Hertford Art Society 30.10.2010

As usual we began with quick poses, 2 minutes each, where the girls walked around the room and stopped in a pose.

After that they sat for half an hour.

This was an hour before lunch.

After lunch, the pose was set for the afternoon.

I really have to question my opting for concentrating on the head, which I can do anywhere, anytime, when I had two beautiful, unclothed, young ladies, sitting and working hard all day! Shame on me. 

On the plus side, they, Sarah and Penny, very generously allowed me to take photographs, for reference at home.

HAS 25.9.2010

We started with quick poses, 20 minutes this time, and it took until the last one for me to get the hang of it.
I had to abandon both the oil portraits as I found I was chasing the light, and continually changing the painting. It is a big problem with the venue, with windows on three sides. I deal with it by taking photos at the start of the pose to continue at home..............maybe.

July 2010

Made it to Hertford, obviously, on Saturday! When I got home and saw how little I had done I was surprised. The model did arrive a little later than usual, though, but all I can say is that I had a very enjoyable day, probably mostly chatting! 

We had the usual quick poses and because the third one with the towel was so nice, Faye agreed to hold it a while longer. Very Degas/Lautrec, very nice, I might develop that one.

No meeting in August because of the holidays, but I really hope to get there in September because we are promised a new wonderful model. Not that Faye isn't wonderful, but someone different is always inspiring.

HAS 26.06.10

We all agreed that Penny was wearing such a pretty dress that it would be good to draw her wearing it.

The first three poses were for ten minutes each, then a half hour pose and finally for the rest of the day. I can see that I have made Pennys' head too large in the painting, but as she very generously allows me to take photos, I shall be able to finish the painting at home.

As usual I spent far too much time chatting and nipping out for fag breaks, but I had a glorious day. This life drawing is invaluable to me, precious, so I am very glad whenever I am able to get there.

Ellis 10" x 12" Oil

I am on cloud nine AND seventh heaven! Today I got to paint a living, breathing, beautiful young lady. Thank you, Ellis, I appreciate it so much, it is a special treat.

Early Work

That Letter! 24" x 24" Acrylic on Canvas Board

Thelma 16" x 20" Acrylic on Canvas Board

Sovra 10" x 12" Acrylic on Canvas Board

Thelma 18" x 24" Pastel on Paper

I didn't get to Hertford on Saturday. I know.....very disappointing. There was a big fire in a warehouse close to the station, which prevented any trains going through Cambridge. I could have got there via Stansted Airport or Peterborough, or by bus to Royston, but would probably have arrived in time to turn round and go home again! And that supposing the fire was out and Cambridge Station reopened. It is one thing to be unable to travel to a nice day out, quite devastating to be unable to get home!

Here are some paintings, done from photos taken at previous HAS life drawing sessions.
There is no session next month, because of the annual exhibition, so fingers crossed for May!

HAS Feb 2010 Life Drawing

Nice pose, pity she is all out of proportion! I shall likely work on this, or a new one.

I like this one.

This is about the third time I have been presented with this view, and my interpretation gets worse with practice!

Don't know why I decapitated her, but I like this.

A bit clumsy with the charcoal here.

I like this, drawn with Ken Paines' teaching in mind.

My favourite drawing of the day, her rosebud lips have an irrisistible appeal.

Fabulous day, although I'm not sure I accomplished a great deal. The main drawback was because I took acrylics. I have been working in oils for the past year, which are completely different, and found I had lost the know how with acrylics for figurative work.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed the day, with fantastic models, and wonderful friends to chit chat with.

Done In 20" x 16" Charcoal

I have missed the life drawing, but the good news is that I hope to go again at the end of February. Only a couple of weeks.

In the mean time here is a drawing today from a photo taken at one of the HAS sessions. Not quite the same, I know, but I enjoyed it.

HAS 29.11.09

I can hardly believe that I actually got to Hertford this month! It is well worth sitting on a train for two hours, but I rather wasted the day again. Spent a lot of time chatting, catching up. And I missed most of the warm up, because I had to go and buy lunch and something to paint on. Even then I did the first oil sketch on mountboard ......and it's the best one of the day!

No meeting next month, obviously, because it's Christmas, so have a wonderful holiday everyone, and I'll see you next year!

HAS

Same format as usual, a couple of 10 minute poses, a 20 minute pose, a half hour pose and then a rest of the day pose.

Not much to show, again, although I thought at the time I was working quite hard!

I was too excited about my forthcoming TV appearance to concentrate, and people kept coming to ask all about it, after I announced it.

Just for fun, the BBCs' The One Show is having their own 'Summer Exhibition' and asked viewers to submit artwork. I was informed on Friday that I have been shortlisted, and invited to appear on the show on Monday 27th July at 7pm. If you cannot watch live, the programme can be found on the website up to a week afterwards.
I am nervous and excited, but I intend to enjoy the day and have fun.

HAS

Started with 10 minute sketches and I think this poor specimen must have put me off, because from then I concentrated on the head and shoulders for the rest of the day!

These two will probably be used for paintings in my 'Hats' series!

These two oil sketches are in the wrong order, the first, taking all afternoon (!), (1 1/2 hrs really, but more gossiping than painting I know), the second done in the half hour before lunch. Both of which need a lot of tweeking.

I do feel that I didn't do very well, and have vowed to spend the time at HAS better focussed in future.