31 July 2014

Ross Driver Watercolour Workshop Review

An enthusiastic group gathered in the Godfrey Wilson Hall in Gin Gin in anticipation of another adventure in watercolour with Ross.
The aim of the first day was to capture the image of snow capped mountains and contented cows.
 
First we worked on the tonal sketch and Ross then outlined the paint colours we were going to work with.

With Ross demonstrating each stage we all worked our way through the painting and suddenly it was the end of the day.
Pictures were lined up for a photoshoot and a review by Ross.
 
Day Two was a still life in ink and wash, and even Ross didn't know what he was getting! Gwen came with baskets of fresh home grown vegetables that positively glowed with goodness.

 Again Ross demonstrated the tonal and the final sketch.


 Again everyone applied themselves diligently, well nearly everyone.

I would like to say that this was the result that Ross produced, but it isn't. As the day progressed, Ross's techniques and tips n trick became more and more outlandish. I'm not going to show you the result ços this is supposed to be a serious art lesson.
I will however, show you our serious work.

 Thanks Ross for a great, creative and fun filled weekend.
I, for one, can see a workshop of tricks, tips and other outlandish techniques in the pipeline.




15 July 2014

"Favourites" Exhibition

The Childers Visual Arts Group
Childers Visual artists work with a variety of mediums including ceramics and sculpture, as well as painting.  They have been showing their work for about ten years, with beginners starting their art activities all the time. 
This year the exhibition is a collection of the artists own choice.  They have been asked to choose the piece they have created during the previous ten to twelve months which they believe to be their best piece of work in that time. 
This was encouraging the artists to be self-critical and to make unbiased decisions about their own work.
Alice McLaughlin

13 July 2014

Watercolour Workshop

with Ross Driver

At this workshop, Ross will guide you through the use of white paper to produce a mountain snow scene in watercolour.

On day 2, mystery still life objects will be sketched in pen/ink and wash.

 The workshop will be held Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th July 2014 from 9.00am to 4.00pm  at the Godfrey Wilson Hall, Milden Street Gin Gin
Cost: $25 per day (includes morning and afternoon tea) Contact: Gwen Field 0402 573356

05 July 2014

Mosaic with Alice McLaughlin Workshop Review



During this two day workshop fifteen lucky ladies learnt about the art of mosaics and each one produced their own individual piece.

Some had a simple flat board, some had bowls or terra cotta pots to cover with a mosaic design which they had sketched on paper before-hand. One lady even brought along a satellite dish to cover the inside with a mosaic design. This piece will later become part of a larger art work for her garden.
 
Everyone was kept busy selecting and cutting the tiles in the colours they wanted and even using a hammer to smash up tiles into small pieces to fit into the design.  Other materials were used such as coloured glass, beads, buttons, broken mirrors and even hand -made tiles made from clay.

Alice explained the process of drawing up a design on paper to the size required then placing clear plastic over it and then a piece of insect gauze on top. We then glued the pieces of coloured tiles onto the gauze following the pattern visible underneath. When this was dry we then carefully lifted the gauze onto a board covered with tile cement and left this to dry overnight. Those who had round surfaces such as terra cotta pots or bowls  glued the tile pieces directly onto the surface with tile cement.
On the second day we mixed grout and smeared it over the tiled surface, making sure all the crevices were filled. Then with a sponge and rags the excess grout was wiped away to reveal our pattern neatly surrounded by the grout.

At the end of the weekend we were all pleasantly surprised at what we had achieved and were even working on another piece to finish at home.