24 February Session

Hi there

This week's Monday session was quite an interesting one in so many ways, and with a couple of surprises. During the usual chatter and banter that goes on here, one member had received a speeding ticket after returning from an exhibition. Now I could understand the issuing of a ticket to someone who was in a hurry to get to an exhibition - but one for leaving?

East Yorks coastline WIP oils

I would make an educated guess and say that if you are an artist of any sorts- be it as a hobby, amateur or semi-professional , then you would belong to at least one society or group in your area. There are 3 that I belong to: one very local, informal group which meets weekly in a nearby village; one Life Drawing group some 15 miles away which meets once a month in town; and finally one more structured group also around 15 miles away in Goole which also meets weekly. Each is different having their own characteristics and make-up.

Winter Landscape in watercolour.

At the nearby one we sit around chatting about local issues, folks, events, family etc as we are close to each other, with the lady who's home we use provides us with tea, biscuits and sometimes cake too! We club together and buy lottery tickets; it's more like a friendly social club than serious art group. We have no remit other than to take along our own projects and happily work away while in the company of other artists. The Goole group is a lot more structured having demonstrations, workshops and plenty of time doing our own projects which we are proud to show at our own, and the town's exhibitions. We also sit around and chat away, sharing jokes, taking the mickey and enjoying our time.

However, the Life Drawing group is always very, very quiet. It's like being in a library. Folks only speak to decide the format and timing of poses, during the break before the final 40-odd minute pose, or when we look at each others work as we pack up. There is no aim to the group other than to work on nudes, which does improve your overall drawing ability. We have no exhibition, workshops or anything. Is the silence simply due to the 'subject matter' -  meaning that working with nudes has to be seen as serious because it is a serious subject, no tomfoolery or banter of any sorts allowed? Or, is it simply due to the 'character' of the artists working? Maybe it's because nude models can be difficult to find, so we must all spend our time with them in deep concentration? Of course, I could also simply be reading far too much into things.

Highlands acrylic.

 This led me to thinking that different artists have their own quirks and ways of working. Me for example, I always have music on when I get the sable watercolour brushes, the synthetic acrylic or occasionally the hog bristle oil brushes out - it's usually a mix of 70's with a handful of Led Zep thrown in for good measure. Does anyone else have any quirks they 'must have' to get them into a productive mood? Perhaps you too have a certain variety of music, or prefer total silence, or nip in and out of the room whilst doing other jobs during drying time?

Five Dr Who's WIP

From now on I would like to include a small selection of photo's taken from the current week's Monday night. This foirst one shows a couple of completed works along with a couple of WIP's. Hopefully it gives folks a taste of what we do, how individuals build their work up and to showcase some that would otherwise get 'missed', which is a great shame. Hope you enjoy them.

Finally, this coming Monday night (3 March) is a portrait night. Everyone is welcome to come along, bring whatever materials you prefer to use to help you get some form of a portrait down in the 2 hours allowed. Small charge for non-members.

Until next week.

G.A.S.