The Sidmouth Society of Artists’ latest demo at Kennaway House featured local Sidmouth resident, the artist Anna Brewster, whose studio is located in Colyton.
The choice of subject was a still-life consisting of a bunch of roses and camellias, with foliage, in a glass bowl. Common enough, I hear you say, but her approach to the task was anything but familiar. Her technique was unusual in that she combined an outline of her subject in Indian ink and subsequently applied extremely bright and colourful pure acrylic ink for the flowers and leaves with a little water colour here and there. Several other rather quirky aspects contributed to the uniqueness of her style, notably that her black outlines were applied with a short length of reed harvested somewhere along the Byes. Upon dipping, ink is drawn up inside the reed perhaps by capillary attraction, I venture, and flows out upon touching the paper in a more controllable way than one may imagine.
She confessed to liking striking strong and pure colours, as she captured the ravishing reds of the roses and camellias and the counterpoint of the equally strong greens.
Anna’s presentation was very assured and she is clearly no stranger to entertaining her watchful audience with a quip or two. Another useful tip she passed on (yes, another quirk) was the use of the plastic inner tray of a packet of Mr Kipling’s cakes (the perfect excuse to eat them up, she said). The trays are perfect for diluting the acrylic ink in, which when it dries is impossible to remove, so you simply discard the tray, a big saving against discarding your standard art shop palette tray.
Anna related that she is one who values a loose style where ‘less is more’. Many artists are inclined to overworks their pictures (we all do it at times) and when, after an absorbing two-hour session, she had completed her work, it was the freshness and masterful simplicity that was such a delight. The round of applause that followed was spontaneous. It is my opinion that a repeat booking for a demo or workshop is a foregone conclusion.
Zoom demo by Jamel Akib
The latest Zoom demo was by Jamel Akib, an award-winning artist who exhibits widely and attracts many commissions. So far these have included the illustration of covers for three Booker Prize finalists. His subject was ‘Contemporary Bird Portraits’.
Cherry Ferris comments: "Although Jamel paints fast, it’s clear that every movement, every colour-choice and brush, is analysed before a stroke is ever made … He conjures his subject with the architectural quality of a sculptor, painting in ‘planes’ rather than detail. It was mesmerising to watch."
Throughout January, Cherry masterminded the Sketchbook Challenge, during which 54 members worked on a sketch each day. She said she was ‘blown away by the inspiration, innovation and camaraderie of members, with so many experimenting with so many mediums and surfaces.’
Now spring beckons and Sidmouth Daffodil Day will be taking place at Kennaway House on 11th March. Art by members of SSA will be on display. For more SSA news, please visit www.sidmouthsocietyofartists.com
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