Have a look at what we have been doing at the different events and some of the work produced by members during the day!
Sat 26th November: Gallery Visit to Dean Clough
Ten members had a very enjoyable and interesting day at Dean Clough Galleries viewing their current exhibitions.
We met for coffee at the Weavers Room Cafe before making our way to the Crossley Gallery. Here we viewed and admired the work of Jack Chesterman who died in July this year. Jack was a leading academic and painter, and the exhibition title “Journeys End” is a celebration of his work.
Members then moved upstairs to a solo exhibition by Dashamir Vaqarri, titled “New Routes: Intersections of Memory, Identity and Belonging”. Dashamir’s sublime technique conceals an emotionally loaded examination of how we construct ideas of home.
Members also admired the work of the artist in residence Doug Binder, the Gallery’s Permanent Collection displayed on the corridors, and a fantastic lego construction of Dean Clough.
We then returned to the Weavers Room Cafe for lunch. After lunch members spent sometime looking around the gallery shop, and buying gifts. A great day out for everyone organised by David.
We met for coffee at the Weavers Room Cafe before making our way to the Crossley Gallery. Here we viewed and admired the work of Jack Chesterman who died in July this year. Jack was a leading academic and painter, and the exhibition title “Journeys End” is a celebration of his work.
Members then moved upstairs to a solo exhibition by Dashamir Vaqarri, titled “New Routes: Intersections of Memory, Identity and Belonging”. Dashamir’s sublime technique conceals an emotionally loaded examination of how we construct ideas of home.
Members also admired the work of the artist in residence Doug Binder, the Gallery’s Permanent Collection displayed on the corridors, and a fantastic lego construction of Dean Clough.
We then returned to the Weavers Room Cafe for lunch. After lunch members spent sometime looking around the gallery shop, and buying gifts. A great day out for everyone organised by David.
Sat 19th November: Taster Session with Oil and Cold Wax Medium with Jo Sykes
After demonstrating and talking about using oil and cold wax earlier in the year, Jo wanted to use this session to give members a chance to try the medium, see how it changes the nature and behaviour of the paint, and how different techniques need to be used to achieve different effects. It can be hard to get to grips with oil and cold wax in just one session, but many of the members attending really liked having a go with it and seeing how versatile the medium can be. Only by trying the paint mixed with the cold wax can you really appreciate how much pressure to use with your brush / palette knife / painting blade or wedge but these photos show members testing it out in lots of different ways. Most of the paintings will be unfinished but it gives you an idea of what people were working on.
Sat 5th Nov - Adventure into Magazine Collage with Linda Downs
Todays session started with Mary McKenzie presenting some of her latest paintings, telling us a bit more about how she produced each one and in what ways her art work has developed over time. She also shared with the group some more details about Cober Hill and the next planned annual trip in 2023.
Linda started off our adventure into magazine collage by sharing with us some of the history behind collage and what inspired her to start on her pieces. The power point presentation is below as a slide show.
Linda found her early inspiration in magazine collage through artist Giles Davies. Below are the links to Gile's website and a YouTube video where Giles talks about his work.
https://gilesdavieslandscapes.co.uk/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL0cEnZa7dc
https://gilesdavieslandscapes.co.uk/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL0cEnZa7dc
Linda then asked members to share their past experience with collage, before demonstrating her techniques and tips.
After being fired up and enthused it was over to us!
It really was a lively, fun and informative session. Of course, we didn't manage to finish many of the paintings in just one afternoon so below are photos sent in of some of the pieces that were finished at home by the artists.
Sat 22nd Oct - Experimenting with Different Forms of Graphite to Explore the Importance of Tone in Painting
Today's session began with presentations from Sylvia Idle and Shirley Waddington. It was so lovely to hear their stories about their art journeys and what they are planning to work on next and it was great to see some of their work close up.
This was followed by a brief discussion about the use of tone in a painting and how working in monochrome helps us to consider this a bit more carefully.
There were several different forms of graphite brought along for members to try, some of which members had already got and maybe not used much and others that people weren't aware of. As well as the usual 'pencil', there were watersoluble graphite pencils, graphite sticks and bars, powdered graphite, liquid graphite and watersoluble graphite sticks that were really popular. People had a really interesting time testing these out to see how they worked on the different papers members had brought along.
At the end of the session people showed their work and talked about what they had tried and how, what they liked, whether that form of graphite could be lifted off the paper, again using erasers to draw and mark make, and how well different forms of graphite layered to build up tone.
There were several different forms of graphite brought along for members to try, some of which members had already got and maybe not used much and others that people weren't aware of. As well as the usual 'pencil', there were watersoluble graphite pencils, graphite sticks and bars, powdered graphite, liquid graphite and watersoluble graphite sticks that were really popular. People had a really interesting time testing these out to see how they worked on the different papers members had brought along.
