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A Pre-Raphaelite

Collection Unveiled:
The Cecil French Bequest

New exhibition
Opening 6 March 2018

Watts Gallery - Artists’ Village


Exhibitions | Chapel | Artists’ Home & Studios | Contemporary Art | Tea Shop

wattsgallery.org.uk | Guildford, Surrey GU3 1DQ

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Incorporating Leisure Painter


and Craftsman
and Creative Crafts
VOLUME 52/5
ISSUE 573
www.leisurepainter.co.uk
Welcome
www.painters-online.co.uk
ISSN 0024-0710
from the editor
MAY 2018
Editor
Ingrid Lyon
Contributing Editor
S pring is finally in the air – at least in
the south east of England – where
early flowers are proliferating, birdsong
Jane Stroud
Editorial Consultants can be heard early in the morning, and we are replenishing our
Diana Armfield RA, NEAC (Hon), RWS field painting kits. We all love this time of year with its promise
David Bellamy
Tony Paul STP of longer, warmer days, and brighter conditions for painting.
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Leisure Painter heralds the changing of the seasons this month
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with a plethora of practical and inspirational articles to help
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Sue Woodgates 01778 392062 you celebrate the season. We begin this month’s features on
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page 13 with Julie King’s step-by-step, demonstrating how to
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used, you can concentrate on technique as you practise wet-in-
Subscriptions & Marketing Manager wet and wet-on-dry watercolour and how to create form, while
Wendy Gregory
becoming more familiar with straightforward colour mixing.
Subscriptions
Nicci Salmon & Liza Kitney For beginners in acrylics, Charles Evans’ guide (pages 44 to 47)
01580 763315/763673
subscriptions@tapc.co.uk will be invaluable as he explains how to set out a palette, mix
Online Editor natural-looking greens and neutral colours that don’t remind
Dawn Farley
Designers you of mud, and handle Round and flat brushes as you paint
Alison Renno a simple tree. If you are ready to try something a little different,
Sarah Poole
Jenny Dalleywater introduces scratchboard on pages 40 to 43 –
Leisure Painter is published every four
weeks by: and demonstrates how this grown-up version of scraperboard
The Artists’ Publishing Company
Limited (TAPC), Caxton House, can produce beautiful fine-art detail.
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Kent TN30 6BD
This issue is packed with demonstrations and practical advice,
01580 763315 from how to paint pastel seascapes, tinted charcoal still lifes
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and a nocturne using oils, to how to make the most of your
Dr Sally Bulgin, Hon VPRBSA computer to manipulate reference photographs and the
Publication of an article or inclusion of benefits of taking part in outdoor painting competitions, even
an advertisement does not necessarily
imply that TAPC is in agreement with if you are a beginner. Don’t forget to check out page 24 to join
the views expressed, or represents
endorsement of products, materials in David Bellamy’s second sketchbook challenge, and page 73
or techniques. TAPC does not accept
responsibility for errors, omissions
to enter this year’s prestigous Art Club of the Year competition.
or images received in good faith We also have early information on the Patchings Art, Craft and
Annual subscription rates (13 issues): Design Festival (12 to 15 July), as Patchings Art Centre celebrates
UK £47.20; USA $80; Canada $92; EC
member countries €67; all other its 30th anniversary and 25th festival this year. If you have
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www.painters-online.co.uk MAY 2018 3


LP05_contents_News 1st 07/03/2018 12:12 Page 4

Contents MAY 2018


25

40

28 6

25 Watercolour basics and beyond


IN EVERY ISSUE Part 5 Practise dry-brush technique to paint a
boat in water, by David Webb
7 Diary 69 Books
Things to do this month A selection of practical 28 Prismalo water-soluble pencils
art books are reviewed Tim Fisher introduces techniques and ideas for
8 Exhibitions you to try with Caran d’Ache’s Prismalo
Some of the best shows 74 Art clubs
around the country News, highlights, exhibition 31 Nightwish
listings and ‘best in show’ gallery Elena Parashko demonstrates how to mix and
10 Letters apply the colours of a sunset and add figures to
Your tips, suggestions, 78 Online gallery an atmospheric scene in oils or acrylics
ideas and questions Jane Stroud chooses a painting
of flowers from PaintersOnline 34 March hare
Enjoy painting a lose and lively study of a hare
in watercolour with Rachel McNaughton

FEATURES 37 Painting the sea


Part 1 Work alongside Linda Birch in this three-
13 Spring is in the air! part series. This month: how to paint seascapes
Work on wet-on-dry and wet-on-wet in soft pastel and oil pastel
techniques as you paint a vase of spring
flowers in watercolour, with Julie King 40 Welcome to the dark side
Part 1 First steps in scratchboard, materials and
18 Painting project tips and techniques, by Jenny Dalleywater
Part 1 Colin Steed discusses how to
capture the character of an old building 44 Beginner’s acrylics
from photographs How to lay out a palette, try useful green mixes
On the cover and paint a simple tree, with Charles Evans
Julie King Spring is in the Air, 20 Painting project
waterccolour, 912⁄ x11in. (24.5x28cm). Part 2 Develop your imagination and 50 Inspired by nature
Follow Julie to paint spring flowers in coloured-pencil skills as you draw Part 1 Where to find inspiration for studies in
a vase step by step on pages 13 to 17 reflections with Judith Heilbronn-Crown wildlife and nature, by Michelle Campbell

4 MAY 2018 www.painters-online.co.uk


LP05_contents_News 1st 12/03/2018 08:58 Page 5

Coming
next month
Try exercises, projects and demonstrations in
watercolour, drawing media, coloured pencils,
oils, mixed media and more, in the June issue
0
ON SALE 20 APRIL
n Tips and techniques
for painting miniature
portraits
n How to use water-
mixable oils, with a
step-by-step landscape
n Basics and beyond:
develop a watercolour
painting in layers
n Watercolour seascapes,
landscapes, animals,
buildings and flowers
n How to paint t
Bill Mundy Annabel Mundy,
8 64 watercolour on canvas watercolour on vellum, 3x212⁄ in.
(7.5x6.5cm). In the first of a two-
PLUS... part series, Bill Mundy discusses
the materials and techniques he
n Step-by-step uses to paint portraits in
OFFERS, NEWS AND COMPETITIONS scratchboard for miniature
12 The latest news on Patchings Art, Craft and beginners
Photography Festival 2018 n Try a mixed-media
24 David Bellamy introduces your second sketchbook approach to your work
challenge
n Be inspired: paint boats LEISURE PAINTER
36 Join Hazel Soan on a watercolour workshop in July and harbours in oils ON-SALE DATES
48 Subscribe to Leisure Painter and save money
n Try a step-by-step
Issue On sale
55 Paint on Isola di Ponza with Richard Pikesley June 20 April
68 Save money on practical art books
coloured-pencil still life July 18 May
using just four colours! Summer 15 June
72 Win Melanie Cambridge brushes with this month’s
PaintersOnline competition n Competitions to enter
73 How to enter Art Club of the Year 2018 with details AND LOTS MORE!
of fantastic prizes from Jackson’s Art Supplies

52 Technology – an artist’s tool


How to manipulate two photographs on your computer to prepare
them for painting, with Elena Parashko

56 Simply still life


Try tinted charcoal pencils to draw a still life, by Trudy Friend

58 Spring landscape
Charles Evans demonstrates a landscape painting in watercolour

62 QoR watercolour report


Steve Strode reports on QoR watercolour
t
Murray Ince Bluebells at Allstellach, water-mixable oils, 12x24in.
64 Set the clock (30.5x61cm). Murray advises on how to choose and use water-mixable
Paul Alcock discusses the joys of competing in outdoor painting oils, explains some of the techniques you need for painting landscapes,
competitions and offers advice to the novice and demonstrates a step-by-step painting of a bluebell wood (above).

www.painters-online.co.uk MAY 2018 5


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6 MAY 2018 www.painters-online.co.uk


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LP May 2018 Diary p7_News 1st 12/03/2018 11:42 Page 6

TALKS

Diary
THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH
n A life in pictures
James Russell will
give an illustrated
talk on the artist,
Edward Bawden
at the Bankside
Gallery on 17 April,
6 to 8pm. A Life in
Pictures will explore
the life and work of
artist and designer, Edward Bawden, with previously
Painting days unseen works and some old favourites ahead of the
Following last year’s success, major retrospective exhibition of his work due to open
artists of all levels – from at the Dulwich Picture Gallery in May. Tickets are priced
students and amateurs to at £10. To book and for more information visit
professionals – are invited to www.banksidegallery.com/events
paint en plein air in the
beautiful grounds of Hole Park
in Rolvenden, Kent, on 9, 10
and 11 May (11am to 6pm). The
park will be open to the public
Artist , Janet Wikinson
t
to watch artists at work, and on
painting at last year’s en
plein air event 12 and 13 May a display of all
the work produced will go on
show in the Coach House. A booking fee of £18 per
artist, and a £7 entrance fee to Hole Park on the day
will be donated to Pilgrims Hospice. En Plein Air
Masterclasses will be given by Karl Terry, Rowan Drew,
Paul Gadenne and Mark Fisher. Telephone Joanne
Weaver for more information on 07415 891098 or email
her at www.joanneweaver-artworks.com for booking
forms. These need to be returned by 31 March.
Chris Forsey Blues, Gold, and Glittering River, mixed media,
t

231⁄2x311⁄2in. (60x80cm) at the annual RI exhibition, Mall Galleries, London

n In conversation
Artist, Chris Forsey hosts an afternoon with the
president of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water
Colours, Rosa Sepple, at the Mall Galleries, London on
Saturday 5 May, 2 to 4pm. Tickets, costing £10 are
available from Chris Forsey at
christopher.forsey@btinternet.com
The 206th annual exhibition of the Royal Institute of
Painters in Water Colours (RI) takes place at the Mall
Galleries, London, from 6 to 21 April. Visit
www.mallgalleries.org.uk for details.

NEWS
The Big Draw
Registration is now
Ann Blockley Spring Hawthorn, watercolour, 131⁄2x161⁄4in. (34x41cm)
t
open for the 2018 Big
Celebrating watercolour Draw – the world’s
Ann Blockley will be holding a solo exhibition of paintings largest drawing festival,
at Bourton House Gallery, Tithe Barn, Bourton on the Hill, which takes place
Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 9AE, from 5 to 12 May, to annually in October.
celebrate the publication of her new book, Ann Blockley’s By registering you will be able to add your own
Watercolour Workshop. The gallery is open daily, excluding exhibition or event details to the register, claim a
Monday 7 May, from 10am to 5pm. For more information free welcome pack and gain access to downloadable
go to www.annblockley.com resources. Go to www.thebigdraw.org/login

www.painters-online.co.uk MAY 2018 7


LP May 2018 Exhibitions p8-9_Layout 1 12/03/2018 11:43 Page 2

‘A Million Brushstrokes’: featuring over 300

Exhibitions
JANE STROUD RECOMMENDS
miniature paintings, throughout March.
n Mall Galleries
The Mall SW1. 020 7930 6844;
www.mallgalleries.org.uk
‘Royal Society of British Artists’: annual
exhibition, 21 to 31 March. ‘Royal Institute
of Painters in Water Colours’: 206th annual
exhibition, 6 to 21 April. ‘Wildlife Artist of
the Year 2018’: hosted by the David
Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, 2 to 6 May.
‘The Royal Society of Portrait Painters’:
annual exhibition, 10 to 25 May.
n National Gallery
Trafalgar Square WC2. 020 7747 2885;
www.nationalgallery.org.uk
Reflections – Van Eyck & The Pre-
Raphaelites’, until 2 April. ‘Drawn in Colour:
Degas from the Burrell’, until 7 May.
‘Murillo: The Self-Portraits’, until 21 May.
‘Tacita Dean: Still Life’, until 28 May. ‘Monet
and Architecture’, 9 April to 29 July.
n Royal Academy of Arts
Piccadilly W1. 020 7300 8000;
www.royalacademy.org.uk
Charles I: King and Collector’, until 15 April.
‘Works of Feeling: Pre-Raphaelite Book
Illustration’, until 27 April. ‘Tacita Dean:
Landscape’, 19 May to 12 August.
n Tate Britain
Millbank SW1. 020 7887 8888;
www.tate.org.uk/Tate_Britain
‘Impressionists in London’, until 7 May.
‘All Too Human: Bacon, Freud and a Century
t
Ben Henriques Nest, oil on slate, 15x20in. (38x51cm) of Painting Life’, until 27 August.
Still life n Tate Modern
Over 30 still-life works by the British contemporary painter, Ben Henriques, Bankside SE1. 020 7887 8888;
will go on show at Jonathan Cooper Park Walk Gallery in April. Focusing on www.tate.org.uk/Tate_Modern
the body of work he has painted over the course of three years, Ben shares ‘Modigliani’: until 2 April. ‘The EY
with us the beauty he finds in the everyday objects around him. Exhibition: Picasso 1932 – Love, Fame,
Work: Ben Henriques can be seen at the Jonathan Cooper Gallery, 20 Park Tragedy’, until 9 September. ‘Joan Jonas’,
until 5 August.
Walk, London SW10 from 19 April to 5 May. Telephone 020 7351 0410;
www.jonathancooper.co.uk n Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road SW7. 020 7942 2000;
www.vam.ac.uk
‘Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic’,
until April 8.
LONDON
n Bankside Gallery REGIONAL
48 Hopton Street SE1. 020 7928 7521; Parthenon sculptures that inspired him,
n Ashmolean Museum
www.banksidegallery.com 26 April to 29 July.
Beaumont Street, Oxford. 01865 278000;
n Dulwich
‘New Work/New Year: RWS Spring Picture Gallery
Exhibition’, 23 March to 21 April. ‘Print www.ashmolean.org
Gallery Road SE21. 020 8693 5254; ‘America’s Cool Modernism: O’Keeffe to
REbels’, celebrating the 200th anniversary
www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk Hopper’, 23 March to 22 July.
of the birth of Francis Seymour Hayden,
n Boughton
founder of the Royal Society of Painter- ‘David Milne: Modern Painting’, exhibition House Gardens
Printmakers (RE), 25 April to 13 May. of work by Canadian painter, David Milne
Tithe Barn, Bourton on the Hill,
(1882-1953), until 7 May.
n Bernard Jacobson Gallery Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire;
28 Duke Street, St. James’s SW1. 020 7734 n Gallery 8 www.annblockley.com
3431; www.jacobsongallery.com 8 Duke Street, St James SW1. 020 7930 0375; ‘Ann Blockley’: exhibition to celebrate the
‘Picasso’: featuring master paintings from www.8dukestreet.co.uk publication of her new book, Ann Blockley’s
1901 to 1972, until 12 May. ‘The Alchemy of Paint’: works by five British Watercolour Workshop, 5 to 12 May, 10am to
Artists: Tom Coates, Fred Cuming, Julie 5pm daily; closed Monday 7 May.
n The British Museum Jackson, Mary Jackson and Andrew Roberts, n Castle Park Arts Centre
Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery, Great Russell 21 to 26 May.
Street WC1. 020 7323 8299; Frodsham, Cheshire;
www.britishmuseum.org n Llewellyn Alexander Gallery www.castleparkarts.co.uk
‘Rodin and the Art of Ancient Greece’: 124-126 The Cut, Waterloo SE1. 020 7620 ‘Association of Animal Artists’: spring
featuring sculptures by Rodin alongside the 1322; www.lafp.co.uk exhibition, 31 March to 13 May.

8 MAY 2018 www.painters-online.co.uk


LP May 2018 Exhibitions p8-9_Layout 1 12/03/2018 11:43 Page 3

Fred Cuming RA Garden Under Snow, oil on panel, 101⁄4x101⁄4in. (26x26cm)


t

New English Art Club


There’s a treat in store for visitors to the Geedon Gallery in members include Peter Brown, Fred Cuming, Ken Howard
Essex this spring as the gallery presents a show of work by and president, Richard Pikesley. As well as paintings, the
members of the New English Art Club. Building on the firm exhibition will also feature glass, sculpture and ceramics.
foundations of past members, such as George Clausen, The New English Art Club is at the Geedon Gallery, Jaggers,
Walter Sickert and Stanhope Forbes, the society continues Fingringhoe, Colchester, Essex, from 24 March until 8 April.
to carry on the mantle of British Impressionism, with Open daily, 11am until 5.30pm and by appointment until
dynamic works in a realistic figurative style. Current 15 May. Telephone 01206 729334; www.geedongallery.co.uk

n Jerwood Gallery n Sarah Wiseman Gallery ‘Virginia Woolf’, works by women artists
Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings Old Town, 40-41 South Parade, Oxford. 01865 515123; from 1850 to the present day, until 29 April.
East Sussex. 01424 728377; www.wisegal.com n Victoria Art Gallery
www.jerwoodgallery.org ‘Foundations’: solo exhibition of work by Bridge Street, Bath. 01225 477233;
‘Jerwood Collection: 25 Years’: marking 25 Daniel Ablitt, 5 to 26 May. www.victoriagal.org.uk
n Tate
years since the first work was purchased for Liverpool ‘Bath Society of Artists’: open exhibition,
the collection, until 15 April. ‘Quentin Blake: 24 March to 12 May.
Albert Dock, Liverpool Waterfront. 0151 702
Moonlight Travellers’, until 15 April.
7400; www.tate.org.uk/liverpool n Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village
n Laing Art Gallery ‘John Piper’, until 18 March. ‘Life in Motion: Down Lane, Compton, Guildford. 01483
New Bridge Street, Newcastle upon Tyne. Egon Schiele and Francesca Woodman’: 810235; www.wattsgallery.org.uk
0191 278 1611; drawings, 24 May to 23 September. ‘A Pre-Raphaelite Collection Unveiled: The
www.laingartgallery.org.uk n Tate St. Ives Cecil French Bequest’: including works by
‘Bomberg’: marking the 60th anniversary of Porthmeor Beach, St. Ives, Cornwall. 01736 Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Frederick Leighton
Bomberg’s death, until 27 May. 796226; www.tate.org.uk/Tate-St-Ives and Edward Burne-Jones, until 3 June.
n National Gallery of Ireland
Merrion Square, Dublin 2. +353 1 661 5133; All information given here is correct at the time of going to press, but you are
www.nationalgallery.ie advised to check details and opening times with the galleries prior to your visit
‘Emil Nolde’: paintings, drawings, etchings in case of unavoidable alterations to their exhibition schedules
and woodcuts, until 10 June.

