Friday 30th January
Last week I did my workshop/demo for The Acklington Art Group. This was my 6th visit to this group. They are a lovely lot and there were 17 of them. I had been asked to do a woodland picture, which suited me as I could add it to my collection for Buckinghams.
I took some of my recent examples as inspiration. As these paintings take a while I wanted them to "paint along" so I sat them all down and explained how I created them. The first layer, the sky and background tree wash had been completed back home. I explained that most of this layer ends up covered up by the end. The painting moves forward adding texture and detail to the foreground and trees as it moves forward in layers, ending in the foreground darker, larger trees and leaf canopy. This foliage was created with a combination of brushwork, splattering and finally palette knife.
After I demonstrated the first layer of trees and foliage, I let them get on with their own paintings. I was using acrylics to speed drying time but the group were using their choice of medium. Most also used acrylic but others used oil, watercolours or pastels.
I demonstrated and talked as I painted and they worked as they listened. I answered questions and roamed around the room offering advice and suggestions. I was impressed that they all had a go. These paintings aren't easy and I explained that I've been doing them for 10 years and my first attempts weren't great. The 4 hours rushed by. At the end most of them had a painting. The results were similar but all individually different. We had a group showing and photograph. They all said they had really enjoyed doing something so different.
As I said, they are a lovely enthusiastic group and supply a range of edible goodies and drinks to keep us going through the day. Many of them also attend other groups. I was asked to do demonstrations at Lesbury again and Howick, just up the road.
It was a very enjoyable day as usual and I was fairly happy with my demo painting . After a few weeks in the studio it joined my Buckinghams collection.
Early this week I added 3 more to the collection. I now have 12 which I will varnish and get to Buckinghams in time for their "Spring Launch" in March.
I was then free to start my 2 large commissions for the Beckstones client. I decided to do them in acrylics like the 2 he'd already purchased. Despite spending the last 3 weeks painting my woodland pictures in acrylics it took me a while to get used to the fast drying time when doing a big landscape. The client wanted a loose chunky style which involved a lot of palette knife work. I made a good start on Wednesday and onThursday, with Luna in Doggy Daycare I could crack on uninterrupted. It's amazing what I can get done with no distractions. I finished off the first one and completed the second one. These now need varnishing and then we can take/send them off to Beckstones.
It's been a busy few weeks but I've managed to get everything I needed to completed. It's always scary at the beginning when I'm staring at numerous blank boards or canvases but satisfying when they all turn into paintings. I have, of course now got a full studio! The Gallery 45 paintings are going next weekend so at least the motorhome will be empty! Then it's all start again with 8 large white canvases to bring to life...
We're off to Chesterfield this weekend to see family including my new 6th grandchild Joan who was born recently to Tom and Jade. We now have 3 boys and 3 girls and am feeling old!