STUDIO WORKSHOPS with Christine Russell

A still life based on a single colour plus white can have an air of sophistication that would otherwise be difficult to achieve. There will be a choice of 4 still life set-ups each based on a single colour, i.e. blue on white; black on white, etc.

Please bring: Medium of your choice; brushes, paper, canvas or primed board as appropriate.

 Let’s get back to basics. Drawing is the underpinning of successful figurative art and, contrary to popular belief, is a skill that can be taught. Through a number of interesting and challenging exercises, this workshop will help you to draw with confidence and with a better understanding of drawing techniques – painlessly!   

Please bring: White cartridge paper A3 or larger, 1 sheet black sugar paper, 2 or 3 graphite sketching pencils 2B – 9B, 1 stick each charcoal and chalk, putty rubber. 

3. ~ Sat. March 15^th ~ The Importance of Shadows (any medium)

 Without shadows everything we attempt to draw or paint would appear flat. Where there is light all objects, however small cast shadows. It is the quality of the light and the intensity of surrounding objects that influence the shadows produced and helps us to identify those objects. This workshop aims to help you to paint rich, luminous shadows, which in turn will help you to achieve depth in your paintings.

Please bring: Medium of your choice; brushes, paper, canvas or primed board as appropriate.

Working from your own photographs, we will look at oil painting techniques, as well as use of colour and texture to achieve interesting effects.

Please bring: Traditional or water-based oils; thinners, linseed or quick-drying medium, i.e. Liquin or Kremer (if using traditional oils); ready-primed canvas, *primed hardboard or mount-board (*brush on 2 or 3 coats of acrylic gesso, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly before re-coating), or canvas-covered board (Dalerboard or similar – these are ready-primed); brushes, suggest a selection of flats, rounds and/or filberts, sizes 4 – 8, plus a size 1 round (Proarte Sterling 201 range is good); rag and/or kitchen towel. Optional: cranked handle painting knife

How do you get that piece of wood to look splintery, or that polished metal to appear smooth and reflective? Come and find out how to tackle this and other textures, e.g. glass, wood, fruit, fabrics, in fact, almost any surface.

Please bring: As for Workshop 4.

How can you convey the ‘ping’ factor of polished metal, or the lustrous reflections in a polished wooden table top? How does ceramic differ from copper, or glass from water? The answer is they all reflect light in different ways.

Please bring: Pastels (soft, not oil); abrasive pastel card, (i.e. Art Spectrum, Pastel card, Fisher 400, etc.)in preference to pastel paper (darker shades preferred); one or two pastel pencils; newspaper-covered backing board; putty rubber; old hog hair brush.

Fabric is an important element in still life painting. It can provide a backdrop as well as forming a link between items in a ‘set-up’. This workshop will look at how to tackle the essential characteristics in various fabrics, from silk to sacking, velvet to lace…. oh, yes and folds and even knots!

Please bring: As for Workshop 6.

Food has been portrayed in still life painting since time immemorial. Examples of Egyptian, Greek and Roman frescoes and wall paintings depicting food testify to an importance in antiquity that continues to this day. In this workshop anything is possible – from soft boiled eggs and toast to squishy cream cakes with jam – for painting purposes only, of course! A mouth-watering experience is assured!

Please bring: As for Workshop 1.

Working from photographs we will be looking at ways in which the chilliness and beauty of a winter landscape can be conveyed. Trees can be far more interesting when they shed their leaves. Heavy skies, mist, snow-covered fields, puddles – a limited palette and a move away from endless greens – all help to capture this time of the year. I will be providing photographs from which you might like to work, but please feel free to bring your own if you wish.

Please bring: As for Workshop 1.

ALL WORKSHOPS:  Please also bring an easel.  Chairs are available if you prefer to sit rather than stand. Packed lunch (tea, coffee & biscuits provided).

All studio-based workshops will run from 10.00 – 4.00. We will begin the day with a demonstration, followed by further demonstrations as necessary. Tea and coffee will be provided. Maximum of 10 people per workshop, so plenty of individual attention. The cost of each workshop is £35 per person.

Please note that due to a number of short-notice cancellations, I regret that no refunds will be given for cancellations made within 14 days of a workshop.

Studio based workshops: Please make cheque payable to: Christine Russell and send it with your form to: The Laurels Studio, Stone, Berkeley, Gloucestershire, GL13 9LD

For further details, I can be contacted at the studio during the daytime,

Mon. – Fri. on: 01454 269268, or

E-MAIL: christinerussell@ukonline.co.uk  Website: www.art-christinerussell.co.uk

From the Bristol direction head north towards Gloucester on the A38 (or turn left from the M5 motorway J14 slip road, then right onto the A38). *Go past The Gables Hotel on the right and the UK petrol filling station a little further along on the left. Take the second left turning where you will see Stone village green and the church set further back. **Follow the lane which takes a sharp bend to the left. The first driveway on the right past the bend is The Laurels. (George Taylor TV sign on wall outside). When you are level with the driveway you will see the sign for Russell Fine Art Services.

From the Gloucester direction head south along the A38. Pass through Newport (Newport Towers Hotel on left) and Woodford. The road begins to rise a little. Go past The Elms Hotel on the right (ignore the turning there). Turn right at the next junction just a few yards further on at the top of the hill. Follow the instructions from **. Alternatively, travel south towards Bristol on the M5. Go past the Michaelwood Services and take the next exit (J14). Turn right from the slip road, to the end of the road and turn right onto the A38. Follow instructions from*. 

 THE LAURELS STUDIO WORKSHOPS with Christine Russell 

Please indicate which workshop(s) you would like to attend:

WORKSHOP 1. __               WORKSHOP 2. __            WORKSHOP 3. __

WORKSHOP 4. __               WORKSHOP 5. __            WORKSHOP 6. __ 

WORKSHOP 7. __               WORKSHOP 8. __            WORKSHOP 9. __ 

NAME:

ADDRESS:

TELEPHONE NO:                           E-MAIL ADDRESS:

I enclose my remittance of £                    SIGNED

I would/would not be willing to accept an alternative if my chosen date is over-subscribed.

(Please delete as appropriate). If an alternative is not acceptable your cheque will be returned to you.

PLEASE NOTE: If your cheque is not returned,

please take it as confirmation that you have a place on the workshop.