Quotation (30th August 2005)

"A painting requires a little mystery, some vagueness, some fantasy. When you always make your meaning perfectly plain you end up boring people."

Edgar Degas (1834 - 1917)
Georges Jeanniot, Memories of Degas
1933

Workshop at Aislaby (27th & 28th August 2005)

The Beck Staithes (The finished Watercolour demonstration painting)

Thanks to all who took part in the last Weekend Workshop of the year. Hope to see you in 2006?

Quotation (23rd August 2005)

"At the age of six I wanted to be a cook. At seven I wanted to be Napoleon. And my ambition has been growing steadily ever since".

Salvador Dali

Piazza San Marco, 10am 19th August 2005

We've just got back from a short trip to Venice, we had to go to pick up some paintings, I know, it's a hard life!!
We have never been in August before and to be quite honest, were not really looking forward to the crowds, however we were pleasantly surprised to find the city much quieter than in April!
The weather was great and we were able to wander at will.
It was a shame a few shoe shops were closed for Liz though!?!?

Quotation (16th August 2005)

'The whole difference between construction and creation is exactly this: that a thing constructed can only be loved after it is constructed; but a thing created is loved before it exists.’

Charles Dickens

Workshop at North Lincs. Art Society (14th August 2005)

The finished demonstration painting, 'Westminster' (Watercolour)

A very big thank you to all who took part in the Workshop on Sunday. Your hospitality and enthusiasm are really appreciated!

I look forward to seeing you again in 2006, in the meantime, should you have any questions, please contact me.

Quotation (9th August 2005)

Great literature must come from an upheaval in the artist's soul.

If that upheaval is not present, then it must come from the works of any author which happen to be handy and easily adapted.

Robert Benchley
Writer & Critic

Workshop at Aislaby (6th & 7th August 2005)

Thank you so much to everyone who joined me at Aislaby this weekend, I hope you enjoyed yourselves and found it worth your while?
Here's the finished painting as promised, don't forget to contact me if you have any questions.

See you next year, I hope!


The Finished Painting
Photograph

Painting Tip (3rd August 2005)

I use a variety of pastels to paint a picture, however they are all 'soft' pastels, and whenever possible, of best quality.

For some years now I have used 'Unison Pastels' exclusively, but fairly recently, I have introduced a selection of pastel pencils by 'Conte' and a set of 'Rowney Pastels' for smaller paintings and detail work.

There are many other manufacturers of equal quality, the following may give you a wider choice:
'Schmincke' (Extra Soft), 'Sennelier', 'Rembrandt' (slightly harder) and 'Art Spectrum'. All are very good, so it is wise to try them out before any bulk purchasing.

Most, if not all manufacturers pastels can be purchased individually, or in sets. I have recently bought a landscape set by'Rowney' and the selection is superb!

Soft pastels can be used successfully on all pastel boards, papers and specially prepared surfaces.

Some of the pastels I use

Quotation (2nd August 2005)

On the whole, money does artists much more good than harm. The idea that one benefits from cold water, crusts and debt collectors is now almost extinct, like belief in the reformatory power of flogging.

Robert Hughes
Art Critic

Yorkshire Day (1st August 2005)

Happy 'Yorkshire Day' to all fellow Yorkshiremen, (and to those who would like to be!!)