 |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|||
 |
AUGUST NEWS For Updates, Special Offers, Announcements.....and an insight into what's going on in my world.
Week 34: 25th to 31st August  Today I managed to get some studio time. Pretty much tied to the computer all morning updating this and that, manufacturing DVD's, working on some advertising, making phone calls - the usual stuff that is part and parcel of the administration side of AyoubArt. I was determined to get some painting done and we now have another new painting subject: 'The Righteous Path'. There's a large version of this painting on the subjects page. This one has got a little bit of everything, a subtle mountain range, a pretty little church, some birds, a fence......see what you think. As always, anything new is always available as a private lesson with immediate effect.
If you've been keeping an eye on Darrell's blog, you'll know that he's just released 4 new DVD's. And better than that, he launched them with a reduced price special offer. Darrell informs me that my masters for these DVD's will be sent out to me this week and once they're here I can launch them with a similar special offer. The post from the States is taking about 2 weeks at the moment so look out on Sue's News around the second week of September. Yesterday we had a family day with eldest daughter and her boyfriend. It's nice to sit outside with our refreshments and just watch the chickens performing their tricks, they really are a great source of amusement. The subject of eggs came up.....I explained that the chickens need to be roughly 20 weeks old before they started to lay. They are approaching that time and it's not unreasonable to expect an egg at any moment. Soha was asking where they might lay them. I feel, because they free range, they will probably lay their eggs in areas of the garden rather than their nesting boxes. One thing I've learned from Marion's chickens, they will definately let you know vocally when they've laid. I often check under a large fir tree at the bottom of the garden, just one of their favourite resting spots. In the afternoon there was some unusual clucking. Soha investigated and approached me with a dirty, muddy egg and said 'I think you've just got your first one Mum!'. I was so thrilled, but on closer examination, having found a date stamp on the reverse, I think I had a little egg on my face. Doh!! Week 33: 18th to 24th August  The project in my studio today was to re-do Leon, the wildlife intermediate painting subject. Firstly I wanted to change the dimensions so that he would fit nicely onto a standard 16 x 20 inch canvas. Secondly I wanted a much more subtle and softer version. It's one of those projects that's been on my mind for a while but I've always had other things to paint, so it was really nice to get him done just the way I wanted. Firstly though, I had a good tidy up in the studio, it's tight in there and a quick, organised clean up gives me a good workable space with a completely clear table. It was good to get aquainted with Leon again, as it's been a while. See what you think of this newer model.....there's a larger version on the Painting Subjects page.
 It's been a lovely warm and sunny 'outside' day today......for all of us. I've been painting away in my studio, the chickens have been running up and down and around the garden and Alan & Co have been working on the house. We've had some musical accompaniment too. August Bank Holiday, every year, a nearby Farm hosts a party for it's workers and we've been listening to their live band for the best part of the afternoon. Alan's work in the kitchen, earlier this week, has just about finished. He's been installing air conditioning units. The kitchen one is operational, they'll be one in the Apollo Studioand another in the lounge. The units are about the most energy efficient way of heating your home so we look forward to a low utility bill through the Winter. Here you can see him perched up a ladder, with co-worker Paul, fitting the outside units. Whether we'll ever have a Summer so hot that we'll need them for cooling remains to be seen.
 Our painting session ended around lunchtime and whilst Marion slipped off back to the house to fetch our lunch, I had a quick brush clean, prepped another couple of canvases and set up our easels for a second project. We thought we'd use up the paint left on our palettes and decided to paint for another couple of hours to see how far we could get with something new. We flicked through the Bob Ross book to see what grabbed us and we seemed to both be in favour of a snowscape. This time we kinda done our own thing and just played around with brushes and effects. Marion worked on a large square canvas making a pretty blue and pink snowscape. I favoured the crimson's and purples and made this new painting subject 'Crystalline'.
 If you've been reading Sue's Arty Party, you'd have seen some lovely work by David Steffy. I think his input probably had some influence on the painting subject we worked on today. When I say 'we' I mean myself and Marion. Yes, I had another day at Heartlands, just us two, bouncing ideas off each other. We weren't 100% sure what we would be painting, not even sure if we would paint the same thing. I took along a picture of Bob Ross's infamous 'Northern Lights', a painting subject that has been put in the forefront of my mind after seeing David's recent interpretation. I remember also one of my students, Lee, brought his version of this scene along to a class , and quite dramatic it was too. Marion was delighted with it and so we set to...........painting it our way. Marion's finished version had about 3 layers of mountains (I'm hoping she'll show it to Darrell when he teaches there soon, it'll blow his socks off.) Here's my version, 'Aurora'. You can see a larger image on the Painting Subjects page.
