Christmas decorations, student artworks

I thought it would be fun to end the term with students painting their favourite Christmas decoration. The first image below is by Heather, who drew using coloured pencil on tinted (grey) paper. A really lovely and dramatic drawing.

The next images are in water colour, all done be students sitting at home, using Zoom to connect with the other students. I am so grateful to whoever came up with the idea of online learning. It has been a saviour over the past many months.

Above, by Christine McC, below by Cathy.

This is the subject that got the most laughs out of my students as they worked! Don't get me wrong - we have a lot of fun every time (mingled with a little torture...), but this was a different league of mirth. Gennie, who was painting on Zoom in County Clare, spent much of the morning tittering, as she painted a litle robin that she had knit for the Christmas tree. In fact, she has an entire flock!

For info on weekly drawing and painting classes please email julie@juliedouglas.co.uk

Our daily breadsticks.. Pastel drawings BARA students

I was looking through an old A6 sized sketch book recently and found a little drawing of a plaited loaf.  And I thought aha, great subject..!! The drawing was done during a class, MANY years ago. When my children were small, I dond't have time for major painting projects, and the Sketch Book became the life saver - even though the maximum time I had was around 10 minutes during a class, it was enough to help me feel connected. With myself.

Little sketch book study, Julie Douglas 

So I bought lots and LOTS of part-baked loaves and rolls - the kitchen smelled fabulous!

Baskets of bread for the studio

The 'table of choices', from patterned cloth to croissants, seeded rolls, hot cross buns, jam and knives and spoons... 

The first challenge for the students was in setting up their arrangements. It's best to start with lots of options, then narrow it down to just three or four elements. The results were lovely.  They had a choice of tinted papers to work on - it is good to not work on a white surface all the time.

Cathy's pastel study 

Two sessions of work in this chalk study by Christine McC

Pat's oil pastel drawing 

Pat treid her hand at chalk pastels AND oil pastels. The image below is the chalk study - it has a softer look to it than the oil. However, the advantage of oil is a different intensity of tonal values. Note her brave composition, with the knife pointing out towards the viewer.

Pat's start in chalk pastel 

Catherine working on her pastel drawing

Carlo's chalk drawing. Nice and jammy.

A lovely chalk study by Rose-Jane

Upcoming workshops include portrait workshop 22 - 26 July, Oils workshop 22 - 26 August

Life drawing Friday 19th July 6pm, and a weekend session on life Drawing from Friday evening 27 July -  Saturday 27th July. 

For more info plesae email julie@juliedouglas.co.uk