Sidmouth Society of Artists and Exmouth Art Group shared a July Zoom art demonstration together.

The groups were excited and felt lucky to welcome Jem Bowden, painter and tutor, as their guest artist to demonstrate his way of working.

Ann England from SSA said: “He started painting when he was very young, inspired by J M Turner, and has won several awards including Society for all Artists ‘Artist of the Year’.

“This was a good watercolour demonstration as Jem described his typical work principles following this with showing, through photographs of other paintings, the main areas to be identified before beginning a painting. He gave a full explanation of everything he uses, using the same materials both indoors and outdoors: Bockingford 200lb paper is particularly important and three paints, Winsor blue red, Raw umber and French ultramarine.

“He uses a Jackson size 15 brush and a Chinese brush which he modified himself. He used his techniques to demonstrate an old hillside farmhouse. He showed camera views of the subject prior to choosing the best one to use, preferring to paint “plein air," as he feels inspired being out in the landscape.

“He zooms in with the camera to draw out the main shapes and then puts the camera away to make this his own painting. He feels he has a more impressionist way; one can then simplify in order to capture the essence of the subject. This was an afternoon filled with information and many of us will be delighted to review the video of the proceedings while it lasts.”

If you are interested in more information please contact: Sidmouth Society of Artists at https://www.sidmouthsocietyofartists.com/ or Exmouth Art Group at https://www.facebook.com/ExmouthArtGroup/