Dear Member

Artists at Tarr Steps

The Club Holiday. Based around the village of Selworthy in the beautiful countryside of the Exmoor National Park, this year’s holiday was greatly enjoyed. Unfortunately, Covid appeared at the holiday centre and one of the party had to return home early. The vaccination seems to have been effective as, thankfully, no one has become seriously ill, although many of the group have now tested positive. As well as the painting trips, the evening events were fun, and quite a few paintings were sold to raise £63 for the Pathways charity. Many thanks to Wendy for organising our visit to such a lovely place.

The September Demonstration was run by Lisa Takahashi who did a large Plymouth harbour scene in watercolours. She used a thick good quality paper (Arches) and was able to paint several layers with ease. She started by covering the whole area of buildings with burnt umber and yellow ochre on top of which she added more and more layers. Buildings and boats appeared like by magic. Not a pure water-colourist’s dream, but refreshing to see how watercolours can be used like acrylics or oils, freely and expressively.

Many thanks to Lisa, who stepped in with only a day’s notice when we learnt that our planned demonstrator had become seriously ill.

The October Workshop. Fourteen people took part in the portrait workshop run by Sue Tilbury. She brought plenty of photos to paint from and the idea was to only use the primary colours plus white. She demonstrated how to mix them to create different skin tones and emphasised the importance of tonal values.

Later Sue walked around to help people with the measuring and colour mixing. Everyone had a great time and the results were just amazing. We had a little critique at the end and thanked Sue for her knowledge and encouragement.

The Cookham Dean Village Fete. As we have often done before, the ‘Tuesday Painters’ set up a good display of paintings in the Village Hall. This, pleasingly, seemed to attract plenty of interest and quite a few sales. Members Lyn (right) and Simone were also involved in the fete, demonstrating their watercolour painting and needlework skills in the craft tent. Many thanks to those who came to help set-up, and to sit with the exhibition.

For our last Outdoor painting of this year, in October, members met at Cookham Dean, near the Village Hall (where we meet for Tuesday Painting). An enjoyable day was had painting the local views. Outdoor Painting will resume when the warmer weather returns in April next year.

Events in November

Workshop, all day, Sunday November 13^th in Cookham Dean Village Hall, by Keith Hornblower. His theme will be a watercolour scene in Venice. Many of you will remember his great demonstration of a painting of Cookham High Street. If you would like to work on your watercolour technique, do come along.

The cost will be £40. To join the workshop, please email Sue Sepehri by Friday 28^th October requesting how many places you will require. Please send your request sooner, if possible, our workshops are often over-subscribed

Sue Sepehri will then email your confirmation and outline your payment options. No payment will be required until Sue has emailed you and confirmed your place.

The ‘Monthly Meeting’ in November, Our Annual General Meeting is on Thursday 17^th, 2 – 4pm in the Parish Centre (Church Gate, Cookham, SL6 9SP).

As well as the usual business of the AGM, we will have a fascinating talk by one of our members, Brian Oswald, entitled “Discovering Contemporary Art: A Personal Journey“, using examples from both an Indian and a British artist.

Do come along for what we are sure will be both an entertaining and educational afternoon.

If you would like to put forward any points for discussion, please do get in touch with me at least a week before the meeting and I will make sure there is a time slot in the agenda for you.

Tuesday Painting Workshops. At Cookham Dean Village Hall, Church Road, Cookham Dean,

Berks SL6 9PY, from 2 to 5pm.

Coming Soon

A date for your diary. The Cookham Arts Club Christmas Party, Thursday, December 15^th in the Parish Centre.

TIP OF THE MONTH

Brush cleaning: once you have rinsed your brush in water, use shaving foam to get them really clean and they will become nice and soft too.

Yours sincerely

Robert Jones

Newsletter Editor