New Book

My friend and teacher, Penny, has just produced a new book about using textures in acrylic and watercolour painting. Over 60 different techniques are illustrated with details of how each is achieved and the materials used.....and some of the materials used are not what you would think of using in a painting. Although you can buy special texture pastes etc, you can also a wide range of household materials and things from the recycle bin. I have uploaded some examples from the book, two using acrylics and two using watercolours. The book can be obtained directly from Penny (info@pennywilton.co.uk) and from the Studio Art Shop in Poole.

I'm back......

I had intended to continue my blog with news of things I am doing post City and Guilds. The intentions were good but time has flown by since my last entry. I spent a most enjoyable day back at Betty's workshop learning how to use a sewing machine to do embroidery. It is not as easy as I thought it was. The last time I used a sewing machine was in the days of the hand operated ones. I was not particularly good then. My good friend Susie has loaned me her electric machine. When I can produce something worth showing I will publish a picture here.....until then I shall have to practice.
I have also visited a very good exhibition at the Red House Museum in Christchurch of Tactile Textures. I has been done with visually impaired people in mind. All the exhibits can be handled and have been designed with this in mind. Apart from their qualities as tactile objects they are also a feast for the eye and I feel sad for those people who cannot see them. If you are in the area it is well worth going to see and touch.
At the end of term painting classes we did a class doing portraits and its has sparked an interest in doing pencil portraits. I have done a small one of the Dalai Lama and am now working on a larger one. Depending on the outcome, and if it gets finished in time, I may put the last one in the AEC exhibition. This is an annual exhibition for the over 60's. We shall see. Anyway, I am posting pictures of both.