The joy of teaching . . .

There seems to have been so much going on lately to keep me from remembering to update my blog, so it may take me a while to catch up with it all.

My demo painting "Eyes of Blue"

Among other thing I have been teaching, which is something i'm trying to do more of . One of the many friends I've met online over the years is very talented lady, Pat Elliott. Not only is Pat an Author, an Artist, but an amazing healer as well. I had known Pat for quite some time and recently started having Reflexology treatment from her, this I can highly recommend, hands that heal don't come close to describing what Pat has done for me. If you live in the south of the UK, look her up, you won't be disappointed.

Back to the teaching day. Pat wanted a days tuition on how to paint portraits in Watercolour, so off I went and spent the most wonderful day with her. The sun was shining and as it turned out to be one of the hottest days of the year, we painted all day in her summerhouse.

I started the demo using a ref photo from the Wetcanvas photo library. Painting a little at a time showing Pat various techniques that I use, along with encouraging her to include part of herself in her painting. This is a little difficult to do at first when learning to paint in a different style, but does come when you learn to relax, play and take chances.

I was amazed how quickly Pat picked things up and her eagerness to learn was inspiring to me . What she achieved at the end of the day was outstanding, especially when taking into account, the ref she used was a very small snap shot.

This is Pat's painting as it stood at the end of the day. Isn't it amazing. So much more than a portrait painting, the emotions captured here are uplifting.

Pat's painting from the tuition day. @Pat Elliot  

 It was wonderful to read that Pat had kept up the hard work soon after I left and carried on playing and practicing the techniques, combining her already vast knowledge. This was a painting she produced on her own, developing the composition herself as she was already a much practiced artist. It was great to see her post a comparison to a much earlier painting, something we should all do with our own work every so often.

It gives me such a thrill to know i've helped in any way. When seeing a student paint with eagerness and enjoyment, it gives me added inspiration in my own work.

Archie ©Pat Elliot - 

Pat's previous painting @Pat Elliot 

The most important thing I can advise anyone learning is to play. Not everything will turn out as wanted, just take the bits you liked and carry them on to the next painting. It is the only way to move forward.

Free Demonstration at Hobbycraft Store . . .

I will also be having a clearance sale of Prints and Originals as well as Greetings Cards.

Ideal for Christmas presents if you are looking for something different and special.

SAA It's all about Art - Bristol

I was fortunate a couple of weeks ago to be able to attend the “SAA It's all about Art” at Bristol. I went along with a special friend Ruth Harris.  

Ruth Harris.."Cosmic Poppies"... SAA Amateur Artist of the Year 2012

Ruth has recently been awarded the 

“SAA Amateur Artist of the Year2012” 

with her stunning painting, titled “Cosmic Poppies”. This was the first time that Ruth had entered anything let alone win, so you can only imagine her joy. It made it even more of a special occasion to be able to attend the show, as fortunately it was within traveling distance for her this year.

As they had moved the show this year, and one was to be held in Bristol, this gave me the chance to combine catching up with some dear friends along with attending a fun packed day doing what we both love best.

 The only disappointing thing, especially for Ruth as a winner, as well as for both of us as we love to view the work of other artists, was that this year there would be no exhibition, it would have been so encouraging to Ruth to see her work hanging there along with the other winners. We all often doubt ourselves as artists along the way and something like this gives an artist so much reassurance and encouragement, as well as the inspiration to head further along that road. There were other much admired artist friends who also received awards, so it would have made the day even more special to have been able to view their work in real life.

 

Although initially, when I first walked in, I was a bit disappointed at the size of the show, especially having been to the London one in the past. I soon realised it was as full of the same excitement and inspiration as the London venue. From demo's, to mini workshops, to lots of tempting goodies to spend your pennies on, and lets face it, we artists don't need much encouragement to do that now, do we.

As there was only a certain amount of time to fit everything in, we chose carefully. We went for opting out of the comfort zone of watercolours which is the preferred medium for both Ruth and I, instead for the chance to try a different media, which after all is the aim of it. 

