Dot and Tracy have completed the first 7 days of Inktober 2026. Both have found it challenging but fun!
Dot is using a sketchbook and black ink for her images.
Tracy has an A4 sketchbook and divided two pages into 5cm x 7.5cm shapes. She is using a biro with 4 colours in it and is researching, drawing then inking the image in only 10 minutes.
Several other members are also taking part in Inktober, so please send your first 7 days images to Tracy when completed. Thank you.
Here’s the whole month of suggestions if you want to have a go!
This year we moved our annual Open Day from cold, wet November to September, in the hope of better weather for visitors and it was a warm, sunny day.
17 artists painted in the hall whilst our paintings were on the walls all around or in browsers. We welcomed about 36 friends, family, local residents and people who had seen the Open Day advertised on social media and in the village.
We enjoyed the day drawing and painting and chatting to visitors and many commented that it’s really interesting to see artists at work whilst they enjoyed walking around the exhibition.
Words from visitors in the comments book included…
“Impressed with art as usual – well done.” “Truly wonderful!!!” “Really impressive work. Thank you.” “So interesting to see all the different mediums and styles.” “Lovely work.”“Some really beautiful paintings. Very talented people!!!” “Amazing work here – we love coming every year. Thank you!” “Some lovely pictures . Lovely to see the artists working.” “I am speechless, everything is amazing.”
75 framed paintings were on the walls with 6 sold, 1 each by Vikki and Jane and 2 each by Mary and Susan.
In the browsers were 40 mounted pictures, with 10 sold. 2 each by Dot and Angela D and 6 by Susan. This is an Open Day record, well done, Susan, you paint beautiful pictures!
Thank you to everyone who helped with hanging on Friday evening and a HUGE thank you to members who kept tea, coffee and biscuits supplied to visitors on the day. Also for washing up and drying the crockery and cutlery. We couldn’t run the day without your help and enthusiasm!
Here are all the framed paintings from the day. (Apologies for the reflections on some paintings from the lights and windows.)
Look out on 1st October for details of the next sessions on Wednesday 14th October 7-9pm and Saturday 24th October 10am-3pm.
At our last session 14 members painted, drew, pastelled, pencilled and inked industriously, in an effort to finish pictures for our Open Day and Exhibition on Saturday 26th September.
It was a busy evening and a very useful time to complete and nearly complete pictures ready to mount and frame. What an interesting selection of subjects.
Our next session is on FRIDAY 25th September 7-9pm when we hang all our paintings on the walls.
On SATURDAY 26th September we meet from 10am to 3pm as normal, with visitors welcome from 10.30am to 2.30pm.
Please keep advertising the day by passing the poster to friends, family, neighbours and any groups you belong to. Thank you :o)
Fifteen artists attended the Wednesday evening session, including Denise’s granddaughter, Sophie, who painted with us to see if she’d would like to join the group.
Most members began their portrait drawings and paintings in readiness for our annual competition, to be held at the next session.
Other members drew, painted and cut paper to their own themes.
Our next session will be on Saturday 28th March from 10am to 3pm.
Fourteen members met on Wednesday evening and one artist worked at home. The Chinese New Year of the Fire Horse begins next week and happens only once every 60 years.
The subject was popular and it was challenging to draw and paint not only a horse, but fire too. We used coloured pencils, pastel pencils, watercolours and acrylics to achieve the depth of colour needed for the flames. Most are works in progress. When finished, please bring them along to the next session.
Other artists drew and painted their own themes, which we are always interested to see. Special mention to Patrick who used coloured pencils to draw a scene from the life of Pocahontas.
Lovely work everyone!
Our next session is on Saturday 28th February from 10am to 3pm.
A couple of months ago Kay asked us to send her images of paintings and drawings done at Rochester Cathedral. A few members emailed their artwork and one painting was chosen for the front cover of the brochure for Rochester Cathedral Trust’s annual dinner.
Susan’s beautiful, softly coloured watercolour of Rochester Cathedral was chosen.
The painting looks fantastic as the front cover and she has been given a brochure to keep.
Here’s the whole brochure if you want to see all of it. Susan is named on page 10.
Eleven members met on Wednesday evening to draw and paint together over a cuppa and biscuits. The suggested subject was the 200th anniversary of the first passenger railway journey on the Stockton and Darlington Railway, with artists invited to paint historical or any age locomotives up to modern times.
Some paintings have been photographed with the reference image, to see how the artist was inspired.
Some members created pictures to their own theme or continued artworks from previous sessions.
The next session is on Saturday 25th October from 10am to 3pm. Check the newsletter from 1st October for the subject idea.
In addition to our usual two sessions this month, why not give Inktober 2025 a go?
Started in 2009 Inktober is now a worldwide event for artists to draw a picture in ink daily (you can use pencil underneath) and share their work or just for the pleasure of being creative every day.
Use a sketchbook for your images or any surface. If you don’t have much time, use a Post-it note pad for a small picture every day.