www.painters-online.co.uk MAY 2018 9


p10_LPMay18_News 1st 07/03/2018 15:16 Page 11

Letters
SHARE YOUR TIPS, SUGGESTIONS, IDEAS
AND QUESTIONS WITH OTHER READERS

Water-mixable oils go wrong using just alizarin crimson, raw content are rarely used so now I plan to
I have almost completed my first attempt sienna and ultramarine blue. This was set up a new bag with a tin of 12 first
at painting with water-mixable oil paints a good starting point. However, I soon preference colours then a few more
on a professionally prepared canvas. I did found that my work lacked variety. The separately. My aim is simplicity, quality
not stretch the canvas, using the supplied local daylight was a major factor, as the and least weight to carry out of doors.
wedges, on the advice of a professional colours were unsuitable in Cornwall and John Blatchford
painter. Now another professional has Bordeaux, where the light is so different.
advised that I should have stretched the For impact, I try to achieve strong tonal Abstract ideas
canvas before starting the painting. contrasts, which is especially difficult in More than a century has passed since
Which is the correct advice, or does it green landscapes. Another tutor asked if abstraction and expressionism made its
not matter? I could see the red in a tree. It looked impact on the art world. Yet in our
Ivor J Tucker perfectly green to me, but a touch of red community gallery here in New South
added to the blue and green made an Wales, Australia, abstract art seems to be
Tim Fisher (timfisherartist.co.uk) replies: immediate improvement. Others say that still regarded with considerable
Most canvases seem to have sufficient you need green to be added to the tonal scepticism.
tension when purchased, that there appears colours of the face in portraiture. In our public gallery, semi-abstract
to be no need to insert the wedges that are All tutors appear to agree on one thing: works, such as landscapes painted in an
supplied with it. However, the action of you should never use black with impressionistic, abstract way do attract
working on the surface and temperature watercolour – or white (except in efforts the public and seem to sell reasonably
changes can cause the wooden stretcher to to recover disasters). So why do the well. However, complete non-
change shape slightly, resulting in too much leading suppliers insist on including them representational abstract works do not
give on the painting surface. So I would say in their sets instead of the more have much appeal to our visiting public
it’s a wise precaution to knock the wedges in frequently used colours? and rarely find a buyer. It has been
before starting to paint. Tap the wedges I rarely use colours on their own, but interesting over the past year to note that
gently but firmly into position. normally mix them, whether I prepare these latter styles of artwork, although
There’s probably no need to add extra them in the palette well or apply them not attractive to the general public, have
tension to make it drum tight. If the wet into wet on the paper. Therefore certainly attracted the judges of our local
painting is in progress and a loss of tension mixability is a crucial factor. art shows. They have often been awarded
is noticed, tapping on all the wedges in turn Here are my colour preferences and top prizes and selected as the best works
will restore the status quo. Over-zealous some applications (all Artists’ quality): in the show.
hammering can result in cracking of the Alizarin crimson – universal mixer, skies I wonder if this experience is reflected
painting surface or even the wedges being Cadmium red – local reds in other community galleries or if this is
driven in too far and penetrating the outer Indian red – for darkening greens particular to our own experience over
canvas edge. Cerulean blue – mixing light greys, skies here in Australia?
Cobalt blue – cool or distant mixes, skies, Marlene Griffin
Watercolour advice greys
When looking at the list of watercolours French ultramarine – universal in green,
now available, the variety is mind skies and greys
boggling! So, where do you start? Lemon yellow – light greens, skies
Thankfully, I have attended courses by a Cadmium yellow – many greens, lawns
number of good tutors. They all worked Raw sienna – valuable and universal
with a minimum of colours, although mixer, primer
there were others hidden in their bags! Naples yellow – buildings (such as those
On opening Leisure Painter each month, I found in Bath)
like to do a quick scan of the contents Burnt sienna – darkens mixes, trees, roofs Send your letters to
before going into the details. A rewarding Burnt umber – darkest greys, trees, roofs Leisure Painter, 63-65 High Street,
exercise with watercolours is to see the list Sap green – portraits, foliage Tenterden, Kent TN30 6BD.
of materials then to glance at the results. Viridian – Cornish seas Alternatively, email the editor at
We all develop varied styles so first I home Raw umber – mid greys, trees, roofs leisurepainterletters@tapc.co.uk.
in on those closest to my own. What Light red – cloud shadow All letters published here win
colours were used and how attractive are Winsor blue – strongest sky (but stains) Jaxell soft pastels courtesy of
the results to me? All my materials are carried in a canvas GreatArt (www.greatart.co.uk)
A superb tutor told me that I could not bag for campers. Three quarters of the

10 MAY 2018 www.painters-online.co.uk


Norf
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E: Jane@norfolkpaintingschool.com T: 01485 528588 W: norfolkpaintingschool.com

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p11-lpmay18.indd 1 07/03/2018 15:04:32
Patchings full page ad May_Layout 1 08/03/2018 13:53 Page 1

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Friday, July 13 David Bellamy, Ann Blockley, suppliers including Artmaster, sales. The standard one-day ticket price on
Charles Evans, Jean Haines Canson, Caran d’Ache, Daler- the day is £10. Ticket price includes VAT
Saturday, July 14 David Bellamy, Rowney, Daniel Smith, and Festival Guide with the programme of
Charles Evans, Jean Haines, Hazel Soan Derwent, Hahnemuhle, free demonstrations and workshops.
Longridge, Lyra, Maimeri,
MEET & TALK TO OUR GUESTS Melanie Cambridge Artist FREE CAR PARKING
ARTISTS Colours and Brushes, Coaches and group bookings welcome.
Thursday, July 12 Pollyanna Pickering, PanPastels, Pebeo, Premium
Keep up to date with festival news at
John Sprakes DA(Edin), ROI, RBA, MAFA, Art Brands, Pro Arte, Pro-
Friday, July 13 Roger Dellar ROI, PS, RI, Colour, Rosemary Brushes, www.patchingsartcentre.co.uk
Bruce Mulcahy RSMA Royal Talens, St Cuthberts PATCHINGS ART CENTRE, OXTON
Saturday, July 14 David Curtis ROI, RSMA, Mill, Two Rivers Paper, ROAD, CALVERTON, NOTTINGHAM
David Howell PPRSMA Unison, Winsor & Newton, NG14 6NU TELEPHONE 0115 9653 479
Sunday, July 15 Soraya French, Carne Griffiths Yew Tree Studios festival@patchingsartcentre.co.uk
LP05 13-17 King_Layout 1 09/03/2018 11:36 Page 13

t
The finished painting Spring is in the Air!, watercolour, 912⁄ x11in. (24.5x28cm)

Spring is in the air!


Practise creating the effect of form, shadow and light as you
paint a vase of spring flowers with three colours, by Julie King

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
n Practise wet-on-wet and You will need
wet-on-dry techniques n Surface n Brushes n Miscellaneous
l Bockingford 140lb NOT l Da Vinci Maestro Series l Mixing palette
n Create a painting with just watercolour paper size: 35, sable, Nos. 4, 8 l B pencil
three primary colours 91⁄2x11in. (24.5x28cm) and 10 l Eraser
n How to paint a simple l Alternatively try a nylon l Paper towel
rounded vase n Winsor & Newton Cotman 111 or Prolene
Professional Water Colour by ProArte 101
See colours (below right)

T ulips are one of my springtime


favourites. Placed indoors in a vase
they brighten up any room and
give a sense of happiness and wellbeing.
I chose a complementary mix of colours:
in a small round blue vase, which
harmonised with the mauve flowerheads,
and placed them on a simple white cloth.
COLOURS USED
a combination of a pink shade of mauve Once you have tried this demonstration,
and a fresh yellow tulip. The two use the techniques and colour-mixing ideas
contrasting colours work well in this you have just learnt to choose and paint
painting and enhance each other. other shades or varieties of tulips, placed Ultramarine Transparent Alizarin
blue yellow crimson
t

I cut the tulip stems and arranged them in a vase of your choice. LP

www.painters-online.co.uk MAY 2018 13


LP05 13-17 King_Layout 1 09/03/2018 11:37 Page 14

Watercolour

Demonstration
continued
Step1
t

Draw an outline of the composition


with a B pencil, keeping the drawing light
especially under the yellow tulips, as the
pencil can show through the washes.

+ =

Transparent Ultramarine
yellow

+ =

Transparent Alizarin
yellow crimson

Step 2
t

1 Prepare a pool of
creamy transparent yellow.
2 Commencing with the yellow
tulips, lightly wet each petal
with water and apply the
transparent yellow mix, wet
on wet, sweeping the paint
in the direction of the growth
of the petal.
3 To give more strength and
to suggest shadowed areas,
add a little ultramarine to
the yellow mix to make
a soft warm green (above).
4 Stronger warm yellow
t
Step 3
tones can also be achieved When dry, use the No. 8 or the No. 4 Round
by putting a minute touch brush and the warm mix of yellow to apply
of alizarin crimson into sweeping brushstrokes along the central veins
the yellow (above). Apply to suggest the curve of the petals. A touch of the
whilst damp. warm green mix can also be added. Observe the
5 Paint the remaining deeper shades needed when a petal overlaps
yellow petals. another and within the cup of the tulip.

Step 4
t

When complete, begin the mauve


tulips. Wet the lower area of each
flower head and sweep a dilute
wash of transparent yellow
upwards. Leave to dry.

14 MAY 2018 www.painters-online.co.uk


LP05 13-17 King_Layout 1 09/03/2018 11:37 Page 15

Watercolour

+ =

Alizarin Ultramarine
crimson

+ =

Ultramarine Alizarin
crimson

Step 5
t

1 Prepare two pools of mauve: a pink


shade made up of alizarin crimson with
a touch of ultramarine blue, and a cooler
blue shade using the same two colours, but
predominantly ultramarine blue (above).
2 Paint in the same way as the yellow tulips.
Wet each individual petal leaving the lower
yellow area dry. Sweep the pink-mauve
shade into the damp base leaving soft strength and a suggestion of shadow. t Step 6
areas to suggest its round form. 5 Let each petal dry before beginning the next. When dry begin on the background. Wet the
3 Areas of light can also be lifted out 6 Use a stronger creamier mix of mauve to area between the flower heads down to the
if required with a small damp brush. achieve the depth between the petals and edge of the cloth. Mix a dilute transparent
4 The stronger blue-mauve shade can then apply sweeping brushstrokes to indicate yellow and drop into the wet base to create
be swept into the damp base to give more the veins. a hint of colour. Leave to dry.

www.painters-online.co.uk MAY 2018 15


LP05 13-17 King_Layout 1 09/03/2018 11:38 Page 16

Watercolour

Demonstration continued

Step 7
t
Step 8
t

Wet the stems and run the brush Add a little alizarin crimson to the
either side with a mid-green mix green mix to give it more strength
so that the paint flows inwards. and drop it in the damp paint
A highlight can be left or lifted toward the top of the stem and
out with a dampened brush. on the shadowed sides.

Step 9
1 Prepare three pools of
t

colour: transparent yellow,


ultramarine blue and a
combination of the two.
2 Wet within the leaf
t

= shape and apply the yellow


+
mix, drawing the colour
Ultramarine Alizarin crimson from the tip downwards,
followed by the ultramarine
from the base upwards.
Allow the colours to merge
to create green.
3 Whilst still damp
t

strengthen by adding the


green mix. Draw the brush
downwards to indicate
soft veins.

Step 10
t

1 Continue painting the remaining leaves in the same


way. To create depth and contrast vary the combinations.
Leave to dry.
2 Mix a stronger creamier pool of green and add the
veins using the point of the brush.

16 MAY 2018 www.painters-online.co.uk


LP05 13-17 King_Layout 1 12/03/2018 11:07 Page 17

Watercolour

Core
shadow

Cast
shadow

Reflected
Highlight light

t
Step 11
t

To create the effect of the small rounded blue china


vase wet the entire area and apply dilute ultramarine
blue leaving an area of white paper showing on the
highlighted side.

t Step 12 on dry, on the rounded core shadow and to indicate the creases and soft cast shadow
1 Whilst still damp, apply a second slightly below the right-hand lower leaf to give more on the white cloth.
stronger shade of ultramarine with a tiny touch depth. Soften the edges of the shadow by 4 While damp increase the strength of colour
of alizarin along the top edge, the left side adding clean water so it blends into the base on the right shadowed side and add a few
and the area below the purple tulip, creating wash. Leave a lighter tone along the edge to brushstrokes wet on dry on the left side.
a core shadow to suggest its roundness. suggest the reflected light from the white cloth. 5 When dry add a stronger mix along the base of
2 Leave to dry and apply a stronger mix, wet 3 Apply a pale mauve wash wet on dry the vase so that it appears to be firmly grounded.

Julie King
If you enjoyed this
flower painting
demonstration you
may like to try a
larger selection in
Julie’s book Take
Three Colours:
Watercolour Flowers
(Search Press, 2017).
See page 68 for a
special offer on the
book. Julie will be
teaching flower and
garden painting at
Burrswood Health &
Wellbeing Centre and
Old Bank Studios,
Harwich, Essex this
year. For more about
Julie, her art and
classes please visit
www.juliehking.co.uk

t
The finished painting Spring is in the Air!, watercolour, 912⁄ x11in. (24.5x28cm)

www.painters-online.co.uk MAY 2018 17


LP05 18-19 PP1_Layout 1 09/03/2018 11:46 Page 18

Paint along with LP

Painting project
Part 1 How to capture the character of an old
building using watercolour, by Colin Steed

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
n How to produce watercolour
studies of older buildings
n Colour-mixing ideas for
painting buildings

B uildings have always been near the


top of my list of favourite subjects
to paint. Their cubic and rectangular
form complements the softer rounded
shapes of trees and hedges. They can
punctuate a rural landscape or make an
interesting subject in their own right.
To paint buildings successfully we
should first understand their inner
structure and why they look the way they
do. Due to building regulations modern
buildings usually have clean, sharp edges
and stand perfectly vertical even when the
architect’s design mimics an earlier period
building. Older structures did not have to
conform to those regulations and often do
not stand perfectly upright. Their rooflines t
can rise and fall, because the wood joists
t
Your reference photographs for this month’s project: a cottage in north Norfolk
are not straight or, on very old buildings,
cut straight from the tree, trimmed by paint from these photographs of Swallows part of the large cottage on the right.
hand and assembled on site. Foundations Nest (above and below). The cottage has lots of character and
to support the walls were very shallow the grounds are not over-managed. It is
or nonexistent and tended to sink over This month’s subject constructed using brick for the door and
time, making the walls lean and rendering Swallows Rest is a lovely old white-painted window surrounds, flint walls, probably
bulge. All this gives older buildings cottage in the heart of the village of sourced from the beach on the coast, and
their character and makes them such Docking. For you to paint this successfully richly coloured pan tile roofing. Since its
interesting subjects to paint. you may need to work from both these construction, the cottage walls have been
I hope the following three details from images. One is a close-up of the cottage overpainted using white masonry paint,
larger studies (opposite) will help you and the other includes the fence, gate and but this is not untypical of the area and
creates a strong contrast against the dark
roof and greenery, which makes the
subject more appealing. I used the same
colour palette as my three studies: raw
sienna, cadmium yellow, light red, alizarin
crimson, burnt sienna, cobalt blue,
ultramarine blue and Prussian blue. When
I painted Swallows Rest in watercolour
I left out the cable pylon at the front and
I used ultramarine and alizarin crimson
to create a slightly purple colour for
my shadows.
In next month’s issue I will show you
the techniques and mixes I used to create
an impression of this lovely old cottage.
Please share your version of Swallows
Rest on PaintersOnline by emailing your
finished painting to dawn@tapc.co.uk. LP

Colin Steed
Find out more about Colin and his
work at colinsteedart.magix.net

18 MAY 2018 www.painters-online.co.uk


LP05 18-19 PP1_Layout 1 09/03/2018 11:46 Page 19

BUILDING STUDIES
Why not begin to make studies of parts of buildings
using pencil and watercolour? This will help you
to understand perspective, tone and colour.

paper where
t

This is a detail from a larger study,


The Old School House, Shernbourne, Norfolk, the pots sat on
which was painted on 140lb Bockingford the brick stack
watercolour paper. I produced an outline to suggest
drawing, checking the angles of the roofline cement
and the gullies as I went. Cobalt blue was pointing. The
used for the sky; cobalt blue and raw sienna ridge tile that
for the soft impression of distant trees; and lapped over where the tiles met at the roof that overhangs. A small line for the
burnt sienna, light red and raw sienna for top of the roof was painted using a slightly shadow above the bell indicated a small
the chimneys, tiles and brickwork. different mix and tone than the roof tiles. overhang. A wide shadow painted around
Although the left-hand chimney sat on a Although the left-hand roof and chimney the bell and down the right-hand gable
lower part of the roof, it was built as high as areas were not in shadow, they were suggested a wide overhang. A half-moon
the one on the right. It was built like that to a tone darker than the sunlit sides. The shape shadow indicated that the small
take the chimney smoke away from the roof gable end had a small protrusion at the top, round window feature on the gable
on the gable end. Plenty of light red was supporting the school bell. Overhang end was recessed. The shadow mix was
used for the chimney pots. I left white shadows always reveal the depth of the cobalt blue with a touch of light red.

t This shows the lower half of the gable end. It’s a good
example of colour mixes and techniques needed to paint
large recessed windows, roof water down pipe and foreground
planting. Because I was standing to the left of the building and
the window frame was set back in the recess we can only see
the thickness of the brickwork down the right side. The glazed
areas must then be painted slightly off centre and to the left.
I painted the glazing, using a strong mix of light red and cobalt
blue, leaving the white paper for the window frame. They were
painted in a loose way, leaving white specks at the bottom of
each pane to suggest a reflection. The down pipe was painted
leaving three small gaps to suggest supporting clips using burnt
umber and ultramarine blue.
When suggesting the foreground shrubs I left some gaps
at their tops. I worked from right to left using the side of the
brush and downward strokes changing colour and tone as
I worked. I used cadmium yellow, burnt sienna and Prussian
blue. The shadows were the final areas to paint, using
cobalt blue and light red.
t

This study is also a section taken from


a much larger watercolour sketch, The
Causeway Tea Cottage, Finchingfield. This
old cottage with its white walls, dormer
windows in the roof and front door porch
made a perfect cottage study. The paint was
applied fast and loose. Both dormer window
frames lay flush to the white render so only
had narrow shadows across the top and down
the side. With the sunlight coming from the
right the gable roofs were in shadow and
cast a dark shadow on the building roofline.
The windows on the ground floor protruded
slightly, casting a shadow down the left-hand
side of the window frame. I used light red
and burnt sienna to paint the tiles. I used
cobalt blue and light red for all shadows
and cobalt blue and burnt umber to paint
the gutter, down pipe and porch supports.
I used cadmium yellow for the door before
the shadow was applied and cadmium
yellow, Prussian blue and burnt sienna
for all of the planting.
Painting a similar study would be
a good warm-up exercise before you
paint Swallows Rest.

www.painters-online.co.uk MAY 2018 19


LP05 20-23 PP2 copy_Layout 1 09/03/2018 12:20 Page 20

Coloured pencil

t
Your reference photograph for this project: a view from Portree without reflections, as this was taken on a windy day

Painting project
Part 2 Follow Judith Heilbronn-Crown step by step
as you complete your drawing of a view from Portree
and clipped it at one edge only
LEARNING OBJECTIVES on to the board so that the waterline
n How to invent reflections of the tracing was on the horizontal You will need
n n
waterline and the markers lined up,
n How to draw a complicated Surface Miscellaneous
with the tracing below the drawing. l Canson Imagine l
Graphite pencil
picture I went over all the lines with a pencil, Mixed Media l Tracing paper
n Enjoy using coloured pencils pressing just hard enough to transfer l Ruler
paper 161⁄2x111⁄2in.
the lines clearly, but not with (42x29.5cm) l Sharpener
indentations into the paper. I checked l Clips
n Coloured pencils

I used coloured pencils to complete


The View From Portree, which
I introduced to you last month.
I took the photograph (above) during
a visit to Skye a few years ago. I hope
on this frequently by lifting the tracing
paper at the side that was not clipped.
The finished sketch is shown
above right. LP
l Wooden board
See colours (below) l Cotton buds

you adapt the following demonstration


to use coloured pencils when drawing COLOURED PENCILS USED
reflections from your own photographs. Derwent Signature
Coloursoft pale blue Prismacolor peach Watercolour Van
Drawing technique Dyke brown
Exactly half way down, measuring Royal Talens azure blue Derwent Signature Museum 162
Watercolour indigo
both sides, I drew a horizontal
Derwent Signature Royal Talens Museum 036
waterline on an A3 sheet of Canson Watercolour taupe oxide olive green
Imagine Mixed Media clipped to the Coloursoft grey Luminance
board (opposite, top left). As I wanted Museum 240
lavender moss green
to work freehand, I began the drawing Procolour
from the waterline upwards, working Procolour storm grey Museum 225 sunset gold
lightly so that I could erase, if Albrecht Dürer cool Royal Talens Procolour
necessary, without damaging the paper. grey VI 235 permanent green light brown ochre
This produced an A4 picture. I put Coloursoft ochre Inktense Ionian Procolour
marks at the ends of the waterline, green foliage
also noting L for left and R for right. Derwent Drawing Procolour burnt
yellow ochre Museum 220 yellow ochre
I made a careful tracing of this
onto tracing paper using a 2B pencil. Luminance violet Museum 220 Derwent Drawing
I placed the tracing pencil side down brown crag green

20 MAY 2018 www.painters-online.co.uk


LP05 20-23 PP2 copy_Layout 1 09/03/2018 12:21 Page 21

Demonstration A View from Portree


Step 1

t
Now to begin adding
the colour.
1 The thin dark waterline:
Derwent Watercolour
Vandyke brown.
2 Clouds: Coloursoft pale
blue lightly for the blue areas;
taupe oxide and a little grey
lavender on both the top and
bottom of the picture; and
Van Gogh cold grey deep in
the pencil lines of the lower
hills and mountains. As you
work, do the same on the
lower half of the picture.
3 Shadow areas of the
mountain (add lightly, with
the pencil almost horizontal
so that it just skims the
surface): Albrecht Dürer
cool grey 235.
4 Outline of the trees:
sharp Derwent Inktense
Ionian green to put in the
t
The finished outline, digitally darkened for outline of some of the trees then shade Procolour sunset gold.
reproduction purposes. The lines are in fact lightly the darker tree-covered areas and 6 Bright grass: Van Gogh permanent
very pale. While working I occasionally erased darker individual trees. green Light 618.
lines from pale areas where they would be 5 The distant areas at the base of the 7 The distant trees: Caran d’Ache Museum
visible in the finished picture. mountain (with a warm glow): Derwent 212 and Derwent Drawing crag green.

t
Step 2
t
Step 3
1 The upper edge of the lowest grassy area: Museum 034, Museum Now begin work on the low hills and waterside trees on the right-hand side.
220 and 240. As you work on the upper side, do exactly the same 1 The hill slopes: Royal Talens olive green with Luminance moss green
on the lower side. and a little Museum 220.
2 The slightly darker fields: Luminance moss green. As this is a colour 2 The darker areas: Inktense Ionian green with Caran d’Ache Museum
t

that does not smudge, you can press a little more firmly with this. 739 and a little Procolour phthalo blue

www.painters-online.co.uk MAY 2018 21


LP05 20-23 PP2 copy_Layout 1 09/03/2018 12:21 Page 22

Coloured pencil

Demonstration continued
Step 4

t
1 The low slopes close to the
water on the left-hand side:
with moderately firm pressure
Luminance moss green.
2 The lower edge: with slightly
heavier pressure of moss green
for the slightly lighter colour at
the top of the gentle slope.
3 Give the house a grey roof.

