Artists & Illustrators – September 2019

sketchbook

EleanorCrow’stipsfor
illustratingonthego

SKETCH THE STREE

1. Work small
   “People are often surprised by how small my artworks
   are – A5 or A6. I like the equipment to be discreet
   and portable too. I use a small block of hot-pressed
   Fabriano Acquarello paper, and tiny ProArte
   Prolene brushes.”


2. Embrace straight lines
   “I sometimes use a small ruler on location for the fi rst
   pencil lines, just to establish the main structure. I like
   the graphic quality of a straight line against the
   washes of colour.”


3. Get on your bike
   “I often use my bike handlebars as a support. To a
   passer-by, I look as though I’m standing by the bike

• nobody stops to ask me about what I’m doing, as
  they tend to do if I’m sitting down.”
  Eleanor’s new book, Shopfronts of London, is
  published by Batsford, £14.99. http://www.eleanorcrow.com ISTOCK

HOW TO...

Enter the Royal Scottish Academy’s 193rd annual exhibition,

Open Art 2019, online before 5pm on 6 September at

http://www.royalscottishacademy.oess1.uk • Technique-specifi c

series The Masters is run by the Royal Society of Painter-

Printmakers. The November show focuses on relief printmaking

• enter online before 23 September at http://www.re-printmakers.com


• The Society of Botanical Artists runs a two-year distance
  learning diploma. Apply before 30 September for the next
  course, beginning January 2020. http://www.soc-botanical-artists.org

DATES FOR THE DIARY

IMPROVE YOUR...

G den

Painting

When painting a scene dominated by greens,

itistempting

to reach for the closest matching pigment. However, many

leading artists refuse to use green pigments in favour of the

added control afforded by blending their own. “My favourite

mix is Cerulean Blue with Lemon Yellow for a colder, bright

green, or with Cadmium Yellow or Yellow Ochre for a more

muted, warmer green,” says oil painter Annabel Playfair.

BOOK OF THE MONTH

How Turner Painted by Joyce H Townsend

JMW Turner claimed his only secret was “damned

hard work”, yet it is clear there is much to learn from

one of Britain’s greatest painters. Written by Tate’s

senior conservation scientist, the book uses x-rays

and archival fi nds to explain how he composed

pictures, layered paints and made his mark.

Thames & Hudson, £14.95. http://www.thamesandhudson.com