Painting Challenge responses

Here are two interpretations of the shutters image in the latest painting challenge

Helen Welch

Richard Hyde

It's always fascinating to see different approaches to a reference photo. Helen has included the pigeon and boards whereas I have left the space 'open'. Perhaps I could have relieved the dark rectangle with slightly lighter tones to indicate that there might be something in the room behind the opening.

Even the photo chosen involves some selection. At some stage there was a second pigeon sitting on top of the leaning shutter.

If anyone else wants to contribute a painting do send an image to laschallenge@yahoo.com

Summer Exhibition and Painting Challenge

The exhibition stars of Summer 2017

I'm looking forward to our summer exhibition which starts on 4 June in the Weavers Gallery, Church Lane, Ledbury HR8 1DW

It's open to the public:

•  2 - 4 pm on Monday 4 June
•  10am - 4.30pm Tuesday 5 through to Saturday 9 June
•  10am - 2pm on Sunday 10 June

Ledbury should be buzzing on the Saturday as that is the Community Day when the town's many clubs and voluntary organisations showcase their work. For information about all the groups (arranged by venue) visit http://www.ledburycommunityday.org.uk/listing-2018/

Last week I painted four pictures. Three were to suit titles I'd dreamed up when on holiday in Italy and entered for the exhibition. The fourth was because one of the paintings I had already done for the exhibition was really badly done and I don't know why I had entered it. Painting so much in a short period is a useful challenge and I recommend trying it sometime.

Shutters in Garda

One of my paintings was based on this photo of delapidated shutters. My wife complains I don't take normal holidays photos! You are free to use my photo as a reference for your own painting or drawing in whatever medium you favour. If you'd like to share a digital image of your work then do please send it to laschallenge@yahoo.com

Canoe Slalom

Colin Harries

I think the painting challenge based on a photograph of canoe slalom in Merano, Italy proved difficult for many. So well done Colin Harries for having a go and producing such an excellent painting. It gives a real sense of the canoe being tossed around by the very rough water.










I've also included my own attempt. I started off with watercolour but then used some light grey pastel to complete it.

Richard Hyde

Low tide at Bosham

We have yet another response to the Painting Challenge and this one's particularly creative as Ian Fountaine has managed what Canute failed to do and has stopped the tide coming in. Yes, it was supposedly at Bosham that Canute commanded the waves without success. I bet Canute couldn't paint like Ian either.

Here's what Ian wrote when he sent in his entry. "Sorry to take so long to get around to your painting challenge.  In fact, by the time I got there the tide had gone out!  Actually this is with acknowledgement to Joe Francis Dowden who will demonstrate for us in October and who painted the same scene in this manner."

If you have ever visited Bosham you'll know that it is the houses that have a wall separating them from the road below and at high tide the road is often flooded.

LAS Challenge

I thought I had better have a go at the painting challenge I set last month and tackled it with watercolour. Some parts of my effort I found quite pleasing but I really fiddled too much with the grassy areas and the rippled water. I also found the more distant buildings a little too strong and there is one building near the right where I have distorted the perspective. I really should have used a smaller brush for the windows or at least avoid overloading it. My other problem had nothing to do with painting but everything to do with my ability with a scanner. Never mind, at least I've increased the amount of painting and drawing I do since Christmas.

First responder

by Diana Forsyth

Here's the first painting in response to the painting challenge based on a photograph of Bosham. Thank you Diana.

The Old Curiosity Shop

The Dickens themed painting challenge begins with The Old Curiosity Shop. Art work should be presented unframed at the meeting on Tuesday September 4th.

What a challenge this is! Do you go for scenes from the book or show a shop front or interior? As always the theme can be loosely interpreted so perhaps a visit to an antique shop might inspire. A local source of ideas might be the some of the objects in the Butcher Row Museum. The temptation will be to put too much in or try to be too detailed. Perhaps an unusual still life is called for.

Dickens used wood engravings to illustrate his novel and brought together a team to produce the illustrations. You can see images of the original illustrations at http://charlesdickenspage.com/illustrations-curiosity_shop.html  Phiz contributed most of the designs for the plates and George Cattermole contributed fourteen drawings.  Cattermole was a great friend of Dickens and his studio was probably the inspiration for the novel. He produced many historical paintings and his studio was full of curiosities and props including a suit of armor.

I wonder where members will find their inspiration.