Step 5

t
1 Shadow areas of the mountain,
details on the small crags and
shadows in the brighter areas:
Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer cool
grey 235. Use a cotton bud to blend
and smooth the areas of shadow
that do not have fine details.
2 Top shadow edge on the highest
peak: a little Luminance violet brown and 4 The warmer areas of the mountains:
Derwent Watercolour indigo Coloursoft ochre, Derwent Drawing
3 Continue with the bushes and trees, varying yellow ochre, and a very small
the colours in the greens. amount of Prismacolor peach.

TIP In general use the


darkest greens (such as the
Ionian Inktense) for the
pines and darkest shadows,
warm greens for the bushes
for the sunlit side and
darker greens for the shady
side, and enhance the dark
greens with the warmer
and brighter greens
when needed.

Step 7
t

I left the picture for a few days


then looked at it again with the
photo. It is funny how things
that I had not noticed before
now became clear.
1 I saw that the reflections were
t
Step 6 still too light, especially in the
1 Enhance the warm areas of the clouds: darker areas of the cloud. The
subtle tints and minimal pressure of Procolour reflection has to be the same the tree areas then added a little Procolour
yellow ochre with a very light smooth touch as, or darker than, the scene. burnt yellow ochre to the lowest field.
and Procolour burnt yellow ochre. 2 I darkened the dense woodland area to 4 I darkened the sky and its reflection,
2 Finish the trees and bushes near the water the right. I went over much of the woods especially the lower right-hand area in the
and further back: Luminance 225 pressed with Van Gogh olive green, pressing firmly, reflection, with Procolour storm grey and
firmly for the warmest colour in the trees; and added hints of black and Museum 739 Albrecht Dürer cool grey so that the brightest
Procolour foliage on the brighter ionian to darken the base of the darkest trees. areas of the sky would stand out more.
green for the darker shadows and darkest 3 I took the Procolour foliage 51 over fields 5 I added burnt yellow ochre to the clouds
trees; and Royal Talens olive green for variety. that I needed to be darker and over many of in the reflection to add more warmth.
3 Complete the water reflections: more of 6 I decided that the blue-sky reflections
the colours you used in the upper part. were lighter than the sky itself in several
4 Tone down and darken the reflections TIP Keep to the very light pressure areas so darkened these with a light pressure
slightly: a hint of Vandyke brown, drawn when adjusting. It is easy to make things of Derwent Watercolour dark indigo and
very lightly with longer horizontal lines, a little darker, but hard to correct if you Caran d’Ache Museum 162 to enrich the
over most of the reflection area to give make something too dark. colour. I then decided that the picture was
a hint of tiny ripples in the water. really complete and took more photos.

22 MAY 2018 www.painters-online.co.uk


LP05 20-23 PP2 copy_Layout 1 09/03/2018 12:22 Page 23

Coloured pencil

t
The finished picture The View from Portree, coloured pencil, 1612⁄ x1112⁄ in. (42x29.5cm)
t
Step 8
Judith Heilbronn-Crown
Judith’s work can be seen on the UKCPS’s
After I completed the picture I decided it way up the picture, which improves
website: www.ukcps.co.uk. Its annual
would look more attractive if it were cropped. the composition and makes the picture
exhibition will be held at The Arts House,
The waterline is now roughly a third of the more interesting.
Stratford Upon Avon, from 2 to 11 May.

www.painters-online.co.uk MAY 2018 23


May sketchbook comp_StartArt 1 12/03/2018 11:01 Page 2

& David Bellamy present

Your Sketchbook Challenge


in association with Jakar International Ltd

Leisure Painter and artist/explorer, David Bellamy


invite you to participate in our sketchbook challenge.
In each issue of Leisure Painter over the next five
months, David will set you a drawing project to
complete in your journal/sketchbook and offer
practical advice on how to tackle it. Upload a scan
of your best page each month on our website,
PaintersOnline (see below for details), and David and
LP editor, Ingrid Lyon, will select the month’s winner.
Whether you want to go out and about to sketch
on-site or stay at home and work from your own
reference material and memories, we are looking
forward to seeing your work.
Leisure Painter will publish all the winning artwork at TASK 2 We invite you to go out and seek
subjects in nature this month. Getting out into
the end of this year – and you can see all the entries nature, one of my favourite pursuits, is the
as they are uploaded on PaintersOnline each month. sketchbook task this month. Whether you like
animals, birds, plants or trees, or wandering in fields
or woodlands, there is much to occupy you, and if
Please you prefer not to wander too far then perhaps visit
upload your a friendly farm, picnic site or even the local zoo.
May entry by When approached, farmers are usually extremely
12 noon on helpful so long as you don’t obstruct their work.
11 June Plan your approach in advance and the sort of
subjects you have in mind.
Animals and birds make for difficult subjects
when they are moving. Attempt the less active at
first and don’t try continually to correct on the spot,
but simply move on to another drawing, otherwise
you will lose the freshness and spontaneity. Jot
down notes of your experiences, such as the light,
The prizes weather, colours and interesting incidents, and
especially the interaction between individual
Sponsored by Jakar International Ltd animals and birds, and perhaps even their response
to you.
Each month we will send If you are unable to go out or are confined
the winning artist a indoors, find a friend or member of the family who
Caran d’Ache sketching pack is able to take photographs for you of local views
that you have enjoyed in the past, and,
worth £50(rrp), comprising if possible, bring back tales of encounters and chats
with people. This is a lovely time of year for being
12 water-soluble coloured pencils in the countryside, and perhaps you can ask
and a book to illustrate someone to take you out.
A pair of binoculars can be useful for distant
4 graphite pencils with sharpener features, especially if you are not able to move
closer. Take a picnic and a flask, and immerse
yourself in the beauty of the countryside.

David Bellamy

HOW TO ENTER
Only online entries can be accepted. Only original work will be considered and informed later in the month.
sketches based on reference photographs must have been taken by the artist 4 You will be invited to send a high-resolution image of your winning entry to
or used with the permission of the photographer. Only one painting per artist Leisure Painter for publication in the magazine at the end of the year.
each month will be accepted. 5 All work entered will be featured on our website at www.painters-online.co.uk.
1 Online digital entries must be sent via our website at www.painters- 6 All entries must be original. Submission of entry in this competition automatically
online.co.uk. Click through the Current Painting Competition links to constitutes acceptance of all the competition rules and agreement to allow
Leisure Painter Sketchbook Competition. You must be registered and Leisure Painter to publish, republish and repurpose entries in print and digital
logged in to PaintersOnline before you can upload an image. formats, including but not limited to magazines, promotion materials, websites,
2 Upload your May entry by the closing date of 11 June at 12 noon. databases and as part of downloadable digital products.
3 Entries will be judged after 15 June and the winning entrant will be 7 The judges’ choice will be final. No correspondence will be entered into.
LP05 25-27 Webb_Layout 1 09/03/2018 12:46 Page 25

t
Morning, Broadsands Beach, watercolour on Jackson’s Eco paper 200lb medium rough, 12x17in (30x43cm)

Watercolour basics
and beyond
Part 5 Practise the dry-brush technique as you
paint a boat and water study, with David Webb

pigment, but only a small amount of Helpful surfaces


LEARNING OBJECTIVES water. When dragged across the paper The technique does require some
n Develop your watercolour skills surface, the brush produces a hit-and- practise so it’s well worth trying it out
miss effect, creating a broken, before you use it in a painting that’s
n How to draw and paint a boat speckled look. going well. It’s worth noting that the
in water rougher the paper surface, the easier
n Understand the value of Why would you use it? it is to achieve the effect.
different surfaces Within a landscape there may be areas You’ll find that the technique is
where a textured effect may be useful difficult to achieve successfully on
(see above and the demonstration over Hot-Pressed paper, which has a

I n last month’s article I described


the technique of wet into wet and
the soft effects that we are able
to create with it. Dry brush could
be described as the exact opposite –
the page). Dry-brush technique can be
used to suggest rather than state detail.
It’s useful for breaking up an
otherwise featureless foreground, such
as a large area of beach or grass. To
smooth surface, but works well on
NOT (medium) surface papers and
even better on Rough papers.
For the painting Morning, Broadsands
Beach (above) I used a handmade paper
a totally different technique, but one paint each individual grass blade would with a very rough surface, which I chose
that produces equally distinctive results. not be feasible, but a little dry-brush especially to illustrate the technique. You
effect can be just enough. Like all can clearly see where I used dry brush
What is dry-brush technique? techniques, dry brush should be used on the foreground areas of the beach. I
As its name suggests, it does not require in conjunction with others to create used it right at the end of the painting,
much water. The brush should contain
t

an overall pleasing effect. when the previous washes had dried. LP

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LP05 25-27 Webb_Layout 1 09/03/2018 12:46 Page 26

Watercolour

Demonstration DRY-BRUSH TECHNIQUE


Boat Study
For this demonstration I chose a marine Before attempting the step-by-step painting, 4 Paint a horizontal brushstroke quickly
subject, which includes dry-brush technique try a few dry-brush strokes on scrap paper. across the paper surface. If you do it right,
to indicate sparkle on the water. 1 Make a strong dilution of cobalt blue you’ll see the broken effect that it creates.
in your mixing well. The top illustration (above) shows what
2 Dip a large brush into the paint. happens if the brush is too wet. The
3 Lightly press the brush onto a piece of effect is much clearer in my second
You will need kitchen towel to absorb most of the water. attempt (below).
n Paper
l Bockingford NOT 200lb (425gsm)
watercolour paper taped around
all four edges to a board
8x11in. (20.5x28cm)
n Brushes
l Rounds, large and small
n Watercolour
l Cobalt blue
l Raw sienna
l Light red

l 3B to 5B pencil
n Miscellaneous
l Mixing palette with large wells
l Board
l Masking tape
l Water
l Kitchen towel

Step 1
t

Draw the outline of the boat.

t Step 2 colour, remove most of the water with edge then from the right. This will
Mix a little raw sienna with cobalt blue in kitchen towel and make a series of dry- suggest sparkling light on the water.
a mixing well. Load a large brush with this brush strokes running from the left Allow to dry.

26 MAY 2018 www.painters-online.co.uk


LP05 25-27 Webb_Layout 1 09/03/2018 12:47 Page 27

Step 3 t
t
Step 4
Use the same mix to paint the boat, but Finally, mix a strong wash of cobalt
use plenty of water in your wash this time. blue and light red. Use this to paint David Webb
Now paint the muddy areas. Start at the the shaded areas of the boat, lines and Find out about David’s work
top, working downwards, gradually buoys. Use it also to create a few darks and workshops by visiting
introducing a little more raw sienna to to indicate foreground shadows, www.davidwebbart.co.uk.
warm up the foreground area. Allow to dry. stones and seaweed.

t
The finished painting Boat Study, watercolour on Bockingford NOT 200lb (425gsm) watercolour paper, 8x11in. (20.5x28cm)

www.painters-online.co.uk MAY 2018 27


LP05 28-30 Prismalo_Layout 1 09/03/2018 13:08 Page 28

Product report

Caran d’Ache
Prismalo Aquarelle
Tim Fisher introduces techniques and ideas for you
to try with these top-quality water-soluble pencils

P rismalo Aquarelle water-soluble


pencils by Caran d’Ache were the
first coloured pencils to be created
with a water-soluble lead. Invented in
1931, these high-quality colourfast
pencils offer rich translucent washes of
intense colour. They are easily identified
with their white caps and a coloured
varnish that matches the shade of the
lead. The pencils can be purchased
individually or in sets of six (£12.99),
12 (£24.99), 18 (£37.99), 30 (£63.99),
40 (£87.99) to 80 (£179.99), the larger sets
having colours that are diverse enough
for any subject. The quality is such that
anyone should consider these as their
first choice when venturing to use
water-soluble pencils.
There are a number of techniques with
Prismalo pencils, including dry work, such
as hatching, gradation, overlaying colour
and pointillism, as well as a range of wet
techniques, which are often only limited
by the user’s imagination. In general, I
carry out most of the wet work first then
complete the painting with dry pencils.

Colour process
Prismalo pencils have reasonably firm
leads, which lend themselves well for
making fine marks when drawing.
Taking a selection of colours from the
large tin of 80 pencils, my first painting
shows an ancient bridge covered with
wisteria flowers (Wisteria Bridge, left).
I selected a sheet of light grey
Clairefontaine Pastelmat paper. Working
on papers with a small amount of tint
offers the maximum benefit from the
range of pale colours provided in the
larger set.
Technique 1 Outline drawing The subject
was drawn using beige 403. I found
I could lift this colour out with an eraser
to correct any mistakes. The background
of the bridge was a mixture of sky and
weeping willow.
Technique 2 Scraping Colour was scraped
onto the dry surface using yellow green
230 and light blue 161 with a sharp

t
Wisteria Bridge, Prismalo watercolour pencil on light grey Pastelmat, 13x10in. (33x25.5cm) t
Figure 1 Scraping colour onto the dry surface

28 MAY 2018 www.painters-online.co.uk


LP05 28-30 Prismalo_Layout 1 09/03/2018 13:09 Page 29

Product report

scalpel (Figure 1, below left). This beige 402 and silver 498. The tower some of the brick detail and emphasise
method saves leaving any unwanted body in the middle was mainly washed the dark areas around the tower and
marks behind when the pigment is over with ochre 35. The surrounding under the bridge. I picked out detail in
wetted. Finding how many shavings foliage was a mix of spring green 470, the foliage on the right using green
to add was a bit of trial and error, but light olive 245, green ochre 25 and ochre. I also found silver very useful
when I felt I had sufficient I wet the yellow green 230. Sky blue 141 made for indicating some of the brickwork
surface with a synthetic No. 8 brush a good colour for the wisteria blooms. and the stems of the creeper.
and introduced the background Technique 4 Dry pencil colour The foliage was emphasised by
around the bridge. Clairefontaine will only tolerate re-working the greens as dry pencil
Technique 3 Paper palette washes applied washes for so long before all to denote details within the grasses
Using a piece of scrap paper as a palette, the colours start creeping outside the and leaves.
I scribbled down pigment before adding edges and back runs start to form. This To finish, I added more sky blue to
more washes of colour. The bridge is the best point to stop, dry the surface darken the wisteria blooms then worked
and roof of the tower were a series of thoroughly and move on to dry pencil, white 001 over the areas where the
washes using grey 005, beige 403, light which I did using cocoa 405 to pick out light was catching the masonry. LP

Demonstration 1 High and Dry, Staithes


The second painting of Staithes was produced on Sennelier 140lb watercolour paper.
I chose the reverse side, which is a little smoother and took dry pencil well.

COLOURS USED Step 1


t

l Beige 403 1 I drew the scene using beige 403. Graphite outlines
l Ochre 35 can go a little grubby when a pencil is used for drawing.
l Carmine 80
Prismalo pencils produce a clean line, which, if necessary,
l Ultramarine 140
can be washed away when making corrections. The
l Gold 499
edges also dissolve nicely when adding liquid colour.
l Cocoa 405
2 I started by adding the sky using a paper palette
l Orange 030
onto which I had scribbled ochre, carmine 80 and
l Raw umber 049
ultramarine 140.

t
Step 2 Step 3
t

1 Wetting the sky area with clean 1 This was the


water, I added diluted carmine followed dry-pencil stage.
by ultramarine, swapping for ochre as Roof details were
I washed colour over the cliff. added using orange
2 I continued down the paper with 030. Windows and t
The finished painting High and Dry, Staithes, Prismalo watercolour
ochre, adding gold 499 then cocoa 405 dark edges were pencil on Sennelier 140lb Rough paper, 9x8in. (23x20cm)
into the right sea wall. introduced using
3 I started to define some of the cobbles raw umber 049, after which I drew the 3 I completed the painting by adding
at the foot of the paper. hand railing with the same colour. grasses to the left side and then picking
4 Shadow was added to the cottage by 2 I picked out details on the boats with carmine, out some of the details of the cobbles
mixing carmine with ultramarine. cocoa and finally, white for the tethering lines. and stone slabs using the cocoa pencil.
t

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LP05 28-30 Prismalo_Layout 1 09/03/2018 13:10 Page 30

Product report

Demonstration 2 Butterton Barn


Prismalo pencils also offer a
convenient way when you want to take COLOURS USED
a few pencils out-of-doors to record l Carmine 80
sketches of the landscape. I completed l Sepia 407
this pen sketch of Butterfield Barn l Ultramarine 140
on Sennelier Rough 140lb watercolour l Golden ochre 33
paper, using a fine waterproof fibre-
tipped pen. I then selected the
following colours: carmine 80, sepia
407, ultramarine 140 and golden ochre 33. Golden ochre is a very
flexible colour, allowing nice greens to be produced as well as the ochre
stonework of the Derbyshire countryside. A piece of scrap watercolour
paper is useful to take out as a palette when creating washes.

t
Step 1
1 I drew the barn with a waterproof pen.
2 I wetted the sky area with clean water then added a wash
of ultramarine to the upper part, followed by a mix of
carmine and ultramarine for the lower clouds.
t Step 2
1 After letting this dry, I added a wash of golden ochre to the
sunlit stonework, followed by a mix of golden ochre and ultramarine
for the foliage. To darken the greens where necessary I added a little
carmine to the mix.
2 Shadows and darker areas were added with washes of sepia
or a mix of carmine and ultramarine.
3 I let the paper dry thoroughly before adding detail using the
sepia for the barn shadows, fencing and the twigs on the trees.
I added foreground grasses with golden ochre.
4 Texture was added by flicking a water brush pen against the tip of
the golden ochre and allowing the pigment to spatter onto the surface.
5 Where colour had crept too far corrections were made using
a small portion of magic sponge eraser.

Step 3
t

To finish, I added some


poppies by dipping the
carmine tip into water and
then drawing onto the
surface. Using this method
helps the pigment to part
from the pencil with more
colour intensity.

If you want to
experience a tried-
and-tested versatile
set of pencils that
have been around
longer than any other
product of this type
then Caran d’Ache
Prismalo watercolour
pencils are the ones
for you. Find out
more by visiting
www.carandache.com

t
The finished painting, Butterton Barn, Prismalo watercolour pencil on Sennelier 140lb Rough paper, 10x13in. (25.5x33cm)

30 MAY 2018 www.painters-online.co.uk


LP05 31-33 Parashko_Layout 1 09/03/2018 13:17 Page 31

Oils or acrylics

Nightwish
Paint an atmospheric beach scene with figures at sunset, with Elena Parashko

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
n Mix and apply the colours
of a sunset
n How to paint sea, sky, land
and reflections
n Add texture with the scumbling
technique

T his scene (right) unfolded


while I was on holiday in
the Fiji Islands. While I was
enjoying the stunning sunset, a couple
walked into the scene, making the
perfect composition for a painting.
I’m pleased I had my camera with me t
The finished painting Nightwish, oil on canvas, 16x38in. (41x96cm)
to capture the magic of the moment.
The following step-by-step
demonstration shows how I painted
the scene in oils. The techniques
will work just as well with acrylics.

