RSMA demonstration - part one

Thank you all those that came along to the Mall Galleries on Tuesday (22nd) for the demonstrations by Lorraine Abraham RSMA - working in scraperboard, sadly William Carney was ill, so Alan Runagall stepped in to do some watercolours and myself - working in oils.

I hope you enjoyed meeting the artists and gained something from the day, be it from asking questions or just by watching.

Personally, thank you to all those that passed comment and asked a wide variety of questions. It was a pleasure to meet you and made the day very enjoyable.

Above are the sketches done on location

Above is how the painting was at the close, the above picture was from someone else (thank you). There's still more work to be done, mainly in the foreground (boat, posts, bank etc).

I'll post the finished painting as soon as possible.

Oil painting of river in early spring...

Detail from "Spring Evening Sunlight", nr Ketton, Rutland.
Oil. Alistair Butt © 2013 - #AB 021366

The late afternoon into evening light lit up this bend in the river, the line of trees on the bank side help take the eye around to the open fields. Being a lovely spring evening there was just enough breeze to provide a slight ripple on the water surface, that combined with the reflections and patches of sunlight/shade on the surface just added to the interest.

Society of Wildlife Artists 50th Annual Exhibition at the Mall Galleries, London

31 October to 10 November

10am to 5pm (closes 1pm on final day)

The Society of Wildlife Artists celebrates its 50^th anniversary this year and to mark the occasion Sir David Attenborough will be opening their annual exhibition The Natural Eye held at London’s prestigious Mall Galleries.

The exhibition will be the London launch of the Society’s new book ’The Natural Eye, Art Book One’ which showcases the talents of the members of the Society and has been published to help raise funds for the Society’s exciting bursary scheme.

The SWLA Bursary scheme is in its 25^th year and has awarded well over 70 bursaries to young and emerging artists to help them on their creative journeys. Chosen as ‘Book of the Month’ by BBC Wildlife Magazine this limited edition publication will be available from the exhibition and via www.swla.co.uk

The exhibition has over 330 works by members and non-members on show. Four of the founding members are still regular exhibitors and past President Robert Gillmor, who was integral in setting up the Society, has his ‘Bull o’the Bog’ featuring on the cover of the catalogue. John Busby was also there from the start and has work in this 50^th anniversary show that is a showcase for art inspired by the natural world.

The ‘Out of the Frame’ room that shows fieldwork from selected projects by member artists will show 3 artists this year. There will be the stunning work of artist Carl Ellis documenting the fish of his local rivers, Matt Underwood who has spent time in the Alpes-Maritime in France and shows his sketches from the region and Mike Warren who will be exhibiting pieces from his long running project on his local quarry site reserve. 

Admission £3, £2.50 concessions, Free to FBA Friends, RSMA Friends, National Art Pass and under 18s

All works for sale will be available to Browse & Buy online

Find out more at: www.mallgalleries.org.uk

Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition 2013 - starts next week at the Mall Galleries, London

16 to 27 October 2013

10am to 5pm (closes 1pm on final day)

After the wind and rain of last year, the summer of 2013 arguably produced the best painting weather for a long time. Marine artists especially welcomed the summer's blue skies, sun drenched vistas and sparkling seas. The results of their endeavours are not to be missed at the Royal Society of Marine Artists 68th annual exhibition at Mall Galleries, London.

The Society was founded in 1939 and is widely recognised for being the focal point for much of Britain's finest marine art, and currently has a membership of 55.

The Society's common theme is the sea, and whilst most RSMA Members work covers a variety of subjects, paintings submitted for the Society's exhibitions must be related to tidal waters in some way. Traditions such as plein-air, topographical, historical, still life, and figure painting are all welcomed.

Admission £3, £2.50 concessions, Free to FBA Friends , RSMA Friends, National Art Pass and under 18s

All works for sale and some are available to Browse & Buy online now.

Find out more at: www.mallgalleries.org.uk