Roger Marks and Ann England with the latest from the Sidmouth Society of Artists...

What a way to return live to Kennaway with two excellent demonstrations; one pastels, a still life of red high heels by Christine Russell and the other a wonderful contrast with a Sidmouth seascape by local artist Phil Creek in acrylic, both reported on by Roger Marks.

The October painting demonstration at Kennaway House featured Gloucestershire artist Christine Russell.

Christine, who is self-taught, specialises in still life, using soft pastel as a medium. It is composed of pure pigments, which she prefers as they bring herpictures to life with their vibrancy and strength of colour.

In the two hours available to her, she was able to produce a very fine representation of a pair of red high-heeled shoes, against the backing of a black feather boa.

Her mastery of textures and light and shade were evident to an enrapt gathering of artists in attendance.

Christine has commissions in the Middle East and regularly exhibits at home and abroad.

She showed that soft pastels, so often used in an abstract and loodely-defined way can, in the right hands, be precise and arresting.

Interestingly, the fixative she recommends for pastel is not sold at any art shop but, being in fact hairspray, is easily obtained somewhere like Boots.

I just hope there won't be too many funny looks when I pop in for a can!

Sidmouth Herald: Phil Creek with his Salcombe seascapePhil Creek with his Salcombe seascape (Image: Sidmouth Society of Artists)

The November demonstration featured Phil Creek, whose engaging personality and good-natured manner have made him a favourite with the club over the years.

His loose style, using broad-brush application of acrylics on card, interspersed with anecdotes and questions and answers, soon produced a lively seascape of Salcombe Hill and the beach below, with cascading breakers and paddling joymakers in the shallows and, most impressively, a masterful treatment of the play of seawater puddling among the wet sand.

The interaction between artists and viewers was excellent which made both afternoons that much more enjoyable.

It`s great that so much is going on.

Once again, we join Exmouth in December and we are expecting a wonderful Zoom session when Graham Keen, an artist in Australia, will take us around his country to talk to artists there. Something different which should prove to be very interesting.

Our winter challenge is ongoing and the draw will take place in December.

We wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and remember you can join by visiting sidmouthsocietyofartists.com.