ART CLUB MEETINGS
Our 2 new groups launch in September 2025, when the Art Club year begins. More information is available on our Membership page. Members enrol on their preferred group but now have the option to either join both groups or to choose which meeting to attend each month, using our new Attendance Card system.
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 first group (3rd Thursday of each month 1.15 - 4pm) is focused on painting and drawing for pleasure and learning. Members will get more step-by-step guidance so this group is particularly suited to beginners and improvers. Maggie sets 'themes' each month and demonstrates at most of the group meetings.
The second group (4th Thursday of each month 2 - 5 pm) 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. However, this is not exclusive and you may prefer the timing of this group if you wish to join.
All meetings take place at Lord Pirbright's Hall, on Pirbright Green (all sessions are in the Main Hall). The hall is spacious and members normally have a table to themselves, where possible.
CLUB MEETINGS - Summer 2025
Leisure Artists: meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month 1:15pm - 4pm
May 15th
Suggested theme today is a continuation and completion of work from any of the previous 3 sessions. Also - those who attended the Friday Workshop may wish to continue work on their painting from that day (Owls / Birds of Prey in Acrylics)
June 19th
Roses & Peonies (in a jug or vase) – using Soft Pastels (not oil pastels) on a painted watercolour* wash. Bring your own flowers (your choice of roses, peonies or both) in a vase or jug, or work from the set-up. I will demonstrate pastel techniques and show examples. *Use watercolour paper with a ‘not’ surface. NB. I will send a reminder and explain how to prepare your paper in advance.
July 17th
Canal Boats – a drawing study! Use various pencils e.g. HB 3B. A propelling pencil is useful for fine work. I will provide some reference or you may use your own photos, if you prefer. I will show how to draw canal boats in a row with some techniques for perspective. We've organised an outdoor painting day at the Basingstoke Canal on Tuesday July 29th (details are on the Activites page). Places available - book yours now!
For those who wish to exhibit at the Railings Exhibition - you may bring your exhibition entries today for approval and pricing, if they are ready.
‘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.
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.
Diary dates:-
July & August – Outdoor Painting Days – dates and locations now published - see our Activities page for all details!
Sat August 30th 11am - 5pm
The Railings Exhibition will be at Pirbright Village Show
Our summer outdoor exhibition will take place on the day of the village fete (see Exhibition page for more information) which is later than usual this year. There is no submission fee for members but a commission of 15% is paid to the Church fund from our sales.
Exhibiting Artists: meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of the month 2pm - 5pm
May 22nd
Impressionistic Rugged Coastline Scene - painted in a medium of your choice. A selection of photos for reference will be available and examples of impressionistic seascapes sent in advance. I will show use of Acrylic Texture Medium, as a base for rocks and cliffs.
June 26th
Still Life with Roses & Peonies – your choice of medium on a prepared surface. Bring your own flowers (your choice of roses, peonies or both), in a vase or jug, or choose from the set-up. I will show examples of pastel techniques on watercolour washes & a continuation of my demo from Leisure Artists group.
July 24th
Canal Boats – drawing practice! Use pencils & sketchbook. How often do you see paintings where the canal boats just don’t look right? I will give you tips on how to draw them: some techniques on perspective and how to avoid the pitfalls! I will bring some reference but you may prefer to use your own photos. We’ve organised an outdoor painting day at the Basingstoke Canal on Tuesday July 29th (details are on Activities page!). Places are available - book yours now!
You may also bring your ‘Railings’ exhibition entries today for approval and pricing.
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.
Diary dates:
July & August – Outdoor Painting Days - dates and locations now published - see our Activities page for all details!
Sat August 30th 11am - 5pm
The “Railings” Exhibition at Pirbright Village Show
Our summer outdoor exhibition is on the day of the village fete (see Exhibitions page for more information), which is later than usual this year. I hope all members of Exhibiting Artists will take part. There is no submission fee for members but a commission of 15% is paid to the Church fund from our total sales.
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 please use water-mixable or low-odour oils.)
Tutor-led painting sessions: members now purchase an Attendance Card for 5 x sessions (single card is £55) or 2 cards for £95 (10 x sessions). These cards are stamped each time a member attends a group meeting. Cards are valid for 5 months each and can be purchased at two issue dates each year: end of August (for Sept - February) and end of Feb (for March - July sessions).
DEMONSTRATIONS BY MAGGIE READ
Polperro Harbour Staged Demonstration by Maggie Read May 2020
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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.
