Recent Events

Rodney usually paints in oils 'en plein air' and is very familiar with the landscape around the River Thames but, of course, for the demo he had to work from a photo reference. He had prepared a canvas panel with a pale raw umber background and his first stage was to draw in a basic outline of the scene using dilute burnt umber and a fine brush. This was then enhanced with more intense colour to emphasize darker passages in the scene, adjusting the drawing constantly to get it right as a painting not just as a copy of the photo. Blocking in shapes of colour and tone then followed using a fairly limited palette (cadmium yellow, Naples yellow, yellow ochre, cadmium red, burnt umber, French ultramarine, cobalt blue and white). Rodney started with the darkest areas of the image and then gradually worked through the mid and light tones around the canvas. This process continued by focusing on smaller and smaller shapes within the image and the end result was an atmospheric interpretation of the original reference. A fascinating and informative evening to be followed by a workshop, also hosted by Rodney.

For this re-arranged workshop the ever-popular Ella returned to oversee a workshop at which she encouraged us to use collage elements to create a still life. With her usual enthusiasm she managed to draw out of the members a really diverse collection of images which were displayed at the end of the afternoon ... and what an interesting assembly they made. Ella's critique of our efforts was really appreciated and she was given a warm vote of thanks at the end of the session.

Our plan to sketch at Garson's Farm Garden Centre was scuppered after receiving an email at the 11th hour advising us that building works and Christmas decorating was taking place this week. The hardy group of well seasoned sketchers decided to meet after all. We quaffed our early morning brew then ventured out to the village green. One or two stayed at the cafe to sketch the lovely displays of eats and flowers. Those that ventured out to the green enjoyed a most pleasant morning of sketching and painting at the lake. The sun was shining but it was rather breezy.

It was another packed hall for our first workshop after the summer break. There was great enthusiasm and excitement over the Klimt workshop.

Margie started with a brief description of Klimt's artistic style and she described how we would be working with images but that we would be working in an abstracted manner. She showed us how to search for shapes within the image and how to flatten these shapes onto our chosen surface. After drawing in the shapes and blocking in colour, she showed us how to create patterns and symbols. We used stencils and gold to create further marks on our work.

It was a most enjoyable afternoon and the members had created diverse interpretations of the style of Klimt.

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There had been some doubt about holding the event this year because of parking difficulties close to the venue but there was an excellent turnout of members on Sunday and nearly as many on Monday. The weather was almost perfect, if a little too hot out of the shade, on both days. The exhibiting members enjoyed a relaxed an enjoyable time showing their creative efforts to the hundreds of passing strollers, dog-walkers, boaters waiting for the lock gates to open and cyclists - those sensible enough to get off their bikes. There were lots of positive comments from members of the public and quite a few were tempted to buy what they saw. All in all a really enjoyable and worthwhile event ... glad we did it!

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The 'ever-popular' Chris Forsey returned to run our second summer workshop and it was a full house. Although Chris had supplied some photographic references these were just a starting point and he was keen for us to develop our paintings without slavishly trying to replicate the photo. His demonstration started with the application of a very loose yellow/orange background using acrylic paint mixed with plenty of medium. He then worked in more loose areas of darker colour from a limited palette to delineate the basic structure of the painting. We went away to apply the same process to our blank paper or canvas and returned to see Chris demonstrate a technique to create the effect of mist rising from the water. Basically this is to apply white paint thinned with medium and then to rub this into the painted surface with the flat area of the thumb. All deceptively simple but actually not easy to replicate ... he has had years of practice! He then developed the painting further, introducing more colour but always keeping the basic contrast of yellow and blue/grey, and also using acrylic inks and oil pastels to create a strong foreground. Chris was constantly on hand to offer advice and encourage us to be experimental and above all to have fun with the process. After lunch there was a second demonstration and by the end of the session there was an impressive gallery of work - evidence of a creative and enjoyable workshop.

