I took on a recent trip to The Gambia. As yet it's still untitled, but that will come in time.

Moving forward, trying something new . . .

Every artist needs to move forward, otherwise we are in danger of painting the same old. The way forward to this is to play and try out new things, whether it be a new subject, a different medium or new colours.
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With every goal I reach in a painting, i'm thrilled, with each piece of work afterwards becoming more comfortable to paint, then soon the need to reach the next goal steps in. I've come to the stage where I'm wanting to move on and paint something different, right now putting in a little more of a figure than just the face. Along with pushing for a difference in the subject comes the desire to use different colours as well. I was fortunate to be given a wonderful gift by a friend, of some Daniel Smith paints, must say I love them. I haven't use these too much as yet so am picking up ones gradually and trying them. I also bought Janet's Violet Rose by American Journey, this is a gorgeous colour, especially for portrait work.
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When you are introducing new colour to your painting, work in smaller areas of your subject, don't be tempted to use it everywhere. Remember to stop and look from a distance, evaluate before deciding if you need to use it elsewhere to balance your work. I often let my paintings sit for some time before moving on, i've overworked to many in the past rushing in. Very often you will find when you go back to it that it doesn't need anything else. Think about working a another in the meantime, to stop you being tempted to rush in.
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This is what i'm working on at the moment and the slight change of colours. When you do this, take it slow, but remembering it's important to enjoy and play. I'm often asked how you develop your own style, well this the way, by experimenting and playing.

When you are trying new colours and mixes, be sure to try them out on a scrap piece first and write down what you have used for later reference.

Painting information taken form Ken Bromley Art Supplies and Cheap Joes. 

 With thanks to Gunnar Salvarsson for the use of his photo as ref. 

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2016 Workshops

16th & 17th April 2016 - Portraits in Watercolour - Franeker

NETHERLANDS   (2 Day workshop)
Contact me

19th June to 25th June 2016 - Portraits in Watercolour

Bandouille, FRANCE

Painting holiday

www.francepaintingholiday.com

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I'm using Green . . .

Most people know my phobia of greens lol, but every so often you feel like you need to push into something new, so I just had to go for it and i'm quite pleased with this one. Haven't come up with a title yet, something I really struggle with, so at the moment it's "Untitled"

The greens are mixed from some new paints I got while in the US. These were the American Joe paints, mixtures of Skips green and Sky Blue...





Some progress pics along the way.  Sorry about the quality but these were taken with my new iPad and haven't got used to editing with it yet.

First wash of blue and pink mixes.
Cerulean
Permanent Rose
Colbalt Blue

Nest adding in some flesh tones.
Aureloin and Permanent Rose
A touch of Burnt Sienna

Still too cold so strengthened up the flesh tones, even a touch of Cadmium Red used in very dilute washes, really warms  it up.

















Next the greens, The green in the face is showing a little stronger than it actually is.
















A big thank you to Gunnar Salvarsson for allowing me to use his photo. 

  

Exhibiting at the Picturecraft Art Gallery in Norfolk . . . .

After a lovely visit to Holt in Norfolk today I'm happy to tell you I will be Exhibiting at the Picturecraft Gallery later this year.

Email	info@picturecraftgallery.com
Website	http://www.picturecraftgallery.com

Almost . . . In Despair . . .

In Despair . . . 

Have really got to like this square format for paintings, so tried it out recently on a couple of portraits in watercolour. This is named In Despair and is based on a ref with many thanks to Steve Evans. I do find this format gives even more focus into what's really important in the painting. The eyes . . . . The soul . . . . Your feelings . . .  

Almost . . . 

This one was painting just prior to "In Despair" and another ref thanks to Steve Evans.

Both paintings measure approx 20 x 20 cm and 34 x 34 cm Including Mount (Matt). Originals are without any words or large signatures, these are merely for display purposes. Both are available to purchase by contacting me at info@stephiebutler.com

Selected for Society of Women Artists Annual Exhibition 2013

Looking to the Future

This is the 2nd painting that I had selected by the Society of Women Artists for their 52nd Annual Exhibition 2013 at the Mall Galleries.

I grabbed a quick photo before it went off to the framers so not a brilliant shot.
 