At the end of the session people showed their work and talked about what they had tried and how, what they liked, whether that form of graphite could be lifted off the paper, again using erasers to draw and mark make, and how well different forms of graphite layered to build up tone.
Sat 8th Oct - Members own workshop focussing on the colours of Autumn ..........mostly!
The planned session for this date had to be postponed at the last minute due to illness so this session focussed on Autumn Still Life for the most part. Can you spot the rebel!!! But it just goes to show how adaptable our members are, adjusting to a last minute change of plan etc!
ps please note changes to the schedule listed on the website. There will also be emailed updates.
Sat 24th Sept - Members Own Workshop, incorporating impressionist influences into our own work.
We had a great afternoon, kicked off by Wayne Ogilvie and Beryl Conroy showing us some of their work and talking about their approach with their art.
After that members worked on their own paintings, using their chosen medium, to incorporate some impressionist influences into the work, particularly in trying to loosen up and not overwork the brush strokes. Here are some of the photos from the afternoon.
After that members worked on their own paintings, using their chosen medium, to incorporate some impressionist influences into the work, particularly in trying to loosen up and not overwork the brush strokes. Here are some of the photos from the afternoon.
Sat 10th Sept - Rachael Gorton on 'Impressionistic Influences in Landscape Painting
Rachael shared with us some of her thoughts and ideas from her years of study on impressionist paintings and techniques. She showed us a number of paintings by different historic impressionist painters, both those who were heavily involved in introducing the impressionist movement and those who took impressionist influences to the next level.
She then talked to us about how she had studied impressionist techniques, including studying the mark making and colour palettes of the old masters, how they indicated shadows and movement for example, and how she tried some of the techniques in her own work, both in sketchbook studies and in full paintings.
After this, Rachael demonstrated how she works on a painting with very much an impressionist style, taking us through from start to finish so that we could see the painting develop in action and reflect on how we might use some of this in our own work.
She then talked to us about how she had studied impressionist techniques, including studying the mark making and colour palettes of the old masters, how they indicated shadows and movement for example, and how she tried some of the techniques in her own work, both in sketchbook studies and in full paintings.
After this, Rachael demonstrated how she works on a painting with very much an impressionist style, taking us through from start to finish so that we could see the painting develop in action and reflect on how we might use some of this in our own work.
August - En Plein Air Painting in Honley
July - En Plein Air Painting at Thurstonland.
June - En Plein Air Painting at Shepley Marina
17th May: Introducing Encaustic Art with Maureen Cormack and friend Mary.
Today we had a fabulous session learning about encaustic art with Maureen and Mary from Farsley Art Group. Maureen demonstrated how to use the tools and blocks of wax colour, showing us some of the techniques she uses to help us get a basic understanding of the medium. Mary also demonstrated how some of those techniques could be used to produce detail on a butterfly as an example. We could also view the beautiful work previously done by both Maureen and Mary.
After a coffee, members then had a go themselves and were amazed at how easy and quick it was to build up some delicious effects.
Thank you so much to Maureen and Mary for such a lovely, informative morning!
After a coffee, members then had a go themselves and were amazed at how easy and quick it was to build up some delicious effects.
Thank you so much to Maureen and Mary for such a lovely, informative morning!
7th May: Line and Wash - not just colouring in! With John Harrison.
At the beginning of today's session, long standing member of the society, Jean Parkinson, presented some of the work she has done in the past.
This was followed by a demonstration by the lovely John Harrison, showing us his technique using line and wash. He shared lots of useful tips as well as some of his experience on the watercolour challenge!
This was followed by a demonstration by the lovely John Harrison, showing us his technique using line and wash. He shared lots of useful tips as well as some of his experience on the watercolour challenge!
Nigel Proud - Painting Animal Fur in Pastel
At the start of today's session, instead of having one member's presentation, members were invited to bring in some work of animal portraits they had done in the past. John Elliott brought in 4 watercolour paintings of a lion, tiger cub, horses on the run and a dog and cat portrait, and Bob Hryndyj brought in a couple of dog portraits and one a young cheetahs all done in pastels. It was really interesting to hear their different techniques and approaches, governed in part by their different media, but both with a love of capturing detail in different ways. Their work facilitated some interesting conversation and proved to be a great opening for Nigel Proud to show us his work and his approach.
Nigel showed us how he started a dog portrait sharing his techniques in composition and drafting out the key features using a grid method for accuracy. He then went on to show us how he builds the layers firstly for highlights using a dark black base, then using an indigo blue base for the darker black areas. These areas were then layered with appropriate colours for the hairs blending where necessary and using a range of different colours for depth and realism. Throughout his demonstration he gave us a lot of detail about the equipment he uses with hard pastel pencils and what he has discovered in developing his process. Towards the end of his demonstration, although the dog portrait wasn't finished at this stage (as it may take several more hours of work to achieve the high standard Nigel aims for), he invited members to come and try a few of the techniques he had shared on the dog portrait he was working on!
