This was the subject at yesterdays Avon Valley Artists session - not one looked forward to by most of the participants! Nevertheless one thing we all do is have a go at whatever subject is put before us, not necessarily enthusiastically, but with the intention of producing something that fits the topic. Our approach is elastic, so that creativity rules, but in nearly all cases something resembling the subject emerges. In the case of `Abstract' it was suggested by Jan, who with Yvonne produces the programme, that `circles' might predominate. Some of us took this to heart some didn't, but again it was suggested one could use different approaches and Yvonne provided a number of small photographs that might be used as guides.
Two hours earlier just blank sheets of paper!
Jo McKenna
???
???
Robert Heal
???
Yvonne Harry
Helen Newman (?)
Pat Walker
Peter Ward (1) 16" x 12 Gerstaeker No.3 200gsm not.
As you can see I produced two paintings - about 30 - 40 mins each. The first conformed to the `Circles' suggested by Jan, the other was based on one of the small photos provided by Yvonne. At the very least it enabled me to play the range of colour options, in the first compliments etc, while the second was an exercise in shapes and colour - a collection of Ivy type leaves. In each case I used a cheap paper from Gerstaeker (Great Art).
Peter Ward (2) 16" x 12" Gerstaeker No.3 200gsm not
Not everyone paints in watercolour. There are a number who use acrylics and pastels, although none of the above are pastels. Although Yvonne paints primarily in watercolour she slapped all sorts of things on the painting above which she describes on her blog www.watercolourflorals.blogspot.com/
My brushes were three, two Escoda retractables No.10 & 12 and a Rosemary retractable rigger (the only one she makes).