This could get messy! Christmas card workshop

Christmas Card Workshop Tuesday 13th November.

This could get messy! So be prepared.

Firstly, you need to do a bit of homework. 

We will make cards that fit in the size of envelopes available. No point making a beautiful card then not finding an envelope that it fits!

So go look at the range of envelopes, both coloured and white. See and note the sizes. 

Both CNA and Write Shoppe have options. 

Or look out what you have at home and note the sizes.

You’ll then be able to gauge how much card you need to make the actual cards to fit in your envelopes.

Apart from ideas, suggestions and discussion, we’ll make a design or two at the workshop.

If you will be attending the workshop and plan on starting on some Christmas cards, here are some suggestions of things to save or collect from home in the next two weeks.

COLLECT/SAVE and BRING

Cardboard boxes (cereals, whatever)

Used dishcloth

Plastic bin liner to aid against the mess

Styrofoam plates (cleaned!) from under your supermarket sausages, veggies, or fruit 

Check out and bring any bits of old Christmas ribbon you may have 

Some round lids: spice bottle lids, medicine bottle lids, R2 coins!

Look out any previous years’ cards that you are willing to cut up. Or brightly coloured images from magazines.

BRING

Stick glue

Nail scissors

Cutting blade, cutting board and a ruler, preferably steel if you have on

A plastic set square is also a good idea for accuracy

Do you have an A4 guillotine?!?! This is a GREAT help if you do.

A pinafore or old shirt to protect your clothing!

White card for your first cards
A few sheets of thin paper A4 size (typing paper, tracing paper, scrap paper (doesn't matter if it has been used on one side)

Acrylic paints

BORROW OR BEG  some metal glitter bits from your grandchildren and, if you don’t have acrylic paints, then also from them a red, blue and yellow pot of paint.

White card to make the actual cards

DVD evening

Painting watercolour with big brushes? 5cm-wide brushes?

This was the fascinating approach that we learned from American artist, Sterling Edwards, during a short but entertaining DVD that John S kindly brought to us at the FHAS meeting.

A dozen members and friends attended the meeting and were amazed at the versatility of this artist who doesn't do detail with small brushes. He uses a more sophisticated (ie softer) version of brushes you can buy at Builder's Warehouse or Mica!

It was food for thought!

Look him up on the web. He has his own site: www.sterlingedwards.com.



























































John also brought along some examples of mini-painting that he has been working on. They are more or less conform to the international standard for miniature paintings in size, but are slightly larger - and indeed these were impressive, being both colourful and detailed without being slavish to detail.

He is suggesting we have a mini-painting competition to coincide with the AGM in early 2019.
John demonstrated the range of supports and framing material that could complement these small paintings (around the size of a playing card).


















Again, food for thought!

Thanks Rob for the photos. Not bad for a cellphone under such low lighting!

Paint out - Noordhoek Garden Emporium

Good coffee, a variety of plants, plenty of interesting pots and some sexy sculpture: Fish Hoek Art Society members enjoyed their morning paint out at the Garden Emporium this last week.

We all agree that garden centre venues do provide a great range of themes for sketching - especially as there is a good café just behind the plants - and we don't want to travel too far.

So, whilst some chatted over charcoal and pencils, others - like Frances - got right down to work!

 LOVE THE HAT, MAUREEN!

Thanks for the photos, Rob McAlpine.

Karin Davel's workshop

Twelve members and two guests attended this week's workshop in wonderful spring-like weather.

It was nigh windless!

We were lucky to have Karin Davel - a semi-retired high school art teacher and a very gifted all-round artist - come and show us colour mixing using pairs of colours (see below). From these pairs we noted a wide range of browns and greys, and with water were able to vary their intensity. 

Useful and interesting.

Karin had brought an unusual subject for us to practice on: teddy bears!

Without thinking detail (a bit like painting when you have taken your glasses off!) Karin suggested we painted her big teddy with circles and ovals, and using some of the colour mixes we had previously created. 

Karin is articulate and well versed in so many different aspects of art that it was a privilege to have  her spend time with us.

Thanks Rob McAlpine and Maureen Copley for the photos.

 

Events coming up

Good morning members

While the participation from members at the Garden Show was poor we did have good exposure, many people taking flyers about the Society.  Thanks to the committee members for their time to set up, display paintings and be at our stand for the morning.

We only have two months left of this year's activities - calendar below - and I do ask that you come to as many of them as possible.  Karin Davel's workshop next Tuesday should be very interesting and fun (hopefully there won't be any memorial services in the Hall!!).  Our DVD evenings are always very informative and the film that is going to be shown should titillate your creative juices.

The Alma Byng competition is the most important one of the year in that there is a substantial prize involved and gives our members an opportunity to show off their work and enjoy an evening of arty fellowship.  We would really like to see some more paintings done by our newer members.  There are several categories to choose from and you can enter a painting in one or all if you wish to.  Please don't be shy - every work has its charm and merit.  To make the evening fun please come in fun headgear - a prize for the most inventive/colourful.  We will supply wine and fruit juice but ask you all to please bring a small plate of snacks with you.

I will be forwarding an e-mail that I have received about an offer to show and sell paintings.  It is a very good opportunity for us to sell our work.

Thank you Fiona for all the news and interesting articles you put in the blog - no mean feat as you are often travelling.

FISH HOEK ART SOCIETY – 2018 EVENTS CALENDAR 

	Workshops 2nd Tuesday 2 pm	Paint outs 3rd Tues 9.30 am	DEMOS 4th Wednesday 7 pm
OCTOBER	9 Karin Davel	16 Cape Dutch Nursery	24 DVD evening (Landscapes)
NOVEMBER	13 Christmas card ideas	20 Chart Farm	28 ALMA BYNG TROPHY AND END OF YEAR PARTY

              

The Fish Hoek Garden Club Spring Flower Show is taking place on Saturday 29Th September, in the Main Hall at Fish Hoek library.
Fish Hoek Art Society will have two trestle tables on which to display our work and to sell. 
So, FHAS members this is the moment to bring your work, easels and give it a go. Doors open 8.30am. 

GOOD LUCK. 

10-minute challenge to do a drawing

So, you are not out along the West Coast enjoying this year's magnificent flowers... Then how about the challenge of some Spanish sunshine?

Your choice: the fruit bowl (don't bother with the background) and a pretty collection of wall pots spotted in a village. The shadows were part of the attraction.

The idea is to do a quick 10-minute sketch and then should you want to do a more concentrated study, you can redo it, with a much better feel for the subject.