 This afternoon we had a little bit of drama in the garden. Despite next-door's best efforts to make the fence secure, their new puppy manages to wriggle himself under it and escape into our garden. He makes a bee-line for the chickens and enjoys chasing into them, making them run in all directions. I was alerted to this by an unusual amount of clucking and found next door's son in the garden chasing the puppy who was chasing the chickens. He means them no harm and has been found sometimes lying down with them. Incidentally, two of the exotic bantams have turned out to be cockerals and have since been re-named The Chemical Brothers. As soon as they are let out of their coop, they jump onto a high perch and greet the day. So far their noise isn't too loud, and is certainly quieter and less abrasive than the pheasants. Whether their voice will stay that way - well, we'll have to wait and see.
 Aren't we doing well in the Olympics? Are you all watching it? We're currently in third place, behind China and the USA. Fingers crossed we'll maintain or even improve on this status. Co-incidentally, at an ungodly hour, early this morning we were actually driving around the site of the 2012 Olympics in the centre of London. It's absolutely huge with very colourful boarding surrounding the area. We were on quite an exciting mission - but more about that next week.
 I get asked for some strange things sometimes, but nothing as strange as Alan's latest request. He's up to no good in the kitchen whilst I'm in my office trying to get some supply orders packaged up. 'Have you got a tape measure in there dear?', was request number one. Off he trotted with that. 2 minutes later he's back again. 'Have you got a hole cutter dear?' I think the look on my face must have answered his question for him. 'I'm sorry dear, I meant to say pencil!' (He always has one tucked behind his ear, pencil not hole cutter). I wonder what's he's up to........and I wonder if it will involve me getting the hoover and floor mop out later on.
 One of my newer Pop Art portraits has a definate 'I'm watching you.....' air about it (Mish Munay Penay). Most of this particular painting was made on a pretty campsite a few weeks ago, sat outside in the glorious sunshine. Once prepped, this style of painting is easy to work on just about anywhere. I often have one on my lap in the evenings. A few of my Pop Arts are now hanging in my lounge, not so much for display, but more for storage. The gallery of famous faces never fails to attract a comment or two, especially from visiting Private Students. Often they'll come up with portrait suggestions and my current list of 'people to paint' continues to grow. If you've any ideas as to who you think might make an ideal subject, do drop me a line on info@ayoubart.co.uk
Week 32: 11th to 17th August  You learn something new everyday....... One of my new painting subjects, currently under development, is a rural countryside scene. I had been asked to design a painting subject with a proper big wooden farm gate in it. The composition of the painting, I'm very happy with, BUT it does lack a little something. I have been taking it along to art classes and asking people's opinion and the feedback has been useful. The majority suggest that a flock of sheep would look perfect. Some say that red poppies in the foreground would be nice. Well, in today's class, we had Des, who has been painting flocks of sheep in his country style paintings, for some while now. I asked him what brush he uses for his sheep. We soon selected a suitable brush and I asked him if he'd put a flock in the painting for me, which he done in minutes. Hopefully, I'll be able to get this painting subject completed next week so that it's suitable to teach. Here's a very small section of the painting, complete with the flock.
