Now in France

At the end of the summer, I decided to fulfill a longheld desire to experience life on the southwest of France. I am loving the beautiful city of La Rochelle already and have already met several other artists. I am setting up classes soon and branching into zoom classes as well. The scope for plein-air painting is immense and I have beautiful places to inspire me…..

The opening night was very special, I was delighted to be included with so many talented pastelists, and the food was exquisite. The nerves I had felt at doing a demo during the weekend faded as I got underway and there were other artists also painting at the same time, so the audience was more fluid than in a formal demonstration.

I had planned to do just the demo with the trees, and it went ok, although I thought it was better at about half way through, lol - which is typical!

Then I decided, in for a penny, in for a pound, and through caution to the wind by deciding to do the Chateau Saint-Brisson which I had discovered the day before. The perspective is tricky - but I was delighted to get an impression done in an hour and a half. As it was absorbing, I didn’t give too much of a commentry in my very clumsy French. I was then somehwat startled, yet completely delighted to turn around at the end to see twenty people standing behind me, faces focused on my work, watching it come together. Wow! A highlight among many for me over the weekend.

Demonstration of Chateau Saint-Brisson.

A relieved me with my Chateau.

My first demo of some trees - a road sweeping into the village.

My six pastels exhibited

Classes have started again since my move. I am putting on some zoom classes and I welcome students old and new my fun lessons. This was The first week’s demo, after a couple of other exercises to get us warmed up. See below….

I love to share my knowledge on many aspects of drawing and painting where the developing artist can become stuck. I teach mostly those who are a little along their aritistic journey and are keen to acquire extra knowledge to help their progression of their artistic goals.

Here we did a little tonal study first then played briefly with some colours before beginning the painting of the evening. 2 hours of art fun!