Yesterday morning members of the Sketch Club group gathered together for a couple of hours. Anne Langdon led us by discussing composition. We were then free to paint in our preferred medium – with or without the day’s theme to guide us. My Sketch Club watercolour is not finished, but it is stylistically different to my abstract landscapes. I think I will finish it with some inked thin lines.

Painting with other artists is wonderful. Along with general chatter there are opportunities to learn from each other. We come away with new ideas and feedback on our own work. Feedback is always welcome.

Sketch Club WIP Watercolour

I began this using Jane Davenport’s Aqua Pastels. Lightly applying the pastel to a rough watercolour paper brought some texture into the upper left and lower right corners. My yearning was for colour. So, I enjoyed applying the Aqua Pastels before I began to paint in some Narrow-Leaf Peppermint Eucalyptus leaves. Placing these in the centre is against the composition rules read out to us. With the diagonal colours I felt it was apt. The leaf curls do insert some leading lines.

One of the techniques I have used with the leaves is to use a round ended embossing tool. I use this without paint. By pushing grooves into the wet watercolour paper I can pull one colour into the next colour in lines. The grooves also collect more paint, so the lines appear darker. Here is a quick video of me using this tool.

The Company of Friends

One of the best things about going to art groups is catching up with friends. I was reassured to know that fellow Golden Plains Arts Trail artists are at the same point as me. We are all finalising our work for the upcoming open studios. It’s a big thing to open a private work space to the public. Part of it is finalising artwork for new exhibitions. However, it is also setting up displays, and generally making a messy working space into a tidy, visitor-friendly space.

Are you planning on following the North Trail on the weekend of the Golden Plains Arts Trail? If so, check out Anne’s studio in Smythesdale (stop 17), Kate’s studio in Haddon (stop 15) and Glynis’s studio in Dereel (stop 8). I’m stop 7, also in Dereel. To see all participating artists, download the brochure here.