You will need


n Surface n
Brushes
l Canvas panel l
Flat brush
16x38in. (41x96 cm) No. 10
l Flat brush
n Oil or acrylic paint
l Titanium white
No. 4
l Round brush
l Prussian blue
l Burnt umber
No. 6
l Liner brush
l Burnt sienna
l Cadmium yellow n Miscellaneous
medium l Willow charcoal
l Cadmium red l Gloss varnish

Step 1
t

1 Not much drawing was required for


this painting: just a line for the horizon
and edge of the sand, and the outline of
the distant mountain range. I drew this
t
Your reference photo: a sunset on the beach in Fiji
basic composition with willow charcoal,
not changing the composition of the photo
much as it was very good the way it was.
2 Using a large flat brush, I painted the
darkest blue of the sky at the top of the
canvas with a mixture of Prussian blue,
titanium white, and a touch of burnt
sienna to tone down the intensity of the
blue. I worked my way down the canvas
by making this original sky colour lighter
with more titanium white. I stopped
before reaching the horizon and waited
for this blue paint to dry.
3 In the meantime, I painted the sand with
a very dark brown-black that was made by
t

mixing burnt umber with burnt sienna.

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LP05 31-33 Parashko_Layout 1 09/03/2018 13:18 Page 32

Oils or acrylics

Demonstration continued
t Step 2
1 The reason for waiting for the blue part of
the sky to dry before painting the sunset colours
was to avoid the problem of them mixing and
creating a green join line. I began with the most
intense glow of the sun in titanium white then
radiated progressively stronger colours from
there. Next to the white, I blended cadmium
yellow medium, then added a touch of cadmium
red to this colour to make a light orange, and
finally more cadmium red for a darker orange.
2 By the time this glow reached the edge of the
mountain range on the left, I reversed the order
of colours so the glow became paler the further
it was from the sun. I gently blurred the sunset
colours into the edge of the blue-sky colour for
a softer transition.
3 After the sky was completed, I painted the
distant mountain range using the sand paint
colour.

t
Step 3
This step involved painting the entire sea horizontal brushstrokes. I went back to my down with a touch of sand colour before
area with reflected sky colours using original colour mixes and toned them applying them.

32 MAY 2018 www.painters-online.co.uk


LP05 31-33 Parashko_Layout 1 09/03/2018 13:18 Page 33

t
Step 4
1 For the reflection of the mountains in the I lightly scumbled the light orange sky colour. colour, made from the blue sky colour
water, I mixed the sunset colour with some 2 To create some texture in the sand and to darkened with a bit of sand colour, using
of the mountain colour. To paint the ripples, soften its hard and dark edge at the waterline, a medium-sized Round brush and circular
I used the original light blue-sky colour and I lightened the original sand colour slightly movements. The highlights on the clouds
applied it with the chisel edge of a small flat with titanium white and scumbled the whole were painted in a similar fashion using
brush. To create the glow on the mountains sand area. some orange sunset colour.
directly below the white ball of the sun, 3 I positioned the clouds with their shadow

Step 5
t

The figures are in semi-silhouette so they


were painted from a base colour of burnt Elena Parashko
umber. Their arms, legs and heads were first Elena is the author of the
painted with burnt umber then I lightened empowering book Survival Guide
this with a touch of white to add some for Artists: How to Thrive in the
contouring on their right side. The man’s Creative Arts, available via
shirt was coloured with a touch of cadmium Amazon. She also runs painting
red mixed into burnt umber, and his shorts retreats in Fiji and Tuscany. For
were coloured with orange mixed into burnt more information about her work
umber. The girl’s top was titanium white visit www.elenaparashko.com or
darkened with a touch of burnt umber and email info@elenaparashko.com.
her shorts were coloured with blue-sky Elena’s blog, found at
colour mixed into burnt umber. www.survivalguideforartists.com
has a wealth of information
for artists.
t Step 6
When the painting was completely dry, I gave
it two coats of gloss varnish for protection.

t
The finished painting Nightwish, oil on canvas, 16x38in. (41x96cm)

www.painters-online.co.uk MAY 2018 33


LP05 34-35 McNaughton_Layout 1 09/03/2018 13:26 Page 34

Watercolour

March hare
Enjoy painting a loose and lively study of a hare, by Rachel McNaughton

LEARNING OBJECTIVES BEFORE YOU BEGIN


n Practise wet-in-wet, splatter Make up washes of: Winsor violet (small
and lift-out techniques amount); raw sienna; quinacridone
gold; and burnt umber + ultramarine
n Show movement in your (to make a brownish colour).
animal study
n Paint a wet-in-wet background

Step 1
t

Draw the hare on cartridge paper first


You will need then you can trace through onto
n Surface watercolour paper and avoid damaging
l Watercolour paper it with lots of rubbing out.
71⁄2x51⁄2in. (19x14cm)
n Watercolour
l Light red
l Quinacridone gold
t Step 2
l Raw sienna
Wet all the paper. Using all the
l Ultramarine
gold-brown colours begin painting the
l Winsor violet
hare with a very varied wash. Winsor
l Burnt umber
violet is better used for the shadowed
areas on the body of the hare.

t
Step 3
1 Continue into the lower background and about halfway up
the hare. From that point start to use upward strokes of raw
sienna and quinacridone gold to suggest wet-in-wet grasses.
2 Splatter as well while the paper is still wet. To do this, fill
your brush with colour then tap against your finger to flick
the colour onto the paper. Leave to dry.

34 MAY 2018 www.painters-online.co.uk


LP05 34-35 McNaughton_Layout 1 09/03/2018 13:26 Page 35

Step 4

t
1 Make sure your paper is
completely dry then rewet
the body of the hare quickly,
taking care not to disturb
the first wash (this is tricky!).
Paint the hare again using
the same washes, but avoid
painting his chest and eye.
2 Drop in more colours
while he is still wet; you
might need to add more
colour to your washes.
3 Add more upward grasses
with flicks of browns and
golds to create better-
defined grass.
4 Fade the colour from
the bottom ends of the grass
out gradually with a clean
damp brush. Leave to dry.

t
Step 5
1 Paint the hare’s ears with the burnt umber
and ultramarine wash, fading into raw sienna.
Try to make a darker area on the back ear to
define the ear shape at the front; a ragged
finish will give the impression of fur.
2 Continue over the head with the lighter colours
and fade out near his nose so that looks lighter.
3 Use Winsor violet (take care – Winsor violet
is a very strong colour so use plenty of water)
for the shadowed areas, allowing the colour
to run wet in wet.
4 Paint another layer on the nearest legs
only. Leave the furthest legs unpainted and
again don’t paint his chest. Leave to dry.
5 Paint the background legs with a burnt
umber and ultramarine wash (a bluer
mixture than before.)
Make sure the eye area is dry and paint
the whole area with light red leaving
a small highlight.

Step 6
t

1 Add definition to the paws with burnt


umber and ultramarine, using linear marks
to suggest separate toes.
2 Use the same colour and add details to the nose
and whiskers with a fine brush and quick strokes.
3 Add a few more grasses and splatter for
undergrowth at the bottom. Allow some to come
over the hare’s legs to set him into the landscape.
4 Finally add a dark to the eye using a mix of
ultramarine and burnt umber with just enough
water to make a creamy mixture. Don’t forget to
leave the highlight and allow a little of the light
red to show in a curve at the bottom of the eye.

Rachel McNaughton
Find out about Rachel, her work and
classes at www.artbyrachel.co.uk

www.painters-online.co.uk MAY 2018 35

LP
Hazel Soan 2018 adv3.qxp_News 1st 21/02/2018 15:50 Page 1

Includes
artist & WORKSHOPS FREE ENTRY
to the festival
Master Wet-Into-Wet worth £10!

Watercolour with Hazel Soan


at Patchings Art, Craft & Photography Festival in Nottinghamshire, Friday, July 13, 2018
Organised by The Artist and Wild Earth Colours,
watercolour by Hazel Soan
Leisure Painter in association with
St Cuthberts Mill, manufacturers of
Saunders Waterford Watercolour Paper,
who will provide each student with
over £50(rrp) of paper for each session

YOUR TUTOR
Hazel Soan is a highly
successful international artist,
the author of many books and
a contributor to The Artist
magazine. With African wildlife
as the subject, Hazel will
demonstrate how to master
wet-into-wet watercolour to
maximize transparency and
paint speedily. Hazel will explain the properties of pigments,
the attention to the amount of water, consistency of paint and
YOUR MATERIALS
diffusion of colours. Participants will paint from similar reference,
Each participant will receive,
applying colours wet-into-wet, and with guidance from Hazel. The
courtesy of St Cuthberts Mill,
Saunders Waterford paper supplied is perfect for blending colours
five half imperial sheets of 638gsm/300lb
wet-into-wet and the rough surface keeps the paper damp longer
Saunders Waterford Watercolour Rough White Paper
as it tallies in the troughs. The 300lb paper buckles minimally with
and a 14x10in. Saunders Waterford Rough Block,
excess of water, making painting wet-into-wet very manageable.
worth over £50(rrp). Saunders Waterford is a superior quality
The morning session will run from 10am to 1pm and the afternoon
watercolour paper made by St Cuthberts Mill and comes
session from 2pm to 5pm.
with the Royal Watercolour Society’s endorsement. It is
mould made using 100% cotton to high archival standards.
PATCHINGS ART, CRAFT & PHOTOGRAPHY FESTIVAL 2018
One of the UK’s finest practical art, craft and design events, set in
60 acres of picturesque Nottinghamshire countryside. The event
showcases some of the best professional artists and craft makers,
along with paintings, textiles, jewellery, glasswork, photography,
ceramics, woodwork and sculpture. There will also be art and craft
materials for testing and purchase, guest artists, demonstration
marquees and hands-on workshops. The festival at Patchings Art
Centre in Calverton, Nottinghamshire, runs from Thursday to
Sunday, July 12 to 15, 10am to 5pm daily.
For further information visit
www.patchingsartcentre.co.uk

GREAT VALUE –
BOOK YOUR PLACE TODAY!
BOOK NOW
For more information and to book your place, please visit
The cost of each three-hour session is just
£65(inc VAT) per person and includes tuition
from Hazel Soan and Saunders Waterford
www.painters-online.co.uk/
Watercolour Paper worth over £50(rrp), courses-holidays/reader-workshops
PLUS free entry to Patchings Art, Craft & If you don’t have internet access please telephone
Photography Festival for the day, worth £10. Liza or Nicci on 01580 763673
LP05 37-39 Birch_Layout 1 09/03/2018 13:33 Page 37

t
Figure 1 Diagram showing the effect of light and shadow on hills and valleys of water. As a wave breaks, the foam dissolves into lacelike patterns.

Painting the sea


Part 1 Using different media over the coming three months, learn how to paint the
sea in all its moods. This month, paint pastels on coloured grounds, by Linda Birch
that gives the sea its form. In between the l French ultramarine and yellow ochre
LEARNING OBJECTIVES hills and valleys are smaller rises and falls creates a blue-green sometimes observed
n How to observe the sea closely and resembling smaller hills and valleys. in the English Channel.
As a surge of water, driven by the wind l Cobalt and viridian gives a bright
n Soft pastel and oil pastel or tide, rises as a wave it becomes thinner blue-green associated with Cornish and
techniques for painting and light can be glimpsed through it. If tropical waters.
seascapes the wind or tide is too strong the wave l Phthalo blue and phthalo green (or
n How coloured grounds affect begins to overbalance and break onto viridian) is also good for Mediterranean
your paintings itself, and foam spills over as it curls into seas.
a collapse. The remaining foam drops on However, please note weather
to the water on the trough side where conditions will change sea colour all

T he sea can present a challenge to


the painter, who is trying to capture
its movement and atmosphere.
It is never still! In these three articles
I will be working in three different media
it separates and resembles lace.

Changing colour
The sea offers a mirror-like surface to
the sky, which is why the light parts of
the time. Nothing will take the place
of careful observation.
When buying pastels, invest in as many
buffs, greys, grey-greens and off-whites
as you can. These colours are vital to
and exploring ways of capturing aspects waves reflect the sky colour. The foam, working in pastel since most pastel boxes
of marine painting from deep sea to which is produced on the tops of waves contain predominantly bright primary
shoreline to crashing waves, in pastel, as it forms breakers, will pick up warmth colours. As pastels cannot be mixed as
watercolour and oils. or coolness from the weather conditions. other media – only overlaid – you need
To paint the sea successfully, you need If the sun is out, the foam will be warm a good supply of these tertiary colours.
to watch it in order to understand what in tone (cream) or on an overcast day,
goes on when the wind blows and the bluish white, but in both cases never pure Your choices
tide advances or retreats. If you can visit white. Remember, nothing is pure white I am working with two very different
the coast, just spend time watching what in nature. All whites need to be modified types of pastel here: soft pastel and
happens when waves form. There are with a little warm or cool colour. oil pastel.
troughs and peaks forming all the time, There is no neat recipe for sea colour. Soft pastels are sometimes referred to
resembling liquid hills and valleys (Figure The sea will appear different colours in as chalky although they are made from
1, above). There are ripples and foam, different locations, weather and tidal kaolin clay bound together with pigment
surges and calm. Light hits the sides of conditions. However, the following blues (colour). These pastels will create an
t

these hills and casts shadows, and it is this and greens are colours I find useful: effect quickly and very well, an advantage

www.painters-online.co.uk MAY 2017 37


LP05 37-39 Birch_Layout 1 09/03/2018 13:33 Page 38

Pastel

This Norwegian Fjord photograph was

t
the reference for the two paintings below
if you are an impatient painter, like me.
The chalkiness means that pastels create
not only colour but also texture very well
and can be smudged softly if required.

Coloured grounds
Pastels are available as sticks or in pencil
form. Although pastel pencils are cleaner
to use, they cannot give the generous
sweeps of colour that sticks create.
I tend to use pastel pencils for detail only.
The vibrancy of pastel lies in the friction
made on the surface by the pastel and
pressure applied in that stroke. This
causes the particles to stand up and
render more colour this way. If too much
smudging is used, the colour will soften,
and become duller. Also over-spraying
with fixative can flatten the particles on
colour, making the picture look dull
and tired.
Pastels are normally worked on
coloured surfaces, which affect the
colouring and atmosphere of a picture.
I painted Norwegian Fjord (left) on
a buff-coloured piece of pastel paper.
Because there were many blues and
greys in the photograph (above left),
which were cool in character, I decided
to use a warm base on which to work.
The picture was worked from the sky
downwards, beginning with mid tones
of colour, with lighter and darker tones
added. The technique I used was a series
of linear marks, overlaying colours and
occasionally smudging colour, for
example where you see mist. To illustrate
the difference when using different
coloured grounds, the second piece
(below left) is the same picture worked
over a piece of red craft paper. The
effect is dramatically different.
On the final picture of a fishing boat
in soft pastel (right), I used a piece of
black pastel paper and worked up the
colour using vigorous marks and very
little smudging.

Oil pastels
Oil pastels are made from canuba
wax, which are used in cosmetics and
confectionary, and bound together with
colour in stick form only. These pastels
resemble wax crayons, but are softer and
render more intense colour. Oil pastels
can be softened with heat, or diluted
with white spirit, or used on their own,
as I have and blended together using
linear marks or broad sweeps of colour
made by laying the pastel on its side.
Oil pastel paper pads are available for
working on, which I have used, or acrylic
t

Norwegian Fjord 1, soft pastel, 6x814⁄ in.


(15x21cm). Because of the cool colouring of
this seascape, a warm buff-coloured pastel
ground was used to balance the colouring.

Norwegian Fjord 2, soft pastel, 10x1312⁄ in.


t

(25.5x34cm). Using red paper as a ground


adds a different atmosphere to the same
painting.

38 MAY 2017 www.painters-online.co.uk


LP05 37-39 Birch_Layout 1 09/03/2018 13:34 Page 39

t
Venice, oil pastel, 812⁄ x11in. (21.5x28cm).
Venice was worked on white oil pastel paper.
I blended the colours by using short
vigorous marks.

Fishing Boat, soft pastel, 1212⁄ x10in.


t

(32x25.5cm). This was painted on black paper


to produce a dramatic colour effect and a
strong contrast.

paper can be used. Canvas is not so suited


as blending is difficult unless using white
spirit. It is possible to work on cartridge
paper, particularly if primed with a layer
of acrylic colour. I prefer using oil pastels
on a white or pale coloured surface as
deeper coloured grounds are harder
to cover with oil pastel.

Short strokes
As with soft pastel it is better to work
from top to bottom so in my final scene
of Venice (above) the sky was created
first using ultramarine and cerulean blue
together with white and grey, while I fused
the colours together with short strokes. The
same colours were used in the sea, keeping
the marks horizontal. The lights in the
distance were applied after scraping out
some of the pastel and laying in white with
yellow. The rest of the painting was laid in
with olive and browns with black to create
the wet foreground pavement, building
and jetty. LP

Linda Birch
Linda is running her annual summer
school at Hamsterley from 2 to 6 July. Find
out more about Linda and her work by
visiting www.theartistlindabirch.co.uk

www.painters-online.co.uk MAY 2017 39


LP05 40-43 Dalleywater_Layout 1 09/03/2018 13:41 Page 40

Scratchboard

Welcome to the dark side


Try something different with Jenny Dalleywater as she
discusses the materials and techniques used for scratchboard

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
n

n
First steps with scratchboard
Understand the tools needed
I confess – I’m a self-taught scratcher.
I know that sounds a bit odd, but let
me explain. I am a scratchboard artist
and a bit of a detail freak. Scratchboard
is a form of direct engraving and it’s like
Australia than in the UK. It is a similar
concept to the scraperboard you did at
school, but this is scraperboard all grown
up and the quality of the boards allows for
some phenomenal work. Although I also
n Hints on techniques working in negative. work in pastel, coloured pencil, graphite
Scratchboard certainly has more pencil and charcoal, I always seem to
recognition in the United States and keep coming back to scratchboard.

TOOLS USED
This image, produced by the wonderful American scratchboard artist, Rick Plasters (www.rickplasters.com), shows some of the tools he uses
and what effects he gains from them

1 Ink eraser (used to


t

create various tones)

2 Handmade spade tool


t

(scraping large areas/tones)

3 Cross-hatcher (makes
t

five very small lines)

4 No. 11 scalpel blade


t

(very fine lines)

5 Tungsten rod in pencil


t

holder (very fine lines)

6 No. 11 X-Acto blade


t

(fine to medium lines,


cross-hatching, stippling)

7 Mono Zero eraser


t

(erase white pencil lines


and used for texture)

8 Fibre glass brush (soft


t

effect and large ink removal)

9 Small paint brush (used to


t

apply colour washes in layers)

10 Indian ink Pitt marker


t

(used to fill in and re-ink


areas)

11 Nail file (used to do


t

soft effects and textures)

40 MAY 2018 www.painters-online.co.uk


LP05 40-43 Dalleywater_Layout 1 09/03/2018 13:41 Page 41

t
I Have my Eye on You, scratchboard, 8x10in. (20x25cm). Tools used: X-Acto knife, a fibreglass brush and watercolour was used for the eyes.
I added the watercolour as a light wash and ensured the first layer was dry before adding another layer. I built up the depth of colour by
adding further washes. You can scratch more highlights into the colour, if desired.

If you like detail, this medium could which gives me access to videos of The scratchboards comprise a one-
really suit you. It is portable, inexpensive workshops, newsletters and the eighth inch thick masonite board, which
and therapeutic, and requires only a few opportunity to upgrade to a higher level has a layer of white kaolin clay, topped
tools to create something that will have at some stage. The ISSA has an annual with a layer of black ink. The knife or
everyone’s jaws dropping. It is not a exhibition, with a weekend of workshops tool used removes the black ink,
quick art form, but one to savour and and I am considering going to next year’s revealing the white clay underneath.
watch as it grows slowly and enjoyably. venue in Ohio, to meet my scratching Adding washes of diluted Indian ink
It is also very forgiving, providing you heroes, see and drool over their work over the scratching already done then
haven’t been too heavy handed and close up and get to know better the re-scratching helps to build the layers
scratched down to the masonite board, artists I have met online and learn more and create the visual aspect of fur or
as mistakes can be re-inked and techniques, with the aim of improving texture that you are trying to achieve.
re-scratched. I have been pleasantly my work and trying to get closer to Tonal values are achieved by how
surprised and relieved to find it is their standards. much ink is removed, but a very light
possible to recover an image I once Facebook has a Scratchboard Artists touch and a lot of layers are
thought lost. page, as have the ISSA. From their online recommended. A 5x7in. (12x5x17.5cm)
All the big names in this medium say, presence, I know many of the greatest board costs around £3.50 plus postage
all boards, and I suspect, all paintings artists in this field. They are so welcoming from Jackson’s or Cass Art.
too, go through an initial ugly stage, but to new scratchers and even those whose
by carrying on, the ugly duckling turns works sell for thousands of dollars are Your tools
into a beautiful swan. I hope this article happy to offer help and advice to those Once you have the board, you can start
will interest you enough to want to try who ask, and actively encourage with just a knife. I use an X-Acto knife
this technique for yourself and, next everyone to spread the word about (or Jakar craft knife), preferably one with
month, I will provide a tutorial taking this wonderful medium. a cross section at the top to insert a No.
you through the stages of creating 11 blade, which seems to be favourite.
your own masterpiece. The boards The knife is the predominant tool of
Made in America, by Ampersand choice for most scratchboard artists.
Internet inspiration (www.ampersandart.com), the boards can Once used to the process, you can add
I joined The International Society be purchased online from Jacksons Art to your tool collection a fibreglass brush
of Scratchboard Artists (ISSA) Supplies (www.jacksonsart.com) and Cass (a tool used for jewellry cleaning. Fine
(scratchboardsociety.org) in the USA Art (www.cassart.co.uk) among others. oil-free steel wool and tattoo needles are
and am one of, currently, only two UK Ampersand also offers a wonderful range also great tools, but really anything
members. I joined at Associate level, of boards and panels for other media. sharp and abrasive works.
t

www.painters-online.co.uk MAY 2018 41


LP05 40-43 Dalleywater_Layout 1 09/03/2018 13:41 Page 42

t
Roaring Tiger, scratchboard, 8x8in. (20x20cm). A X-Acto knife was used for scratching the fur and a fibreglass brush was used for the teeth.

