Leeds Art Group

Hi everyone

Sadly, we have come to the end of term once again.  For the finale the Animal Portraiture Course created some parrot drawings using oil pastels.  A tricky medium to get the hang of but some really effective results.  The Watercolour course had a life model to pose for them this week.  So they were able to practise their proportion techniques as well as learning to work in a much quicker and looser style.  The Portraiture course also had life models this week which meant they finally got to put into practise all those skills they have been working on throughout the course.  Well done folks, you’ve all progressed so much since the start of the course and you’ve been fantastic to teach.  I hope you’ve all enjoyed this term as much as I have.

Remember to sign up soon for the January courses if you don’t want to miss out.  Go to the “Courses for 2017” page for further details.

Have a great Christmas everyone and I’ll see you in the new year.

Cheerio!

Wendy

Hi folks

Well done to everyone for braving the cold and the snow to get to classes this week.  The Animal course did some ink drawings of cats and used watercolour pencils to add a touch of colour.  The Watercolour course practised some figure painting from photographs so that we will be ready and able when our life model comes in next week.  The Portraiture course looked at drawing children’s faces and focused on how their proportions differ from those of adults.  Great work everyone.  Sadly next week is the last lesson of this term but new courses will be starting again in January.  Go to the “Courses for 2017” page for further details.  Some of the courses are starting to fill up already so remember to book early to avoid disappointment.  Please remember that places cannot be reserved without payment.

For anyone who is interested, there is an arts event on at Kirkgate Market in Leeds this weekend called “Personal Shopper.  Cornucopia!”  For further information click on this link:  http://compassliveart.org.uk/festival/festival-2016

Wrap up warm and I’ll see you all next week.

Wendy

Hi everyone

Welcome back everyone after our little break.  We were straight back into getting messy again with soft pastels in the Animal course and I think it’s fair to say you were all “happy as a pig in muck”!  Some Autumn leaves blew into the Watercolour class and we took advantage of all those gorgeous colours.  The portraiture course had two things to tackle this week:- ears and hair.  These two things can really make or break a portrait and it’s important to give them the attention they need rather than adding them as an after thought.  Well done everyone!  I’m pleased to say you definitely haven’t forgotten anything in your week off.  You’re now starting to work a little more independently which is great to see.  Two more lessons left on these courses but further information on the new January 2017 courses will follow soon.

Leeds Print Fair is on at the Leeds Corn Exchange this weekend if anyone is interested.  Looks like it might be a good place see local artists’ work and maybe pick up some early Christmas bargains.  Further details can be found on their website:  www.leedsprintfair.wordpress.com.

See you all next week.

Wendy

Hi folks

Over halfway through the course already – it’s flying by!  The Animal course tried a different sketchy style of drawing this week and did some timed studies of meerkats.  This helps you to focus quickly on which are the most important elements of a drawing.  The Watercolour course looked at how to work around a painting and build it up gradually whilst continuing to practise those all important colour mixing skills.  The Portraiture course focused on eyes this week – often considered the most important part of a portrait – with some really great results.  Well done everyone.  I know I really tested your observation skills this week but all your hard work is paying off and I’m really pleased with how well you’re all doing.

Don’t forget there are no classes next week but we will start back in week commencing Monday 31st October.

Enjoy the break and I’ll see you soon.

Wendy

Hi everyone

This week the Animal course painted some watercolour giraffes using only 5 colours to create the whole thing.  The Watercolour course practised their colour mixing skills and created some really vivid skies.  The Portraiture course made some pencil sketches of noses and then moved on to soft pastel – just using black and white and the colour of the paper to create tone.  Great work everyone.  Hope you’re all enjoying the course.  I am loving seeing all the wonderful pictures you’re producing each week.  Keep up the good work!

See you soon.

Wendy

Hi Folks

In week 2 we developed our skills further.  The Animal Portraiture course used pastel and charcoal to create some really expressive drawings of elephants.  The Watercolour course built on the techniques they learned last week and added an extra challenge of painting shadows on white objects – with some great results.  The Portraiture course started to look at the individual features of a portrait, starting with mouths and using a cross-hatching technique to create tone.  Well done everyone.  The photos show how well you are all doing and it’s only week 2!  You’re showing some real potential already.  Let’s see what you can do next week.

See you soon.

Wendy

Hi Everyone

It’s good to be back after our summer break.  We kicked off the new term with some great pencil drawings of dogs in the Beginners Animal Portraiture Course, exploring tone and shading.  The Beginners Watercolour Painting Course experimented with mark making and colour mixing and then used these skills to create a painting of an apple.  In the Beginners Portraiture Course we focused on shape and proportion and how important it is to get these right before moving onto the next steps.  A great first week and always nice to see so much enthusiasm and good “Have a go” attitudes.  Looking forward to what the rest of the term will bring.

See you all next week.

Wendy

P.S. If you want to add any comments to this website just click  on the “Leave a comment” title above.

Not long until the new term starts now but there is still time to book a place if you haven’t already.  All the information on the courses is on the “Courses for 2016” page but if you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch.  Call the course tutor Wendy on tel:  07788 871286 or email: leedsartgroup@yahoo.co.uk.

Hi folks

Our last lesson of the course and you did not disappoint.  We had 3 life models to pose for us which gave us the chance to show how much we’ve learned in this course.  We looked a lot at getting the proportions just right before adding detail.  It was great to see the progress you’ve all made since the start of the course, I hope you are all proud of how much you’ve achieved.  Thanks to our 3 fabulous models – Grace, Nicoletta and Allyson for doing a great job.  Thanks also to Malcolm for constantly supplying biscuits and cakes for us and thanks also to Margaret for the delicious homemade scones!

The courses for next term are now starting to fill up so remember to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.  Go to the Courses for 2016 page for full details of all the courses available and please get in touch if you have any questions or would like to book a place.

Enjoy the rest of the summer everyone and I’ll see you next term!

Wendy

Hi everyone

This week we had a go at drawing children and looked at how facial proportions change as a person grows older.  This was the first week that we have been able to piece all the features together and you did it brilliantly.  I was good to see you remembering all the things you have learned so far about how to draw mouths, noses, eyes, ears etc. and putting it all together in a complete drawing.  Next week we will be able to work from the real thing as we have some life models coming in to pose for us.

Next week is also, sadly, the last lesson of the course but don’t worry! – You won’t have long to wait until the next term starts at the end of September.  Go to the Courses for 2016 page for full details of all the courses available and please get in touch if you have any questions or would like to book a place.

See you next week.

Wendy