Today I had a reflective moment or two. Many years ago, when Stef was a lot younger, I had a part-time job in Tesco's. I was a cook in the Staff Restaurant and it was one of the most fab jobs I have ever had. It was almost 3 miles from my home at the time and I really enjoyed cycling to and from work. Most days were side splittingly funny, and most Thursday nights rather large crowds of Tesco's staff would hit the local night clubs. As I was in the neighbourhood on other business, I decided to call intothe store for my shopping instead of the usual store in Ipswich. Why is it that everything seems much smaller? I remembered the aisles as spacious, but today they seemed so close together. There were some familiar faces there, looking a little older. Then again, I suppose I look a lot older too, it was a good 15 years ago that I was there. I realised on my drive home how many changes I had experienced in that time and how, in particular, my career has taken a very different turn. If someone had told me back then that I would have my own website, be teaching art to people from all over Europe - even playing host to one of the USA's most formidable art instructors - I'd never in a million years believed them. There, it's making me reflect on things all over again.  Last week, I left quite a bit of spare equipment at Heartlands. Boy, am I glad I did. I arrived in torrential rain and was thanking my lucky stars that I didn't have to make so many trips to and from the car, unloading supplies. In fact, Marion had set out the tables, covered them, laid out the palettes, canvases, and a few easels. With just paint, brushes, another couple of easels and the refreshments to bring in, we remained dry. As the first student pulled into the car park, the rain stopped and was followed very shortly by brilliant sunshine. A small group of ladies from my local art group joined in today's workshop and very different paintings they made. We had loose and free style, we had precision and we had random. All styles worked well. A few more intermediate certificates were handed out and these seem to be really well received. ...........and thank goodness to the wipeout tool, at just £5.99 delivered, it's one of the best pieces of equipment in my workbox: A couple of ladies decided to replace their bridges with trees, which changed the composition quite dramatically. I think the bridge gives an Oriental feel, and without it the painting takes on more of a typical British countryside feel. It's nice to sometimes adapt these paintings into a composition that is comfortable to you, the students. It often happens and it shows me the students' confidence levels when they go out on a limb.
 This morning I intended to have a painting session in my studio. I got more than a little side-tracked when I found one of my brushes had become quite hard. This lead to a brush cleaning and conditioning session. I did manage to work on some canvas re-cycling and also completed an acrylic painting, so quite a productive day in the end. I've been working on a painting subject that can be done in less time for a reduced fee and I think 'Wanderings' seen here on the left ticks those boxes. We'll be painting this in the Green Room on Saturday September 6th from 10am till 12.30pm. The class fee is just £30, which includes all materials, refreshments and the letterbox 20 x 8 inch canvas. Oh, the painting I completed last week at Heartlands is pretty much dry. I've taken a snap of this new painting project 'Freefalling'. It can be viewed in the Class Subject's page. It's available straightaway as a private lesson painting subject.
Week 31: 4th to 10th August  Yesterday I started work on a pastel project. It's a very new medium to me and I've always fancied having a go. Easier said than done. A pastel DVD had been recommended in my forum and several of us have purchased it. The project recommended the use of velour paper, which I don't have. I thought pastel paper would be a good substitute. The effect of the paper compared to the velour was quite different and I found I had to layer, blend and rub quite a bit. That resulted in really dirty hands as I rapidly ran out of clean fingers to use. I carried on working with it this evening. I found the more layers I added, the easier it was to soften and blend. The build up of pastel dust grew and grew until eventually I thought I'd take the picture outside and give it a good blow. Which worked......until the wind lifted the paper, blew it against my chest (dirty side towards me), it then fell down onto my cream trousers - again, dirty side towards me. Here's the portrait so far, but there's a lot more work to be done. I think now I'm getting a feel for the shading and highlights, another few layers might just improve the composition - then again, it just might not. Still, it's been an interesting challenge and I shall definately give pastels a few more trys.
The Special Offers page is looking a little empty, so I've selected 3 DVD's to pop in there. Lone Sentinel, Paradise Falls and La Corbiere are on offer at just £5.50 each until the end of the month. The price includes postage and packing to any European address. La Corbiere, in my opinion, is worth buying just for the step by step guide in painting the sky alone.  When Darrell and I were discussing painting subjects for his Autumn classes this year, I thought Christmas Candles might be apt. We'd be close to Christmas, we'd get some floral tuition and a bit of still life too. Plus the subject was a little different. We were happy with this. A day or two later, Darrell said he'd like to re-work the design. That means the students get something new, which is great. This morning I saw his new design and the subject has been re-worked quite a bit. So, hot off the press, our candle subject can be confirmed. We'll be painting 'Happy Daisies' on Thursday, 9th October. I think you'll agree this is a really pretty and bright composition. In fact, I'd like to paint this one myself. So, I hope I'll be able to squeeze into the class and manage to keep you all topped up with paint, tea, coffee and biscuits.
