Getting Back to Blogging...

Spring... a time of renewal.

It seems that cycles of writing regular blog posts interspersed with weeks/months of being incommunicado affect many bloggers, and unfortunately I am no exception. Apologies. It is not due to being inactive on the art front... in fact the pause often happens initially because of a very active phase and not having the time and energy. Then it becomes harder to get going again. So a very quick update and then I will move on and re-commit to this blog as I do love the way it can act as an online diary and record of a life in art, while at the same time inspiring others, hopefully.

If you pop onto my page for Art Events & Teaching you will notice that I am running regular classes and workshops throughout this year at Norfolk Creative Arts, an exciting new venue in Grimston, West Norfolk. There are a wide variety of tutors, subjects and media so if you wish to investigate visit www.norfolkcreativearts.co.uk and there is sure to be something to tempt you!

Spring Term Wednesday Weekly Mixed Media Classes
at Norfolk Creative Arts are now in full swing! 

Aside from all the planning for these classes I am also busy with personal artwork as a joint exhibition with another artist is looming on the horizon in May. More details will follow in the next few weeks but we are both creating mostly new work for it and the beautiful village hall in Thornham is quite spacious, so the pressure is beginning to mount.

Some images of work that may be included in the upcoming exhibition...

Woodland (North Wootton) in compressed charcoal & white pastel © Tod Evans

Barn Owl, using limited watercolour palette and charcoal pencil
- a quick animation here to show you how it built up...

Close crop of Teasels in pencil, white gesso and acrylic 

© Tod Evans

Views of seascape in watercolour, gouache & Inktense pencil
as it built up © Tod Evans

Roydon painted in acrylic with palette knife
© Tod Evans

The beach at Old Hunstanton in acrylic © Tod Evans

So a little sneak peak at some of the contenders to be included, there are works still in progress (not shown) and I am excited about work yet to be created! Will keep you posted on new developments but if you are in Norfolk over the weekend of 14th and 15th May, 2016 we would love to see you at our exhibition Into the Woods & Beyond to be held in Thornham Village Hall, PE36 6LX.

Sketchbook work continues as well, and possibly may be included for perusal...

Sketchbook work continues...

Finally, a recent exhibition visited by myself and family was Painting the Modern Garden: Monet to Matisse at the Royal Academy in London. There was (and is) a close connection between many artists and their gardens and it's natural that they wished to explore ways of depicting the colours, shapes and features, often working in them as outdoor studios. Monet is the key artist in this fine exhibition but there are examples by Caillebotte, Pissaro, renoir, matisse, Van Gogh, Klimt, Bonard etc. Also some artists I had not encountered before, Joaquin Sorolla being one and I plan to research more about him. It is Monet, however, who resonates the most and the work inspired by his lily pond is sublime. Despite over exposure on packaging and household items over the years, to see the paintings in real life is to fall in love with them all over again. The fusions of colour, the abstraction of motifs and the free brushwork is totally absorbing. The finale, the triptych, in the last room is breathtaking - the sheer scale - so that as a viewer you are compelled to move up close and study the fragmented textures and colours before stepping back right back to appreciate the whole again. Like a little dance forwards and backwards we go repeatedly, drinking in the artwork with the senses. I really did not want to leave that painting and having visited Monet's garden in Giverny it is as relevant today as it has ever been.

Superb exhibition, well worth a visit.

The exhibition runs until April 20th so I encourage you to go and see it if possible!

Art Review 2013

Happy New Year!

Looking back and reflecting has always been part of my way seeing through the transition of one year into the next.  Rather boldly and publicly, on this blog, I outlined 6 New Year Resolutions at the beginning of 2013.  Now I have to review whether any of them came to fruition!

1. Work smaller scale -  my work generally has been on a smaller, manageable scale.  However, I did also toy with the idea of a series of very small paintings based on local landscapes around my village, but have not done a single one!
2.  Work more from life - I have definitely done more work from life this past year.  Paintings have tended to be connected with the classes, but sketchbook work has increased greatly.  Making use of those small allocations of time creatively has helped me stay connected with my personal inner artist as well as honing skills and observation.

Bird studies - observing through the kitchen window.

3.  Close Inspection, initiate a series of work based on close up textural surfaces - this has not got off the ground, although I have continued to photograph areas of abstracted texture.  Maybe the answer is to set up a Flickr account and keep them just as a photographic series?
4.  Seasonal, initiate a series of work based on still life fruit and vegetables - this has not really spilled over into my personal work, although it has remained part of the class programmes and is an element I always enjoy.

Winter squash painted in sketchbook, couldn't resist the colouring...

