2021 NEWS & NOTICES
TWASI CHRISTMAS CARD COMPETITION 2021
CAROLINE STRONG – “LEAP OF FAITH”
WINNER TWASI CHRISTMAS CARD COMPETITION 2021.
“Caroline had seen on the British Wildlife Photography website this photograph of a gorgeous red squirrel leaping, and instantly wanted to paint it, as she adores red squirrels.
She gained permission to use it from the photographer, Gary Bruce.
Caroline was asked by the SAA to write an article for their November Paint magazine, and she immediately thought of this image.
The red squirrel was rendered in various coloured pencils onto white Pastelmat board, using many layers and colours to give depth to the fur, making sure that the highest tonal value was on or near the squirrel’s head, to give the impression that he was leaping out of the painting.
She then used watercolour for the background, using various mixes of Winsor (pthalo) blue red shade, Permanent Rose and Indian Yellow, sweeping the paint over the edges of the coloured pencil squirrel, where it repelled the watercolour, due to the wax/oil content in coloured pencils.
Caroline then splashed some water over the background and sprinkled a little table salt, to give the impression of snow falling on a cold day – voila!”
2ND PLACE – NIKKI MOORE – “FOREST GHOST”.
“This oil painting on canvas was in the pipeline for a long time.
I had images and photos from a session at my friend’s Birds of Prey centre in Lancashire, and was reserving the Barn Owl for a few years.
A couple of years later, I was living in the Forest of Dean, and working for the Wye Valley AONB in graphics and information.
We had a massive snow shower, the last one we ever had, and I couldn’t get the car up our forest track to work, so I walked to the nearest shop about 3 miles away to get bread and milk – I had my elderly parents living with me, and we had run out of supplies.
I took my camera and got some beautiful snow shots.
I decided to put the two things together a couple of years later, and they went on a Christmas card then.
I have never exhibited this painting, and I still have it, as it has really definite memories of slogging through the snow, which was thigh deep – I remember it being so beautiful, quiet and cathedral-like, but very hard work!”
3RD PLACE – JULIE LONGDON – “STAG IN THE SNOW”
“The artwork was inspired by a photograph by Stan Jackson, used with permission, and
it was the aloof, regal attitude of the stag which stood out to me.
Blizzard conditions seemed the ideal backdrop to add drama, which I felt added nobility and strength to the main subject.
Painted in watercolour, with masked-out snowflakes of varying sizes.
The background is loose wet-in-wet diagonals, with water drops for back-runs to resemble snowflakes.
The stag is painted in more detail, to give him solidity and presence in the swirling blizzard conditions.”
2021 AGM and Members Weekend
We have to be positive and with that thought in mind we are sending out advance notice of the AGM and Members Weekend held at Nature in Art on October 2nd and 3rd this year. We are delighted to let you know that Eric and Neal are fine to join us this year but because of the possible repercussions and ongoing restrictions that might be imposed on us by Covid 19 we are holding workshops that you can stand back from and keep relatively socially distanced without spoiling the fun.
The TWASI council are therefore pleased to announce that Daniel Wilson whose wonderful charcoal drawings are on sale through David Shepherd Foundation is giving us a charcoal drawing workshop – big and bold. http://www.dwilsonarts.com
Two great workshops on the Saturday 2nd of October followed by our AGM and supper of Fish ‘n’ Chips, good fun and hopefully taking one or two of us out of our comfort zones! ON the Sunday 3rd of October we will be in the company of wildlife artist Eric Wilson and will have our very friendly and informative afternoon’s critique of members work lead by Eric.
Do consider booking early to avoid disappointment as we are limited on spaces for the Saturday workshops.
There is a booking form attached in the magazine or contact Valerie for one via email – email, please fill it in, keep a copy and send the form to Valerie Briggs at the address provided on the form but please note that any payment will not be taken until the beginning of September and Valerie will get back to you to advise you when she will be taking payment.
If you wish to pay by cheque please date it 1st September 2021
This really is a great weekend to come along and meet other members from all round the country, make new friends and just enjoy the wonderful surroundings of Nature in Art.
Saturday 2nd October Workshops
Charcoal drawing Big Cats with Daniel Wilson www.dwilsonarts.com
I have been Painting and drawing wildlife for the past 10 years. I love the feeling of stepping up to a blank canvas and creating something full of life and meaning.
For this workshop we will be exploring the potential of, in my opinion, one of the most malleable mediums out there. We will practice pushing and pulling the charcoal around the paper experimenting with mark making and abstract shapes to bring a realistic form together.
I will demonstrate each stage of my process from the initial block in to the final details. We will practice different techniques and methods of applying charcoal to create interesting and abstract effects that come together and give life and vibrancy to the subject.
It can get messy and there can be a lot of charcoal dust that gets in the air so make sure to bring some form of respirator or mask. We will also be spraying Acetone throughout the workshop which is a hazardous chemical and can cause headaches; it is no worse that oil mediums.
Please bring with you a standing or table easel and a large board approximately (A2). We will attach the paper to the board using masking tape. I also advise bringing a fixative spray, hand wipes and an apron as things can get messy. Please also bring your own reference material.
I have created a small starter kit of materials that I use in my work for the price of £15 which you can take home but please feel free to bring your own if you’d prefer. The kit includes:
- Putty Eraser x1
- Charcoal powder
- Charcoal stick (Thick) x1
- Charcoal stick (Thin) x1
- Blending stump x1
- Masking tape
- 2B charcoal pencil x1
- Spray bottle with acetone x1
- Sandpaper
- Knife blade for sharpening x1
- Charcoal pouch x1
- 15” x 20” 300gsm hot pressed watercolour paper (smooth) x1
I am really looking forward to meeting everyone for a hopefully fun and creative day.
Chicken Wire and Modroc Sculpture with Neal Griffin www.nealgriffinart.co.uk
For this workshop you will be creating a sculpture of an animal using chicken wire and Modroc bandage. The animal can be of anything you wish but nothing too large. Once dry, which can take a few days; the sculpture can then be painted and varnished.
I will demonstrate how to create the chicken wire base using wire to strengthen the structure ready for the Modroc bandage.
Once the base structure is complete we will move on to applying the Modroc bandage. I will show you different techniques to build up texture and form on the sculpture.
The Modroc will need time to dry out completely so we won’t be painting the sculpture on the day but I will talk about painting and varnishing your piece when it’s dry.
There will be photographic reference available or you may bring your own.
And yes it can get messy so apron, newspaper and old clothes would be good. I can bring some newspaper and latex gloves but if anyone is allergic then best to bring their own. I will also bring some protective gloves for when using the wire.
There will be a £5 fee for the chicken wire, Modroc and PVA.
Sunday 3rd October Members Weekend
Our guest artist Eric Wilson
Pastels, Oils, Acrylics and BIG CATS
www.ericwilsonart.com
Artist Statement
“I have always painted wildlife. I still have some old paintings of birds, horses and even gorillas in the jungle that I did when I was ten years old. It feels completely natural that half a century later I would be doing the same thing, but this time as an experienced professional artist. My life path seemed well maintained and illuminated, apart from one pretty major diversion, an eleven year side track as a Police Officer.
The Wildlife Art Society International 