AGM evening and grouping painters through WhatsApp

Just as a starter: we have set up a closed group on WhatsApp for FHAS painters who want to communicate rapidly with each other. Why?
Imagine it's a gorgeous sunny day, not too hot, and tomorrow is forecast to be the same. You fancy going sketching... WhatsApp the group and see who wants to meet up.
Having a tricky moment with getting a painting right? Snap it with your cellphone and ask if any of the group has advice.
You can think of dozens of ways of using this smart bit of technology.

The AGM at FHAS took place on Wednesday 24th February. It was not as smooth-running as one would have liked but we have room for improvement next year! The committee remains the same as last year - for lack of volunteers.

After the AGM and before tea, Clive Tyler gave an informative talk about how to judge if your painting or drawing is up to scratch. 

The clue is to use this mnemonic -  veldschoen - an acronym of the qualities below.

V – Value

E – Expression

L – Line

D – Direction

S – Shapes

C – Colour

H – Harmony

O – Opposition

E – Emphasis

N - Notan

No excuses now, fellow painters!

The evening ended with the raffle for two different prizes of artistic goodies (and did we espy a bottle of wine to help creativity?). Maya won one, and Frances, the other. See above.

Thanks Rob for the pictures, as always.

Kirstenbosch Paint Out

Windy, windy in Fish Hoek but the enthusiastic group of artists - 16 in all - gathered at the Civic Centre and drove through to Kirstenbosch where the last of the morning mist was still clinging to Table Mountain BUT the Southeaster was reduced to a comfortable breeze.

Tuesdays are free-of-charge pensioners' day and we all got in as such, even smuggling in the odd stool under our arms.

We fanned out and did what took our fancy. And, being such a large area, we didn't see each other till we regrouped later at the restaurant for a (very good) cup of coffee/tea.

There are the opportunities here for doing wide vistas, small corner details, plenty of flora and some feathered fauna and even people as the Gardens are exceedingly popular with visitors. There are benches in many lovely spots.What a shame some tourists are so wrapped up in selfies that they don't see the magnifient views around.

Yes! We should do this more often.

April Portrait Course, Clanwilliam

Brush up your portrait skills (or indeed other themes... see below) with this course held again this year near Clanwilliam.

4-DAY PORTRAIT/ART COURSE –CLANWILLIAM – NORTHERN CEDERBERG

Monday 4^th to Thursday 7^th April 2016

Would you like to be able to paint a beautiful portrait of a family member or a friend?  You will learn how to use a specific method and will watch your painting come together bit by bit –the result? A truly realistic rendering of both model and fabric!

You will also be taught how to mix true-to-life flesh tones, using only 4 basic colours plus white.  This simplified method enables you to paint skin tones accurately from the start – no guesswork needed!!

Have you ever painted a portrait which just does not end up looking like the person you are trying to paint? Learn how to use a corrective method to fix up the portrait and achieve an exact likeness.

This four day course is essentially a portrait course, however you are welcome to paint anything else instead (landscape, seascape, still life etc) or you could do a beginner’s course if you have not done art before.

Join Johannesburg-based art teacher Heidi Beyers (www.heidibeyers.com) for four days of painting and fun at

Alpha Excelsior Guest Farm near Clanwilliam in the northern Cederberg (www.alphaexcelsior.co.za)

Dates:  Monday, 4 April till Thursday 7 April.

Alpha Excelsior Check-in time: Any time from 14h00 on Sunday, 3 April

Course Times:  Classes start at 9h00 and finish at 16h30 Monday to Thursday

Course fee:    R 2700 for 4 days 

This includes:

- 4 days Art tuition with Heidi Beyers

- Lunch every day in the Hen House (Monday to Thursday)

- Morning and afternoon tea & refreshments,

- Dinner on Saturday night (Pizza and salads, Pakhuys Red Wine, Olive and Olive oil tasting!

There will be a Guided Walk on Friday morning (7h00 till 8.30) to see Bushman Paintings and Waterfall with Nature Conservationist James Cooper for those who would like to join.

Attendees to supply their own art materials, however there will be oil paint, brushes, pallets and non-toxic brush cleaner for sale.  A complete list of requirements will be sent on confirmation of booking.

Self-catering accommodation at Alpha Excelsior:

R300 per person per night sharing a cottage (own room & own bathroom)

R250 per person per night sharing a cottage (own room & shared bathroom

R200 per person per night sharing a room (shared room & bathroom)

R500 per person per night single occupancy (own cottage)

R200 per night Retro caravan with shared bathroom, 3 caravans available (double bed in each caravan).

(please book soon if you would like to secure a room/cottage/caravan at Alpha Excelsior!)

Alternative accommodation:

Travellers Rest – 027- 4821824 email: charite@vodamail.com.za

De Pakhuys – 027-4821879 email: thys@depakhuys.com

Catering:

Attendees to please provide own breakfasts and suppers (except Saturday night).

To book your place:

Please contact Heidi Beyers – Email: beyers.heidi@gmail.com or Tel: 073 250 1040

For information about the artist please click on the following:

Wet in Wet with John Strickland

Sixteen members turned up to learn about wet in wet, on a dry, hot and sunny Tuesday.

John had an outline in pen, and we were supposed to fill it in - as he did. Not always easy.

However, we learned various useful techniques including splattering, overlaying colours and the creation of texture - in a wall - by using the fingertips.

FHAS starts off meetings for 2016

The year started with a good turnout.

We had a good members attendance with three new members - and the prospect of a few more.  

The DVD "Trees and landscape throughout the year", by Grahame Booth, was well received as a lot of members felt inspired by his teaching.  We welcomed back Franziska who has re-located to Germany and is visiting for a few weeks.  Franziska was a very valuable member of our committee and we really miss her.  John ,our Chairman, gave a brief outline of our plans for the year.  

Members are reminded that they are expected to attend the AGM on February 24th for the election of the new committee for 2016 and there will be a raffle for a number of excellent arty items no artist should be without.

Thanks Rob McAlpine for the photos and Alexandra Johnston (pictured above!) for the info.