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On another scorchingly hot day several members gathered at The Pheasantry café in Bushy Park. After a short caffeine fix we scattered to various shady spots around the Woodland Garden for a couple of hours sketching and painting in delightful surroundings. The morning was rounded off by another meet-up for well-earned refreshment and to look at each others efforts ... a great way to spend a morning.

Held in our regular venue, the 2025 Annual General Meeting was well-attended by many familiar faces but also a number of newer members, which was good to see. As members gathered there were refreshments available before the formal proceedings commenced, hosted by Stephen Waxman (Treasurer) and Paul Potter (Chair). The principal items on the agenda were Paul's review of the last year followed by the financial statement given by Stephen. The overall picture was an optimistic one inspite of a small loss caused by slightly lower income from sales at the Spring Exhibition and increased costs associated with the website. There were encouraging sales of both paintings and crafts at all the events although it is noticeable that smaller ticket items did much better than more expensive ones. There then followed the presentation of awards from the spring show and the announcement of promotions to Associateship, Fellowship and Life membership. Paul announced that most existing committee members were willing to stand for re-election and this was proposed and seconded by members from the floor. An exception to this is the retirement for the time being of Ron Smith for health reasons. Under Any Other Business Paul referred to his recent letter to the membership appealing for help in running the Society and although a few members have come forward there is still the need for more 'fresh blood' to take on some of the administrative work and without this the long-term future of the Society remains in doubt. The formal proceedings of the AGM were followed by a very entertaining demonstration by Sara Vertigan in which she created a riverside scene under a dramatic sky in oils.

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After a spell of rather changeable weather a really good turnout for the fourth plein air session was rewarded with a dry and warm-ish morning. After a convivial meet-up at the Coppernose cafe, members headed off to find a subject for their creative efforts. These included the impressive entrance gates, views of Hampton Court Bridge, palace roof-scapes and chimney-scapes and riverside scenes. The sun shone - occasionally - and it was a great way to spend a few hours, rounded off with another meet-up at the cafe at the end of the session.

For our first summer workshop we welcomed a new tutor - Gerri Besgrove, and model Danielle for a morning of life drawing. After an introduction from Gerri we started with a few very short standing poses to loosen up, trying to look only at the model and not taking the drawing medium off the paper. This was followed by a couple of 8 minute standing poses which allowed for a more measured approach and the first session was rounded off with a slightly longer pose with the model in a prone position. After all that we and the model had certainly earned a break for refreshments. In the second session there was a longer pose, giving the opportunity for more considered mark-making, using different surfaces and mediums. Gerri was on hand to give individual advice and tips for improving our drawings throughout the session. At the end of the morning we all felt that it had been a valuable, enjoyable and challenging experience.

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As the mercury started to rise towards another heat wave a small group of members assembled at the East Molesey Cricket Club for a morning of sketching and painting in glorious surroundings. After a fortifying cup of coffee we set off in search of a suitable subject. Some chose to stay close to the clubhouse with its facilities, refreshments and welcome shade while others found sheltered spots beneath the trees close to the river. In spite of the heat it was a delightful way to spend a few hours in lovely surroundings, doing what we like best ... what's not to like?

On another blisteringly hot day but taking advantage of the air-conditioned school hall we held the last regular workshop before the summer break. Sally returned with model Françoise for a session of life-drawing and a very well-worthwhile afternoon it proved to be. There were several short poses to get everyone loosened up and then a couple of 15 minute poses before the break. Françoise then adopted the same pose for the rest of the session so that there was time to develop a more considered drawing or painting. A very enjoyable and 'cool' few hours.

On what turned out to be the hottest day of the year so far, a small group of members gathered at the Molesey Lock Café for a morning of sketching and painting in the sunshine. Some bravely took on scenes in the full glare of the sun while others took advantage of the welcome shade offered by the café or trees along the riverside. Proximity to the river maybe meant the temperature was a degree or so lower but wherever we were it was an enjoyable morning and for some rewarded with a delicious ice-cream at the café.

