PAST EVENTS
Find out more about the past events at Bexhill Art Society
April Meeting
Collage demonstration
by
Catherine Farr
For this months demonstration we welcomed local artist Catherine Farr. After studying at the Wimbledon School for Arts she taught at a school in London before moving to Spain .but is now happily living in Hastings. Throughout the afternoon, Catherine, not only kept us entertained - a natural raconteur but took us through her thought process and techniques for creating a piece of collage artwork. Working from a photograph and having already gathered together a variety of types of paper - tissue, wrapping, pages from magazines, etc. and using mountboard as the working surface began matching a similar colour piece of paper to an area in the photograph Explaining, it depended on what shape she was trying to achieve a soft or hard edge - for a softer edge that could be blended in she would tear or rip the paper but would cut for a more defined hard straight edge each piece was then firmly glued down (using PVC glue) and slowly built-up a collage landscape with trees full of blossom.
During the refreshment break members had a chance to visit the sales table, chat with Catherine about her work. and enjoy seeing all the entries for the monthly competition and the 'Artist of the Month' paintings
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March Meeting
Membership Renewal
&
Birds in Watercolour. A demonstration By Kerry Bennett
On a bright sunny afternoon members settled back to watch a demonstration by local artist Kerry Bennett.Kerry a professional artist lives in Batttle where she runs regular classes and workshops. Her love of the natural world is her inspiration for her paintings and for her choice of birds for the afternoon demonstration. Before Kerry put paint to paper she demonstrated how by drawing a couple of simple egg shapes you can quickly get a basic outline of a bird - a tip much appreciated by the members. The first two little fellows to be painted - a Long Tailed Tit and a Great Tit with the stately Heron brought to life after the refreshment break.
Kerry began with light washes of watercolour and explained to help get a featherlike texture she likes to sprinkle a few grains of salt into the wash before allowing everything to dry. The dried salt grains are then brushed off before going on to add the finer details. A similar use of salt was used on the tree branch to add texture. To pick out the areas around the eye, top of the head and tail Kerry said she had no problem with using a black watercolour paint for these areas but will also mix a black from burnt sienna and ultramarine During the short refreshment break members where able to talk to Kerry about her choice of paper, brushes, paints
The afternoon ended with a vote of thanks to Kerry for a very enjoyable and informative demonstration and the hope to welcome her back at some future date..
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