Brian Britton
Still Life Tutored Drawing - "Tone"
Tuesday 9th June, 2pm to 4pm in the Pavilion
Brian explained the objective of this session in an email to members:
This month's Tuesday demonstration is a break with tradition because members will be taking an active part! We will be looking at Tone - light and dark.
You will have the opportunity to draw and paint from set still life compositions and then compare your own interpretations with each other.
Please don't be intimidated! The aim is for members to try new ideas, experiment, and maybe also use different materials.
Everything will be provided - paper, board, paint, mark-making objects, the still life compositions etc.
So come along and have some fun doing art!
Short Report
The session was well attended by 22 enthusiastic members which was more than Brian had expected. Several extra table positions were created at the last moment and Brian was very pleased!
Everyone attending was provided with, or had access to:
A large sheet of plain grey textured paper on a board; a selection of marking instruments including some old stiff brushes (large, medium and small) and a bamboo stick sharpened to a nib; a stick of black charcoal; a stick of white chalk; white emulsion paint; black emulsion paint; water and a hair dryer.
Brian explained the difference between shade (white mixed with traces of colour) and tone (black mixed only with white). This session was all about creating a picture from a set still life composition (an arrangement of objects) brightly lit to give shadows. Brian was on hand for anyone who needed help or advice and gave valuable and expert guidance. The blank sheet of paper and complex objects in the arrangement were at first rather intimidating but once everyone got some marks on the paper the pictures began to emerge!
See the photographs below which show what was achieved by the break for refreshments (after about 50 minutes) and at the end of the session (after a further 30 minutes).
This session was very enjoyable as well as being a valuable learning experience, especially as no pencils were allowed!
Martyn Worman
A selection of photographs taken at the beginning of the session, during the break for refreshments and at the end of the session:
