Margaret's Gallery September 2022

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My choice winter scene

I chose to revisit the work of illustrator Phillip Harris. I love his work as it is so appealing and detailed. I simplified it quite a bit as the minute detail he has in the foreground section looked beyond my capabilities but I managed to get a representation.
Trees again my down fall but I loved this image and found it so very relaxing.

Tutor Comment

This shows how good you are at detail and pen and ink work. Trees will be something you will encounter more and more so try and observe more the forms and textures and they will become your artistic friends!

Winter scene in Gouache

I loved the warm colours in the middle section and the contrast with the darker colours. Trees are still a weakness with me and need to persevere and practice as I would love to improve and produce the perfect result.

Tutor comment
I mloved doing this task as well, the use of Gouache is getting more appealing every time I use it, you are beginning to get a real, love for this medium, keep exploring more with this format. great work.

Village church scene

I was looking forward to doing this attractive scene and it was nice to visit the work of a female artist. I really enjoyed this ,it was reasonably quick to do and the novel use of cling film appealing. I don’t think you can plan or predict the possible outcome but on removing the cling film I was quite thrilled at the result. It appears to have left the idea of foliage in just the ideal position in the green area on the right. I would like to experiment with this technique again and using it on a stronger colour background gives a clearer result.

Tutor Comment
A really good example of your skill Margaret. I am glad you enjoyed this one and the use of cling film as well. More like this please. Well done

Corfe castle

My initial thought on this image was one of disappointment at the depressing colour that the artist has chosen.
However the paint application was more varied and satisfying that the task of Ludlow town centre which I haven’t yet re attempted.
I chose a warmer brown in burnt sienna and reduced my focus to the areas I found more interesting. eg . The train and I limited the areas that were more barren.
It was relaxing if not very exiting or cheerful.

Tutor comment
A good attempt here, but I think the style and apporach lends itself to dipping ink as that was a major factor to Rob Adams artwork. I personally found doing this in pure watercolour as well gave me a bter understanding of the landscape. Well done.

Portrait 2.jpg

I decided to attempt this again using pen in on Bristol board. This paper is ideal for sketching as it is so smooth and is very compatible in accepting the eraser.
I used a 2B pencil throughout adding more layers and a 4B pencil for darker highlights.
I drew a grid using the smaller image on page 3 and took my time trying to get better accuracy. I almost fell asleep it was so very relaxing and satisfying.
I was quite pleased with the first session and then studied it over the next few days working out what needed to be rectified.
I altered the eyes , the chin angle and ear section seeing the errors I had made.
It’s not perfect but I am really pleased with this approach and attempt.

picket fence

I really struggled, contemplating whether to even attempt this task.
The artist has a liking for images that are decrepit and dilapidated something which is completely alien to me .
I became irritated at simply sketching the warped and wonky timber posts but thought I maybe happier applying the textures and detail.
I enjoyed doing the first upright panel on the left but soon became bored it was so long winded and monotonous. I skipped many of the processes as I thought the end result would never be anything other than an ‘ugly battered fence.’
The less stressful part was painting the watercolour background and better still actually finishing the image much to my amazement and a relief from my misery.

Tutor comment
This was always going to be a difficult image to try toe work with, the originial artist is hyper realistic. I leanrt a lot be trying some techniques to achve a similar finisg, you may have struggled with the subject but the technique could easily be applied to any topic.
Keep pushing yourself.

Vibrant forest scene

This image although appealing looked complex with its many layers.The video of another painting by the same artist was impressive, it had many more layers than our task but it was useful to see how she approached it.
I enjoyed painting the background, waiting for each section to dry a little before applying the next. At the end of the class I had almost finished just needed to add the snowy elements.
I added the snow at home using white acrylic paint as I didn’t have gouache and used a tissue to blot some areas to give a smudged effect .
It was very enjoyable and relaxing, I am happy with the result.
Tutor Comment
An excellent attempt at this quite complicated image. The use of colour and the layers shown give the final version a wonderful atmosphere, well done Gwaith Da

Stones of Pentre Ifan

Initially I thought this task was interesting with lots of detail. I regret elongating the picture as I found the heavier cross hatching in the foreground a little monotonous.
and more so as it was enlarged. I enjoyed doing the finer background and this technique could be used for a larger landscape.
Overall it didn’t really grip me and had to push myself to get it finished. Unfortunately when I added the white acrylic it smudged the black pen mark making in the sky.
However I pleased that I finished the task and happy with the result.

Tutor Comment
A lot of effort involved here, and yhe detail is just your style, a fantastic finished artwork Well done