Paul Curtis is a member of the New English Art Club, paints in acrylic and is based in Sheffield and London. More details are available at his website > paulcurtisart.com
He came to give a demonstration of painting a still life of flowers and window. Gordon set up the sound system and camera with a large image projected onto the wall.
Paul used a variety of artists paints: white acrylic primer, basic System 3 colours and intense specialist colours.
Paul painted the background in bold strokes. He made many alterations by added colour or layers to achieve the subdued tones that a feature of his paintings. Paul added further layers to lighten the painting as the evening sunlight improved.
Paul added the flowers. The dark purple buddleia contrasted with the subdued background.
He painted the table cover to provide a light background to show the flowers and stems.
The painting at the end of the demonstration was well on the way to be a finished painting, complete with a familiar blue chair but avoided the radio mast on the hill.
Examples of Paul Curtis paintings from his website.
Images are copyright of the artist. Paul Curtis.
Sketching trip to Norton Conyers, north of Ripon > nortonconyers.org.uk
It is a late Medieval Manor House with Stuart and Georgian additions. It was first mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086 and has been in the Graham family since 1624. In 1839 Charlotte Bronte visited the house and, hearing the legend of the mad woman in the attic, used it in her story of Jane Eyre. There is a large walled garden with a central orangery and there is the addition of a new exhibition of vintage garden tools.
It was a mainly dull and cold day, however the rain held off and the walled garden and orangery kept the wind in check. The garden was blooming and kept in good shape by the friendly gardeners.
The members were productive with pencil, ink and paint. Most sketches were unfinished, some were preliminary to paintings.
Katharine Holmes gave an illustrated talk on her painting career. Her main interest is in painting the landscape around her home in Malhamdale and the Dales.
She brought the following landscape paintings of the dales.
Katharine showed a video, assisted by Gordon, of her painting a landscape of Gordale in situ on the grass. She used a large sheet of Saunders Waterford 300lb cotton paper, 1.5 metre by about 2 metre. This involved pouring wet washes across the paper, painting with large brushes, embedding river gravel in acrylic medium and overlaying paper strips etc.
This can be viewed on her website at > www.katharineholmes.co.uk/light_on_land.html
Katharine showed us many images of her paintings, aided by Gordon, including views of Gordale Scar as follows.
Katharine has exhibited at Leeds University including this wall of sketches
Katharine let us browse through her sketching books. She often uses Daler Rowney FW acrylic ink, sometimes painting with the droppers.
Katharine’s showed many images of paintings by her grandmother, Constance Pearson and mother, Phillipa Holmes. Some will feature in her exhibition “Grandmother’s Footsteps” due to run in the Mercer Gallery from 16th September 2017.
Report from Audrey
It was a cold north east wind for our visit to Wath-in-Nidderdale for our monthly sketching trip.
After a coffee and biscuits in the lounge of The Sportsman’s Arms we set off, well wrapped up, to look around the pretty village.
Some of the group walked and took photographs and others sketched. A few had never been in the tiny chapel before and learned that Rudyard Kipling’s father , who had once lived at Greenhow, had preached there.
When we arrived back for a mid-day break, we were ready for the warmth of the log fire and some food in the Sportman’s. Billy had set a table ready for seven which was good as there was a full house in this popular country inn.
We reviewed our sketches, two of which are reproduced here.
The next sketching trip for art club members is on Monday 12th June . Sketching at Norton Conyers – Meet at the house. Picnic lunch. Book with Audrey.
Heather showed us her preferred materials and explained her working methods.
She paints on Art Spectrum paper using Unison soft chalk pastels. Both are quite expensive. She uses cheap sugar paper to test layouts and colours.
She showed us a range of Art Spectrum pastel paper and a waterfall painting she had started on a dark blue sheet.
Heather also showed examples of mark making.
Diagonal lines
Cross hatching
Side stroke
Line strokes
Mixing
Blending
Scumbling
Pointillism
For more paintings and details of this local landscape artist see website
> www.heather-dormer-artist.co.uk
The first outdoor sketching of the year started with a civilised coffee followed by sketching on Glasshouses village green in a chill wind. After a light lunch and another warming coffee sketching resumed across the river in bright sunshine.
Members’ results include some views of Glasshouses Mill.
Paul Harris visited Pateley Bridge Art Club to talk about and illustrate his recent photographic projects, both locally, around England and abroad.
He showed some images and a film sequence of local life that are part of his ongoing four year project with the Upper Nidderdale Landscape Partnership.
The following are some of photographs and films, copyright Paul Harris Photography.
Photographs from Cumbria
Film Work with Artists
Paul mentioned the short film, Swarm, he made of Laney Birkhead’s bee printing project. This had been shown to art club members at the February 2017 meeting, see blog post, and is available to view at > Swarm_a_film_by_Paul_Harris
Paul showed a short film made with Jane Carlisle Bellerby, artist in silk, based on her exhibition at No 6 Studio Gallery, King Street Workshops last year. View at > From Dale to Dale
Iceland
Paul’s international projects include leading photography holidays, including Iceland. He had just returned from Iceland where he was fortunate to come close to sperm whales and orcas. He showed us many photographs, including the following.
There are more pictures and some short films from Iceland on Paul’s website and film page linked at the end. These show the interaction of light and ice plus the spectacular northern lights.
Greenland
He told us about his visits to remote parts of Greenland accessible only by boat (weather and ice permitting), by helicopter or by dog sled.He mentioned some of the environmental issues arising in the fragile landscapes.
Asia
Paul showed us images from northern India with spectacular mountains and unique cultural festivals.
Film Work
Paul showed us scenes during shooting of the series Secrets of the National Trust for channel 5, available on catch up, including an episode with spectacular aerial shots of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal.
For more details of his work and photographs visit Paul’s website
website – www.paulharrisphotography.com
instagram – www.instagram.com/paulharrisphotography/
video – www.vimeo.com/phpProductions
All photographs copyright Paul Harris Photography.
The Chairman and Treasurer reported on another successful year with activities including artist demonstrations, workshops, two exhibitions and an excellent outdoor sketching program blessed with good weather and excellent locations.
There were volunteers at the meeting to help the treasurer with finance and membership. It was agreed that current committee members would continue for 2017.
The club needs someone to help with Publicity, such as notifying local papers and magazines about our activities. Please contact Margaret if any member is able to help.
Gordon showed a film on the life and works of Matisse.