 This was from one of the workshops on offer. A quick try at pastels following along with tutor and demonstrator Vic Bearcroft.... I have tried pastels a few times but never really persevered with it. Being asked often to do pet portraits along with having a love of both pets and wildlife, I thought this would be a good choice, and Ruth relished the challenge as well. 

I found pastels work well for this subject, it creates a certain softness for animals especially when done on velour. It really is amazing how much these professional artists pack into these workshops, and I have much admiration for the amount they teach you in such a small time. Thank you Vic for a very enriching if not quick workshop, I really learned so much from it.

 

The SAA show really does have a lot to offer other than the obvious of being a great day out with friends. It gives you a chance to try something different, along with being able to get some sound advice from both the professional artist on technique along with expert knowledge on buying whats needed afterwards from the shop. We also had the chance to try other items , then purchase them if desired . Thank you SAA, I will certainly do my best to get there again next year. 

Please go take a look at the SAA website and the work of all the others winners. You won't be disappointing at the wonderful variety of art on display.

Artist of the Year 2012

 

Make a Wish....Video...

Make a Wish

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It is a long time coming and took quite a long time to edit as well. I didn't realise how hard it would be to video myself. Quite nerve racking at times, but at the same time so enjoyable. 

(Special Thanks to babasteve for generously sharing his photos)

I have made this in response to lots of requests from friends wishing to see how I work, especially painting portraits. Special friends that have supported me in my journey, this is for you with my thanks.

Make a Wish Video 

I've tried to share some of how I work in this video. Unfortunately because of the way I work there isn't any time to stop and change the angle of the video camera, or zoom in at various times. I also found once played back that I need to work on better lighting. it was quite a dark day, raining most of the time, which didn't help. It has left the painting a bit washed out, but i've shown photos of it at the end of the video which is nearer to the original. the other thing I found difficult was to talk as well, hence the music. Something else to work on for the next one.

*****

I work in various ways depending on mood and subject, this is one of the ways. Although you obviously need to learn techniques, I do believe a lot of it comes from how you feel. You need to feel what you are painting, which is what adds that something extra to it. 

I know this not a professional masterpiece, but I do hope you enjoy watching this and that it helps even a little on your journey in watercolours.

*****

I welcome you to join me on my Art Page on Facebook.

Kington Gallery....The Exhibtion

Finally getting a moment to catch up here and let you all know how the Exhibition went.  Well where do I start...It was an amazing time, a fantastic opportunity and a wonderful experience.

For any artist to have a Solo Exhibition is always a great opportunity and an honour. That anyone would want fill a whole gallery with my work was something I never imagined would happen, and meant so much. I have a special lady to thank for that. Janet Thomas, the owner of the Kington Gallery

, a wonderful artist and a true friend, and someone i will always be grateful too. 

*****

The Kington Gallery

4 Church Street, Kington, 

Herefordshire

HR5 3AZ

Phone 01544 231581   Email kington-gallery@homecall.co.uk

***** 

 

Click here to see Ruth's work

We spent all day arranging paintings, and re-arranging them :)...Ruth Harris, another wonderful artist and friend came along to support and help us, we wouldn't have got it all done without her...Huge thanks to you Ruth.

 
 

We had a fabulous 2 weeks with sales of both paintings and cards. 

To finish of the Exhibition I gave a demo of how to paint Portraits in Watercolour in a looser style, and what a wonderful day it was... I've always wanted to teach, to be able to share with other artists what i've learned so far, so there was nothing more rewarding than seeing other artists so inspired by the demo, they were eager to pick up a brush and have a go themsleves.

Janet kindly set up some tables with everything needed for them, what a fantastic idea and we had so much fun.. It all worked so well, as this enabled them to retain more of what they had learned as they are immediately trying it for yourself, so can ask questions while I was at hand.....almost a workshop as well..



I received such wonderful feedback from this demo on my teaching, which was so invaluable to me, as you always wonder if your going in the right direction. This too was another great opportunity for me and I'd like to thank everyone who attended.