Sidmouth Society of Artists were given a demonstration by artist Gregory Wellman entitled ‘African Wild Life - Big & Bold’ using acrylics.

The artist, who was born in Lyme Regis and now lives in Tiverton, showed a large painting of a bull elephant he had photographed while on Safari in Tanzania. He belongs to ‘Artists for Conservation’ a Canadian Society which promotes conservation through art.

He prefers painting on MDF rather than on canvas as he can scrub into the surface firmly with the brush whereas canvas tends to give. He sketches the outline with the paint onto the background.

He uses low cost acrylic paints and a variety of reasonably large brushes and when he’s painting he works from dark to light with some tonal work to start. He insists that tone is more important than actual colour.

Members found it an interesting demonstration with numerous very useful tips.