Isn’t 2026 rushing past? Hard to believe it’s June already as it seems we were painting snowy pictures not that long ago!

Here’s info about the sessions this month. As usual, if you want to ‘do your own thing’ at the meetings that’s absolutely fine.

Wednesday 10th 7-9pm – Reflections

Use any medium to draw or paint reflections that are real or imaginary. Tackle this subject in a realistic or abstract way.

• Real refections in water like a lake or puddle, in a wall or hand mirror, in shiny metal objects (look at your face on curved objects like the back of a spoon.)

• Reflections upon your life.
• Metaphysical reflections – contemplating the fundamental nature of reality, existence and consciousness.

Saturday 27th 10am-3pm – Acrylic landscape with trees workshop with Joe Norris

Joe was born and brought up in Kent, now lives in Surrey and is a new tutor for the group. He works with several mediums and is on Facebook and Instagram as ‘Joe Norris Art’.

Joe’s website… www.joenorrisart.co.uk

Entry on Art Profile with more examples of his artwork… www.artprofile.co.uk/blog/joenorris

We aim to do at least 2 paintings each and possibly 3!

You will need to bring – acrylic paints, brushes, palette, water pot/s, sketching things, table cover, 3 acrylic paper sheets or 3 prepared boards (Joe hasn’t specified a size.)

Joe will email images to Tracy soon for you to print out at home but he will bring a few copies for people who don’t have a printer.

The cost will be £20 each to cover Joe’s fee, the hall hire fee already covered by your subs. He is booked for 5 hours from 10am to 3pm so that’s only £4 an hour for his tutoring.

Please turn up promptly to start at 10am so we don’t waste any time.

If you arrive late (we appreciate parking can be difficult sometimes) please find a free seat quickly and unpack quietly.

Check the date first to see if you are available. 

If you are free and want to attend then EMAIL Tracy on her usual email address, or text or send an individual WhatsApp to message her, but not the group’s WhatsApp or phones will be pinging away.

*** PLEASE DO NOT USE the comments box on the blog as messages can take days to get through! ***

Joe’s maximum number for a workshop is 20.

If we reach that number then a waiting list will be introduced. Some people do drop out so you have a chance of attending the workshop.

Once Tracy has confirmed your place please pay the £20 by bank transfer (preferred) to the usual account, or cash. If you pay first it won’t guarantee your place, they will be allocated in the order that messages are received.

Please don’t book a place then realise the day before that you won’t be able to come. Unfortunately in the past we’ve had members cancel on the day or just not turning up. This is awkward as others could have come from the waiting list. If you can’t attend please let Tracy know in good time. 

As you have already paid for the hall in your subs we aim to make the hall accessible for everyone on the day, even if you’re not taking part in the workshop. We’ll have the workshop set up towards the big window end of the hall and a couple of tables at the kitchen end of the hall available if you wish to come and ‘do your own thing’ on the day, but please work quietly. Thank you :o)

On at Munns in Windmill Street, Gravesend, from Saturday 30th May to Monday 8th June.

See the flyer for times. (Not open Sundays.)

An exhibition starting this Friday for 11 days in Lenham, Kent.

On next weekend is another local exhibition, this time by Meopham Art Group.

The scout hall in Meopham is up the left hand drive opposite Bartellas restaurant. The signpost says ‘Judson’s’ which is a hall on the left. The scout hall is on the right with plenty of free parking.

On this Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Wrotham, Kent. Our members Graham and Pat are taking part, so say hello if you visit!

Subs of £30 are due this month for the next 4 months if you didn’t pay for the whole year in one go. Please read Steve’s email that he sent to everyone yesterday. He will send individual emails to everyone who is due to pay £30. If you don’t hear from him, you have already paid for the whole year.

For our sessions in May, the recent portrait and ink sessions proved very popular so let’s continue these themes whilst we’re in the mood!

If you want to draw or paint to your own theme that’s absolutely fine, come along and enjoy the sessions with arty friends over a cuppa and biscuits.

Wednesday 13th – 7-9pm – Sir David Attenborough

Sir David Attenborough reaches 100 years old on 8th May. His presenting career began an incredible 72 years ago in 1954 and over the years his natural history programmes have informed and delighted millions.

Draw or paint Sir David at any time of his long life in any medium. Try using coloured inks or a cocktail stick and Quink for a loose portrait. Add any animals if you want to.

Saturday 23rd May – 10am to 3pm – Inks and watercolours

There are 5 Saturdays this month, so please note that we meet on the 4th one.

Follow on from the inspiring Victoria Wainwright’s workshop last month. If you didn’t come to the workshop please read the blog post to see what we did.

Many people said they had bottles of colours inks and Quink at home so bring them along. Or they can be bought reasonably from Amazon, Hobbycraft, The Range etc. Use pens too, either permanent or water soluble, for different effects.

Use inks, watercolours and pens loosely.

Finish or retry the pictures we did at the workshop. Doodling, small still life, birch trees and the fishing boat. Bring your own objects for a still life, either household kitchen objects or items that you think would make an interesting collection.

Or bring any reference pictures for a portrait, a rural or urban landscape, or any animal on land, sea or sky.

Use inks in a free and loose way to appreciate their fluidity or use watercolours wet in wet for colours to mix into each other. Use pen to highlight areas or to outline. Using Quink and cocktail sticks was a revelation, try that combination again.