ART CLUB MEETINGS
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 meeting to attend each month, using our new Art Session 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
Group 1 (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.
Group 2 (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 (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
Spring & Summer 2026
Group 1: meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month 1:15pm - 4pm
January 15th
No theme this month - bring anything you would like to work on / need help with.
As usual, there will be a still-life table for anyone who is stuck for ideas or who needs some some drawing practice. This week it will be random man-made objects. I suggest charcoal or dark soft pastel pencils. Any preferred medium will be fine, though.
February 19th
Theme: A monochrome from a black & white photo (some reference will be provided or bring your own, Tip: you can convert any photo to b & w on your smartphone (edit saved photos in your gallery). The demo will show water-soluble graphite pencils. Options - you could use any drawing medium. There will be a still-life table, as usual, for those who prefer to work from direct observation. You can opt to work on your own project if you wish.
NB. Members need to buy a new attendance card at the end of this month to continue to come to art session - this runs from March - July
March 19th
Theme: Monochrome painting in watercolour: using one colour only (could be ultramarine; sepia; Payne's Grey or any deep colour) Assessing the tonal values in a full-colour photo and painting the scene (any landscape or seascape would do) in just one colour, adjusting washes to match tonal strength. You could do this exercise with another painting medium but the demo will be in watercolour. Examples provided and some photo reference will be available. Bring 'not' surface watercolour paper and suitable brushes.
Still-life set-up option, as usual. Work on own project, if preferred.
April 16th
Theme to be announced.
May 21st
Theme to be announced.
You may bring your entry pictures today to be approved and priced for our Summer Exhibition (June 6th)
June 18th
Theme to be announced.
July 16th
Theme to be announced.
You may bring your entry pictures today to be approved and priced for our 'Railings' Exhibition (July 18th)
Important diary dates:-
Sat June 6th – Summer Exhibition at Pirbright Village Fair - all information to follow later in Spring.
Sat July 18th - The Railings Exhibition - at the Pirbright Horticultural Annual Show -
2 - 5pm
August - Annual Subscriptions due for the year 2026-7
Sat October 31st & Sun November 1st - Annual Exhibition at LPH
Group 2: meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of the month 2pm - 5pm
January 22nd
No theme this month - bring anything you would like to work on / need help with.As usual, there will be a still-life table for anyone who is stuck for ideas or want some drawing practice. This week it will be random man-made objects. I suggest charcoal or dark soft pastel pencils. Any medium will be fine, though.
February 26th NB. Change of opening time: 1.30pm - 5pm this month only!
Theme: A monochrome from a black & white photo (some reference will be provided or bring your own, Tip: you can convert any photo to b & w on your smartphone (edit saved photos in your gallery). Maggie's examples* will show water-soluble graphite pencils. Options - you could use any preferred drawing medium. *No demo this month
There will be a still-life set up, as usual, for those who prefer to work from direct observation. You can opt to work on your own project if you wish.
NB. Members need to buy a new attendance card at the end of this month to continue to come to art session - this runs from March - July
March 26th
Theme: Monochrome painting in Acrylics: using one colour - a neutral purple/blue/grey (I will show mixing). Assessing the tonal values in a full-colour reference photo and painting the scene (a landscape or seascape will do) in only one colour, matching tonal strength. You could do this exercise with other painting media (or continue with last week's watercolour) but this demo will be in acrylics. Examples provided. Some photo reference will be available. NB. Bring a panel/board or other prepared painting surface: paint this in advance (if poss) with a coat of pale coral or ochre (suggested). Bring Acrylics materials.
Still-life set-up available as an alternative option. Work on own project, if preferred.
April 23rd
Theme to be announced.
May 28th
Theme to be announced.
You may bring your entry pictures today to be approved and priced for our Summer Exhibition (June 6th)
June 25th
Theme to be announced.
July 16th You may all bring your entry pictures to Group 1 meeting today, to be approved and priced for our 'Railings' Exhibition (July 18th)
August
Replacement meeting - date tbc
Important diary dates:-
Sat June 6th - Summer Exhibition at Pirbright Village Fair - 11 - 4pm - all information to follow later in Spring.
Sat July 18th - The Railings Exhibition - at the Pirbright Horticultural Annual Show -
2 - 5pm
August - Annual Subscriptions due for the year 2026-7
Sat October 31st & Sun November 1st - Annual Exhibition at LPH
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 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.
