Collage and Mixed Media

This was the suggestion for the monthly evening workshop of our local art group.

I already had an old figurative collage that needed refreshing, so I picked out a selection of painted papers and a facial sketch to work with.  I left the background as it was and superimposed a new figure.  I like the colour scheme of pinky/orange with the airforce blue, but the butterflies and the figure seem at odds, so further adjustments are likely (or a fresh start).

Handprinted and painted paper collage
4" x 6"

With time to spare, I tried out a couple of mini collages using predominanly painted address labels.  A quick and easy way to "sketch collage" - simple shapes are the key.

The yacht image was more successful
than my first effort with the flowers

Sculpture Exhibition

Despite an uncertain weather forecast, we had a brilliant day at the "Fresh Air Sculpture 2022" exhibition in the grounds of the Old Rectory at Quenington, Gloucestershire (on until 26th June).  In addition to the numerous sculptures in the extensive gardens, the Pool House Gallery displayed work by artists using jewellery, glass, textiles, ceramics, etc.  Of particular interest was the work of Zoe Hillyard who uses fabric and broken ceramics ..... fascinating.

A glimpse of the Old Rectory from outside
the Pool House Gallery

A couple of photos of the grounds and exhibits:

June issue of Drawing Attention

Urban Sketching

 

Half a dozen members of our local sketching group braved the chilly weather to sketch in one of our town parks at the weekend.

Earlier in the week I was lucky enough to book a two day workshop in Oxford with international urban sketcher Paul Wang from Singapore (Instagram @paulwang_sg).  An intensive couple of days, with the mornings spent in a classroom at the Museum of Natural History, one afternoon in Wadham college grounds and chapel and the second attempting to sketch a narrow cobbled alleyway and its crowded, ancient buildings.  An excellent course and although at the time I didn't produce any watercolour sketches worth sharing, I will definitely work on practising the lessons learned.  

Warm-up sketches in the Museum 

Thread Book and Cover

Some time ago, a friend made a really beautiful Chinese thread book for me.  It has a total of 19 compartments - amazing.  A real tour de force!  I did try to make a video of it being opened, but I kept getting lost and missing out some of its secret boxes, so instead I have included some stills here.

I have now made a fabric cover for it using some sheeting.  I coloured this with inks, then quilted it a bit wonkily (my early attempt at free motion machining), finishing by adding some hand embroidery.  I had intended to try and match the colours of the book (lilac and green), but that didn't quite work out.

More arty outings

I have been very lax in keeping up to date with recent art outings, although in some cases time for sketching has been limited.

Exhibitions visited have included Kurt Jackson's "Biodiversity" at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History (followed by a hurried look round both the Pitt Rivers and Ashmolean Museums); works from the TV series "Portrait Artist of the Year" at Compton Verney, Warwickshire (on until 5th June, definitely worth a visit)  and masterly watercolours by David Curtis at the Windrush Gallery in the Cotswolds (open until May 27th).

An installation in the grounds of Compton Verney -
"The Village" by Morag Myerscough

Lunch in the garden of the Fox Inn after
visiting the Windrush Gallery


..... and a few quick scribbles ....

Here I used an A6 Hahnemuhle Toned watercolour book with
a Pilot G-Tec water soluble pen

A very quick sketch, resting my book on a
dustbin outside the Windrush Gallery

Urban sketching

The venue for this month's sketch meeting was Queen's Park, in the centre of town.  A really glorious day and nice to be able to sit in the warm sun and sketch.