Ella returned after Friday's fascinating demonstration to host the follow-up workshop and a well-attended event it proved to be. For the benefit of those who missed the demo she ran through the various techniques that had been discussed while others got on with trying to create their own 'creative collage'. I think most of us were outside our comfort zone ... some further than others ... but with the idea that our aim should be to have fun and experiment in mind, the time was spent in absorbed creativity. Ella was on hand with constant advice and 'mini-demos' and at the end of the session the results in the gallery were testament to a fun and productive afternoon.

Ella arrived with her usual boundless enthusiasm for the subject and to start with she stressed the importance of having a diverse collection of source material with which to work ... as well as an open mind. She gave us a quick demonstration of 'gelli-printing' using acrylic paint and applying that to different paper surfaces including printed newspaper. Then, on a piece of stiff white cartridge and using the 'automatic drawing' technique where spontaneous and gestural marks are made without too much thinking, she produced her original drawing in charcoal. To this she then applied layers of cut and torn pieces of coloured and textured paper in an instinctive way to develop the original image, enhanced by oil pastels where appropriate. She continued until the image was resolved in her mind and all with an ongoing explanation of her thought processes addressed to an intrigued and fascinated audience. After the break she produced a second image using a slightly different technique and at the end of the evening Ella received warm thanks from very appreciative members. The workshop will be a challenge!

It was a packed hall to greet the birds of prey supplied by Falconry UK and what an endearing collection they proved to be. Among them were Rocky the raven - only 11 weeks old, but quite a character; Titan the vulture - black, sleek and handsome and Bailey the white-faced owl - diminutive but charming although slightly reluctant to show his amazing orange eyes to the assembled sketchers. It was quite a challenge to capture the essence and movement of these amazing creatures but everyone was engrossed in the attempt for a couple of hours. A really successful afternoon.

The weather was kind to us for our first Plein Air of the year, even though the forecast had not been good. We were invited to the Chairman’s garden to find our spot to draw and paint, the pond on the terrace being a favourite, and the long grass under the fruit trees another. The morning passed companionably aided by homemade refreshments.

On a bright sunny afternoon a full room assembled to put into practice the techniques which Mark had demonstrated last night. After a quick run through for those who were not able to attend the demo, Mark took us step by step through his process, taking time to give tips and guidance to individual members. The resultant paintings from the members showed how very successful Mark’s tuition had been.

A healthy number of members, some new faces among them, welcomed Mark Warner back to give a demo on portraying waves. He started by showing us his sketch books which are a major part of his process, drawing mainly in water soluble black pencil. He then started a painting of the incoming tide, recommending a base colour of white mixed with raw sienna, even though he started with white. Brush strokes came fast, using acrylic in a diluted form, mixed on a palette of toughened glass. He used a limited number of colours which created the desired cohesion to his work, all the time dispensing tips and advice. The painting was completed by the interesting and varied use of a rigger brush to depict the waves and foam.  It was agreed the evening was enjoyable and instructive.

Yet another successful Spring Exhibition for Molesey Art Society. Not only did we attract over 700 visitors but sales of paintings and crafts were very gratifying. 77 artists displayed their work on the screens and in the browsers and there was a diverse range of crafts on show. Congratulations go to the award-winners – Janice Gazetas (Terence Cuneo Award), Gillie Spargo (Landscape Award), Joy Martin (Flora & Fauna Award), Rebecca Hillary-Tong (Portraiture & The Human Figure Award), Francesca Learmount (Creative Use of Colour Award), Jane Bissix (Design & Composition Award), Alexei Yazikov (Digital Art & Printmaking Award) and Bali Edwards (Craft Award). The 'Best in Show' survey was very exceptionally well subscribed and more congratulations go to Jane Bissix for 'Still Waters'. A very satisfying result all round.

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