 Today I completed work on a new painting subject, which at the moment has no title. I actually painted this in someone else's studio for a change. Marion, the owner of Heartlands, had been telling me that she wanted to paint a specific scene in specific colours - which just so happened to be very similar to this new project of mine. So, we decided a while back to select a mutual date when we were both free and make a day of it. The whole day was so much fun that we've decided to repeat it again soon. For me, to paint without distraction and interuption, was brilliant. To be served a wholesome organic lunch was even better. With the doors flung wide open, the stereo playing gentle background music, the birds (and chickens) singing away and the sunshine beaming in through the windows, we both worked solidly for most of the day. It was great too, to chatter about our childhood, our school days and people we knew from 40+ years ago. For those of you that weren't aware, Marion and I went to the same Primary School and High School, so I guess you can say we've known each other since we were 5 years old. Anyway, here's a very small section from my new painting, to whet your appetite.
 Sometimes I like to catch up with news from friends and family via Facebook (you'll find me there if you search 'Sue Warne' feel free to add me to your contact list if you are also members). Last night I discovered one of my students was also a member, not only that, she'd posted a photo of the painting she made in last Sunday's class. A quick exchange of e-mails gave me her permission to share her painting with you all. I think you'll agree Erica made a great job of Palm Bay. Lucky girl spent her honeymoon in a similar scene somewhere in the Maldives.
I knew the minute I put a dragonfly into 'The Crossing' that today's Intermediate students would want to follow suit - and sure enough, some of them have dragonflys hovering around their bullrushes. Amazingly, it's the students who cried 'I can't do trees' a few months ago who are becoming the bravest and boldest of the lot. One student told me her family were fighting over who gets to keep last month's floral/butterfly painting. The problem is being resolved by making prints, so everyone can have a copy. Another student showed me her latest commission painting. She'd been sent a colour sample and was asked to paint a landscape to match and a beautiful job she'd done too. I bet none of them ever thought they'd be moving so far forwards so quickly. Haven't they done well.................?  I think I'm beginning to develop a new hobby. Today, to unwind from 6 consecutive days of painting/teaching, I decided to give the brushes a rest and get busy in the kitchen. I amused myself for half the day making bread, batches and batches of buns, savoury scones, fruit scones, a large fruit cake. While the oven was on I also roasted a joint of ham and a joint of pork. That'll keep us in salads and pack-up sandwiches for the week. And to go with the salads the fridge is now filled with home made coleslaw, potato and egg salad, pasta salad and cous cous. There's something to be said in favour of the smell of home baking and it's certainly a nice greeting for Alan and Stef to come home to. I think I'll take some bits along to tomorrow's class for the students to enjoy. They soon tucked into my home-made shortbread last time. OMG.......I've just realised the 'Ramsey' similarity continues!
Week 30: 1st to 3rd August  As I deliver the very final stages of my classes, I have had a suspicion that I am beginning to sound like someone. It occurred to me on Saturday who that 'someone' was........... My last bit of instruction went something like this: fan brush / moisten / heavy white / groom / long lines / angle angle angle / blend / soften / DONE. That certain someone's instruction would go something like this: venison / marinade / olive oil / salt / pepper / juniper berries / hot pan / seal / season / carve / DONE. When I pointed out the similarity to Maria, Saturday's lady, she told me that I all but slam one hand into the other as I say the word 'DONE'. So, is this the new 'S' word..........Naa Naa Na Na Na Na (You all have permission to poke me with a filbert brush if you ever hear me say 'It's my classroom, my rules'.)
 Yesterday and today have again been all-day painting sessions for me. I've had a chance to play and experiment with new little techniques, new brushes and other arty farty bits. All the results have been scraped off, but recorded on the camera as it's been a 'play-around' session more than anything else. Whilst the paints were out I thought I'd re-paint 'The Crossing'. I'm teaching it for the next two weeks and it wouldn't hurt to get my speed up on this intermediate subject. (Plus it refreshed my memory as it's been a little while since I painted this.) I really enjoyed messing around with it and actually wandered from my own instructions a little. I think the wildlife humming around the pond at Jimmy's Farm last week had an influence as I decided to pop a little dragon-fly into the composition. You can just about see it here, hovering around the bullrushes.
|
|||
 |
||||
 |
Copyright © 2003-2008 Susan Warne. Wet on Wet Classes /Apollo Studio Accomodation / Alexander Art
|
 |
||
| Site Map |