chalk-art-group

Open Day – Saturday 26th September 2026

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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.

Finishing pictures – September 2026 – Wednesday

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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)

Finished pictures from The Friars, Aylesford

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When we visited The Friars at Aylesford, Vikki took a photo of one of the gardeners as she worked in the Rosary Way. Vikki’s finished the watercolour and it’s been painted in great detail with a beautiful use of colour. Good work!

Tracy took lots of photos on the day and also on a previous visit when the wisteria was vibrant in the great court. A tree growing in the gardens behind the shrine also caught her eye. After sketching the subjects Tracy added coloured pencils and will probably paint the door and wisteria in watercolour.

David Hockney – July 2026 – Wednesday

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Our evening session on a blazing hot day saw only 9 artists attend the session, but what we lacked in numbers we made up for with enthusiasm for David Hockney! Also painting with us was Christina’s friend, Sharon, who we hope enjoyed the session and will join us again.

The long life of David Hockney and his thousands of drawings and paintings gave us adequate reference material. Many pictures are works in progress and will be finished at home. Most members drew to this theme apart from the last picture.

We start with Jackie’s super painting. She drew a tree at Shorne Country Park with water soluble graphite pencils then painted the subject in the style of David Hockney, using a couple of reference pictures.

Good work, everyone, it was a very interesting subject and some of us will look further into Hockney’s life and works.

Our next session will be at The Friars, Aylesford on Saturday 25th July from 10am to 3pm.

Peta’s paintings

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At last weekend’s workshop Peta came along too and sat quietly by the big window to paint her own pictures.

She begins by intricately drawing the subjects then adding colourful watercolours for all the details.

Lovely work, Peta!

Reflections – June 2026 – Wednesday

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Thirteen members met in the evening to draw and paint their interpretation of the word ‘reflections’, in a real or imagined way.

Some pictures are finished and others are works in progress to be completed at home. It’s interesting how one word can lead to so many different interpretations. Well done to Brenda who brought in a mirror and drew a self portrait.

Two members created pictures to their own subject.

Good work everyone!

Our next session will be on Saturday 27th June, 10am to 3pm, and will be an acrylic workshop with Joe Norris. There are a couple of spaces left so please email Tracy asap if you want a place.

Sir David Attenborough – May 2026 – Wednesday

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Fifteen members met on Wednesday evening with the suggested subject being Sir David Attenborough as he reached his 100 birthday last week. An event about his life was filmed at the Royal Albert Hall, London on his birthday and was broadcast on BBC1. If you missed it, it’s called ‘David Attenborough’s 100 years on Planet Earth’ and is currently on BBC iPlayer through your tv or online. Well worth watching.

Many portraits were started and one picture was inspired by David’s animal kingdom interest around the world. Mediums used were graphite pencils, coloured pencils, Quink ink, watercolours, acrylics and pastels. Some are finished but most are works in progress and will be finished at home .

Some artists drew and painted to their own theme, starting or continuing with their work. The first photo is of Sandra’s beautiful landscape using pastel pencils on Pastelmat paper with amazing attention to detail. Super work!

Well done everyone, it was a very productive evening.

The next session is on Saturday 23rd May from 10am to 3pm, see the post from 1st May for more info.

The follow was seen on Instagram. Given David’s long life and his decades of documentaries, is it a possibility? ;o)

Dot’s penguin painting

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World Penguin Day is held annually on 25th April, coinciding with the northern migration of Adélie penguins. It is a day to educate about and appreciate all 18 different species of penguin.

Dot used acrylics to paint Emperor penguins and the picture measures an impressive 60cm x 50cm. Lovely use of bold colours for the sky, whilst also giving the impression of a very cold place. Well done, Dot!