Other materials Hints on technique addition to any good scratcher’s library.


To transfer your image onto the Try to keep the board as clean as I look forward to showing how to
board, most use a white carbon possible, keeping greasy fingermarks make a start in next month’s issue,
paper; I use Tracedown. You can at bay, by possibly wearing gloves, or when we will produce a portrait
draw your image freehand directly placing a piece of felt or paper under of a cat together. LP
onto the board with a white pastel your working hand. But don’t fear too
pencil, but this does have a tendency much. Once finished, the board needs
Hands, scratchboard, 8x10in. (20x25cm).
t

to rub off a bit too easily. When varnishing, which makes marks
tracing, place the carbon paper right magically disappear and makes the Many tiny scratches were made for the skin
side down between your image and whites or colours pop. Add a few coats texture. This takes time and patience using
the board and trace round the basic of varnish in dry conditions, as moisture an X-Acto knife, fibreglass brush and a tattoo
needle. I used the brush very lightly and
outlines and key points so you can in the air can affect the spray of the sparingly and both this and the tattoo
see where to scratch. varnish causing white spots to appear. needle helped soften the marks of the knife.
The details are then added when I will give you details of varnish I added layers of diluted Indian ink, waited
the scratching starts using your tools, spray next month. until dry then re-scratched and repeated
and the finished image becomes your Animals and birds are particularly to ensure good coverage and depth.
interpretation of the reference you are good subjects as the fur and feathers
working from. If desired, work can be tend to suit the techniques well, but
coloured when the scratching is done, some artists create phenomenal
using watercolour, inks or Inktense
pencils, or left black and white.
landscapes, architecture and much more.
The late, great Diana Lee wrote a very
Jenny Dalleywater
Please contact Jenny with any questions
You will need to remove more of worthwhile book about scratchboard you might have about scratchboard
the black ink if you wish to colour called Starting from Scratch (available or if you are interested in workshops:
or the black ink will just move from Amazon for around £22). This has jennydart18@gmail.com
around and muddy the colours. been my bible and is an invaluable

42 MAY 2018 www.painters-online.co.uk


LP05 40-43 Dalleywater_Layout 1 09/03/2018 13:42 Page 43

t
Coda, scratchboard, 5x7in. (12.5x17.5cm). Tools used: X-Acto knife and a fibreglass brush. I used a combination of watercolour paints and
coloured pencil for the eyes. In this scratchboard example (from a photo by Karen Broemmelsick of her dog, Coda), I produced the white
area above the dog’s head by rubbing alcohol.

www.painters-online.co.uk MAY 2018 43


LP05 44-47 Acrylics_Layout 1 09/03/2018 15:04 Page 44

Acrylics

Beginner’s guide to acrylics


From laying out your palette and colour-mixing advice to painting a simple
tree, Charles Evans offers a brief guide to painting with acrylics

LEARNING OBJECTIVES found, through necessity and trial and as a substitute for raw sienna in
error, that with these few I can mix any most cases. There are myriad whites
n Useful colour-mixing ideas colour I want for wherever I am in the available, just as there are many
n Know your brushes world. As a result, I don’t need to alter different browns. But to me, none
my colour palette for differing subjects or of them are as useful as the colours
n How to paint a simple tree different landscapes. My regular colours that I use.
are: Payne’s grey, permanent alizarin Not every colour will be used for
crimson, burnt sienna, cobalt blue, every painting, and the amount you

A crylics are possibly the most


forgiving type of paint available
and we are building up from basic,
simple stuff here. It has taken me many
years to whittle my palette down to the
Naples yellow, raw sienna, titamium
white, Hooker’s green and raw umber.
All of the colours that I use are
essential to my particular way of
painting, but there are some alternatives.
need will vary – you’ll use more
Hooker’s green in a forest scene than
you will in a sunset seascape, for
example. Decide which paints you
want to use in a painting before
few colours that I use regularly but I have For instance, yellow ochre can be used you begin. LP

LAYING OUT YOUR PALETTE


I use a stay-wet palette, which is a plastic keeps the paint moist and useable for days of each mix so you don’t run out of a
tray with a sponge in. You wet the sponge and days. This means that you can squeeze particular one halfway through a painting.
and lay a piece of stay-wet refill paper on out generous amounts of paint onto the Once I have chosen the particular colours
top. This is a semi-permeable surface that surface without fear of wasting it, which in I will use for a painting here’s how I lay
lets a little of the water through, which turn means you can make large quantities out my palette.

1 Thoroughly wet your stay-wet refill 2 Pick up your first paint and squeeze 3 Leaving a little space between each
t t t

paper and place it on the wet sponge the amount you need onto the palette – one, squeeze out the other colours you
in your palette. there’s no need to be mean, but equally need for your painting. Place each pool of
no reason to waste it. paint near the edge, and leave an area in
the centre for mixing colours together.
MIXING COLOURS
Mixing colours is as simple as picking them your palette. Depending on the amount of the than one brushful of each colour. It is good
up and combining them on a clean area of mix you need, you may need to take more practice to rinse your brush between colours.

1 Wet your brush and dip it into the 2 Take the paint to a clean area of your 3 Take the loaded brush to the first
t t t

pool of your first paint to pick up some palette and wipe the brush on the palette colour and mix the paints thoroughly
of the colour. surface to transfer the paint. Rinse your on the palette.
brush then pick up your second colour.

44 MAY 2018 www.painters-online.co.uk


LP05 44-47 Acrylics_Layout 1 09/03/2018 15:05 Page 45

Acrylics

USEFUL MIXES
t Green mixes

t
A virtue of using so few colours in my basic
palette is that I have become familiar with A lot of beginners struggle with greens, but
how they all combine, and have learned to there’s no need to worry. The examples on this
mix so many different hues and shades of page show a few of my favourite green mixes,
existing colours to suit every occasion. The though there are many more. Spend a little t
Hooker’s green and Naples yellow, a
following mixes will be useful additions time practising mixing some up, and record nice shade of green for lighter trees and
to your repertoire. which ones you found useful. luscious grasses.
You will notice that the mixes here all involve
t Neutral mixes Hooker’s green. Although it appears fairly
It’s easy to mix mud by mistake, but synthetic and unnatural on its own, Hooker’s
interesting neutral colours – those made by green is a very versatile mixer. When combined
combining primary and secondary colours – with the other colours in your palette, you can
are worth looking at. They provide important create a huge range of organic, naturalistic
contrast to brighter colours and add realism greens that can be used for a large variety of
to your work. The mixes here aren’t tasks in your painting. On top of that, because
glamorous, but are useful to know, as all of the mixes are based on the same colour, t
Hooker’s green and raw umber is a
they will add realism to your work. it all sits in harmony in the painting. good dark mix that works well for stronger
foliage, particularly in the foreground.

t
Earthy brown made up of raw umber
and cobalt blue t
Hooker’s green and burnt sienna make
a lovely mid to dark green for some of the
darks in your foliage.
t
Hooker’s green and alizarin crimson,
another smashing dark green. If you mix
these in equal quantities, you can make
an effective black.
t
Warm brown made up of raw umber
and burnt sienna

t
Dark grey made up of raw umber and
t
A mix of Hooker’s green and raw sienna
t
Hooker’s green and Payne’s grey
Payne’s grey combine to make a red-green, perfect for combine to make a cracking blue-green,
dry or winter grasses. suitable for poplars and conifers.

Demonstration Using the brushes


A SIMPLE TREE
There’s no better way to practise mixing learning the characteristics of the brushes. and a No. 18 flat brush. A flat brush is
greens and neutral hues than to paint a tree. We are painting on paper here, but the such a useful brush – it provides
Follow this step-by-step to get used to creating same approach will work on canvas just versatility, offering broad strokes with
mixes of paint at the right consistency and as well. the flat and edge, but also allowing you
applying them to the surface, as well as You will need your No. 8 Round brush to add detail with the corner and blade.

Step 1
t

The first thing we need to do is paint the


structure of the tree, so we use a mix of raw
umber with a touch of Payne’s grey for the
bark. Mix this with the brush you will be
painting with – the No. 8 Round brush. Pick
up the first colour – with acrylics which one
is first doesn’t matter – and place a little on
a clean area of the palette. Here this first
colour is raw umber.
t
Step 3
Add clean water to dilute it to a creamy
Step 2
t

consistency then load the brush by dipping


Pick up the next colour – Payne’s grey – it into the mix on the palette. Fill the brush
and add it to the same area, mixing it right up to the ferrule to make sure you
thoroughly on the surface. have plenty of the paint on the bristles.
t

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LP05 44-47 Acrylics_Layout 1 09/03/2018 15:05 Page 46

Acrylics

Demonstration continued
Step 4

t
Paint the basic structure of the tree with
simple lines as shown, then clean your brush.

t
Step 5
For preparing single colours, the process
is the same as for mixing – you take the
colour from the squeezed-out swatch
t
Step 6
and transfer it to a clean space on your Add touches of the Naples yellow to the tree
palette before adding water there, and to create texture and interest, concentrating
loading your brush from here. This on the left-hand side.
keeps the original swatches clean while
ensuring you water your paint down
to the right consistency. Prepare the
Naples yellow, adding water until it
feels creamy.

Step 7
t

Mix Hooker’s green and burnt sienna


with the No. 18 flat brush – don’t add
any water to this; keep the consistency
thick. Once you’ve mixed the colour,
stab the tip of the brush straight down
into the mix so that the bristles fan
out. This is called ‘splitting the brush’.

Step 8
t

Keeping the brush straight on to the


surface, gently tap the split ends of the
brush onto the surface. This will create
an interesting effect that works well for
building up foliage quickly. Tapping
the paint repeatedly onto the surface
in this way is called stippling.

Step 9
t
t

You can continue overlaying other


colours on top – prepare some
Payne’s grey and stipple it on lightly
for shading near the bottom of each
area of foliage.

46 MAY 2018 www.painters-online.co.uk


LP05 44-47 Acrylics_Layout 1 09/03/2018 15:06 Page 47

Acrylics

t
Step 10

t
Prepare Naples yellow and This article was adapted from
stipple it on lightly as highlights Acrylics for the Absolute Beginner by
– these are added to the top of Charles Evans (Search Press, 2017).
each area of foliage. Save money when you buy art books
from our bookshop at Painters
Online. Turn to page 66 for details.

t
Step 11
Make another green mix (see step 7), using the same colours,
but add some Payne’s grey this time. Split the No. 8 Round
(just as with the No. 18 flat) in this mix. Gently stipple the
trunk of the tree to suggest ivy on the base to finish. t
The finished tree

www.painters-online.co.uk MAY 2018 47


LP DPS sub_StartArt 1 07/03/2018 15:45 Page 1

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LP05 50-51 Campbell_Layout 1 09/03/2018 15:16 Page 50

Reference material

Inspired by nature
Part 1 In this new series on drawing and painting wildlife and nature,
Michelle Campbell discusses how and where to find your inspiration

LEARNING OBJECTIVES I generally draw a few sketches from Take flowers from your garden and
an idea I already have then transfer position them in a vase on a table. You
n How to source and use reference my sketches onto watercolour paper, may want to add fruit or a bird. Look at
material occasionally changing them by adding birds in your garden rather than working
n Techniques for sketching nature different elements. from photographs, still life or a model
then using your imagination is the best
n How to look at your subject with Reference way forward.
an artist’s eye Reference material can come in the form If you want to draw animals, use your
of books, magazines, newspapers, found own pet as reference. Observe how your

I nspiration is the key to all creativity.


Without inspiration, there would be
no creation. I would like to begin this
new series on painting wildlife and nature
with an insight into how to work, from
objects, photographs and sketches. In
fact you can use anything as reference
for your chosen subject. I have a large
library of books that I have collected
over the years. Some are very old bird
dog sits or lies down then draw it in
a sketchbook. Interested in hares? Look
at photographs of hares on the internet
or in a magazine so you can gather an
idea of how long the hare’s ears are or
looking for inspiration and resources for books by my favourite illustrators, but how big the eyes are. Just keep looking.
the artist, to taking and working from I refer to them regularly. Sketchbooks There are plenty of useful resources
reference material and life. are also good for reference. Think of online. Here are a few that I find
them as a diary and how your work inspirational: pinterest.com,
Sourcing inspiration develops over the years, so it’s imperative creativebloq.com, fishinkblog.com,
Each piece of work you create will always that you keep them for your reference. thedesigninspiration.com and
start from an idea. Your ideas generate You can also use your own still-life designsponge.com – and, of course,
from inspiration, which could come in reference, depending on your subject. LP’s own painters-online.co.uk. LP
the form of a subject you feel passionate
about, a magazine article, a film, music,
a book, a walk with your dogs, your EXERCISE 1 Drawing from reference
surroundings, people you meet during the
day, a colour, a leaf, a branch or the food First, take a walk around your nearest Place the leaf on a flat surface, in
you eat. With inspiration come ideas and woodland or park and observe what is a position you feel comfortable with and
those ideas are what make a beautiful around you. Look at the trees, leaves, start to draw. Let your creativity flow.
painting. Occasionally, you may become grass, flowers, animals and people. Feel Think of where the leaf came from and
overloaded with ideas so write them the fallen leaves with your hands, pick how it got to the place where you found
down in a pad; you can always use one up and take it home with you. Does it. Inspiration will come to you when
them again for another project. this inspire you? you begin to draw.
Be observant. Take a look at your
surroundings, the light, the colours of the
trees, the branch that has fallen from the
tree, the changing colours of the leaves,
the animals you see, and the way that
the flowers move in the wind. This is all
a natural contribution to how you are
inspired and this will allow your creative
mind to explore. A camera is another
great tool. When walking, capture what
you see around you and what inspires
you. Look at your own reference
photographs when you are not feeling
inspired. Organise your photographs
into folders on your computer so you
know what to look for.

Suggestions
Collect objects you like, magazine
cuttings that inspire you and colour
swatches, and make a journal or an
inspirational board. Each board you make
could have a specific theme or colour
scheme so you can identify each one.
These boards help you gather inspiration
for the times you are feeling uninspired.
Once you have gathered enough
inspiration, you should have a vision t
Your reference photograph for this project
of what you would like to draw or paint.

50 MAY 2018 www.painters-online.co.uk


LP05 50-51 Campbell_Layout 1 09/03/2018 15:16 Page 51

EXERCISE 2
Sketch and painting
For this exercise, I used the reference drawing,
which I made on my travels, the leaf reference
(below) and observing the blackbirds in my
garden. They all inspired me to paint
The Blackbird’s Song has Sung (right).

t
Reference drawing, along with the leaf drawing
below, for The Blackbird’s Song has Sung t
The Blackbird’s Song has Sung, watercolour, 1934⁄ x1934⁄ in. (50x50cm)

Materials
l Plain paper
l Pencil, preferably
a 2B or a HB

Step 1
t

Start by drawing the outline of the leaf.


Begin from the top, with the stem and your
way around the outline, to the left or the
right until you reach the end of the stem.
Your pencil should be hard on the surface of
the paper as you draw so the lines look quite
heavy and thick. Don’t be shy with your
pencil; it should move naturally with you.
The drawing does not have to be an exact
replica of the leaf. It is reference so you
can adjust the lines any way you want.
There are no rules.

Step 2
t

1 Once you have drawn the outline, begin pencil harder on the surface of the paper.
on the large veins, again using a hard 4 Stand back and look at what you have
drawing method so the lines are heavy and achieved from a still-life reference object.
thick. Begin from the stem again and work Be inspired to pick something up something
your way down to the middle until you else and draw it.
reach the bottom.
2 Begin on the finer veins, using a lighter
method with your pencil. These veins tend
to be fine and intricate. We don’t want detail Michelle Campbell
here but we do want to see the veins. Again, Michelle is an artist and illustrator.
it does not have to be exact; use your Visit www.michellecampbellart.com
imagination, too. to see more of her work.
3 Add any dark blotches you see, using your

www.painters-online.co.uk MAY 2018 51

LP
LP05 52-54 ParashkoTech_Layout 1 09/03/2018 15:25 Page 52

Computers

Technology –
an artist’s tool
How to manipulate two photographs on your computer
to prepare them for painting, by Elena Parashko

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
n How to combine two
photographs into one painting
n The benefits of using scanners
and computers

A s artists, we have a huge range


of tools at our disposal to assist in
making the creative process easier
and quicker, and the result more effective.
Here, through the story of how I painted
My Happy Place (page 52), I want to give
you ideas about when and why to use a
scanner and basic photo-editing software
on a camera or computer. LP

t Step 1 Scanner
t

Clients gave me two photographs that they


wanted combined into one painting – the
landscape that would be the background and
the family group that would be the subject in
t
I worked with two photographs, this one of the family group and a scene of the beach (below) this landscape.
The photos were not
ideal so I needed to
adjust them before
I could use them as
reference photos for
this painting.
I was given printed
photos, as the
original digital files
had been lost.
I scanned them onto
my computer first
so they could be
manipulated with
photo-editing
software. Even if the
original photo that
you are scanning is
small, you can select
a high DPI (dots per
square inch) on the
scanner so you are
able to print it out to
a larger size without
the image pixelating.

The original
t

landscape photo
from the family

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Computers

t
Step 2
1 Level 2 Lighten
Horizon lines in seascape paintings must surface of the ocean on the far left of the I also felt that the photo of the landscape was
be straight and level so when referring to photo to establish where the horizon line too dark, obscuring details of vegetation and
a photograph that has been taken on an actually was. I use Paint Shop on my making the atmosphere too cloudy and gloomy.
angle, it’s helpful to level before printing. computer to edit the photos. In Paint Shop I therefore adjusted the brightness and contrast
Because of gravity, the surface of a body this function is called ‘straighten’ but other levels until the photo was light enough, but
of water will always be level so I used the software programs may call it ‘level’. before the rich colours were bleached out of it.

Step 3
t

1 Mirror
In the original photo of the family group,
they were walking to the left. However,
when superimposing them onto the
landscape with the sweep of beach on
the right, it made more sense to have
them walking to the right. It was a
simple matter of clicking on the ‘mirror’
effect in Paint Shop to reverse the photo.

