Art Classes
We currently run two courses of classes for members, alternately led by well-known local artists - Ria Cornall and Fatima Pantoja. They usually take place once a week, for two or three hours, for 4-6 weeks. This is an opportunity for developing artists as well as more experienced, to learn, enhance and improve skills under the guidance of talented tutors. If you are interested in joining any future classes, please enquire at the next monthy meeting, or send an email to our Secretary for details (see Contacts page).
Autumn 2024 - with Fatima Pantoja
Returning students, as well as a few new people joined this course. We tried out various media, including ink, charcoal, acrylics, oils plus many other materials and tools to create some interesting images. Here are comments from 2 members who were on this course.
Fatima's energy and enthusiasm is infectious. No effort is wasted but always treated as a learning opportunity.
She teaches a range of skills and 'tricks' with different tools and materials, encouraging exploration and helping us to develop our art as it progresses.
I enjoy Fatima's relaxed and flexible approach, especially to starting a piece of work and learning how techniques are transferable between various media.
It's an informal and friendly class that always leaves me with plenty of ideas to pursue and/or practise. Marian V
The inky stuff was great fun - and lots of ideas I would never have thought of. A great intro into using all sorts of bits and bobs to create the right texture.
The abstract was a totally new thing for me. I learnt about putting the same colour in different places to please the eye, and just to look and think about what the picture needed for interest and balance.
On the whole it was an excellent course and many different techniques were introduced, with Fatima always being encouraging and helpful. It was also fascinating to see how everybody approached things differently! Val A
January/February 2025 - with Ria Cornall
Six enthusiastic members joined this short course, drawing in charcoal and then with anything that was comfortable. They looked into 1 point perspective, observational drawing and then planning a painting by drawing a loose plan/composition first. They then developed a painting in the media of their choice. Ria says there were lots of examples, exercises, discussions, rough sketching, measuring and even standing up to look at angles (on cupboard corners, tables etc!)
The attendees learnt a lot and most were delighted and want to keep in touch with Ria, even asking for homework!
Moira comments, 'Ria is a super teacher but above all encourager, helping each member to develop their own skills and individual pieces of art. Ria's tips and helpful ways of making you look at your subject/work, added up to an enjoyable course and personal achievement. I look forward to her next course.'
Lin said, 'Ria shares so many tips, knowledge and constructively gives guidance. I really have enjoyed the sessions and learnt so much including perspective and drawing skills. I will definitely look out for any additional courses Ria will offer.' Here are two of Lin's paintings completed during the sessions.
