2011 CALENDAR

Here is our calendar for 2011. Double click on the image to see it full size. This diary has also been published in the October Aquarelle.

WHAT'S COMING UP NEXT?

Don't miss the sketching outing with Cathy Gatland this Saturday. Here is Cathy's e-mail...

This Saturday, the 16^th October, is a Worldwide SketchCrawl day (see www.sketchcrawl.com)

We are meeting at the Museum of Military History (War Museum) in Erlswold Drive, Saxonwold at the top of the Zoo at 10am to sketch, and anyone (especially you Watercolour Society members!) who is able to join us is welcome.

Entrance to the museum itself is R22 or R11 for pensioners and students, but one can sketch the memorial and outside area without having to pay a fee.

PAINLESS PERSPECTIVE FEEDBACK

The workshop was very good, with everyone enjoying it and wanting the next step...we'll do that in the New Year towards the end of January...see the calendar that will be published soon.

One participant said,

"This workshop should be called Designing paintings using space, light and line".

Sounds good!

September & October FREE Workshops

We regret that Zanne's September 11th Beginner Workshop is full and we can't accept any more bookings.

If YOU are disappointed, please put your name down with Kerry for the next one and we'll schedule one once the list grows sufficiently.

In October our chairman Barbara Moore will run a workshop called

"Painless Perspective"

Once again, this is a FREE workshop to members, and booking is essential. The workshop deals with how to help your creativity, and not hinder it, by learning easy ways to get depth into your paintings and also draw plausible structures. The key is "plausible". Barbara says you don't need advanced mathematics...you just need to know quick techniques to achieve your objective so that you can get on with the creative side of your paintings.

Date: October 9th

Time: 8:45 am for 9 am - ends 12 noon

Venue: WSSA Head Office at Manor Gallery, Fourways

Booking: 011 465-7934 (WSSA office), 082 454-3233 (Barbara mobile)

e-mail: aquarelle@wssa.org.za

Notes provided

List of materials needed to participants on booking

FREE Beginner's Workshop

On Saturday September 11th Zanne Bezuidenhoudt will be giving a FREE full day beginner's workshop to WSSA members.

This is a very special event that anyone thinking about beginning to paint in watercolours simply cannot afford to miss!

So members please let your friends and family know and book as soon as possible. Zanne has prepared a pre-workshop pack for anyone making a booking so phone the WSSA now on 011 465-7934 or e-mail zanbezart@gmail.com or gallery@wssa.org.za

Participants will learn how to get started and will go away having achieved three charming paintings!

Video & Book Club

Johannesburg Branch is starting a Branch initiative using a library of VHS videos and books.

It works very simply. If you are a member of Johannesburg branch please call in at Manor Gallery to take out a book or a video - its FREE!

You will need your membership number and you must of course be a paid up member of the WSSA.

We have fifteen books and 24 videos to choose from, including such big names as Charles Reid, Wendy Jelbert, Hazel Soan, Terry Harrison, Frank Webb, and many more.

Note that you have two weeks to return any book or video taken out...please be good about this as there may be a waiting list.

Richard Rennie Demonstrations

On Saturday 26th June, at Manor Gallery, Norscot (WSSA head office), we were held spellbound by Richard Rennie as he brushed up some marvellous watercolours with great artistry and verve.

Here are some of Barbara's quick notes on Richard's approach to watercolour art:

Richard's philosophy on brushes is don't look after your brushes!

Well that's unusual.

He says that old brushes with irregular

hair lengths are wonderful, and that the worst brushes make the best paintings.

Often the irregular hairs paint unexpected things, and watercolour is nothing if not expecting the unexpected.

If his results are anything to go by, then there must be some truth there!

Richard starts a landscape by thoroughly wetting the sky area of 638gsm heavy rough Saunders Waterford paper. He uses a big flat brush and, loose and fast, and all in the same direction, brushes in his colours - don't ask what colour! You'll be told he doesn't know.

For lifting out, never use paper towel or tissue. Use a damp brush while the paint is still wet.

