Excursion to Jervis Bay

After a longish hiatus I enrolled myself in a plein air workshop last weekend. It was run by the charming Alison Chiam, of Malaysian Chinese/ Scottish heritage. The workshop was held at Jervis Bay, about 2.5 hours away from Sydney.

The afternoon we left a thunderstorm with hail came down with great effect. The trip took us nearly 4 hours! The next day the weather was dismal - showers and a brisk wind made it rather wintry. Being a wuss I assumed that the workshop would be relocated to an indoor venue. Well, it wasn't and we ended up stuck mostly in a shelter at Picnic Point.




Rowen Matthews the art tutor is an academic and practising painter. His message is to paint expressively - in other words convey the feeling of the place. I'm sure he is right, at some level I know that paintings of places that I've loved always sold first. Being outside, despite the elements really helps. If only plein air weren't so uncomfortable. One is either too hot or too cold. The less equipment you bring the less you can achieve. The balance is a challenge. Despite the conditions I was happy with my first painting - it's a sandbank across the creek. I had to paint peeking out from the cracks of the shelter....



The next day the weather cleared. Hurray! The time we went to Greenfields Beach. I was encouraged to try palette knife painting as a quick way to get an impression down. These are small boards but perfect for field work.


This last one was of another creek. I was struck by the tea stained rocks in the creek. One can only see this in the shadows - the water reflected the sky perfectly in other places. I'm glad to have attended this workshop as it has now inspired me to get out and paint. I've finally bought a tube of retardant which I will be thankful for outside of rainy days.

St Mark's

Everyone who visits Venice would have been to St Mark's - the Byzantine cathedral decorated with the booty from the East. It's certainly the most fantastic building I've seen.


This painting was inspired by St Marks but it's not the colours of the real building which was too subdued to depict its richness and grandeur.

Venetian roofscape

Last year we were in Europe on vacation. And Italy being my favourite place, we were in Venice.


Our hotel was very close to San Marco but in a quieter part of the sestieri. Our rooms had this gorgeous view of rooftops. But my favourite time to admire this was at dusk when the whole place glowed with a soft golden light. Even now when I think of this view I get a warm feeling - how lucky for those who can feast their eyes everyday.

Life drawing in colour

This term I have not enrolled in an art class as the swim season looms and I'm race secretary. I know I'm going to be very busy. But when my friend Fiona asked if I'd go for a casual class, I was quite excited. Firstly because I do like figure drawing and secondly because Fi, who badly needs me-time, is able to go.



We did the usual warm up exercises and then we had an hour long pose. This is really unusual because models usually can't stay still that long. I took the opportunity to do an ink drawing.


We had more time - I then got ambitious and started an acrylic and ink combination- nearly didn't finish it. The pose from this angle was severely fore shortened which made composition difficult. But I'm pleased with the results. Best of all, Fi had a good day and plans to return next week.

Trees

It's officially winter and pretty wet and cold but I guess the trees haven't caught up with the season. Everywhere I go there's still autumn leaves. One evening I was popping by our music teacher's place when I was struck by the street scene.


Shadows are long even at 3:30pm and the sun sets before 5.



I found time to paint these gum trees using watercolour. The wax crayon makes a great effect of the tree trunk. This is the view looking up at the trees.

Last lesson of term

Sadly today's the last lesson of the term. I've had a ball - Susie is just such an inspiring teacher. Today we get to paint landscapes or flowers.


Robyn brought a photograph of these gum trees taken during her trip to the Kimberleys. Some wax resist later, here is the result.


We also attempted to paint this church building- located in UK I'm sure.


Here are my poppies but the following is Susie's. Don't you simply love the delicate petals? Absolutely stunning!


Having eaten far too much cake (thank you Rowena!) I said goodbye. Unfortunately I can't return next term due to work. Bummer but I think I'm ready for a break anyway- it's been so frantic recently. But I will miss the company and Susie's effervescence.

Life drawing and painting

By luck we have an intern at ArtEst Catherine from Texas. She agreed to be our model (clothed). I much rather have a clothed model than nudes as these are so much more acceptable to hang!



We start off with a seated pose. Love the angles created by the crossed legs.


This other one is less natural.


And finally a pose with her chin in her hands. It was pretty difficult to draw this one. Never mind that I tried twice.