You can see more of Nigel's work at www.nigelsportraits.co.uk
You can see more of Nigel's work at www.nigelsportraits.co.uk
Saturday 9th April - The Do's and Don'ts of Framing with Adrian Burnham
Today's session started off with Rachel showing us a range of her beautiful work, including her earlier watercolours on paper, acrylics on canvas, and her quick watercolour sketchbook (which also included ink drawings). As she described her process it raised a lot of interesting discussion between members present and we all agreed that Rachel has her own unique style where precision, detail and a lot of patience is evident!
This was followed with a presentation by local framer Adrian Burnham. His talk was very interesting and informative and gave us all a lot of tips about how to frame and present our work well. His frames are to a high standard but competitively priced. His contact details can be found on : www.bdlframing.co.uk
This was followed with a presentation by local framer Adrian Burnham. His talk was very interesting and informative and gave us all a lot of tips about how to frame and present our work well. His frames are to a high standard but competitively priced. His contact details can be found on : www.bdlframing.co.uk
Visit To Leeds Art Gallery
Some members went to Leeds Art Gallery to see Eileen Agar's Angel of Anarchy exhibition
“Agar had a fascinating life and career and the exhibition explores how early inspirations of Cubism and Surrealism rapidly developed into her very personal style that reflected society over a period of tremendous social change. Fascinated by classical art, ancient mythologies, the natural world and sexual pleasure, Agar mined these subjects for the forms and content that filled her works.” Leeds Art Gallery.
"I am inspired by her amazing use of colour". LH
“Agar had a fascinating life and career and the exhibition explores how early inspirations of Cubism and Surrealism rapidly developed into her very personal style that reflected society over a period of tremendous social change. Fascinated by classical art, ancient mythologies, the natural world and sexual pleasure, Agar mined these subjects for the forms and content that filled her works.” Leeds Art Gallery.
"I am inspired by her amazing use of colour". LH
Tues 15th March - Watercolour techniques.
Today we had a presentation from member Robert Ingham, who showed us his work in his unique style and talked about his process.
Following this we watched a video about layering in watercolour which gave us many tips and much inspiration, We then had a go at practising some of the techniques in particular being braver with the amount of colour used, working from the lighter tones through to the darkest tones and detail.
Following this we watched a video about layering in watercolour which gave us many tips and much inspiration, We then had a go at practising some of the techniques in particular being braver with the amount of colour used, working from the lighter tones through to the darkest tones and detail.
Sat 5th March Annual General Meeting.
Today we held our AGM, reporting back to members on the year that has just been and highlighting a few things we are working towards this next year. Presentations of new Life Members cards were made to two of our life members present Jean Parkinson and new life member Beryl Conroy, including a lovely bunch of flowers ( the cards and flowers to the Betty Thornton and Olwen Kitson will be delivered as they were not able to attend today).
This was followed by a members presentation given by Bob Hryndyj showing some of his fabulous paintings and telling us about how he is challenging himself to improve. After that David Whiting showed us a selection of the archive paintings done by previous members. It was a very inspiring close to this year's AGM.
This was followed by a members presentation given by Bob Hryndyj showing some of his fabulous paintings and telling us about how he is challenging himself to improve. After that David Whiting showed us a selection of the archive paintings done by previous members. It was a very inspiring close to this year's AGM.
Maddie Agnew: Whimsical Animals in Clothes
Louise Heptonstall brought in some of her work for our member's presentation at the start of the session. Louise hasn't been a member of the society for long, but she has certainly been busy exploring different media and approaches in art! She started sketching and painting more in the last few years, finding, like many of us, that art is therapeutic and relaxing as well as exciting! She likes working in acrylic and has a particular interest in abstract work. You can see more of Louise's work and follow her on www.facebook.com/Loutimecreativity.
It was a delight to welcome Maddie Agnew with her whimsical animals in clothes paintings. After sharing her journey as an artist, juggling work and a young family, and then starting full time as a professional artist a few years ago, Maddie talked about how she became interested in painting animals in clothes. She described her process of taking ideas from different sources, developing those ideas using procreate on an ipad, and progressing to painting with oils. She stretches her own canvases and showed us the difference between the linen she now uses compared to cotton canvas material. She also talked about the colours she uses and her painting process.
Maddie than talked a bit about how she markets her work and how/ why she pitches it at the level she does, so that her art is more accessible to a wider audience. She sells prints of her work as well as cards and has had material printed from parts / all of a painting - this material is then made up into cushions, oven gloves and aprons.