When you're stuck, just put in an area of contrast - some light against dark, and this should get you going in a new direction.

When painting water (pond, river, etc) or a road, paint the sides/banks and leave the water/tar. Then do this last, leaving plenty of white paper.

When it comes to trees, start three-quarters of the way down and build up the foliage a

nd down the trunk, making one side dark and also the base. Start leafless trees at the base.

Make the rough of the paper and the side of the brush work for you, keeping irregular tree shapes (no lollipops please).

If you have more than one tree, work on all trees at the same time. Vary the intervals between them or their trunks, and vary heights, shapes and edges.

Just as the skies are wet in wet, so the land is wet on dry, leaving plenty of white paper. Richard starts with his large flat brush, and then as he works smaller, so he reduces to a large round brush, and finally for detail, branches & twigs etc., he has a rigger.

In the two hours that he demonstrated during the morning, Richard painted two traditional landscapes and two abstract landscapes.

Both the afternoon and the morning demos were very well attended - in fact we were almost bursting at the seams!

It was a lovely day and Johannesbug branch and WSSA head office thank Richard Rennie (who was one the the first members of our prestigious society) for his sponsorship and generous contribution of his time to present the demonstrations for our members.

Joburg Branch Calendar

Branch Calendar June - September 2010

FREE Demonstrations for Members

Bring a Friend - Free to your friend if they join the WSSA
AND YOU will get one free painting hanging fee and entry to a fabulous LUCKY DRAW
of a great Winsor & Newton wooden boxed Watercolour set of artist quality tubes and brushes.

JUNE

June 26th either morning or afternoon session
at Manor Gallery, Norscot Manor, Fourways
Richard Rennie FREE Demonstration (non-members R50)

Richard's wonderful watercolour landscapes

A rare opportunity not to be missed!

Morning session 10am to 12:30
Afternoon session 1:30pm to 4 pm

JULY

July 10th at Manor Gallery, Norscot Manor, Fourways
FREE Demonstration (non-members R50 - see special deal above)
Ianthe Hudson demonstrates how to paint Colourful Whites
Saturday 10th from 2pm to 4pm

AUGUST

August 14th at Manor Gallery, Norscot Manor, Fourways
FREE Workshop for members only
Barbara Moore shows you how to photograph your art, and save and organise your photos

Please bring your own packed lunch (or buy your lunch at the Secret Garden)

When booking, you will be given a list of what you will need to bring
Saturday 14th from 9am to 4pm

SEPTEMBER

September 11th at Manor Gallery, Norscot Manor, Fourways
FREE workshop for beginners "Starting to Paint Watercolours"
Zanne Bezuidenhoudt teaches new members the basics of watercolour art
9am to 4pm with a break for lunch

Please bring your own packed lunch (or buy your lunch at the Secret Garden)

When booking, you will be given a list of materials to bring

OCTOBER

Perspective is Easy!

Free workshop by Barbara Moore

Date to be announced

ENQUIRIES:

Head Office 011 465-7934

e-mail gallery@wssa.org.za

Carl Jeppe-Life Drawing Workshop

An absolutely fantastic opportunity was offered to the members of the WSSA on Saturday the 15th May by Anne Kriesoldt chairperson of the Jo-burg branch! About twenty avid watercolour artists turned up at the Parkhurst recreation centre at 9.30 am for a life drawing class with the well known artist, academic and teacher, Carl Jeppe.

The brave and beautiful live model spent the whole day from when we began in the morning through until 3.30pm patiently holding various poses for us while we painstakingly attempted to capture the form of her figure, the tone of her skin and master the mechanics of foreshortening.

Carl spreads his expertise throughout the group by spending time with each individual, gently critisising our work and suggesting practical ideas for improvement. He also gave a quick demonstration during the session to explain how we should successfully place the figure on our page.

The afternoon ended with a formal 'crit' of everyones work. This is undertaken by an enthusiastic Carl and incorporates a truly positive and helpful approach to our drawing efforts. Leaving one with a sense of achievement, well being and desire to come back for more!