2 Crop
If a photo has been taken with a lot of
unnecessary background, or if you want
to zoom into a small part of the photo
then it is very easy to crop off the
unwanted parts of the image. This is
almost like using a viewfinder in real life
to isolate the important part of the view
that you want to paint and block out the
distracting parts. In the photo of the
family, none of the background (except
for their shadows) was relevant so I
cropped around them pretty tightly.
t

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LP05 52-54 ParashkoTech_Layout 1 09/03/2018 15:49 Page 54

t
Step 4 Print
After the original photo of the landscape the two figures on the right so they
was levelled and lightened, I printed it out appeared to be on the same flat beach
and worked from this version to paint the surface as the figures on the left. In the Elena Parashko
entire landscape on the canvas. When it was original photo they were walking up Elena is the author of the
dry, I printed out the mirrored and cropped onto a slight rise. And finally, I used empowering book Survival Guide for
version of the family photo. To help me my imagination to paint the reflections Artists: How to Thrive in the Creative
decide the best positioning of the figures in of the family in the wet sand. Arts, available via Amazon. She also
the landscape, I moved this photo around Basic computer technology is readily runs painting retreats in Fiji and
on the painted landscape. When I was happy available these days and should be Tuscany. For more information about
with the composition I painted the family considered a useful tool for any artist. her work visit www.elenaparashko
into the landscape, making a few changes You don’t have to be a computer expert .com or email info@elenaparashko
to ensure that the figures looked like they to take advantage of these functions. .com. Her blog www.survivalguide
belonged in the scene. If you don’t feel confident in these skills, forartists.com has a wealth of
Firstly, I changed the colour of some of the just ask someone who is, write down the information for artists.
clothing so the people would not fade away steps to do what you want to do then
into the background. Secondly, I lowered practise your artistic independence.

t
The finished painting My Happy Place, oil on canvas, 24x48in. (61x12cm)

54 MAY 2018 www.painters-online.co.uk


LP May holiday ad.qxp_News 1st 12/03/2018 08:50 Page 6

PAINTING HOLIDAY

Paint on Isola di Ponza


with Richard Pikesley RWS PNEAC
9 to19
September
2018

Richard Pikesley RWS PNEAC is a leading


figurative painter who incorporates abstract
elements in his work. He is well known for his
seascapes and beach scenes. Richard is a very
engaging and approachable guest artist who
finds it hard to resist teaching and willingly
offers demonstrations, talks and guidance on an
ad hoc basis. He is a great believer in students
learning by watching each other work, so is very
happy to paint with an audience and to talk
about it. This is a free-style painting holiday. Rising Moon, Weymouth, oil by Richard Pikesley RWS PNEAC

Isola di Ponza is one of Italy’s best- crystal clear waters. Ponza has a and the remains of a castle. Your hotel
kept secrets. It is a small unpretentious surprisingly rich history and there are is conveniently located for painting the
island with only a few hotels and a many archeological ruins. Its isolation main square and harbour area of the
population of 3,300. A simple and destined it to be used as a penal town of Ponza and the beach at Chiaia
quiet way of life is maintained with colony in the past and today it is a di Luna. There is only one road that
most people keeping a few chickens, popular film set location. There is runs the length of the island and two
rabbits and goats. Apart from a small plenty to paint here – the white and other villages, which are served by the
amount of tourism, fishing, boat blue-grey cliffs, sea stacks, grottos and local bus.
building and boat repairs are the main secluded bays, the busy little harbour
Travel details
activities. The island is formed of a with its pastel coloured houses and
Price per person £3,295
caldera rim of an extinct volcano. It has fishing boats and the Giardino
a rocky coastline and is surrounded by Botanica Ponziano, which has a villa Single supplement £450
Number of students 12
Media Oil, watercolour and mixed media
Suitability Intermediate and advanced
students
Price includes flights, ferry, hotel,
breakfasts and dinners, travel escort
and guest artist

art@spencerscott.co.uk 01825 714310


www.spencerscotttravel.com
ATOL 3471. Est. 1988 These painting holidays are operated by Spencer Scott Travel on behalf of Leisure Painter magazine
LP05 56-57 Friend_Layout 1 09/03/2018 15:57 Page 56

Tinted charcoal

Simply still life


Try the subtle colours of tinted charcoal pencils
as you draw a still life with Trudy Friend

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
n Use tinted charcoal for
drawing and washes
n How to observe a still life

Some areas
appear as lost
line edges S ometimes we notice a readymade
still-life group on a windowsill,
which just cries out to be
sketched and painted. Depending
on the angle at which we view the
arrangement and the amount we
decide to include, the subject is
immediately there for us to draw
or paint. Quite often I find that the
subject itself, with its colours and
textures, automatically suggests
Noticing a medium to me that suits the
variety of content and arrangement.
negative This figure and accompanying
shapes will books gave me an easy choice of
add interest medium – the subtle tints of charcoal
to your study pencils. Derwent’s range of tinted
so take charcoal pencils proved to be ideal
this into for what I had in mind. When
A consideration I sharpened them in preparation for
when drawing, instead of sharpening each
choosing into a bin, I collected the fine powder
Take the angle
advantage into palette wells (as I do with
you wish watercolour pencils) and used these
of strong to view the
contrasts mixed with water for the painted
subject from example (right).
to bring the
form forward B
Investigative sketch
Left shows my investigative sketch,
executed in the tint, peat, with
vertical and horizontal guidelines
drawn to line up components.

Next step
For the main artwork I wanted to
include shapes of closed pages rather
than just see the sides or spines of
books so the chosen angle was
more from above.

Final study
Figure 3 (right) was another option,
as I included more of the sill and
contents. Natural tint was my choice
for the underpainting that you can see
on the right-hand side of the picture,
as it did not interfere with subsequent
overlays and was useful when mixed
with sand to produce the pale hue
A An obvious place from which to t
Figure 1 Investigative Sketch, of wall surrounding the window.
drop a vertical guideline as it lines Derwent tinted charcoal pencil A fine spray of fixative is essential
up with B which helps to position ‘peat’, 12x8in. (30x20cm) over dry-pencil work, whereas
another component accurately for the final picture, you will find
that the addition of water will fix
the image. LP

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Tinted charcoal

Figure 2 Still Life,

t
Derwent tinted
charcoal pencils on Trudy Friend
sketchbook paper, Find out more about Trudy and her
12x8in. (30x20cm) work by visiting www.trudyfriend.co.uk

COLOURS USED

Peat Natural
Heather mist

Bilberry Mountain blue

Ocean deep Sand

Burnt orange
Dark moss

Sunset pink
Forest pine

Green moss Glowing embers

Water Sand Natural is a good tint


to mix for underpainting that
and positions components
blend Natural
mixed to create the tint for the walls

Figure 3 Still Life, Derwent tinted charcoal pencils on Saunders Waterford 90lb Rough watercolour paper, 10 12⁄ x8in. (26.5x20cm)
t

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LP05 58-61 Evans_Layout 1 09/03/2018 16:14 Page 58

Watercolour

Spring landscape
Enjoy the process as you paint a study of sheep
in an English landscape, by Charles Evans

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
n Colour-mixing ideas for
spring greens
T he seasons of the year are often
summed up as much by the wildlife
and animals of the landscape as the
changing colours. Spring lambs, such as
You will need
n
l
Surface
Langton Rough
n Daler-Rowney
Artists’
n
these, say it all really. LP
How to create form in your 140lb watercolour watercolour
animal studies paper 81⁄2x121⁄2in. l Cobalt blue
t Step 1 l Yellow ochre
n How to create a balanced (21.5x31.5cm)
Make a simple outline drawing. At this stage, l Burnt sienna
composition n Daler-Rowney
the sheep look massive in the foreground but l Raw umber
Sapphire brushes
all becomes clear as the painting progresses. l Alizarin crimson
l Flat ¾in.
l Hooker’s green
l Round No. 8
l Charles Evans
l Rigger No. 3
sand
l Dalon 1½in. flat
one-stroke brush

t Step 2
1 Using a 1½in. flat wash-brush, pre-wet your
sky area with clean water and don’t worry about
the trees or church, cut through them with the
sky. They are all going to be darker than the
sky anyway so it really doesn’t matter.
2 Add well-diluted cobalt blue from the top
all the way down.
3 Wash out your brush and suck out a few clouds
with it before adding a touch of light red to the
cobalt blue and dropping in a little cloud shadow
underneath where you sucked out the clouds.

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Watercolour

t Step 3
1 Once the sky is completely dry, change to the and the mullioned parts of the windows.
Round brush and pre-wet the whole of the church, Have all this done while the pre-wet is still
excluding the roof to the left. Use fairly weak damp so there is still softness to the colours.
yellow ochre and just fill in the right side of the 2 Once all the stonework is dry, use a
church, followed by raw umber to the left of the mixture of cobalt blue and light red to
church. Don’t forget at this stage to fill in the spires fill in the slate roof to the left.

Step 4

t
1 Again, let everything dry before filling
in the small amount of detail in the
church. With the Round brush, use
stronger raw umber to indicate the
details in the stonework.
2 Now mix cobalt blue and burnt sienna
for a darker blue to fill in the windows.
3 Finally on the church, add the shadow
to give it more depth and shape. Do this
with a mixture of cobalt blue, alizarin part of the church to the left by the tower. Also
crimson and burnt sienna. Notice the add a more watery version of the shadow at the
strong diagonal shadow cast on the small top of the tower to indicate an overhang.

Step 5

t
1 Now it’s time to start with the trees around
the church, again using the Round brush. All the
colours used in the trees are well watered. First,
at the top of each tree, quickly stroke in a little
yellow ochre, followed by Hooker’s green mixed
with lots of yellow ochre then followed by a
little light red, just here and there, and not
much. The final colour is cobalt blue for the
darker parts of the trees.
2 Notice especially the dark of the tree behind
the tower to the right. These darks help to push
the tower out and make it more prominent.
Notice also at this stage, dropping in a few
touches of blue in the background will indicate
more distant trees. When painting this lot, paint
around the fence posts. Try to avoid using
masking fluid unless absolutely necessary.

Step 6
t

1 For the tree to the immediate right


of the tower use the same colours as
in the previous trees but slightly
stronger. Whilst these are slightly
damp, with the Rigger and a strong
mix of cobalt blue and burnt sienna,
indicate the boughs and a few twigs.
If the paper is still slightly damp
these will soften slightly and not be
too hard. While you have this mix on
the go, paint twigs and boughs on the
very large tree at the top.
2 For the foliage of this tree split the
¾in. flat brush and stipple on yellow
ochre to the top, followed by
Hooker’s green mixed with burnt
sienna, and finally cobalt blue which
goes to the bottom of the tree and
some darker areas in amongst the
main clump of foliage. Finally pop a
little yellow ochre at the base of the
trees as they meet the ground.

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Watercolour

Demonstration continued
Step 7
t

1 Now to the rest of the trees on the left-hand


side, which will all be done with a split brush.
Stipple on yellow ochre then yellow ochre mixed
with Hooker’s green. Change back to the Round
brush to paint the blue into the trees at the
base. You are doing this so that you paint more
precisely around the sheep, again avoiding the
use of masking fluid.
2 Now back to the flat ¾in. brush and with a
watery mix of yellow ochre, run a little of this
colour along the top line of the field.

Step 8

t
The next bit is very simple but be
careful not to paint into the sheep with
your watery mix of Hooker’s green and
yellow ochre. Simply fill in the field: not
just in any direction, but shape the field
with your brushstrokes. While still wet,
drop in cobalt blue, here and there,
especially in the foreground.

Step 9
t

1 Now start on the sheep. Pre-wet the


main body of the ewe and drop on some
watery Charles Evans sand. While still wet,
start to indicate the shape of the body
with a fairly weak mix of cobalt blue and
burnt sienna. Most of these brushstrokes
should start at the bottom and move
upwards to give roundness to the body.
2 With cobalt blue and burnt sienna,
stronger so that it’s almost black, paint
the outer edge of the ear.

Step 10
t

1 With this black, paint the hoof of the


ewe, the nose and the inside of the mouth
and, very importantly, the eye leaving a
little speck of white just above the centre
of the eye.
2 Once you have finished with this strong
mix, add more water to it to paint the
markings on the face and the shadow
underneath the lamb, which is standing
on top of the ewe. All this is done with
the No. 8 Round brush.

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Watercolour

t
Step11
Using the same brush, pre-wet both lambs. Fill in
using a weaker version of the Charles Evans sand.

Step 12
t

Much the same as you did with the main body of the
ewe, indicate the shape to the bodies of the lambs with
just a few dabs of weak cobalt blue and burnt sienna.
Use this mix underneath the belly of the top lamb and
down the insides of its back legs. Again using the strong
mix of cobalt blue and burnt sienna, paint the nose,
eyes and knobbly knees of the standing lamb.

t Step 13
1 Finally mix a little shadow colour, cobalt pleasing little springtime scene which,
if I say so myself, is really quite cute. I
Charles Evans
blue, burnt sienna and alizarin crimson, Find out about Charles and his work by
and with a few simple strokes, drag some hope you enjoy having a go at this one
visiting www.charlesevansart.co.uk
shadow emanating from the sheep across as much as I enjoyed painting it.
to the left. And there we go, quite a

t
The finished painting Spring Landscape, watercolour, 812⁄ x1212⁄ in. (21.5x31.5cm)

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Product report

QoR watercolour
Steve Strode puts QoR watercolour by Golden through
its paces to produce fresh landscapes and still lifes

properties so important to a watercolour.


It should also be noted that aquazol will
readily intermix with other watercolour
brands so QoR can be added to your usual
palette with no problem. So how did the
paint actually match up to their claims?

The tests
I associate Golden with its excellent range
of acrylics so I couldn’t wait to get started.
I had been sent two sample palettes to
work with, offering a small selection of
their extensive 83-colour range. The
watercolour usually comes in tubes, but
the samples I tried came as dried pigment
rather like that found in a pan.
The colours I tested were rich and easy
to work with, and the dioxine purple was
particularly strong. Golden rightly states
that the colours are vibrant and intense,
and this is true. Much is said about the
luminosity and brilliance of the QoR
pigments even after drying, but they did
dry a little lighter even after two glazes in
the test I carried out. I would recommend
that when you are trying out new paints
to run tests on a sheet of paper to see how
well they perform for you. Also look at
how they mix with other colours, making
darkest darks, washes, glazes and general
responses to mark making.

The colours
The colours handled well and, like other
pans I have used, their intensity was
dependent on the build-up of layers.
The reds and yellows were particularly
vibrant and did well in comparison to
my usual paints.
The future of your finished paintings
The taster palettes come with a good range

A re you in the market for a quality regarding fading and preservation has
t

of small samples of QoR paints watercolour? US Artists’ paint been well examined by Golden’s experts.
manufacturer, Golden claims to Regarding lightfastness, Golden has
have produced a range of paints that are extensive research on its side and notes
unmatched in the history of watercolours. that the binder only changed its colour
According to its promotional information, slightly under accelerated light exposure.
the new QoR line of paints (Quality of As regards the paints having greater
Results, pronounced ‘core’) ‘retain the resistance to cracking and peeling, it’s not
best qualities of traditional watercolours, yet a problem I’ve ever encountered with
while their exclusive binder provides other watercolours so like lightfastness,
more pigment in every brushstroke. This it’s beyond the remit of such a short test.
unique QoR formulation accentuates the One of the important criteria when
luminosity and brilliance of pigments even adding quality paint to your palette has
after drying, with vibrant colours to rival to be value for money. The QoR paints
the best acrylics or oils’. This is all based come in 11ml tubes and are a little pricier
on the science behind the use of an compared to their competitors. The value
ingredient, called aquazol. Originally used for money can only be measured in
in conservation, Golden saw its potential how long a tube lasts in a like-for-like
as a binder for watercolour. It states that comparison to those you’ve used before.
t
I liked the selection of greens I tried, and aquazol can hold more pigment than the Perhaps one reason for the more expensive
would certainly add them to my palette for same amount of gum arabic whilst smaller tubes is due to Golden’s statement
plein air studies retaining the blending, glazing and lifting that the binder holds more pigment than

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t
Formby, QoR watercolour, 6x934⁄ in. (15x25cm)

the traditional gum arabic. behind its product, it also realises, it’s you, try a few on your own palette, because
There were no unexpected results that the watercolour artist, who will determine ultimately the only review that really
arose from using QoR paints and I found how well it performs. Anecdotal evidence matters is yours. LP
they held their own as an Artists’ quality from myself and other artists I have
watercolour. There were colours I found spoken to suggest a liking for a selection
particularly interesting, especially a few of different paint brands on the same QoR watercolour comes in 11ml tubes
of the greens for plein air work, and some palette. Different colours gain a place (from £12.95 for Series 1 to £19.95 for
of the ‘power’ colours, such as a purple there based on how we feel they perform. Series 4) and in introductory sets of 6x5ml
for flower painting. All paints come with their own pros and tubes (£33.95rrp), 12x5ml tubes (£59.95rrp)
I think you have to live with any paint cons, and it’s up to the artist to find the and 24x5ml tubes (£114.95rrp). Find out
for a while to see how it really performs. ones that suit their needs. QoR has a large more by visiting www.qorcolors.com
Although Golden is aware of the science range of colours to tempt you so why not

t
Pomegranate and Grapes, QoR watercolour, 6x8in. (15x20cm). The QoR paints handled well; they were easy to blend and gave nice translucent glazes.

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LP
LP05 64-66 Alcock_Layout 1 09/03/2018 16:23 Page 64

Inspiration

Set the clock


Paul Alcock discusses the joys of competing in outdoor painting competitions

I ’ve been entering painting


competitions since my college days,
but over the past few years I’ve
discovered a new type of painting
competition that offers the chance to
paint en plein air as part of a painting
event. These competitions coincided
on my part with a newfound interest
in plein air painting, and ever since
then I’ve been hooked!
I’ve written here about some of the
competitions I’ve taken part in over the
past couple of years and listed a couple
of others that I’ve come across, but not
managed to check out yet.
My first experience of this type of
competition was in 2011 when I took
part in the Bath Prize competition.
Since then I’ve gone on to take part
in all the Pintar Rapido competitions
in London, Paint Out Norwich and
a couple of the Sky Landscape Artist
of the Year competitions, where I’ve
taken part as a wild-card competitor.
Each of the competitions has its
own individual structure, but all offer
a chance to create an image of a
particular place and to work en plein
air, often in the company of lots of
t
Kings Road Coffee Shop, oil on canvas, 1912⁄ x2312⁄ in. (50x60cm). Painted during Pintar other like-minded artists.
Rapido 2016. One of the problems associated with painting over a longer period is that the
light and other details will change. On this occasion I decided to take a few photographs Work outdoors
whilst I painted which helped me to paint the two main figures and to remember where One of the benefits of taking part
the shadows fell on the scooter, which had long since disappeared after I’d sketched it in. has been that the competitions
have stretched me as an artist and
encouraged me to work outside of my
personal comfort zone. I have also had
the opportunity to visit and discover
new and interesting places to paint all
over the country. Another benefit has
been the chance to meet other artists,
to share tips and experiences, and to
glimpse into the working methods of
others, as well as sharing the energy
that painting in company generates.
Many of these competitions welcome
both amateur and professional artists,
who all come together on a particular
day to create their artworks. Artists are
often free to choose their location
within a particular geographic area and
with some competitions there is an
exhibition at the end with opportunities
to win prizes and sell the work. There
is a lovely atmosphere around the

The Cloisters Norwich Cathedral,


t

oil on board, 10x12in. (25x30cm).


Painted during Paint Out Norwich. As
well as being a lovely subject to paint, the
cloisters also offered shelter from
the rain when it rained all morning of
the second day of Paint Out Norwich!

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Inspiration

t
Albert Bridge, oil on board, 12x16in. (30x40cm) 2013. This was painted during Pintar Rapido. I knew little about Chelsea, which was the location
for the first Pintar Rapido competition in 2013. I’d remembered Albert Bridge though and thought it would make a good subject. My painting took
me nearly four hours to complete on a very hot and sunny day.

events, which creates quite an impact


in the local community as a mass
painting movement arrives. Artists also
get the chance to meet other artists as
they are queuing up to register, at
break times or at exhibition openings,
and participants also have a chance to
see their work hung. Over the past few
years at the Pintar Rapido competitions
I’ve looked forward to seeing who has
chosen to take part this year and
chatted with people I’ve met in
previous years.

Pack well
To find out about competitions coming
up look out for announcements in the
art press or check out some of the
websites I’ve listed below. Once you’ve
enrolled, plan well ahead for your day
out. Keep all the details for the
competition to hand. Most will require
you to register your canvases, boards
or papers to be stamped on the back
between particular times and to then
submit finished artworks at the end
of the competition.
Pack all your equipment well in t
Bishops Bridge Norwich, oil on board, 12x16in. (30x40cm). Painted during Paint Out Norwich.
advance and make sure you have warm I’d identified this bridge as a possible subject when I’d had a wander round Norwich the day before
the competition started. I completed this painting within the three hours allowed for the heat.
t

sun, wind and waterproof clothing and

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LP
LP05 64-66 Alcock_Layout 1 09/03/2018 16:24 Page 66

CHECK OUT THESE PLEIN-AIR


COMPETITIONS
www.pintarrapido.com
www.skyartsartistoftheyear.tv
www.paintout.org
www.abrushwiththebroads.co.uk
www.buxtonspaprize.co.uk

access to refreshments. An umbrella


can be a really useful addition in case
of occasional showers or it can double
as a sunshade on a hot day.
Some competitions will be held in
t
Stow, oil on canvas, 1912⁄ x2912⁄ in. (50x75cm). Taking part as a wild card in the Sky Landscape venues close to local cafés whilst others
Artist of the Year competition gave me the opportunity to paint in the company of 50 other may be miles away from town, in
artists with wildly differing styles in the beautiful setting of the National Trust Gardens at Stow. which case you will need to bring along
It was a fascinating experience in an idealistic setting. refreshments for the day. I often get
totally wrapped up in the painting
process and forget to eat, but I’ve realised
to my cost when I’ve not drunk enough
on a hot day!
A trolley of some sort can be a useful
aid but be aware not to make it too heavy
if you need to carry it up and down stairs
at any point. If there’s a chance to exhibit
your work at the end of the competition
make sure you have a frame ready and
packed or an alternative plan of how
you will hang your artwork.