I would also like to say a very big thank you to Karl Lindsay for allowing me to use photo as ref for this painting. Please visit his website and see his amazing photography at his website. www.karllindsayphotography.com and also on his Fb page HERE

Two paintings Selected ...... Society of Women Artists Annual Exhibition 2013

Two paintings Selected......

I am absolutely thrilled to have had two of my paintings selected for the

 Society of Women Artists 

152nd Annual Exhibition 2013 at the Mall Galleries, London. 

 This is the 3rd year in a row I have had work selected by the SWA and it still can't believe it's happening to me. If ever you are in doubt about entering your work anywhere, just follow your dream, it does come true.

One of the two paintings that were selected for Exhibition.

Special thanks to Steve Evans for the use of his photo as ref for this painting. 

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Society of Women Artists 

Founded in 1855, the society has had a unique history dedicated to promoting art by women. The Annual Exhibition at the prestigious Mall Galleries, The Mall, London, SW1, showcases a stunning and eclectic mix of artwork in all media. The Society encourages variety and versatility and features some of the finest contemporary women artists from all over the world, thus sustaining a reputation for excellence.

152nd ANNUAL EXHIBITION
2013

MALL GALLERIES

The Mall, London SW1

27^th June Thursday – Saturday 6^th July
  Daily 10 am – 5pm
(3pm close) on last day

HRH Princess Michael of Kent is the SWA Patron, and will open the exhibition at the private view to be held on Wednesday 26th June. www.society-women-artists.org.uk

Little Africa...

                This is one I started towards the end of 2012 only just getting the first wash down, then not picking it up again until 2013. The object of painting then was not only of course portrait practice, but more so to get the brushes wet again after the Christmas holidays. 

I'm not sure if it always works, leaving it so long. Sometimes the moment has gone from the painting, the inspiring thoughts you first had when wanting to get it onto the paper. I find I'm usually better to start it again with renewed freshness.

Pure Watercolour
140lb Arches NOT Paper
Mostly W/N paints
Ref photo courtesy of WetCanvas

Best in Show.......

"Best in Show"

I was both shocked and elated recently when I was asked to go to attend a presentation and meeting, as one of my paintings, "Make a Wish", had won Best in Show at the Redbridge Arts Association summer exhibition. 

Make a Wish

 This is a first for me at an exhibition so it still hasn't sunk in and i'm so very proud.. To cap it all off I was also awarded with this beautiful fine wooden box of 120 Derwent Colour Pencils, kindly donated by the Derwent Cumberland Pencil Company, thank you so so much to Derwent for your generosity. 

Redbridge Arts Association consists of six groups: 

Ilford Art Society
The photographers 
U3A Art group at St. Theresa’s 
U3A Fullwell Cross Art Group
Redbridge Marquetry Group
The Redbridge Art Group. 

Each year with the hard work, planning and dedication, and of one particular lady, Nora, and the generosity of Redbridge Council kindly allowing us the use of the wonderful listed building, we are able to put on a Summer Exhibition in the old Dovecote in Valentines park, Redbridge. As we didn't have so much space this year in the Dovecote, the art was displayed over three months in total, with each two groups showing their work for one month. As a member of the Ilford Art Society, I was part of the exhibition showing in July. Visitors to the exhibition each got the chance to vote for their favourite  painting if they wished to do so. Apparently because of length of time and the numbers who voted it has taken this long to sort out the winner. My thanks again to Nora for all her hard work, it's very much appreciated. 

This is a wonderful building and location to hold an exhibition and I hope to be part of it again and for some years to come. I will post the dates later in 2013 for the next one and hope you may be able to join us there. 

Special thanks to Steve Evans for the use of his photo as ref to the painting.

Africa in my Soul....

New painting.....

 I've been working on a few new ideas that i'll share as soon as i'm finished, if they work of course. Meantime have been fitting in new paintings as well. Just can't tear myself away from painting portraits and more so from those of African children. They just have something that really grabs your heart. This is one that was finished late this week and has just come off of Exhibition and will be on sale on my website shortly.

With thanks to Steve Evans for the use of his photograph as ref.

One thing I've been working on are new greetings cards as they seem to be getting quite popular and am almost sold out. I will be putting those on my new website too soon, so they will be available direct, in either singles or as part of a collection, I'll update here as soon as they are ready.