Thursday 8 January 2015

Artistic resolutions

Did you make any new year resolutions? And if so, did any involve taking up a new activity or hobby? Well, if so and you haven't yet decided on one, here's an idea: take up watercolour!

And here's an even better idea: get a day's expert tuition without having to invest in costly equipment and material, and be served refreshments and lunch with a glass of bubbly, in a small group of like-minded people. That is what Ferndell Studios offers on its watercolour experience days. And the next one will be on 6 February 2015.

If that sounds tempting, browse this blog to find out more and see photos of past workshops and the work beginners produced in them. And if that tempts you even more, then call Sarah on 01743 344949 or 0785 4492874 to book your place. 

Hope to see you there in Feburary!


Thursday 11 December 2014

Get creative in 2015

Done your Christmas shopping yet? Not long to go - and if you're at a loss about what to give a loved one, how about a gift voucher for our watercolour experience next February? The day is designed to be a relaxing time, with watercolour tuition, a lovely lunch with glass of bubbly, homemade cake, tea and coffee included - oh, and all art materials are provided.

We've all seen traditional watercolours, and they do not appeal to everyone, but watercolour is a very versatile medium and can be used in a more modern way, and for all manner of subjects. Over the course of the day at Ferndell Studios, you are taken through the basic watercolour techniques which you can then take away and develop in a style of your choosing. By way of example, here are a few examples of some watercolour sketches I produced at a life-drawing session recently.

We have a limit of eight people each time, so everyone gets lots of individual attention, and in the past everyone has got on swimmingly. We've had lots of positive feedback so we think we're doing something right! And finally, here's a photo of a family group who booked themselves on the day to celebrate a special birthday - they had great fun and, as you can see, produced some lovely work.

Friday 7 November 2014

Christmas is coming ...



Hallowe'en and Bonfire Night have passed and that means that Christmas will soon be upon us.


Tomorrow, though, there is a fantastic opportunity to source some lovely locally made and high-quality gifts for your nearest and dearest, or indeed for yourself, at the Made in Shropshire Fair in the Square, Shrewsbury, running from 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.


I'll be there - at my last fair this year - alongside thirty plus other gifted designer-makers, artists, craftspeople and food producers - so there's lots to see. Do come and browse!

Tuesday 7 October 2014

Wonderful work

Another busy watercolour experience day at Ferndell last Friday - and a successful one too, as you can see from the photo above of just some of the lovely work our beginners produced. So if you would like to be able to paint like this, why not join us in February 2015? We're taking bookings now!

I promised the latest attendees that I would post here a list of the items we generally use in our watercolour classes - so here it is:


Tubes of Winsor and Newton Artists’ Water Colours (NOT Cotman or anything else) in the following colours:
French Ultramarine
Cerulean Blue
Raw Sienna
Burnt Sienna
Light Red
Cadmium Yellow
Scarlet Lake
Alizarin Crimson
Two useful additions would be:

Raw Umber
Burnt Umber
Palette
Any white container / plate would do. I personally prefer ceramic, but not necessarily one from an art shop: I use dinner plates, hors d'oeuvres dishes, egg trays ... If painting out and about and on holiday, I use a fold-away enamel palette which is light and compact.

Paper:
At Ferndell, we have used a couple of different papers, but I think that Bockingford NOT 140 lb (300 gsm) is the best option as it performs very well but is relatively inexpensive.
The best way is to buy precut loose sheets, e.g. ½ or ¼ sheets. To start, I would definitely recommend ¼ sheets.
Brushes:
At Ferndell Studios, we provide Daler Rowney prolene brushes, but I use Pro Arte prolene brushes. Both are good.
A size 12 round covers most eventualities, but a rigger would be a useful supplement.
Miscellaneous:
You will also need a board to work on. You can buy specially made ones from art suppliers, but any rigid lightweight board would do. Sarah's husband has cut MDF boards for us at Ferndell and they are fine. Size: big enough to tape down a ¼ sheet of paper and leave a good margin all around.
Masking tape, wide, is also needed to tape the paper to the board.
A 2B pencil and putty rubber (for sketching out your painting), and a craft knife or pencil sharpener completes the kit.
If you've any queries, don't hesitate to contact me, by commenting on this blog, or by e-mailing or messaging me (diggle_l@yahoo.co.uk, 07908 664471).

Tuesday 23 September 2014

You know you want to

Our next watercolour workshop on Friday, 3 October is fast-approaching. We still have a couple of places left so if you are either a complete beginner who'd like to try out this fascinating medium, or someone who has some experience but would like to reinforce basic techniques and skills, such as wet-in-wet and wet-on-dry painting, composing a painting, use of colour and tone and a few tips and tricks, this is the workshop for you.

When you consider in addition the warm welcome from Sarah at Ferndell, the lovely environment in which we paint, Sarah's constant provision of tea, coffee etc., her homemade chocolate cake, delicious lunch and the glass of bubbly, how can you possibly resist?

To find out more or to book a place for you or as a gift for a loved one, please contact Sarah on 01743 344949 or 0785 4492874. Hope to see you there!

Sunday 7 September 2014

Shrewsbury Open Studios and Art Trail

Artists and designer-makers from the Shrewsbury area are busy getting ready for Shrewsbury Open Studios and Art Trail held over the weekends of 27 - 28 September and 4 - 5 October, when they focus on presenting their work for you, and you can create a ‘trail’ of studios to enjoy. For more information and to see some of the fantastic work by those taking part, go to: www.shrewsburyopenstudios.co.uk
 
Within this event, Roger Keeling and I are holding an Art Exhibition at The Hive, very conveniently right in the centre of Shrewsbury (5 Belmont, Shrewsbury SY1 1TE) from 16 September to 7 October.
 

Roger’s work is based on the human form, focusing on aspects of the model such as portraiture, while (as you have probably gathered) I find inspiration mainly in the animals 1 see around me in rural Shropshire, and also from the life-drawing sessions I attend.

Go on - have a browse and be inspired ...


Saturday 9 August 2014

Competition time!

The annual art competition at the Oswestry Visitor and Exhibition Centre (formerly known as the Heritage Centre) is currently underway - from 6 August to 24 September - and I have submitted the two paintings shown in this post.


In case you are not familiar with this competition, there are two sets of awards: three prizes decided by judges and three prices decided by viewers. Sooo if you call in to look at the exhibition, please do take the time to vote for your favourites - especially if they are mine!

In other news: I'm also busy preparing for the Great Witley Art Exhibition which runs from Friday 22 August (preview evening) to Monday 25 August. It is held in Great Witley Church - a magnificent Baroque church, worth a visit in itself! To find out more, go to http://www.greatwitleychurch.org.uk/

More news about more events coming up soon!