On a very warm evening 9 members attended after a slightly later start. We all took advantage of some Solar Eclipse glasses to watch, from a perfect vantage point, the partial eclipse of the sun. It was super to share that moment together.

The subject for the evening was Cacti

Some members chose to ‘do their own thing’

Thank you to everyone who pitched in to help set up and clear away the tables and chairs. Also thanks to the members who were unable to attend but let me know beforehand, it enabled us to put out the correct number of tables.

Well done all.

Our next meeting is on the 22nd August in the grounds of Chalk Church between 10am and 3pm but if you just want to come along for just a few hours that is fine. There will be tea, coffee, soft drinks and biscuits as usual. We usually have a collection to give to the Church as a little thank you for the use of the grounds and facilities. We will still meet even if it is raining as there is ample cover on site.

It was a really hot day 14 members turned up and we took advantage of the Air conditioning system to good effect.

The theme for the day was Inks and Watercolours and just like the workshop in April a few members produced more than one painting and others combined the theme for the Wednesday meeting.

Some members created a freeform design

We also would like to welcome Angela who came to check us out and decided to join the group. she used the image from the ink workshop

Vicki’s grandson also came along and produced a great piece of work. I hope that he enjoyed being with us all

Well done everyone

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 10th June from 7pm till 9pm

Steve finally finished two pictures that he has been working on recently.

Watercolour on Bockingford paper.

Soft Pastels and Pastel pencils on White Pastelmat

Steve finished his watercolour painting of train with a cowcatcher fitted to the front

He also finished a pastel picture on Pastelmat which he started in another Paul Hinks workshop

Nine members attended Wednesday evening’s meeting. The numbers were lower than usual because quite a few members were unwell or away on holiday. In spite of this we had a very pleasant evening with most using the subject for the month ‘Summer’.

The next session will be on Saturday 28th June from 10am to 3pm and will be our annual competition. It’s not compulsory to enter so come along and draw or paint a picture about summer and enjoy painting with friends.

Steve completed his soft pastel picture of a Crocodile. He used mainly pastel pencils for the detail and soft pastels for the background and of course the colours were blended with pieces of grey pipe lagging.

On a bright chilly Saturday 18 members shared their day at Chalk Hall.

The theme for the day was ‘Then and Now’. A broad subject which gave resulted in an eclectic mix of paintings

Some members chose to ‘Do Their Own Thing’

Well done everyone. Thank you for all your help setting up and clearing away.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday the 9th of October 7pm till 9pm

Best wishes

Steve

Eighteen members attended on a lovely bright warm day

As usual there was an eclectic mix of interpretations of the theme ‘In an English country Garden’

Some members continued with the Wednesday challenge to paint or draw an image which related to a page from a book, newspaper or dictionary.

Well done all. Special mention for Tracy who with her image of Fuchsias managed to cover some flowery words with some well positioned leaves.

Some members, as usual ‘did their own thing’

Thank you to you all for sharing your company on such a lovely day

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 10th July at Chalk village hall from 7pm to 9 pm. Do remember that the meeting on Saturday 27th July from after 10am until 3pm is in the garden at Chalk Church

Best wishes

17 members signed up for the Paul Hinks pastel workshop, for some it was a new experience. Two other members decided to do their own thing.

Paul was so informative, approachable and gave an excellent structured workshop. He talked us through the various merits of all the soft pastels available and other equipment to use including foam pipe lagging to use as a blender or eraser. Paul had on show his many sets of pastels from the very affordable to the very expensive. These are just a few of them.

He produced a terrific picture of a lion to illustrate the various stages of a complete work. There was not enough time for him to complete the whole work but he concentrated on the area around the the eye.

Paul managed to come round quite a few times and give individual advice. He had such a positive and encouraging attitude. It made for a great day and there was some great work produced. Most is still work in progress so either send images of your finished work to Tracy or Steve or bring in to the next meeting

There was a great atmosphere on the day. Thank you all.

Hopefully we will be able to have another workshop with Paul in the future.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday the 10th April. Happy Easter

On our first Saturday meeting of the year it was good to see so many members , 24 in all, turn up

Some members kept strictly to the theme of ‘A Winter Walk In The Snow’ or painted snowy scenes with various wildlife.

Some members chose to ‘do their own thing’

We would like to welcome three new members to the group. Elizabeth (Betty) Foxworthy who came along on Saturday and Graham and Pat Lock who were unable to make the meeting in January but will be coming in February. Graham is a returning member from the early years of the group.

I would like to give a big thank you to Ann Brooker who had to leave the group last year because she had to give up driving. She still looks at the blog and gave us a very generous donation which we will put to good use. Thank you Ann

Our next meeting is on Wednesday the 14th February from 7pm to 9pm

Best Wishes

Steve