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September 2020
It is all change in our class as we adapt to new circumstances. For
the time being it is only possible to enrol for complete 5-week
terms. We have to limit numbers in the group to allow reasonable
space between each artist so it is not possible to drop in at the moment. |

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Join our Cambridge Life Drawing
Facebook Group 8th October 2014
Alas my comments page has become rather neglected. We have a
Cambridge Life Drawing Group on Facebook which is more interactive. Ask to
join from your Facebook account and, if you have met me in person, you are
in!
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Van Gogh, Portrait of Camille Roulin 1888

After Van Gogh, Wheatfields 1890
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Van Gogh 22nd March 2010
Staggering was how one Friday nighter
described The Real Van Gogh at the Royal Academy and I can agree having
finally got to see this fantastic exhibition. If you have any doubts about
going then dispel them immediately and make the effort.
What did I find so
special?...
Well, to start with, the gloomy low light of the rooms and the hushed
murmur of voices sets a scene of worship or pilgrimage to the great man.
Like waiting in line to see Father Christmas as a child (worked for me
anyway).
Secondly there is loads there. Even if you have been to see Van
Gogh in Holland (Amsterdam and Otterlow) there is still plenty that is new
and unfamiliar, like the vibrant Camille Roulin I illustrated in the
leaflet. There I talked about the tied in colour - green in the face,
yellow in the hat. Having seen the actual piece I realised that I totally
neglected to mention the neon red button tied in with the incandescent
outline. These are the kinds of things that seeing the real works give
you, rather than just an illustration.
The crux of the show is the
letters, frustratingly not translated, but mostly explained in the (I
didn't do the audio guide) labels. I just loved these pen illustrations.
True thumb nail sketches - sketches the size of a thumb nail - prompting
me towards a Summer term class topic. The range of marks and modulation of
surfaces in these letter sketches using lines, dashes and dots is an
education. I spent time copying Wheatfields to appreciate the level of
dedication and completeness of the sketch.
Finally you might have been put
off (like me) by the prospect of large crowds. I found the numbers
perfectly acceptable. It was definitely not how I remember the Monet of a
few years ago (only able to see a few feet of each canvas as you stood in
rows five deep).
All the online tickets are sold but at the time I went
(and others) in the afternoon the queue for day tickets was not so bad. So
get along before the close of 18th April.
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Contrasting artist examples: precise and
measured from Uglow (top) and inspired invention from Boccioni. |
Artist Examples 10th February 2009
Once you are able to make some reasonably recognisable drawing what do
you do? You can learn about tone (light and dark) and colour.
But how do you want your picture to look? This is where it is
important to have some kind of objective. Here are two top tips.
1. Learn from artist examples. By visiting galleries, reading art
books and using the web you can look for the kind of art work that
inspires you; and so also the kind of work you want to emulate. This
term in the class I am introducing two contrasting artist examples.
The measured precision of Euan Uglow shows us how to get proportion
correct; and he is also a great tutor of tone and colour.
As an antidote to the mad measuring of Uglow, I offer you a glimpse of
Umberto Boccioni. Passionate, energetic, intuitive and even
destructive, his art focuses on movement and change.
Perhaps you can learn something from both artists?
2. Bring in to the class some of your own drawings which have worked
well. Each week I am introducing a new topic, but maybe you
should focus on what we did a few weeks ago? Develop that as your
main thing? So try to form a plan for yourself to work in a
particular style or media and make that your speciality. You might
learn more by ignoring what I say and following your own path! If
you have with you some drawings and your sketchbook I can help you
identify the direction you want to follow. |

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Full Classes! 8th December 2008
I am sorry I cannot accept new students at the moment. It
is all the more pressing right now because the Spring Term is usually the
busiest. After the new year we want to start afresh, discover our
creative selves, but alas I cannot offer you a space in the class if you
are joining for the first time. I would like to think that it is my
fabulous teaching, or at least my fabulous models; but in reality this
demand probably just indicates the lack of adult art classes in Cambridgeshire.
Gone are the days (I remember them well - before the War - it was all
green fields you know) when every Community and Village College had their
own Community programme featuring lots of art classes and other
activities.
For the future I am planning to start one or two new ventures in the
Cambridge area so please do check back. If you would like to join
one of the classes send me an email and I will try to keep you in touch. |

The
landmark of the Acromion process. This is the bony lump at the
junction of the clavicle and scapula. Knowing your anatomy helps you to
see more. |
What shall we do in the class this
term? 31st July 2008
I am just thinking about the programme for the September term.
One suggestion from the class was to have more longer poses. Another was
an anatomy based class. What else would be useful to
you?
I hope to offer a challenging series of classes which cover drawing
technique, use of materials and inspiring models. Let me know what
you think! |

Drawing
by the river at Sheeps Green. One of the few Summer days of 2008. |
Drawing outside by the river in the Summer
21 July 2008
What a great time by the river at Sheep's Green! The weather forecast
predicted cold temperatures and I almost called it off. But the sun was
out and soon warmed us all up. We were visited by canoes and a double punt
of river ecology students talking about the build up of algae.
There are always unexpected challenges when drawing outside. In the
past, heat and sunburn. Today it was the cold and the cow pats which
lurked around the grass.
Wild life included a flotilla of ducks streaking through the water like the Red
Arrows. And noisy geese protecting their territory on the opposite
bank.
The artistic purpose of drawing outside was to combine figures with
landscape; noticing the intensity of the sun and shade, reflections and
movement. Many of us were using watercolour, battling with the frustration
of that medium. Drawing with the negative shapes in watercolour takes your
work to a higher level.
Many thanks to everyone including our models for making it such a successful
occasion!
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