5.  Act on opportunities and interests, don't put things off - this aspect is an ongoing work in progress.  I am definitely an 'ideas person' and generate so many, not all of them practical, that sometimes I need a bit of time to pass to assess which are viable.  I have found it really helpful to write down ideas in a notebook, and have even ticked off a few from the previous year.  In 2013 I finally entered the Eastern Open Exhibition and despite not having anything selected really enjoyed the work I did make for it.  I organised a bag for doing sketchbook work when away on holiday - France was more successful than Rome.  I treated myself to a camcorder, filmed work in progress, and set up my YouTube channel.  In November I took on the role of membership secretary for the West Norfolk Artists Association and have already had an article published in Update (the monthly newsletter) titled 'Making the most of Your Membership'.

I feel this resolution has been instrumental in making me have a more proactive outlook.  (Plus it will have repercussions into 2014 - more on that in my next post).

Camcorder set up - ready for action!

6.  Website - I periodically tried to get my original website on track.  However, images of my work have sailed off into the wide blue yonder and the whole thing does not seem very 'user friendly'.  In the autumn I signed up to Weebly and have been slowly building a free website, and have a fair amount of pages / galleries done but it is not yet 'published'.  I wonder if I am trying to be too ambitious, too soon.  This website will showcase all the media and genres I incorporate into my artistic life.  I would also like to organize a 'shop' but that may have to come later - better to go 'live' and see how it operates in public first.

So, some successes and inevitably a few non-starters.  Why not 100% success?  With hindsight I was probably over ambitious in my expectations, but human nature plays a big part.  I am sure many of us make resolutions and most of them will have fallen, been broken or completely fail to get off the ground before January has even passed.

Did you make any resolutions in 2013?  Try a review - and then make some more for 2014!!!

Happy New Year! 

Wildlife Painting in Watercolour and Gouache

Reference photo and drawing 

 

This delightful little hedgehog (hoglet as I believe the young are called) was a visitor indoors for one night last year, after we found him cold, wet and shaking in the grass following a horrendous day of pouring rain.  He spent the night in a large plastic box with newspaper on the base and a small towel loosely wrapped around him.  With some water and tiny portion of cat food he was left in peace and we feverently hoped he would last the night.  The following morning as I approached the box I could hear snuffling and shuffling noises followed by noisy chomping.  When I peeked in he was polishing off the last bit of cat food!  (It sounded like he was chewing with his mouth open).  He looked totally revived and we gladly placed him back where we had found him the previous evening.  On checking the area later in the day there was no sign of him, so hopefully he was fine. 

 

This painting, I think you will agree, is totally different to the monochrome canvas I showed you yesterday.  It was so enjoyable to do.  The majority of it was completed yesterday and today it was a few finishing touches.  The pale hairs on the cheeks needed pushing back with a very diluted dark wash.  Selected areas had more strong darks to make them recede.  Gouache has a tendency to darken and sink in once dry so some of the brightest lights were stroked on again for emphasis.  I shall let the photos show how this painting was built up in layers...  





 

Loose pencil drawing as guideline

Initial variegated watercolour washes over subject
and background

Continue with large round brush to introduce more
defined underpainting

Building up the layers, still watercolour

 

 

Background lower left strengthened to integrate
 hedgehog with background, also spatter for visual texture 

Now the fun starts - white gouache, tinted with watercolour,
for finer hairs and thick pale spines

Detail - translucency of watercolour and opaque nature of
gouache work beautifully together

 

Protection, watercolour and gouache

I am planning on entering this painting for the Wildlife in Art Exhibition which is also at the King's Lynn Art Centre, and runs parallel to the WNAA Small Works.  Hmmm,  I'm wondering now if I have time to create one more piece of work for it...  I have a lovely picture of a European Eagle Owl (taken during our trip to the Lake District - a rescue centre had a fundraising event), or camels at Banham Zoo... or what about the pheasant photographed on the patio last winter?

So many pictures, so little time.  If you are feeling inspired, don't make excuses, get cracking and who knows where it will lead?

 

Monochrome Painting in Acrylic

Polystyrene plate as palette for acrylic

Do not adjust your screen - the colour has not malfunctioned - I have been painting using just black, white and a smidgen of yellow ochre for this latest canvas.  There are two exhibitions fast approaching and I am frantically trying to complete work as suitable entries.  This piece was from a photograph I took two years ago on a visit to Narborough Hall, here in Norfolk (www.narboroughhallgardens.com).  The house was open, hosting an exhibition of work by Andy Warhol.  As I wandered round with my family my eye was caught by the gorgeous pattern of light filtering through the greenery outside the window, across the tall backed chair and splashing across the wooden floor.  The photocopy I printed off was originally in colour but I wondered what it would look like in greyscale.  I was inspired and couldn't wait to get cracking.    



Almost ready to paint the best bit...

I started with a diluted wash of black and then with a slightly darker mixture drew the basic composition using a flat hog bristle brush.  I find this approach prevents me from getting too tight and fiddly.  From this point I started with the back of the chair and then outwards, manipulating the tones from mid grey (sometimes warming the mixture a little with ochre) to the darks, which I kept transparent, through to the bright white.  As you can see from the photo above I saved the best bit until last.  Below, you can see how the opaque white shapes of the sunlight on the floor bring this scene to life!

