A simple subject to start the year but illness and cold weather kept most members at home apart from two. Patrick and Tracy chatted throughout the evening and found the hall heated up quickly using the warm aircon.

Patrick had sketched out his picture for the next session of a wintry scene, inspired by a Christmas card he had received. He used coloured pencils, pastels and water mixable oil for the snow and hopes to finish the picture next time.

Tracy enjoyed researching about the history of ballpoint pens and finding out about John Loud, László Bíró and Michel Bich. For the session she brought objects from home and drew the faux plants. Firstly in just black then using a Bic pen with four colours, using the green, red and black.

Three members tried the subject at home.

Susan drew a lovely detailed scene of Smarden in Kent in black ink and it includes the church where her daughter was married last year. For the sketches of the birds different coloured ballpoint pens were used.

Angela found a picture of an olive tree and drew it with a ballpoint pen in the style of Van Gogh. It’s a beautiful sketch and the swirls with the ink give a Van Gogh effect.

Dot used a blue ballpoint pen to draw these pictures of a little girl and a teddy bear. On the girl and the teddy she achieved a really good effect of hair and fur by following the shapes of the heads.

Using a simple ballpoint pen is a very quick way to sketch, especially if you’re out and about and only have a pen and sketchbook with you. Please do give it a try!

The next session is on Saturday 25th January from 10am to 3pm and the suggested subject is ‘Winter Wonders’. See the post published on 1st January for more details.