Waterfall Workshops and Arty Windows

 East Dean and Friston Art Group produced a wide array of pictures of different styles and in different mediums at my workshop this morning: Waterfalls painted as Stained Glass Windows. Most worked on waterfalls but some did scenes inspired by my photos of Abbots Wood and some did their own thing. The difference in colours each artist used was fascinating - lots of vibrant greens helping to keep the 'light' shining through the picture, touches of purple in the water brought it to life, deep mauvey browns in the rocks lent depth and contrast. Most didn't manage to get to the black line ('leading') stage in the 2 1/2 hour session but all coped well with plotting the layout and dividing the elements into smaller pieces.

I enjoyed myself, even enjoyed doing a brief critique of a few of the works, then found a light flurry of snow in the air as I left. Back home to light a roaring log fire to warm the house before I start on putting all of my latest fish pictures into frames ready to go on show.

 Art in Hailsham High Street Shops - Sunday was the changeover day of art in the Hailsham High Street shops - the usual chaotic start but once again it all looks great, including work in 2 new units on the front of the Quintins centre which should get noticed. Surprisingly not many artists are taking up the offer of 8 weeks of free exposure. We stress that it's not a commercial venture - no prices are on the pictures, they are merely there as a showcase. But artists who have taken part so far have had considerable interest.  Michael Gower has had lots of success with the work he has on show in the old Apollo shop - he sold 3 works after the end of the exhibition and has received 2 commissions. 3 other artists (including me) sold work following the window exhibitions and I had several enquiries about my Pet Portraits, Art Group and Workshops. [Have a look at this site, too http://www.artistsandmakers.com/]

Demonstrations & Workshops - bookings now being taken

 

I am now taking bookings for art demonstrations and workshops for the latter part of 2012 and for 2013

Fees: £45 per hour for either a wokshop or demonstration to Art Groups (+travel, + participants' materials for workshops if needed).  

www.josietipler.co.uk 

www.saa.co.uk/art/josie 

www.petsbyjosie.co.uk 

I can tackle most subjects so please have a look at samples of my work and see if there is anything there you like the look of - I try to get at least one picture completed from start to finish at a demonstration, I have been known to work on 3 at once! My passion is for acrylics with mixed media but I also demonstrate in Chalk Pastels and can run workshops for groups where everyone is using a different medium of their choice.

 www.artsocieties.co.uk

Pastel progress

Progress shots of my latest pastel commission - 2 dogs in one. Black dogs are tricky to photograph well and we don't have any ideal shots of this one. Flash photography tends to give an unnatural sheen so it's best to try and take pictures outside in not too bright sunlight.

I lightened up the best shot with photoshop but it's a very small image with no detail or colour so I'm also referring to a side shot. I'm not convinced about the eyes at the moment, think they may be a bit large but the flash in the photo bleached them out so it's tricky to tell.  I'll finish the collar then work on the spaniel and see how the portrait looks as a whole before I do any more on the eyes.

I have a daylight bulb which I use in the studio during the day to counteract the yellowing effect of the ceiling light (not enough natural light in the studio as there's a hedge outside the window) but it's no good after dark so I'll cary on tomorrow. Yes, I know they are mainly black and white but I use a lot of blue and it's very easy to overdo it in the wrong light. Also, I've got a streaming cold so it's now time to sit on the sofa in front of the fire!

And this morning I have managed to complete the portrait. The eyes were a bit too wide so I narrowed them and lessened the line of the nose. It's always tricky trying to decide what to do with the background, particularly with a head only portrait - as these 2 are such different sizes I just blended the neck and shoulders into a misty blue of different shades, keeping a lighter area bottom left to balance the composition.