ART SESSIONS
Our 2 new groups launched in September 2025, when the Art Club year began. More information is available on our Membership page. Members can enrol on their preferred group but now have the option to either join both groups or to choose which session to attend each month, using our new Art Session card system.
Sessions are led by our professional artist and qualified tutor Maggie Read! See her page for her background and gallery.
If you are not yet a member and would like to join, please contact Maggie by email: pirbrightartclub@btconnect.com or mobile 0799552780
Group 1 (third Thursday of each month 1.15 - 4pm) - focus is on painting and drawing for pleasure and learning. Members will get some step-by-step guidance, so this group is particularly suited to beginners and improvers. Maggie sets 'themes' each month and demonstrates or provides exampes at most of the group sessions.
Group 2 (fourth 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 and sell their work. However, this is not exclusive and you may prefer the timing of this group if you wish to join.
All sessions take place at Lord Pirbright's Hall, on Pirbright Green (in the Main Hall). The hall is spacious and tables are set up to seat groups of up to 6 at each. There is a separate still-life table and seating at tables around this for members who wish to work from direct observation. Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided and served from the kitchen.
ART SESSIONS - Autumn 2026 - GROUP 1
Meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month 1:15pm - 4pm
September 17th
Theme: Sea and sky: drawing practice – a warm-up session using photos as reference and using water-soluble graphite pencils on Cartridge paper (or use ordinary pencils HB & 3B )
Photo reference provided or bring your own Maggie will show wash pencil techniques
NB. Please complete entry forms for the Annual Exhibition this month - all details for entering will be sent separately in early/mid September.You may also bring any finished or unframed work for selection or any ready-to-exhibit artwork for approval if you wish
October 15th
Theme: Sunsets over water: artists soft pastels on pastel paper or Colourfix* card in a dark blue, deep purple or deep aubergine colour Examples and Maggie's demo piece
Photo reference – bring own photos or select from the ones provided
NB. Please bring your framed or unframed, mounted entries for the Annual Exhibition to this session for final selection, advice and pricing, if they are ready
November 19th
Theme: A mini snow-scene in watercolour: using masking fluid & limited colour-palette on watercolour paper – maybe this could be a special Xmas card for someone!
Maggie will demonstrate techniques and show examples of her own work
Themes are optional and members may prefer to work on their own projects or complete work started at one of Maggie’s workshops
Alternatively – there will be a still-life set up for those who would rather work from direct observation Members may draw or paint in a preferred medium at the still-life table Please bring an easel if you can
Important diary dates:-
Sat October 31st & Sun November 1st - Annual Exhibition at LPH
DATES FOR 2027 to follow!
ART SESSIONS - Autumn 2026 - GROUP 2
Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of the month 2pm - 5pm
September 24th
Theme: Sea and sky: drawing practice – a warm-up session using photos as reference and using water-soluble graphite pencils on Cartridge paper You may paint in monochrome if you prefer
Photo reference provided or bring your own Maggie will show some techniques with wash pencils
NB. Please complete entry forms for the Annual Exhibition this month - all details for entering will be sent separately in early/mid September. You may bring any finished or unframed work for selection or any ready-to-exhibit artwork for approval
October 22nd
Theme: Sunsets over water: artists soft pastels on pastel paper or Colourfix* card in a dark blue, deep purple or deep aubergine colour Maggie will show painting in pastels on Colourfix
Photo reference – bring own photos or select from the ones provided
NB. Please bring your framed or unframed, mounted entries for the Annual Exhibition to this session for final selection, advice and pricing, if they are ready
November 26th
Theme: A mini snow-scene in watercolour: using masking fluid & limited colour-palette on watercolour paper – maybe this could be a special Xmas card for someone! Maggie has many examples of this watercolour technique You could use other paint media if you prefer - bring own photo ref or choose from selection
Themes are optional and members may prefer to work on their own projects or complete work started at one of Maggie’s workshops
Alternatively – there will be a still-life set up for those who would rather work from direct observation Members may draw or paint in a preferred medium at the still-life table Please bring an easel if you can
Important diary dates:-
Sat October 31st & Sun November 1st - Annual Exhibition at LPH
DATES FOR 2027 to follow!
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. See more about Maggie on her own page (on this website).
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 group painting sessions: members purchase an Art Session Card @ £55 for 5 once-monthly sessions or 2 cards (ie.10 x sessions - twice a month) for £88 . 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). NB. The cards have an expiry date and cannot be rolled over to the next half-year..
DEMONSTRATIONS BY MAGGIE READ
Polperro Harbour Staged Demonstration by Maggie Read May 2020
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The November theme in 2020 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.
