water colour apples and some oils, student work

Georgie's lovely artwork 

If I could put all my student's work here, I would - but you would be inundated! Here is a small selection of lovely artworks from a recent session, both from students in-studio as well as some working at home using Zoom. 

Students drew the whole of this composition, then selected their favourite section, a composition within a composition, and worked it to a finish within the time available. 

Painting by Christine McC

Tania's

Working up just a section of a larger drawing means that we get a sense of completion - classes are usually just over two hours, which means it's a challenge to finish larger works. 

Ann's

For info on upcoming workshops please email julie@juliedouglas.co.uk 

 

Paul Foxton's workshop in Belfast.

Sometimes in life we are lucky enough to meet people who share the same values and principles as ourselves, making the connection easy and comfortable. In my creative life I have met a few such kindred spirits. One of them is Paul Foxton, who I was delighted to welcome to Belfast Academy of Realist Art last week, where he delivered a colour mixing workshop to students from all over the world.

Paul introducing some of the group to the Munsell chips. 

His workshop ran for five days, and the first three days were mainly demonstrations, as well as mixing colour, learning how to assess value, hue and chroma, without actually painting anything at all. This mixing practice took place around the big table, so everyone could see everyone else's palettes and Paul had a great overview. Working together in this way de-personalised the struggle, and helps everyone understand what they're doing.

Once students showed a clear understanding of the process,  they began painting objects at the easel. 

Ciaran, working hard at the easel. 

Everyone worked very hard, and there were lightbulb moments all week! 

Some of Ciaran's colour studies.

The last night - only three students stayed over till the next day, so we celebrated with a meal out. L-R Girish, Alexei, Judy, Julie (me!) and Paul 

 I am thrilled to say that Paul is coming back again next year with a different workshop, and I will give you the dates as soon as we have confirmed them. 

For information on all workshops at Belfeast Academy of Realist Art please email julie@juliedouglas.co.uk

Up coming workshops include drawing and oils (22 - 27 April), portait drawing (25 & 36 April). 

Bravery and trust at the drawing board

Sometimes when I look at the drawings my students create, I am astonished at just how DIFFICULT the subjects are. Subjects which I set, of course! Tough. Stretching.

Suzanne B, student - a lovely set-up

But it's not only the level of trickiness which strikes me - it's the students themselves, and how brilliantly they respond when they see each week's offering... (Some hide their horror, some let it show!) Please remember that my students often have very little past experience. Some have not drawn for 30 years. Some have doodled at home without guidance, and attend out of exasperation or frustration at their lack of improvement. Some have no experience at all, but a desire. And others have attended for a little while and feel the benefit of the challenges I give them. All attend just once a week, for between two and four hours. A short time (and usually drawings are not completed in that time) - but they all improve, and accept the challenges.

Clive, student

So when I show you the work they produce, it's because I appreciate them and am proud of their achievements.  Appreciate their WORK, their frustration, their grit. And their staying power.

When I decide on a subject, it is chosen with a sense of adventure and fun. Excitement at a reflection. Pleasure at a shadow. Visual feasting, and enthusiasm for the puzzle-solving to come at each drawing board, by each student.

Recently the subject was cookie cutters. A great subject, fitting into what I would describe as the 'structural' category (as oposed to 'organic'). In other words - no hiding places! I made some ginger bread cookies too, but we decided to eat those rather than drawing them, even the crispy ones...

Alison S., using coloured pencil to beautiful effect. 

This arrangement was placed on the spotty paper, which provided the biggest challenge. If you look hard you will see part of the ginger bread cutter, and some ribbon. This took two hours of study, and while it is not finished, it is still beautiful. By student Kate.

Pat -this drawing was larger than most, around A3 sized. 

Glynis - in order to help her get less lost in the puzzle, Glynis marked R for red and Y for yellow on the stripes of her drawing. Every little helps! 

Ewa's drawing, with gorgeous warm colours reflected from red and gold paper, into the cutter. 

Teresa's drawing - Teresa is a new student and this was her first time using coloured pencil. A great start. 

A lovely water colour version. 

Alan S, lovely colourful start.

Sara's successful combination of graphite pencil and colorued pencil. 

Brigid's lovely drawing. 

