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 - Autumn 2025
Group 1: meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month 1:15pm - 4pm
September 18th
Fetes, Fairs and Holidays 2025! A drawing or painting based on your holiday memories*, using own choice of medium. Choose an unusual scene, maybe a view from a hotel window or a series of vignettes from a memorable day out! It could be objects seen in a Turkish market or a crowd scene from a day at a Flower Show!
Some reference photos will be provided for inspiration but use your own photos if you can.
Alternatively - you may work from the still-life table, various "themed" objects provided.
October 16th
Autumn Foliage – using Artists Soft Pastels (not oil pastels) on a bright-coloured ground. Try Colorfix* pastel surface or use watercolour paper ("not" surface) painted with coloured wash. Bring some Autumn leaves and berries and photos of Autumnal landscapes.
Maggie will demonstrate pastel techniques on Colorfix* pastel paper and will also show examples of painted watercolour paper. Paint from "real" foliage for foreground, with photo reference for background.
Some Colorfix half-sheets will be available for sale, if you wish to try it.
Alternatively - you may work from the still-life table, various "themed" objects provided.
November 20th
Exhibition entries : advice, approval and pricing – Bring your framed and unframed work for critique and advice. Draw from the still-life set-ups* or work on your own projects during today's session.
Maggie will bring a selection of reference photos, of various subjects, to work from, if you prefer.
Annual Exhibition details to follow soon! See date below.
‘Themes’ are optional and are set mainly to give members ideas and inspiration. Maggie will
show techniques and examples where relevant - particularly to those with less experience.
Short demos will be shown to small groups of 6 - 8 people at a time.
Contact me for a ‘materials list’ if you need to buy a ‘starter’ kit of basic equipment. I have lists of materials for drawing; watercolour; pen and wash; pastels; acrylics; water-mixable oils. Maggie
There will be a set-up of still-life objects as an option at every meeting.
Diary dates:-
December 6th – Annual Exhibition at Lord Pirbright's Hall! One-day "pop-up" exhibition / sale of work - café - craft - artists at work
Group 2: meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of the month 2pm - 5pm
September 25th
Fetes, Fairs and Holidays 2025! A drawing or painting based on your holiday memories*, using own choice of medium. Choose an unusual scene, maybe a view from a hotel window or a series of vignettes from a memorable day out! It could be objects seen in a Turkish market or a crowd scene from a day at a Flower Show!
Some reference photos will be provided for inspiration but use your own reference if you can.
Alternatively - you may work from the still-life table, various "themed" objects provided.
October 23rd
Autumn Foliage – using your own choice of medium. Combining reference material. Members who attend both sessions could continue with their work from last week. Bring some Autumn leaves and berries and photos of Autumnal landscapes.
Maggie will bring her demo piece from last week, showing soft pastel techniques on Colorfix*. Whichever medium you use, it is suggested that the foreground is painted from "real" foliage and the background from reference photos or from imagination.
Some Colorfix half-sheets will be available for sale, if you wish to try it.
Alternatively - you may work from the still-life table, various "themed" objects provided.
November 27th
Exhibition entries : advice, approval and pricing – Bring your framed and unframed work for critique and advice. Draw from the still-life set-ups* or work on your own projects during today's session.
Maggie will provide a selection of reference photos, of various subjects, if you prefer.
Annual Exhibition details to follow soon! See date below.
‘Themes’ are optional and are set mainly to give members of this group ideas and inspiration. Maggie will show techniques and examples where relevant and her own work in progress. Do try the "themes" sometimes, as there may be areas where you need practice and it is an opportunity to push your own boundaries, try anew medium or subject!
Contact me for a ‘materials list’ if you need to buy a ‘starter’ kit of basic equipment. I have lists of materials for drawing; watercolour; pen and wash; pastels; acrylics; water-mixable oils. Maggie
There will be a set-up of still-life objects as an option at every meeting.
Diary dates:
December 6th – Annual Exhibition at Lord Pirbright's Hall! One-day "pop-up" exhibition / sale of work - café - craft - artists at work
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 group painting sessions: members now purchase an Attendance Card for 5 x sessions (single card is £55) or 2 cards for £88 (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.