On the day
Once started, I generally relax into the
process of painting. I find the general
public are usually very curious to find
out why there are so many artists around.
I try to pause for a few seconds to answer
any questions and, if I’ve been given
exhibition invitations, I take this
opportunity to pass them on. You
never know, they might be the person
who wants to purchase your creation!
You may have a chance to scout around
the particular location a few days before
the competition for possible subjects prior
to the competition and if you do, all to
the good. If you think you might want
to come back another year, why not have
a good look around at the end of the
competition for possible subjects next
year and try a few sketches before
going home?
As well as being great fun I’ve found
these competitions are a great way to
develop my work and I’ve learned a
lot about how to paint and adapt to
different surroundings, time constraints
and circumstances. I’d urge anyone who
wants to improve their plein-air work to
have a go and see what you can do. LP

Paul Alcock
Paul is based in Southend-on-Sea,
t
Milsom Street, oil on board, 16x12in. (40x30cm) 2011. Milsom Street was the location Essex where he teaches and finds
I was allotted for the Bath Prize competition and my painting took three sessions, coming inspiration for many of his paintings.
back at the same time of day. I’d hardly painted outdoors since my student days when Paul demonstrates painting techniques
I created this painting. Taking part in the competition got me out and about painting the and runs workshops. Visit www.paul
middle of a busy city, which I hadn’t tried before. I was pleased when my painting sold alcock.co.uk for further details.
in the exhibition and auction that followed.

66 MAY 2018 www.painters-online.co.uk


LP May Digital subv2_Layout 1 07/03/2018 15:48 Page 2

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LP May 2018 Books p69_News 1st 12/03/2018 12:59 Page 6

Books
WHAT TO READ THIS MONTH
Creative
with
flowers
In her new book
on Painting
Flowers, Sian
Visit www.painters-online.co.uk/store and click Dudley wants to
on the link to books to buy the latest practical share the joy she
experiences when
art books available from LP’s online bookshop painting flowers
in watercolour.
This exuberance
Drawing for her subject
every day comes across
Presented as a visual diary, very powerfully,
My Year in Small Drawings with plenty of
by animator, illustrator and techniques to experiment and ‘play’ with on the journey.
teacher, Matilda Tristram, The emphasis is on a loose style, rather than the more
encourages you to look rigid framework of traditional botanical painting. Having
hard at the detail in said that, there is plenty of practical advice and
everyday objects before information on equipment and techniques, but with a
recoring them in your focus on experimentation to challenge yourself to be
sketchbook each day. The creative and find your own style. Practical demonstrations
practice of regular drawing and step-by-step projects range from single stems to
is an important one and, groups of flowers as well as flowers in the landscape.
by eliminating the need to Painting Flowers – A Creative Approach by Sian Dudley.
search around for subject matter, and simply drawing what’s in Crowood Press, (s/b), £16.99.
front of you, you will soon find unexpected and extraordinary
subjects, while creating your own unique record along the way.
Matilda offers plenty of good advice alongside the drawings,
such how to simplify what’s in front of you, which tools to
choose and how to use them to best effect, as well as ways of
introducing colour to your work.
My Year in Small Drawings by Matilda Tristram. Quarto Publishers,
(s/b), £9.99.

30-minute
landscapes
Landscapes in
Watercolour by Dave
Woolass is a new
addition to the
popular Ready to Using grids
Paint in 30 Minutes Giovanni Civardi has spent decades drawing, painting
series from Search and teaching portraiture and anatomy, and has written
Press, which is ideal numerous books on the subject. The latest two provide
for anyone keen to a quick solution to students wanting to draw expressive
get started but short portraits, using grids to capture their subject accurately.
on time. David Starting from a photograph, Giovanni clearly explains
introduces 33 quick how to create a pencil sketch, using a grid to transfer
and easy paintings – one section at a time. With practice the student will be
all postcard sized to able to create detailed drawings from photographs and
make them easier to paint within the 30 minutes. As well build the confidence to tackle the subject from life.
as step-by-step demonstrations, tracings are provided for Drawing Using Grids: Portraits with Character
anyone who struggles with drawing and simply wishes to by Giovanni Civardi. Search Press, (s/b), £8.99.
get straight on with adding colour. Drawing Using Grids: Portraits of Babies and Children
Ready to Paint in 30 Minutes: Landscapes in Watercolour by Dave by Giovanni Civardi. Search Press, (s/b), £8.99.
Woolass. Search Press, (s/b), £12.99.

www.painters-online.co.uk MAY 2018 69


LP Marketplace
Holidays & Courses

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and drawing. Beginners/advanced
painting Carol Hill - Landscape in Watercolour
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lso Brusho www.catswhiskersart.co.uk * Workshops aimed to provide an enjoyable and interactive experience.
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WHEN IT COMES TO ADVERTISING EXCITING NEW 2018 BROCHURE NOW AVAILABLE!


ay of the month
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• Delicious food and wine
21-24 Apr
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PLU
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CHINESE BRUSH PAINTING on partners welcome 18-23 Jul Final Frontiers of Outer Space - Fantasy Watercolour
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We have an extensive h
• Small numbers to ensure 31 Jul-3 Aug Experimental Drawing & Painting - water based media
groof high quality,
range some studio sessions
up supplies,
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individual attention 20-23 Aug Loosen up Your Watercolours
3-8 Sept Immerse Yourself in Fantasy studio based
beautiful accessories and specialist books. 17-20 Sep Rocks, Waves, Sea and Sky - Acrylics
Picture by David Webb

SUPER P
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ews demonstratesinAt theAlpha
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 Art Materials included on selected holidays Additional Media

 All Abilitiesis passionate


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Two full days’ tuition in our cosy studio from 10am to 5pm, light lunch
liday organiser, Linda Matthews and delicious dinner plus bed and breakfast all for only £155 Why not
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ing from life, en plein breakfast at the special painters’ rate of £55 per night? Most people do!
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he first four-day plein airrooms
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festival&– some Ground Floor rooms Artists Frames 16 & 17 Mar Bold and Beautiful Drawing
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- Plain wood or painted
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8 & 9 Dec Animal Portraits in Pastel

- Large, standard and bespoke sizes Art Holidays in Dorset, The Studio, Boscombe Spa Hotel, 4 Glen Road,
of what is around you. “Wherever you look Boscombe Manor, Nr Bournemouth BH5 1HR
ng to paint,” she says. “You can never be bored Exclusive - St Ives/Nicholson style
a sketchbook.” frames available on-line
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e is warm and encouraging, making her MAY
holidays
2018
Call 01427 787318 or visit
www.painters-online.co.uk
e for beginners who need a bit of courage to www.ashcraftframing.co.uk/store
utside the comfort of a studio. On offer this year
ekly classeslpheld on a Thursday
CLA may_NEW.indd 70 morning at her 07/03/2018 15:11:33
May 18 Holiday of the Month_Layout 1 07/03/2018 09:46 Page 3

Holidays & Courses

Art
rt
r breaks
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re
r aks
ks
k in Exmoor
Ex
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Holiday of the month at La Liberté
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Beautiful
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Professional Individual
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Friendly at
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Courses fofforr all abilities Private groups welcome
also Norfolk & Sicily
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Non-painting part
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Call Sandy or Mark 01598 763505 linda@broadskiesgallery.co.uk


Email: enquiries@shorlandoldfa
enquiries@shorlandoldfarm.co.uk
f rm.co.uk
fa paintncanvasholidays.co.uk

www.learntopaintinfrance.co.uk
With Mike Hall Des RCA.

A
llison Bond and her family have been running courses from Join popular ar�st
Watershed Studio – a purpose-built studio in an idyllic rural and experienced
setting just four miles from Clacton on Sea – for the past 17 tutor Mike for
years and have built up a reputation for a warm welcome, a long weekend
excellent courses and delicious farmhouse food – there’s even or a week’s all
recipes on the website! A testimonial from a student on one of its inclusive pain�ng
courses says it all: “Watershed Studio has space and an holiday in France.
atmosphere that is both welcoming and relaxing. The food, which Small pain�ng groups in Limousin.
is home-cooked is wonderful and Allison is always there to solve All levels welcome.
problems and help in any way she can.”
Allison runs one and two-day art, music and creative courses See the website for details
from March to November, with studio facilities for hire at other or call Mike on
01256 850167 or 07774 616361
times, as well as the garden and marquee during the summer.
bscshep@aol.com
The studio, which is housed in a redundant farm building, has
been recently refurbished and can seat up to 40 people, with
excellent secure off-road parking and good facilities. Allison has Art Shops
Call Anna-Marie to discover sourced an enviable list of tutors for her courses, covering most
advertising opportunities media, including watercolour, pastel, oil, acrylic, collage, and line
and wash, as well as willow sculpture and other creative crafts.
available to you. Many of the tutors will be well known to Leisure Painter readers,
including Robert Dutton, Tim Fisher, David Webb and Charles
T: 01778 392048 Evans. Courses to look out for in the next few months include Pegasus Art
Expressive Textured Landscapes and Flowers in Mixed Media with Suppliers of the finest art materials
E: annamarieb@ Soraya French in April, Land, Sea and Skies in Pastel with Margaret
warnersgroup.co.uk Glass in May, Exploring Patterns and Colour in Gardens and Flowers
using Mixed Media with Tessa Pearson also in May, and Expressive
Drawing and Mixed Media – Skies and Marshes with Robert Dutton SHOP ONLINE
PAINT SOSPEL IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE
in September. For a full list, visit the excellent website. www.pegasusart.co.uk
Relaxed, informal painting holidays in the
South of France. Provence Alpes For more information contact Allison Bond at Watershed 01453 886560
Cote d’Azure. www.paintsospel.com Studio, St. Clere’s Hall Lane, St. Osyth, Clacton on Sea, Essex info@pegasusart.co.uk
Email:paintsospel@gmail.com CO16 8RX; telephone 01255 820466. Email:
Telephone: +44 (0) 7961393364 allison@watershedstudio.co.uk; www.watershedstudio.co.uk
Contact: Valerie Walsh

www.painters-online.co.uk MAY 2018 71

lp CLA may_NEW.indd 71 07/03/2018 15:13:08


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PAINTERSONLINE &
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PaintersOnline, the online home of
Leisure Painter and The Artist, has
teamed up with Melanie Cambridge
ENTER NOW
to offer you the chance to win one of To win one of six sets of
six sets of her Artist Brushes, ideal for Melanie Cambridge Artist Brushes
watercolour and gouache, in a zip-up please visit:
carry case worth £35(rrp) per set. www.painters-online.co.uk
Each set contains five brushes: 1in. Oval wash, No.7 the home of
Round, No.4 Round, No. 0 extra long-haired Round Leisure Painter and The Artist
and No.4 extra long-haired Filbert in a black zip-up magazines, and click on the links
case. The brushes are made of differing synthetic hair, to competitions. Closing date for
developed exclusively for artist and tutor, Melanie entries is May 16, 2018. Winners
Cambridge with her trademark emerald green long will be selected at random
handles and silver-coloured ferrules. from all online entries.
The oval wash brush is very soft and can be used
both for large-scale washes and on its edge to paint When completing your details please make sure
fine lines. Round brushes are made of slightly stiffer fibres, meaning they keep a fine you opt in to receive our great regular email
newsletters so that we can keep you up to date
point for details. The cream-haired filbert is ideal for gouache work having great spring
with what’s new at Painters-Online, including
and resistance when using paint straight from the tube. For more information visit the latest features, images in the galleries, new
www.melaniecambridge.com competitions and other great offers.

72 MAY 2018 www.painters-online.co.uk

lp CLA may_NEW.indd 72 07/03/2018 15:13:40


Art Club of the Yearv3_News 1st 12/03/2018 13:31 Page 6

& artist
in association with Patchings Art Centre and Jackson’s Art Supplies

Art Club of the Year 2018


A ll UK art clubs are invited to submit a total of five two-
dimensional works that you feel represent your club along
with a written profile, including details about your club’s
history, members and activities. We will select our top ten clubs to
exhibit their five entries at the Pavilion gallery at Patchings Art Centre,
THE JUDGES
Hazel Soan, artist and tutor
Liz Wood, artist, tutor and
Nottinghamshire from 13 October to 11 November. An overall club co-owner of Patchings Art Centre
winner and two runners up will be selected by the judges, and visitors Sally Bulgin, editor The Artist
will be asked to vote for their favourite club for the People’s Choice Ingrid Lyon, editor Leisure Painter
Award. All work entered will be featured on our website at
www.painters-online.co.uk. Entry deadline: 8 September.

Cardigan Art Society: Winner of Art Club of the Year 2017


THE PRIZES

FIRST PRIZE
£500 worth of Jackson’s art
materials vouchers, £100 towards
the cost of a workshop or Jan Brown Cilgerran Oaks,
t

and wash, 17x21in. (43x53cm)


demonstration to club members,
and a profile about the club
published in our magazines, on David Clinch
t

PaintersOnline and through The Artist at the Folie Bar,


oil, 32x42in. (81x106cm)
our social media channels

TWO RUNNERS UP
£250 worth of Jackson’s art
materials vouchers for each club

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD


£100 worth of Jackson’s art
materials vouchers for the club
John Edwards Helen Rowlands
t t
Clare Howell Sybil Kahlo,
t
with the most public votes Nag Nag Nag, Murmuration, lino print,
mixed-media collage,
391⁄2x391⁄2in. (100x100cm) oil, 20x25in. (51x63cm) 13x15in. (33x38cm)

HOW TO ENTER
The competition is open to art clubs across the registering. Then upload your digital entries via responsibility can be accepted for loss or damage
UK. Only online entries can be accepted. Only the link on the Competitions page. Payment will in transit, incoming or outgoing, whilst on the
original work will be considered and paintings be added automatically to your basket; please competition premises or during the exhibition.
based on reference photographs must have been remember to pay before you leave the website. Originals selected and submitted for final
taken by the artist or used with the permission of 4 Upload your entries with the non-refundable exhibition must be fully insured by the artists.
the photographer. Photography, except where entry fee of £20 by the closing date of 8 8 Original works must be left with the organisers
incorporated into collage, is not acceptable. September, 2018. throughout the exhibition.
1 The non-refundable entry fee of £20 covers the 5 Entries will be judged after 9 September when 9 All entries must be original. Submission of entry
FIVE entries per art club of two-dimensional work selected work will be called for exhibition. All in this competition automatically constitutes
in any media. work must be framed (canvases excepted) ready acceptance of all the competition rules and
2 No entry should be larger than 120x150cm WHEN for exhibition from 13 October to 11 November at agreement to allow The Artist and/or Leisure
FRAMED (canvases do not need to be framed). Patchings Art Centre, Nottinghamshire. Painter to publish, republish and repurpose
3 To enter, first register your club at www.painters- 6 Successful art clubs will be notified during the entries in print and digital formats, including but
online.co.uk via ‘login/register’ and add your club week of 16 September about delivering their work not limited to magazines, promotion materials,
profile to the biography area of the club account. between 1 and 8 October to Patchings Art Centre. websites, databases and as part of downloadable
Please include a name of your main contact when 7 All care will be taken with entries but no digital products.

www.painters-online.co.uk MAY 2018 73


LP May 2018 Art clubs p74-75_News 1st 12/03/2018 11:46 Page 2

Art clubs
OVER TO YOU FOR THE LATEST NEWS ON CLUB
Demonstrations
Bedford Art Society
Watercolour artist, Ali Yenye, will
demonstrate his techniques for
painting people on Friday 4 May,
7.15 for a 7.30pm start at Putnoe
EXHIBITIONS AND ACTIVITIES Heights Church, Bedford MK41 8EB.
Entry is free for members, £5 for
visitors. Contact Jean Paterson on 01234
307210 or visit www.bedsartsociety.co.uk
for information.
Hipperholme & Lightcliffe
Art Society
Jane Austin will give a
demonstration on The Play of Light
on Figures on Tuesday 1 May, 7.30
to 9.30pm at Brighouse Rest
Centre, Park Row, Brighouse.
Non-members welcome. For more
details visit www.handlas.co.uk

n Bedale Art Group


Exhibition at Bedale Hall, Bedale, North
Yorkshire from 24 to 26 May. Enquiries to
Sue Bianco at bedaleartgroup@gmail.com
n Beechwood Artists
Spring exhibition at Chalfont St. Peter
Community Centre, Gravel Hill SL9 9QX on
14 and 15 April, 10am to 5pm daily.
Jack Bryant, founder member of the n Berkhamsted
t

Jane Riley Pulteney


t
Art Society
Bathampton Art Group. Jack’s work will Bridge, Winter Evening,
be on display at the 50th exhibition oil, 10x12in. (25.5x30.5cm) Spring exhibition at the Civic Centre,
161-163 High Street, Berkhamsted,
Hertfordshire HP4 3HD, from 13 to 19 May.
Profile Open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm;
Bathampton Art Group – 50 Years of Art Sunday from 2 to 4pm.
The Bathampton Art Group is celebrating its golden n Biggleswade and District
anniversary with a special exhibition on Saturday 21 April, Art Society
with over 120 works on display and members demonstrating Exhibition at Northill Village Hall on 19
throughout the day. The group was established in 1968 by and 20 May, 10am to 4pm daily. Visit
Jack Bryant, who turned it from a small social group to one www.biggleswade-art-society.co.uk
of the most popular leisure art groups in the Bath area today and a membership n Bramhall Art Society
nearing 100. Painting sessions are held on Monday afternoons and evenings and on 51st annual exhibition at Bramhall Village
Thursday afternoons. The Bathampton Art Group’s 50th exhibition takes place at Club, Lumb Lane, Bramhall SK7 1LR, from
Bathampton Village Hall, Holcombe Lane BA2 6UL on 21 April, 10am to 5pm, and 13 to 15 April. Open daily, from 10am to
will be opened by the MP for Bath, Wera Hobhouse. Entry is free and there is ample 6pm; closing at 5pm on final day.
parking and disabled access. Refreshments will be available all day. For more Enquiries to John Minnikin:
jminnikin.bas@gmail.com
information visit www.bathamptonart.co.uk or email info@bathamptonart.co.uk
n Bramshott and Liphook Art
and Craft Society
Annual exhibition at the Millennium
CLUB EXHIBITIONS Centre, Ontario Way, Liphook from 13 to
n Arnold Art Society n Ashley Green Art Group 15 April, 10am to 5pm daily.
Exhibition at Pondhills Community Centre, Exhibition at the Old School, Ashley Green, n Chesterfield Art Club
off Coppice Road, Arnold, Nottingham NG5 Buckinghamshire HP5 3PP on 14 April, Spring exhibition at Ashover Parish Hall,
8DR on 26 and 27 May, 10am to 4.30pm 10am to 5pm and 15 April, 10am to 4pm. Milken Lane, Ashover S45 0BA on bank
daily. Enquiries to Patricia Daniels, n The Attic Art Club holiday Monday, 7 May, 10am to 4pm.
n East
patricia.daniels1@virginmedia.com Spring exhibition at The Village Hall, Dean & Friston Art Group
n Artful Dodgers Art Group 18 Lewes Road, Ditchling BN6 8TT, Annual exhibition at East Dean Village Hall,
Spring exhibition at Wetherby Town Hall, from 18 to 20 May. Open from 12 noon East Dean, East Sussex BN26 0DL on
Market Place, Wetherby LS22 6NE on until 6pm on Friday 18, and from 10am Saturday 5 May, 2 to 5pm; Sunday 6 May,
Saturday 21 April, 10am to 4pm. Enquiries to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday 19 and 10am to 5pm and Monday 7 May, 10am to
to 07899 818842. 20 May. 4pm. Enquiries to 01323 894975.