 To make things more exciting, I added shiny paper into the mix. Students had a choice of silver, gold, striped or spotted paper, which introduced both colour and extra pattern to the subject. To be kind, I threw in some ribbons for extra impact. Students set up their own arrangement, inside 'cardboard corners', after experimenting with placement of colours for best effect, and got to work. Ouch!

Jim, coloured pencil with a little water added.

The best place to find shiny and patterned paper this year is..The Range! 
well done to everyone on a fantastic piece of observation drawing. 

Next up: Friday Night Life (life drawing 28th December 2019), Children's art (29th December 2018)

For info on all workshops please email julie@juliedouglas.co.uk

Autumn Squashes and Pumpkins from Helen's Bay Organic, lovely water colour paintings

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love pumpkins and gourds. Striped, distorted, gnarled or twisted and plenty of warts! This year I had a tip-off from my student Jim, who said 'I've found somewhere you'll LOVE'. He was so right - it's Helen's Bay Organic.

Hidden down a small lane, the muddy drive led on to a couple of small sheds stocked with brussel sprouts on the stem, kale, darkest purple cabbages and lots of varieties of pumpkin and squash - all neatly colour-coded and gasping to be painted. Behind the sheds was a series of polytunnels and long tables laid out with more vegetable, and over the hedge was a huddle of old tractors, quietly waiting for the day that I return to paint them! 

 My students LOVED this subject. After selecting and arranging one green, one orange and one striped squash, they took the challenge of drawing, then doing the background, then moving on to the squashes themselves. Some managed it in one session, and many opted to return for a second class to finish.

Ann

Ann, above, and David, below, managed a one-class painting by being bold and un-worried.

David

Sara - graphite and coloured pencil

Sara, above, managed her time well by choosing a small section within her arrangement to bring to finished colour, and did the remainder in tones of grey using graphite. Choosing a small area like this is a lovely way to entertain the viewer - it's a window into how the whole page might have looked, and it also draws you right in the that coloured section.

Liz

Liz, above, and Sandra, below, have spent a couple of sessions on their oil paintings so far, with a few more ahead in order to bring their work to a finish. It's a great sign when students are willing and happy to stick with the one subject over several sessions. Sometimes it is quicker to work slowly. 

Sandra

 All the water colour paintings below were done over two two and a half hour sessions. This means the painting is fully dry before adding more layers, and students had time to play a little, without the pressure of trying to finish quickly.

Brigid

The second visit allows the opportunity to enrich background washes, and to put in more details in all areas.  After the initial wash layers, it's important to regard the painting more like 'drawing' - use less water, a smaller brush, and be specific about what information you are applying. General first, specific and with intent after that.

Nuala

Julie B. 

Ciara

As you can see, the colours are lovely and rich, wit excellent tonal contrasts.

Christine

 Pat, below, used a lovely approach. Like Sara, she decided to isolate areas to bring to a higher finish, and opted for circles, which is surprising and adds an element of fun! It gives a key-hole feeling which invites you to really stare. She did the left circle during the first session, and the right circle in a second session.

Pat

Jackie (after 1 session)

The painting above and below are two stages of Jackie's painting. Above we see how she left the painting at the end of the first class - washes in the background and on most of the rest of the painting. Below, a second session sees the work completed to delicious dark and atmospheric depths. A really excellent work.

Jackie (after two sessions)

Adam, from Helen's Bay Organic

Thank you to Adam at Helen's Bay Organic for the wonderful vegetables!
https://www.helensbayorganic.com

The start of a new term at BARA - pastels, charcoal and water colours!

It's always an interesting challenge to decide what to give students at the beginning of the Autumn term. Some are new to the class, and some are returning but feeling rusty after perhaps not doing any drawing or painting all summer.

Ann, Natasha, Fernando, Ben and Clive working hard at the drawing boards. 

A useful start to a fresh block of classes is to work in black and white, and pastels are a great way to cover the whole page relatively quickly. It also requires that students use their whole arm to draw, working large, which is kinder (as a warm-up session) than working too intensely with pencil. Working very small can make us feel more tense, and tension isn't good for our creativity!

Catherine, Liz, Jackie, Hilary, Carolyn and Glynis (all looking happy!!) showing their lovely drawings!

This was Angela's first class - great drawing!

Catherine, also her first class, doing really well with the pastels. 

Upcoming classes in October - Oils, Friday Night Life Drawing, Portrait workshop and Children's art. For info email julie@juliedouglas.co.uk