SNOW in APRIL !!

[Kiya]

Can hardly believe it , after a beautiful sunny day we now have snow

[Mad Dilys]

Brrrrr. that looks so cold.

It's a bit nippy here in sunny Cardiff, but a beautiful start to the day with clear blue skies. I must get round to putting pictures on here this week.

However right now, my priority is getting ready for my Art Class. I've been obsessed with studying shadows all week, can't wait to get started.

In fact I have found that they do courses at the same venue on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, if there's a place left I think I will enrol for them - my daughters suggested it would be a nice present for my recent birthday.

[Horus]

@ Kiya, that looks cold please keep it up your end of the country it is still quite nice down here, sunny most of yesterday, even had a barbecue last night and we sat in the conservatory untill very late drinking Bailey's Irish Cream with Whiskey and ice, luverly....... Feeling a bit fragile this morning, but the sun is shining

@MD, glad you are enjoying your courses, they sound really interesting and you must show us some results

[Kiya]

It was rather cold & miserable & the snow is still lying in the shaded areas although the sun is shining with us this morning again

That's not to say what will come later

MD do show us some of your art

[Mad Dilys]

I had a verbal slap from the Art Master today.

He prepared a still life of a chromium teapot and hot water jug and a dark green book on two shades of coloured paper.

I had to draw the reflections on the chrome..........Hmmm

I'd done about an hour and he came for a look "Very good" he said.

I really hated it, and if I had been at home, I'd have destroyed it and started again. So I told him.

Very archly he said "Do you argue with your Doctor?" "Of course " I replied.

"I am a professional. I gave you a professional assessment." He said as he turned on his heel and walked away.

I still think it's crap - though I also think that his racing sketches he showed me later are pretty rough too.

[Horus]

I have this mental picture of some crabby old duffer who's ego has been severely dented. I would be the one saying "someone has left an old pile of junk on this table, shall I bin it?" only to be told "it is a work of art" and my reply would be "I wouldn't give it space in a skip" Strange how everyones opinion of what 'artistic' is, seems to differ so greatly.

[Kiya]

MD....Couldn't help myself but, had to

[LovelyLadyLux]

So far no snow has fallen here (USA) and just talked to the dtr and no snow at home (Canada) either - - - WHEW!!!!

Love to see some of your art work MD!

AND - can I ask - your class is studying shadows vs reflections? Are you using colour? or ?

[Mad Dilys]

Teehee I wouldn't call my efforts "artwork" but it sounds good to me.

Actually I am pretty obsessed with reflections and shadows. I find the whole joy of sight an enduring miracle.

From my bed I can see a big chapel window on the opposite side of the road. I love the reflections of the row of houses that I live in and the cars parked at the kerb with even more reflections on them.

Also I have a row of glass vases in my kitchen, sometimes I look through the length of the row, it blows my mind.

I am doing two different courses - one is an appreciation of art through practice and the other is practicing different techniques. Yesterday was pastels which I have never done before and I'm hooked. Next week that class is doing a pale watercolour wash with Indian ink emphasis the other class is watercolour. I'm really enjoying it.

[LovelyLadyLux]

I have seen some India Ink + water colour art work that is phenomenal. I think I appreciate most the precise lines of the ink work contrasting the wash of colour from the water colour. The result(s) on paper are wonderful

[Mad Dilys]

I struggled with my first attempt at pastel, "Do big sweeps of colour, just give the impression" he said. But the yellow sunset mixed with the blue sea for a hazy green horizon

When he saw my despair, he said "Never mind, it's a bit of a pain,, but rub out the offending bit and do it again."

Rub out? I could have kissed him, I had no idea that one could......... then I was away

[Horus]