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 2024
Leisure Artists: meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month 1:15pm - 3:45pm
January 18th
Study of mushrooms, garlic and turnips in white pastel pencil on black pastel paper
Maggie will have some pastel paper for sale if you don't have any black.
Please bring your own objects for a still-life set-up. We will have some spare, as backup!
February 15th
Perspective drawing: study of a group of buldings in the middle-distance.
Photos will be available to use as reference, or you may bring your own. Finding 'eye-level' and how to use it to help your drawings. Bring cartridge paper and an HB pencil for this session.
March 21st
Tulips & daffodils: a watercolour study. Bring your own selection of Spring flowers. We will not be including the vase in the painting - this is a close-up study.
Bring 'not' surface watercolour paper 140lb/300gsm or heavier (lighter paper should be pre-stretched). You will also need watercolour paints, palette and brushes (if you are a beginner - I can send you a list of materials). Please bring 2 x pots for water and have some kitchen towel for blotting. A 2B pencil and putty rubber to sketch out the flower shapes.
April 18th
Pen drawing with coloured wash: castles & cathedrals (middle-distance) From photo reference. Bring your own reference or select from various photos available.
You will need either a dip-pen with long fine nib and permanent black ink or you can use artists' pens (permanent) which should included fine; medium & brush pen. Suggest a set of Pitt artists' pens. A 2B pencil and putty rubber to sketch out the main shapes.
Bring some basic watercolour materials and HP (smooth) watercolour paper.
Exhibiting Artists: meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of the month 2pm - 5.30pm (new times)
January 25th
Extended meeting about the Annual Exhibition 2023 - and to announce the winner of the Public Vote for Favourite Picture award (this was Nina Klein). Start time 1:30pm to take part in the discussion and to put forward ideas for our 25th Anniversary Exhibition (December 2024)!
Bring own projects to work on.
February 22nd
Drawing Buildings in Perspective - brush up your skills and knowledge. Examples provided and Maggie will discuss some basic rules and reminders about how to find eye-level and use it in your work. Important for 'plein air' painters as well as those who mainly use photos as reference when creating their paintings!
March 28th
Floral still-life theme - any preferred medium. Maggie will show examples and how to combine a close-up of flower-heads with other objects and background elements to make an interesting painting. Bring real flowers or use your own various photos for reference.
Bring prepared suface and painting materials. NB. You may work on your own projects if preferred.
April 25th
The Paris Olympics - the theme for the Pirbright Village Fair is all about the Olympics - but anything with a Parisian theme or a sporting scene would make a great painting for our stall! Start now - there are only two monthly meetings before the Village Fair on June on 8th! Any medium of your choice!
NB. We will also be showing other work on our stall - all subjects will be considered for inclusion.
Exhibitions 2024
SATURDAY JUNE 8th - Pirbright Village Fair 11am - 5pm
Outdoor gazebo stall - exhibition and sale of paintings, prints and cards - part of a large village event. Theme : The Paris Olympics
SATURDAY 31st JULY - "RAILINGS" EXHIBITION 1pm - 5pm
Our annual summer exhibition! Large display of paintings (all for sale) hanging from the railings outside Lord Pirbright’s Hall. In collaboration with Pirbright Horticultural Society’s Annual Show.
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 30th - SUNDAY DECEMBER 1st
SPECIAL 25th ANNIVERSARY ANNUAL EXHIBITION
Held at Lord Pirbright’s Hall. Visitor’s café and art activities in the Clubroom and ‘meet the artists’ Private View. Finishes 4pm Sunday.
Other Events and Activities 2024
FRIDAY WORKSHOPS 10am - 2:30pm
May 3rd - Pen & Watercolour - Boats and Harbours
May 31st - Watercolour Techniques - Brush Up your Skills
More dates to follow
OUTDOOR PAINTING DAYS - July and August
Various locations - local and further afield - with tutor Maggie Read
Dates and details to be published later!
SEPTEMBER
Re-enrollment and start of the PAC year
CHRISTMAS SOCIAL - CELEBRATING OUR 25th ANNIVERSARY
Date to be announced and details to follow later!
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.
LOCKDOWN 2020
Polperro Harbour
Staged demonstration
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by Maggie Read
May 2020
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 for members to view on YouTube, as we entered another period of lockdown. 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.
