Hugh Murdoch - how it went!

The annual Hugh Murdoch competition was the highlight of a chilly August and well attended.
18 people came along, 13 members and five visitors.


Above, Ann Zwets, with librarian and finance lady, Sue Green, keeping records up to scratch.

Most artists favoured work in watercolour and the quality was of a high standard.

Acting chairlady, Ann Zwets, was on good form to hand out the prizes.

The overall winner was David Parry with his wonderful painting of a wall, door and window in blue.




That shadow on the left makes the painting!

Cynthia Fletcher was not present to pick up her second place with the beautiful watercolour of a (correct me if I am wrong...) medieval crumbling arch and door.

The third prize went to John, see below, for his very rustic doorway in a stone wall.

Committee member Maureen took care of the raffle (which Val Parry won) and organising the tea - thanks to all, and to Rob McAlpine for getting some photos to record the evening.

Here, below are the major events for the rest of the year.

Hugh Murdoch Trophy Competition

This year the theme is doors and doorways. Open for plenty of scope.
The date to diarise is 23rd August, evening.
You've got another 11 days to either sort out one of your pix or to get going on a new work.
Think colour. Think design. Think black and white. Or sepia.
Oil, watercolour, ink, acrylic... all are acceptable.
Don't think only vertical. Horizontal works well too. Square canvas? Why not!

We look forward to seeing you and your interpretation of doors and doorways.
Here's some that inspired the author.

Negative Painting Techniques

It was the turn of committee member Cynthia Fletcher to share her knowledge of negative painting this week in the monthly workshop.

Many thanks to Cynthia.

The afternoon meeting was very well attended - 13 members came armed with materials, and three guests also swelled the ranks. We were pleased to welcome Gladys Currie as a guest and look forward to seeing her again as a member.

Cynthia made it more difficult (or perhaps easier?) by limiting the palette to one red, one blue and one yellow paint, and showed us how to use this technique effectively.

The technique involves painting a darker background around the lighter objects. In other words, you define various objects from close to distant, gradually revealing their shapes and creating more depth and dimension with each layer of colour.

Some participants got the hang of the technique quickly and were amazed at the excellent results.

Maureen also brought along some of the cute pottery pots she crafted during the previous pottery workshop. You weren't there? Your loss. It was fun!

Thanks to photographer Rob McAlpine and secretary, Ann Zwets for the pix.