Maddie also paints pet and people portraits and you can see more of Maddie's work on her website at
www.maddiepaintings.co.uk.
Maddie than talked a bit about how she markets her work and how/ why she pitches it at the level she does, so that her art is more accessible to a wider audience. She sells prints of her work as well as cards and has had material printed from parts / all of a painting - this material is then made up into cushions, oven gloves and aprons.
Maddie also paints pet and people portraits and you can see more of Maddie's work on her website at
www.maddiepaintings.co.uk.
Jo Sykes: Introduction to Cold Wax Medium
Sue Toft presented her work at the beginning of this session as she talked about her journey as an artist over the last 4 years or so. She talked about her inspiration and shared some aspects of her artist process. Her beautiful works were a delight to view up close to fully appreciate the detail. You can see more of her work on her website at www.suetoftartist.co.uk.
Jo Sykes then talked about cold wax medium, what it is and how it is used. She showed a variety of rigid supports that can be used with cold wax, and the type of tools that can be used with this medium to achieve different effects,
She stressed that it is important to understand the technical aspects of the medium so that it can be used to its maximum advantage with the artist working with its properties of extending oil paint, capturing certain objects on the surface (such as light collage), and using a variety of application techniques often depending on the timing of application or removal of paint.
The advantages of using cold wax medium is that it speeds up the drying time of each layer considerably, you don't need to observe oil painting techniques such as fat over lean; it dries to a matt/ satin sheen and a tough durable surface, not requiring varnishing, the concept of layers can be utilised really successfully but it can also be worked alla prima, and impasto. Jo finds it a really versatile medium for oil painters and a joy to work with.
You can see more of Jo's work on her website and there is an 'In The Studio' section where she discusses more aspects of painting with cold wax medium: www.josykesart.com
She stressed that it is important to understand the technical aspects of the medium so that it can be used to its maximum advantage with the artist working with its properties of extending oil paint, capturing certain objects on the surface (such as light collage), and using a variety of application techniques often depending on the timing of application or removal of paint.
The advantages of using cold wax medium is that it speeds up the drying time of each layer considerably, you don't need to observe oil painting techniques such as fat over lean; it dries to a matt/ satin sheen and a tough durable surface, not requiring varnishing, the concept of layers can be utilised really successfully but it can also be worked alla prima, and impasto. Jo finds it a really versatile medium for oil painters and a joy to work with.
You can see more of Jo's work on her website and there is an 'In The Studio' section where she discusses more aspects of painting with cold wax medium: www.josykesart.com
Acrylic Inks Workshop
,At the beginning of today's session we had our first Member's Presentation since lockdown started.
Annabel Maamoun brought in some of her fabulous paintings and talked to us about about her inspiration and techniques using a mixed media approach and working intuitively as each painting progresses. It was lovely to see her paintings close up in real life as, as well as a lot of colour, they also contain a lot on interesting detail and texture. You can see more of Annabel's work on her instagram account at https://www.instagram.com/annabelmaamoun/
For the session itself Jo had purchased some acrylic inks for the group to try, to see how they work compared to other media.
We all learnt some very interesting things about how acrylic inks work. These inks can be applied in thin washes like watercolour, but they are highly pigmented and bright, they don't move across the surface wet in wet as much as watercolours and, because they dry really quickly and heavily stain the paper, you don't get a lot of time to manipulate them, nor can you lift the colour off the paper once applied. Once dry the colour is permanent. This can give lots of opportunities to experiment with layering techniques.
These inks can be mixed with acrylic paints and one member found that they really brightened and warmed up the acrylics. Others experimented with more fluid, intuitive approaches.
You can see the works in progress below.
Annabel Maamoun brought in some of her fabulous paintings and talked to us about about her inspiration and techniques using a mixed media approach and working intuitively as each painting progresses. It was lovely to see her paintings close up in real life as, as well as a lot of colour, they also contain a lot on interesting detail and texture. You can see more of Annabel's work on her instagram account at https://www.instagram.com/annabelmaamoun/
For the session itself Jo had purchased some acrylic inks for the group to try, to see how they work compared to other media.
We all learnt some very interesting things about how acrylic inks work. These inks can be applied in thin washes like watercolour, but they are highly pigmented and bright, they don't move across the surface wet in wet as much as watercolours and, because they dry really quickly and heavily stain the paper, you don't get a lot of time to manipulate them, nor can you lift the colour off the paper once applied. Once dry the colour is permanent. This can give lots of opportunities to experiment with layering techniques.
These inks can be mixed with acrylic paints and one member found that they really brightened and warmed up the acrylics. Others experimented with more fluid, intuitive approaches.
You can see the works in progress below.
2021
These are just a few photos from various groups and activities throughout 2021
