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.

Portrait1.jpg

I have always wanted to be able to create portraits but find it quite difficult getting a really good likeness. There are some similarities in my sketch but it still leaves a lot to be desired. I did enjoy this one though, I don’t think the watercolour did anything to enhance it .

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.

Still life

This still life of familiar still life of items found in the kitchen was so relaxing to do.
It was so enjoyable to chat whilst participating in this stressless task.

Tutor Comment
A great sketh here, great flow and colour. Pen and ink and watercolour are like a great married couple.
Well done

The Coliseum

I’m afraid I didn’t like this task it had no appeal for me , it was quite daunting in fact.
I did my best although my heart wasn’t really in it. Not happy with the result so it will definitely be recycled.

Tutor Comment
You are too harsh on yoursef, it may not have been your taste, but your skills should still shine through. Hope the next task is more enagaging for you.