ART CLUB MEETINGS
Our 2 newly-named groups launched in September 2022, when the Art Club year began. More information is available on our Membership page.
If you are not yet a member and would like to join, please contact Maggie Read by email: pirbrightartclub@btconnect.com or mobile 0799552780
The Exhibiting Artists group allows our more experienced artists to work on their own projects, if they choose to, although there is usually an optional 'theme' set for those who feel they need inspiration! This group is geared towards members who wish to exhibit.
The Leisure Artists group is more focussed on painting and drawing for pleasure and learning. Maggie sets the 'themes' for each group and demonstrates at most of the group meetings and when relevant.
All meetings are on Thursdays and they take place at Lord Pirbright's Hall, on Pirbright Green (all meetings are in the Main Hall). The hall is spacious and members normally have a table to themselves, where possible.
CLUB MEETINGS - Spring 2025
Leisure Artists: meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month 1:15pm - 4pm
January 16th
Continuing from last November’s theme – those who are working on illustrations for the book “Churchyard Chronicles” could develop and complete* their story illustrations today. Deadline is next Thursday.
Alternatively, members may prefer to work on their own projects.
*If you have finished your illustration, bring it in today or send me a good photo image
February 20th
Figures in Landscape – using acrylics (or your preferred medium). Those who attended last month’s Friday Workshop on this theme may wish to continue/develop/complete their painting/s. Bring your own reference photos*. Others can use the hand-outs provided to try drawing figures in various sizes and create a composition to include figures of different scales. Adapt for your own choice of media. I will demonstrate and show my examples.
*I will have some reference of figures plus hand-outs to help you draw figures
March 20th
Still-life: Jugs and Bowls – drawing study, to include tips on elipses, negative space and tone. I will provide some objects and you may add to them, if you wish. Create your own table ‘set-up‘ with my help. I will show how to use comparative measuring techniques and shading to create 3-dimension & texture.
April 10th
A Venice Scene – using Artists Soft Pastels* and pastel pencils over watercolour washes. Find your own photos or choose one from the selection provided. Bring a set of soft pastel sticks and a sheet of ‘not’ surface watercolour paper (previously painted with pink or ochre watercolour washes}. *Inscribe or similar. You will also need a few pastel pencils for drawing detail (e.g. black or dark grey and white)
I will demonstrate sketching out a scene in pastel pencil and some soft pastel techniques.
May 15th
Theme to be arranged.
NB. ‘Themes’ are optional and are set mainly to give members ideas and inspiration. I will
show techniques and examples where relevant - particularly to those with less experience.
Short demos will be shown to small groups of 5 or 6 people at a time.
Where date is highlighted – please note a change from the usual week of your session.
Beginners - contact me for a ‘materials list’ if you need to buy a ‘starter’ kit of basic equipment. I have lists of drawing materials; watercolours; pen and wash; pastels; acrylics.
Exhibiting Artists: meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of the month 2pm - 5.15pm
January 23rd
Continuing from last November’s theme - those who are also members of the Leisure Artists group and who are working on illustrations for the book “Churchyard Chronicles” - please complete your story illustrations today. If you have finished your submission, bring it in today or send a good photograph of your picture, if you cannot attend.
Alternatively – members of this group may work on their own projects.
February 27th
Figures in Landscape - using acrylics or oils (or your own preferred medium). Those who attended last month’s Friday Workshop on this theme may wish to continue and develop their painting/s. Bring your own reference photos*. Suggest others may use the hand-outs to try drawing figures in various sizes and begin to create a composition to include figures of different scales. Adapt for your own choice of media.
*I will have some reference of figures plus hand-outs, as well as my own demo piece
March 27th
Still-life: Jugs and Bowls – a painting in acrylic or oils* Includes drawing tips: ellipses, negative space and tone. I will provide some objects and you may add to them, if you wish. There will be a table set-up, for those who wish to follow the optional theme. You may create your own small set-up‘ if you prefer. I will show how to develop an underpainting and add the light! *Bring a prepared surface (panel or canvas) and appropriate painting materials.
There is no April session for this group - instead there are 2 sessions in May
May 1st
Work on own projects or the optional theme for Leisure Artists: A Venice Scene (see the information for that group’s theme for April)
May 22nd
Theme to be arranged
NB. ‘Themes’ are optional and are set mainly to give members ideas and inspiration. I will
show techniques and examples where relevant - particularly to those with less experience.
Short demos will be shown to small groups of 5 or 6 people at a time.
Where date is highlighted – please note a change from the usual week of your session
Maggie Read is always on hand to help members with their work on an individual basis. Maggie is a qualified art tutor, teaching all aspects of drawing and painting in many different media.
For further information about Maggie Read, visit her own website www.maggieread.co.uk
There is an optional theme and suggested medium each month for anyone who needs inspiration! Members are encouraged to bring their own reference photos or source material to work from and use their own style and imagination to create original work...
We believe that art should express our own ideas and copying other artists' work is strictly forbidden, especially when it comes to exhibiting and selling art. Copyright rules are respected.
Our members work in a wide range of media, including drawing materials; watercolour; pen & wash; acrylics; pastels and oils.
(Please note, oil painters should only use water-mixable or low-odour oils.)
Tutored painting meetings: members may purchase a Voucher Card for 5 x sessions at a slight discount from the monthly fee of £10 (cards are £45). These cards are stamped each time a member attends a group meeting. Voucher-cards can be purchased at meetings.
DEMONSTRATIONS BY MAGGIE READ
Polperro Harbour Staged Demonstration by Maggie Read May 2020
.jpg)
The November theme for one group was "A Frosty Garden Scene in White Pastel Pencil on Black Paper". Maggie produced a series of demonstration photos and a slide-show, based upon her own painting. Some of the staged photos are shown below.
2020's April theme was "An Interior Scene in Half-light" in watercolour. Maggie produced a series of demonstration photos from her own painting on this theme, see below.
The pictures should be viewed in conjunction with these documents, which can be viewed in either doc or pdf format.