Pattern of Light (Narborough Hall, Norfolk) acrylic on box canvas, 30 x 30cms

The West Norfolk Artists Association exhibition is titled Small Works and this is the third year it has been held.  The venue is the Shakespeare Barn at the King's Lynn Art Centre, an impressive large gallery space with white walls.  Small Works was conceived by Andrew Schumman (a member) who was interested in the rich painted walls of galleries in the past.  His idea was an exhibition where artwork measuring exactly 30 x 30cms would be displayed around the walls all on a midline, and equal distance apart.  Each artist chooses a rich colour to paint a square 60 x 60cms on the wall, within which the work is centred.  This format creates a stunning display and every small artwork is enhanced and becomes greater with a personalised backdrop to show it off.  The overall effect is quite dramatic.

Last year - the WNAA Small Works exhibition

This small painting was started at 4 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon and I became so engrossed that I kept going, until suddenly, it had reached a conclusion and I stopped.  It was 8.30 p.m.  Four and a half hours had passed!  My only problem now is choosing a colour for the painted square to set it off to best advantage.  Below you can see how I am using Farrow and Ball paint charts to try and make a decision.

Almost 'fifty shades of grey'...

Have been back in the studio again today working on something completely different, but I will show you that tomorrow...

Art Review 2012

I have been reviewing my 2012 art year, and tomorrow will add a post about plans for 2013.

2012 has been a more focused, productive year for me, which was what I had hoped for.  My classes at Henderson Art & Framing continued for the usual three terms (of eight weeks duration each) - see www.hendersonartandframing.co.uk for details about upcoming classes.  I started this blog in May, hit a long slump but have rallied, with new resolve, to end the year.

 

Outside of my regular classes the year kicked off when I organized a Sketchbook Evening for the West Norfolk Artists Artists (www.westnorfolkartists.org).  Members were invited to bring along some sketchbooks for an informal evening to give people a chance to look through and chat about sketchbooks - their uses, different ways of using them etc.  It was (thankfully) a rip roaring success, very inspiring.  I had already made a resolution to do more sketchbook work in 2012, and although I did make much more use of them, in all honesty, I could have done even more.

 

Water Mixable Oil Painting

  

In March I held a Water Mixable Oil Painting Workshop at Henderson Art & Framing.  These workshops are always enjoyable and cater for 10 - 12 participants.  They are marvellous value too as all materials are provided and in this case each student went away with tubes of paint, brushes, plastic palette and finished work on two small canvas boards!  Sue provides a delicious lunch and refreshments mid morning and afternoon.  If you live nearby and haven't tried a workshop before 2013 could be your chance.

May was a very busy month with 2 exhibitions and I participated in Norfolk Open Studios as part of the West Norfolk Artists at South Acre Church.  I was absolutely thrilled when I sold a painting in each venue! 

'Beauty of Charcoal' Workshop

July is the annual West Norfolk Summer Exhibition.  This year I was one of the three selectors / curators and opted not to show any work.  This is the second time I have taken on this role and find the whole process fascinating.  From the initial daunting task of being faced with a sea of artwork, to gradually whittling it down a selection of work that showcases the Association and its members to its best advantage takes several hours - and the following morning there are often additions as the exhibition takes on a life of its own.  During the exhibition the Association puts on free 2-hour workshops and I ran a 'Beauty of Charcoal' Workshop.  Participants worked from simple a still life each based on peppers and mushrooms and were led through a variety of techniques to get to grips with the possibilities of this marvellous expressive medium.

'All About Artbars' Workshop

Before my classes resumed in September I ran another workshop 'All About Artbars' at Hendersons.  These new triangular water soluble wax bars burst onto the art scene in the Spring and I had plenty of time to experiment and get to grips with them.  The workshop tackled using them as a drawing medium, diluting the colour with water to make luminous washes and then working back into them.  In the afternoon they were used thick and enabled scratching through juicy layers to get interesting textures.



 

 

Reductive drawing, willow charcoal, cartridge paper

 

Compressed charcoal on watercolour paper

 

Also in September there were two more exhibitions, both at the King's Lynn Art Centre.  Again I was delighted to sell work.  Finally in November I did my first art demonstration - at Park House, Sandringham.  I was given free rein so chose charcoal again as it is quick and expressive.  I had a two hour slot and decided to do a reductive drawing of a foal (lifting the lights and adding darks) before the teabreak.  I used compressed charcoal to do a quick head study of my old pony, Danny, after the break and used water to dilute and create inky washes and drips before drawing back into it to add definition.  Two very different techniques and fortunately got it all done in the time...

So, on reflection 2012 has been a busy and fruitful year for me.  But the real highlight of the year?  My two daughters both graduated from their respective universities!!!

Happy New Year.