6 March 2020 http://www.painters-online.co.uk
LETTERS, EMAILS AND COMMENTS
STAR LETTER
Return to art
I found Moray Welsh’s letter in the
February 2020 issue particularly
interesting, as there are many similarities
with my own return to art.
I studied art at ‘A’ level, but then
work, marriage and children in quick
succession meant that I put away the
paints for many years. Now I’m retired I
have once again had the chance to pick
up a paintbrush.
I have discovered that there are
numerous ways to get involved in art
here on the Isle of Wight. Just a bus ride
away is a council-run adult education
centre, which ofers a wide range of art
courses with excellent tutors and at very
low prices. From a two-hour morning
class, a whole day workshop or a series
of weekends, there is something for
everyone. I tentatively tried my hand
at oil painting again, after 40 years. IThis month’s star letter writer will receive a £50 gift voucher, courtesy of Jackson’s Art Supplies. Vouchers
can be redeemed online at http://www.jacksonsart.com or in store (London Fulham and Dalston, and
Gloucester). Telephone 020 7254 0077. The voucher will be despatched by Jackson’s. We will share the
winner’s name and address with them for this purpose only.VIEWS
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Follow us on Twitter @artpublishingan elaborate explanation about his being
a marine engineer, currently in the middle
of the ocean somewhere, but wanting the
picture urgently as a present for his wife.
Naturally, he couldn’t get to a bank in the
middle of the Atlantic. Of course, if he
had email access to correspond with me
he could equally well deal with his bank.
I declined the invitation to send him my
picture.
I wasn’t totally surprised to receive a
request to trade via the internet, as I have
sold art before in this way without any
problem. I was surprised, however, that
anybody would go to this efort to steal a
picture worth a mere £400.
The experience was iled away as an
eccentric curiosity until this week, when
an artist friend told me about his own
experience. He too had been approached
by an anonymous caller, allegedly on
the recommendation of a person we
both know and trust. The details of the
attempted scam are too complex to go
into here, but my friend was expected
to part with money in anticipation of his
being included in a scheme to support
local artists, funded by a lottery. We
agreed that he should have nothing more
to do with it.
It does seem that attempts to rip of
artists could be more common than I
had previously thought. I would be very
interested to hear whether fellow artists
have experienced anything similar.
I suspect that artists, particular those
of us who are not terribly well-known,
are delighted and lattered when they
receive an expression of interest in their
work. Perhaps, however, we should be
prudent when these apparently delightful
surprises come our way.
John Allcock, by emailNo digital, thank you!
Do we have to study digital art? The
example in the February 2020 issue
shows a sea polluted with green algae.
Compared to Julie Collins’ subtle images
in the same edition or, indeed, any oil,
pastel or watercolour of the sea, for me,
the digital version is lifeless.
David Reeves, by emailInspired by still life
One of my justiications for subscribing to
The Artist is that I can get an inspiration
for a painting idea or become more
knowledgeable in some aspect of painting.
Your Summer 2019 issue gave me both.Tim
Gustard’s article ‘Eye-catching strawberries’
was very informative and his reference to
Newton’s Cradle (Executive Toy) gave me an
idea (below).
Still-life paintings don’t normally inspire
me, but it pays to have an open mind. Tim’smethodology was clear, easy and great to
follow.
I went out and purchased the colours I
didn’t have; I had never heard of mixing
white and had never thought of painting
acrylics on HP paper. I even followed
another of Tim’s articles in the November
2018 issue regarding gesso and sanding.
I further surprised myself by buying the
000, 00 and 0 brushes (so small!!).
The numerous coats of glazing was a
new experience and I was surprised at
the ‘depth’ of colour created. Those coats,
enhanced by a inal clear gloss glaze, gave
them the ‘want to eat’ look. I ate all my
strawberries before they went of. One day
I may paint a still life.
Graeme Nicoll, by emailBeware of scams
Some time ago I received an email from
somebody asking to buy one of the
pictures he had seen on my website. We
agreed a price and the cost of mailing,
but he expected me to send of the item
before I had received payment. There washave also tried palette-knife painting,
dabbled in dot art, and fallen in love
with charcoal and pastels.
One of my tutors encouraged me to
try diferent media and subjects, which
took me out of my comfort zone. I
found myself joining some much more
experienced artists, and thoroughly
enjoyed using watercolours to tackle
rainy-day scenes, and castles and
châteaux. I also attempted my irst
plein-air painting when our group visited
Carisbrooke Castle.
I also struck lucky when a newly
opened art café ofered six-week life
drawing workshops. The café has a
small gallery attached, as well as studio
space for local artists, who also joined in
the classes. Everyone was friendly and
welcoming, and the artists were happy
to give advice about techniques and
materials. So, I’ve found my passion for
art again!
Georgina Moon, by emailGraeme Nicoll Christmas Cradle, acrylic on HP
paper, 7 3 10¾in (18 3 27cm)