Author: doublehappinessmh

We had a very safe and productive weekend course at Knuston Hall last weekend 25th to 27th September. There were six on the course including the tutor and every detail had been thought about to make it as Covid-19 safe as possible. We had loads of space and were excellently looked after by the lovely staff.

The work produced was outstanding and everyone was really happy to be painting together in a group again. Everyone went home with lovely memories of the weekend.

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Just announced. A weekend CBP course has been planned for September 25th to 27th 2020 as the Hall gets the go-ahead to re-open at the beginning of September. 

If you are interested in joining us on this course , telephone  on 01604 362 200 or e-mail using enquiries@knustonhall.org.uk

I look forward to seeing you all there. Woo hoo!

Of course, all possible care and measures will be taken to keep everyone safe and well.

Best wishes

Claire Seaton

 

Here are two of my studies of a goldfinch painted about 4 years apart. There are parts of both which I like but I prefer the more recent one. Different times, different styles. I shall describe the steps for painting the second study.

1. Always with a finch, any finch, begin with the beak.Use very dry black ink. It is a stubby beak for cracking seeds with a downward facing hook at the end.
2. Then paint in the position of the eye. Do not worry if this disappears as the stage 3 is painted. With this dry black ink paint the lines of the wings and tail.
3. With a slightly wetter black ink paint in the plumage around the beak, at the back of the head and on the wings.
4. Add the bright red plumage on the head and the bright yellow flash on the lower wing.
5. Add the brown plumage on the back and body with as few strokes as possible. Add a few light grey strokes to suggest body shape.
6. Finally, add legs and feet and the eye. If you want, add the background of a teasel for context.

Claire

This is my version of a Japanese Koi Carp. A fish which is regarded as lucky in China and Japan as a symbol of abundance. The key to painting this is the bold black first stroke down its back.

1. With very dry, very black ink and a big brush paint the curved line down the spine. Start at the mouth with a point , bring the brush gradually down onto its belly whilst continuing in a thick line, curving it back towards the tail. With luck and a little judgement you may tail (!) off into flying white.
2. Paint the line of the belly in the same manner making sure you break the line to finish the line of the underside of the tail.
3. A similarly thick line should be painted for the mouth.
4. Add the eye, the fins and the flowing tail in dry black and dark grey.
5. Than add the scales, try not to be too regular.
6. Add wet shades of grey and orange to the body in an irregular pattern. Use these same colours for the fins and tail.
7. Finally paint the water weeds. Add calligraphy and seal.

Claire