74 MAY 2018 www.painters-online.co.uk


LP May 2018 Art clubs p74-75_News 1st 12/03/2018 11:46 Page 3

n Dunstable Art Club


Exhibition at the Methodist Church Hall, Highlights
Dunstable on 21 April, 10am to 3pm. Cambridge Drawing Society
n Hallam Art Group The annual spring show takes place
Exhibition at the Education Centre, at the Pitt Building, Trumpington
Sheffield Botanical Gardens S10 2LN, from Street, Cambridge from 14 to 21
5 to 7 May, 10am to 5pm daily. Visit
www.hallamartgroup.wordpress.com
April. Open daily from 10am to 5.30pm;
closing at 4pm on final day.
n Haltemprice Art Group
Christchurch Arts Guild
71st annual exhibition at Cottingham Civic
Hall, Market Green, Cottingham HU16 5QG, Over 200 paintings will go on show at
from 12 to 14 April. Open daily 10am to the guild’s exhibition at Sammy
5pm; closing at 4pm on final day. Miller Motorcycle Museum, New
n Ham Art Group Milton, Hampshire BH25 5SZ, from
Spring exhibition at St. Thomas Aquinas 16 to 28 May. The museum, which
Church Hall, Ham Street, Ham, Richmond houses one of the finest collections of
TW10 7HT from 26 to 28 May, 10am to 6pm fully restored motorcycles in the
Val Pettifer A Riot of Colour, acrylic mixed media,
t
daily. Visit www.hamartgroup.org.uk world, has good disabled access, with 30x30in. (76x76cm) on show at the annual spring
n Harrogate and Nidderdale Art Club a children’s play area, shops and tea exhibition by the Cambridge Drawing Society
Spring exhibition at Ripley Town Hall, room. For more information contact Geoff
Ripley, near Harrogate HG3 3AX from 5 to Storer on 01202 922456.
7 May. Open daily, 10.30am to 5.30pm.
Visit www.handnart.co.uk
The Dorking Group of Artists
The spring exhibition, featuring more
n Hempnall Art Club than 250 works, will be on show at
Annual exhibition at Hempnall Village Hall Betchworth Village Hall, Station
on 5 and 6 May, 10.30am to 4pm daily.
Road, Betchworth, Surrey RH3 7DF
n The Joint Art Group from 5 to 7 May, 10am to 6pm daily;
Exhibition and sale at Ruskington Village closing at 4pm on final day. For more
Hall, Lincolnshire on 31 March and 1 April, information telephone 01372 375123.
10am to 4pm daily.
Kineton Art Group
n Keswick Society of Art A special 30th anniversary exhibition
Spring exhibition at the Congregational
will take place at Kineton Village Hall
Church Hall, Keswick, Cumbria from 10 to
22 May. Open 10am to 6pm daily, excluding on 12 and 13 May, 10am to 5pm
Sundays; closing at 3pm on final day. daily. The exhibition will include t
Paul Simmons Steam and Snow at Betchworth,
n Livingston Art Association works by members, including the oil, 18x24in. (46x61cm) on show at Dorking Group
group’s thriving afternoon group. of Artists’ spring exhibition
48th annual exhibition at Howden Park
Centre, Livingston EH54 6AE from 20 April Open daily, 10am to 5pm. Visit
to 27 May. Open Monday to Friday, 9am to www.kinetonartgroup.co.uk The Roche Art Group
5pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm. Leicester Society of Artists Demonstrations will take place
n Lymington Art Group Spring exhibition at the Old Library throughout the day at the spring
38th annual exhibition at the Masonic Hall, Galleries, Belvoir Street, Leicester, exhibition at South Benfleet Primary
High Street, Lymington from 26 May to 2 from 13 April to 18 May. The School, High Road, South Benfleet SS7
June, 9.30am to 5.30pm daily. Enquiries to: exhibition will be opened on 5HA on Saturday 28 April, 10am to 4pm.
07544 495346 (texts preferable). Thursday 12 April (6.30 to 8pm) by Visit www.rocheartgroup.wix.com/roche-art-
n Ridgeway Art Group Lars Tharp, ceramics and oriental art group or contact Bernard on 07913 803666.
Art and craft exhibition at The Scout Hall, specialist from The Antiques Road Sawbridgeworth Annual
The Ridgeway, Tonbridge, Kent on 12 May, Show. Open Mondays, 9am to 6pm; Art Exhibition
11am to 3.30pm. Tuesdays to Thursday, 9am to 7pm; The 14th annual art exhibition takes
n Royal Tunbridge Wells Art Society Fridays, 9am to 4pm; and from 9am place at The Memorial Hall, The
Spring exhibition at 61 The Pantiles, to 5pm on Saturdays. Enquiries to Forebury CM21 9BD on 14 and 15 April,
Tunbridge Wells, Kent from 24 March to 8 joanscribble@yahoo.co.uk 10.30am to 4.30pm each day. To submit
April. Visit www.rtwas.org paintings or photographs contact
Octavia Art Group
n Society of Marple Artists sawbridgeworthartexhibition@gmail.com
The group celebrates 35 years with an
50th annual exhibition at the Methodist exhibition at the Cow Byre Gallery, Tadworth Art Group
Church Hall, Church Lane, Marple SK6 7AY Summer exhibition at the Peter Aubertin
Bury Street, Ruislip HA4 7SU, from 6
on Friday 20 April, 10am to 9pm and
Saturday 21 April, 10am to 5pm. to 12 May. Open daily from 10am to Hall, Elmore Road, Chipstead, Surrey
5pm; from 2 to 5pm on Sundays. As CR5 3SG, from 11 to 13 May. Open from
n Southern Contemporaries
well as paintings in various media, 8.30 to 10pm on the Friday (preview
A branch of Bournemouth Arts Club, the
there will also be wildlife evening), 10am to 6pm on the Saturday
Southern Contemporaries will be exhibiting
at the Shaftesbury Arts Centre, 13 Bell photographs, pottery and jewellery, and 10am to 5pm on the Sunday.
Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8AR from 12 as well as works by guest artist, For more details visit
to 24 April, 10am to 5pm daily. Visit Kay Horsfield. www.tadworthartgroup.org.uk
www.bournemouthartsclub.co.uk

www.painters-online.co.uk MAY 2018 75


LP May 2018 Gallery p76-77_Layout 1 12/03/2018 13:36 Page 2

Art club gallery BEST IN SHOW PAINTINGS

If you would like to see your art group’s winning paintings reproduced
here, encourage visitors to your next exhibition to vote for their favourite
work then simply send us the details. Full details are given below right.

Wokingham Art Society


Members of this lively and diverse
group, meet to paint together most
Monday afternoons at the
t
Bexhill Art Society Shirley
Cornerstone Centre, All Saints Reygate Leading his Master Back
Church, Wokingham. There are also Home, oil, 15x173⁄4in. (38x45cm). For
monthly demonstrations held on the more information about the society,
third Tuesday of the month at Rose visit www.bexhillartsociety.co.uk
Street Methodist Church, from 7.30
until 9.30pm. For full details visit
www.wokinghamartsociety.co.uk

Nikki Carr Listening, charcoal,


t

231⁄2x153⁄4in. (60x40cm).
Nikki’s painting was awarded the
Paul Banning Award for Drawing
and was also chosen as the
People’s Choice on the opening
night of Wokingham Art Society’s
t
Corstorphine Art Group
annual exhibition. Raymond Ronaldson Loch Watton,
oil, 113⁄4x161⁄2in. (30x42cm).
Raymond, a self-taught artist, only
t Hilary Dancer Love London, acrylic, 271⁄2x351⁄2in (70x90cm) voted best in show at recently took up painting and joined
the annual exhibition of the Wokingham Art Society the Corstorphine Art Group this year.
The group meets monthly, for
demonstrations and critiques. For
more information visit
www.corstorphineartgroup.co.uk

t
Sutton Coldfield Society of Artists
Judith Gruman Glorious Borrowdale,
oil, 22x30in. (56x76cm). Judith’s
work was voted the public’s
favourite at the 70th anniversary
exhibition of the society. For more
information about how to become
a member, contact Wing Lien on
0121 323 3826 or visit
www.suttoncoldfieldsocietyofartists.co.uk

76 MAY 2018 www.painters-online.co.uk


LP May 2018 Gallery p76-77_Layout 1 12/03/2018 13:36 Page 3

t
Stirling Art Club
Graham Turpie Five Boats Crail,
mixed media, 18x22in.
(45.7x56cm). The group meets
on Friday evenings from October
to the end of March, 7.30 to
7.30pm at Mayfield Community
Centre, St. Ninians.
For more information visit
www.stirlingartclub.co.uk

Priory Art Society


t

Margaret Russell Swans in Waiting,


soft pastel and pastel pencil,
81⁄2x13in. (21.5x33cm). The Priory
t
The Post Office & BT Art Society is a popular and
Art Club Marie Bridge thriving group that meets twice a week at Sunnyfield House in Guisborough. The group holds regular
Nesting Reed Warbler, demonstrations and workshops by professional artists, as well as regular exhibitions of work, the next
textiles, 20x16in. opening on 21 April at Sunnyfield House. If you are interested in joining or would like to go along to
(51x40.5cm) Founded in one of the meetings, contact either Cath Little on 01287 642799 or Margaret Russell on 01287 281554.
1906, the Post Office & BT
Art Club is made up of
members employed by the How you can join in
Post Office and British To participate in our best in show feature, arrange for the voting to take place at your next
Telecom. For more club exhibition, then send Leisure Painter a photograph, transparency or jpeg of the chosen
information painting. We can only accept sharp, high-resolution (300dpi) images for reproduction purposes.
visit www.pobt- Attach details of the artist, title, medium and dimensions, along with details of the club itself.
art.moonfruit.com LP also welcomes art exhibition listings, profiles, events, letters and news. Send to Jane Stroud,
63/65 High Street, Tenterden, Kent TN30 6BD; or email jane@tapc.co.uk

www.painters-online.co.uk MAY 2018 77


LP May 2018 Online gallery p78_News 1st 12/03/2018 11:55 Page 66

Online gallery
Jane Stroud’s selection of works from the PaintersOnline gallery
WWW.PAINTERS-ONLINE.CO.UK

t
Tony Wiggins Peonies in a Chinese Bowl, watercolour, 15x 22in. (38x56cm)

T ony Wiggins came to watercolour painting fairly late in life, but has developed a passion for it,
particularly painting the delicacy of flowers. Here he explains how he set about painting this
delicate watercolour of Peonies in a Chinese Bowl. If you would like to see more of Tony’s work, post
a comment or upload your own images to our free online gallery, visit www.painters-online.co.uk

A love of drawing was instilled in Tony by his I transferred the drawing to Saunders
father as a teenager, but it wasn’t until early Waterford HP paper. This needed to be COLOURS USED
retirement and a move to Spain that he found accurate and drawn lightly due to the Winsor & Newton Professional
he had the time to practice his pen and ink complexity of the petals. I started painting the Watercolour in:
drawing. A surprise 60th birthday present from lightest areas on the petals, keeping the Cobalt violet
his wife of a two-day watercolour course had brushstrokes in the direction of the form – Permanent alizarin crimson
Payne’s grey
him hooked! Books by David Bellamy and always a good habit to get into. I added a very Burnt sienna
Richard Taylor helped him to improve his skill pale wash to the bowl, with shadows at the Yellow ochre
with the medium, and some years later he sides to give it definition, then went back to French ultramarine
came across an online art school run by Anna the petals and worked with various mixes of Opera rose
Mason. Inspired by her book, The Modern hues and tones to represent the lights and Permanent rose
Scarlet lake
Flower Painter, he joined the school and has darks in each petal. Once all the petals had Transparent yellow
been working on his flower paintings ever been painted, I applied the darkest hues in the Permanent sap green
since. Here he explains how he painted his shadow areas, continuing to darken them until Winsor lemon
bowl of beautiful peonies. I achieved the correct balance. I finished with Cobalt blue
“The photograph for this painting was the blue Chinese design on the bowl. The Bright violet (Holbein)
provided by Anna Mason’s online school. whole painting took approximately 20 hours.”

78 MAY 2018 www.painters-online.co.uk


page 79_Layout 1 12/03/2018 09:05 Page 71

PAINTERSONLINE
The online home of Leisure Painter
Develop your
Here are links to some of the
best practical art videos online,
painting
with
skills
artist
recommended by our website
editor, Dawn Farley
Visit http://painte.rs/2Fi6Nzy

This month: spring watercolours SPECIAL


How to 5 ISSUES FOR £5 *
M

paint a
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into the work of professional artists, covering all
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guide your technical and creative development
80 PAGES OF INSPIRATION & PRACTICAL TIPS FOR ALL ARTISTS

artist
www.painters-online.co.uk MAY 2018 £4.40 I N K A N D W AT E R C O L O U R : 2 N D O F 3

The perfect media for a


plein-air impression
How to paint a
M

In the second part of her series, Julie Collins look


more closely at using watercolour and ink for
sketches and studies of foliage, trees and winter

bluebell wood in
landscapes, with simple exercises and tips
THE PRACTICAL MAGAZINE FOR ARTISTS BY ARTISTS – SINCE 1931

I
always find it very beneficial to look at take as little equipment as possible with
Julie Collins aspects of any subject separately. A me and this includes several sketchbooks,
studied painting at the University of winter landscape can be a very medium sheets of watercolour paper, a

watercolour with CAPTURE THE BEAUTY


Reading. Her work is exhibited widely complicated subject but taking your limited palette of watercolour paints,
in the UK and she has received time and separating certain parts of the waterproof drawing ink and fine drawing
numerous awards from the Royal West landscape can help you work up to a pen. Sometimes the sketches are used for
of England Academy of Art, the more complex piece. It can be tempting reference for finished paintings but the
Discerning Eye and the Royal to dash off too much at once but trying main purpose for me is inspiration and
Watercolour Society. Julie’s work can be out some initial studies and then the freshness I find from working on the

Peter Woolley OF THE LANDSCAPE


seen in Four Seasons, the Southampton working step by step will increase your spot with the exciting medium of ink and
M

City Art Gallery’s open exhibition, confidence. watercolour. If the weather is inclement
until April 21. Painting and drawing outside is an you may find me in a shelter or working in
www.juliecollins.co.uk important part of the way I work. I will the car. TA

using invented colour schemes SKETCHES


Two examples of sketches in ink and watercolour
are shown here (right and below). They were both
painted in the landscape when I only had the
intention of capturing a quick impression of the
view and the weather. If I am very happy with my
sketches they can be exhibited as finished
paintings, although this is never my main intention.

Example 1, ink and watercolour, 4⫻8in (10⫻20cm).


The trees were sketched with various tones of burnt
sienna and ultramarine blue and peat brown Example 2, ink and
waterproof drawing ink. I used a dipping pen and watercolour, 43⁄4⫻81⁄2in
watercolour brush. Notice how I allowed the ink to (12⫻21.5cm).
flood into parts of the trees, creating an impression of This sketch was done very
foliage quickly using only
quinacridone gold and Prussian
blue watercolours and just one
line of dark blue ink. The main
tip here is to work as quickly as
possible to get an impression

TWIGS PRAC TICAL


and feel of the view. Also, you
may not need to include a lot of
Twigs make wonderfu ink in your painting, sometimes
and watercolo l subjects for practice
ur techniques. sessions one line is enough
students called In a recent workshop of various ink
home to tell them , one
day and had had she’d been working of the
so much fun and from twigs all
are just three ways also learnt so much. Twig study 1, ink
of working Shown here and
58 artist May 2018 with ink and watercolour. watercolouwww.painters-online.co.uk
r, 7⫻5in (18⫻12.5c
I used a fine nib m).
dipping pen, a
watercolour brush,
Indian
water on HP watercolou ink and
r paper.
Combining the
use of the dipping
pen and brush
creates different
marks with the
ink. Then, by using

How to
some water, the
red colour
M

separates out
from the ink. You
create very exciting can
effects when
working with
Indian ink in this
way

‘MINI MONET’ PEN & WASH WATERCOLOUR PLUS

paint Learn these 5 steps to help


develop your watercolour skills
Loosen up & experiment with the
grisaille technique in acrylics
Twigs study 3,
6 3⁄4x⫻43⁄4in (17⫻12cm
I prepared a flat
ultramarine blue
ink and watercolou
).
wash in French
r,

primroses in
to use as a backgroun
When this was d.
dry I painted the
twig with
Tips for adapting your sketching Twigs study 2,
burnt sienna and
French ultramarin
ink and watercolou I worked wet-in-wet e blue.
kit to maximise your en plein air (26⫻18cm). r, 7⫻10 ⁄ in 1
4
changes in tone
, thinking of the
In this example in the twig. When
experience and brush. I also
I used Indian ink,
the dipping pen completely dry
I added some
this was
included fine waterproo line with my
burnt sienna watercolou French ultramarine and f drawing pen,
Inject some magic into your

watercolour
rs. I sketched very create some definition size 0.3 to
with the ink and quickly and give extra
dipping pen, and
watercolours with Ann Blockley to adding some watercolou
quickly swopped
to the subject.
with a fine drawing
Take care not
life
to be too neat
that I was careful r with the brush. pen as this will
to leave some Notice deaden
your work rather
AND MUCH MORE! in this piece white of the paper
Lastly, it’s extremely
paint is completely
than bring it to
important that
life.
the
M

dry before you

SPECIAL
pen, as damp use the
paper will ruin
Prodigious young talent Discover new ways to Try these 3 simple ! your pen
TREES Trees are, for me,
the
watercolour. There perfect subject for ink and
Keiron Williamson use pen & wash for stages for painting possibilities are
are two examples
endless. Try experimehere but the
demonstrates his skills portraits & landscapes spring daffodils which technique
s and tools you nting to find
prefer.
  
Autumn tree, ink
and
watercolour, 5⫻41

5 ISSUES
⁄2in
(12⫻11.5cm).
Here I only used
a brush to
work with burnt
sienna
waterproof drawing
ink,
French ultramarin
e blue and
3 sienna watercolou
: 2 N D O F burnt
INK AND W AT E R C O L O U R rs.
The ink has made
beautiful
texture where
it dispersed
Winter Landscapeinto the paint
DEMONSTRATION
STAGE ONE
try using a
exercise for you to Draw your composition
This is a fairly simple acrylic inkWinter tree, ink pencil. Apply wax
andinwatercolou
to
watercolour and lightly
limited palette of A small watercolou r, and
brushof the trees
ther sides
7⫻4in (18⫻10cm
).
touch of burnt was used with to
sienna.
branches to create a resistFrench ultramarine blue
Working
using small brushes, wet is important
see and a
you can’t , even when you
the as thisAs
paint.
MATERIALS

FOR
was completely will keep your could are
dry wax very well, you
theI scribbled
work lively. Again,
when this
Not surface watercolour
drawing pen, size some detailof in with
Bockingford 250lb Youon
try this
0.3. a test piece
could try the same my black fine
paperwww.pai paper before committing thing with a dipping pen
nters-online.co.uk real painting.
HB pencil your wax to the
of a
Putty rubber Make two pale mixes
two
White wax candle combination of the artist May 2018
first should
and burnt sienna watercolours. The 59
French ultramarine the second
be more blue and
watercolours test
more brown. Again,
Brown acrylic ink they dry
these to see how

£5
pen
Brush, stick and dipping

*
to your

How
before applying
with the
painting. Starting
M

a wash to
blue mix, apply
line;
just above the horizon
browner
then change to the
mix enough
mix. Take care to
whole
paint to cover the

to paint a
sheet

cherry tree in
watercolour
M

STAGE TWO dry, mix various

* Direct Debit only


stage is completely
When the previous will need mid-tones
of
and brown. You
tones of the blue in the middle distance
greys for the trees
brown, blue and in the foreground.
mixes for the trees
and much darker as the tone is
before you begin,
Test your colours in the middle
here. If the trees
extremely important of space in the
too dark, the sense
distance are painted
picture won’t work

G
FINISHED PAINTIN

SUBSCRIBE TODAY
10⫻6 ⁄4in
3

ink and watercolour,


Winter Landscape,
(25.5⫻17.5cm). some more darks
dry you can add
When the trees are I used a stick,
and the brown ink.
with watercolour ink, which is
brush with an acrylic
dipping pen and darks and some
detail
ideal for creating
lightfast. This is
in the foreground
o.uk
www.painters-online.c

60 artist May 2018

with our special introductory offer of your


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www.painters-online.co.uk MAY 2018 79


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