On Their Own

It is now over a month that the students from my course finished their structured work and they are now working on their own in various mediums to explore how they can move forward.

I will still be giving them a subject range to work to if they wish, or they can send in works in progress and their pieces from their own exploration.

Here is October's selection

Catherine has been taking sessions in using water colours and these  are samples of her work so far. Lots of experimentation and really lovely use of colour.

Catherine said

'This month I have not done a lot of drawing as been concentrating on practising the water colour techniques that Fraser has taught me.

I have really enjoyed the course and have spent most afternoons "playing" with the paint to see what I can achieve.

Some of my results are better the others but I am learning all the time and most importantly enjoying it a LOT.

Thank you both for helping me to start me drawing, painting and being creative again.!!'

Marian has been trying out different mediums for drawing, charcoal and colour pencils. Some wonderful use of tone and contrast here.

Marion said

'I enjoyed each of the tasks with the exception of the self portrait - I avoid mirrors and photos like the plague and loathe wearing a hat!  That said I think I was a bit kinder to myself this time compared to the last self portrait.

For the portrait of our cat, Bramble, I used charcoal - rather messy and very unforgiving as you can't erase any errors.  

The roof is one I have always admired so I was pleased of the opportunity to draw it.  I quite like the way the coloured pencil gives focus to a pencil drawing, but the greenery in the foreground was a mistake.

The tomatoes took me for ever to complete, but I like the detail and control that work with coloured pencils allows.  I was pleased with the composition and negative spaces, but I could not produce as strong a colour as I would have liked, I think the paper was too thin as it would only take a maximum of four to five layers of colour and tended to distort.'

Phil has been playing with water colours. I love the look in the eyes of this dog portrait and the intensity of colour of the vine tomatoes.

Phil said

'It was the first time in some years that I did a water colour and I must say I am quite happy with the result.

After painting Bella I tried a drawing/watercolour of tomatoes.

I did is from a picture from internet.

Drawing it was ok, but the water colour after that went messy.

The background on the picture was quite dark, but painting it went wrong.

I think I made it too wet.

Furthermore I did not quite manage to let the sun shine through the leaves.

Elaine is continuing to develop her observational drawing and use of shading in pencil and has experimented with water colours using images to copy to learn the techniques of application of wet on wet.

Elaine said

' The dog is taken from a photo of my cousins dog, who I think looks a lot like Bugsie.  The other is from the book that you lent me of impressionist paintings - I really enjoyed doing this one although I am sure that I need more instruction on water colours.'