Working in the grounds of the mill and the surrounding private nature reserve we will focus on producing a series of completed landscapes by direct observation. For those nervous of working out in the open the secluded location is ideal, at the end of a long track down into one of Suffolk’s beautiful ‘hidden valleys’ between Constable’s Stour Valley and Gainsborough’s home town.
September 2013, 10am – 5pm with the option of staying on in the evening
Where: Assington Mill, Assington, Suffolk, CO10 5LZ
What: Take a look at the pdf brochure
People often ask about the best equipment for plein air painting so here is a look at my kit and some links to suppliers.
I have two kinds of easel that I use outside: a French Easel and a panel/palette holder on a tripod.
The French easel is the one that looks most like a traditional easel. It’s made of wood, has a tray on the back to rest my brushes, brush washer/turps can etc. There is a draw at the front to store tubes of paint and the palette sits on top of this. It’s a very versatile piece of kit that can support anything from a tiny board a few inches high to large canvas four feet across.
I also have a more lightwight kit in the form of a Palette/Panel Holder from Open Box M. This sits on a tripod with a quick release plate and has a small shelf for brushes, dipper etc. A spring clamp system holds panels up to 20 inches across.
The tripod I use with my pochades and Open Box M panel holder is a Velbon Ultra Rexi L. It’s light weight, packs up small and is very sturdy. The legs are able to open out wide which is great for setting up in windy locations and when set up normally it takes up very little room – ideal for street scenes. I recommend using a tripod head with a quick release plate as that allows you to set up and dismantle your kit quickly. I have found a small Manfrotto ball head is ideal, it’s compact in size and rock solid.
Last November on my annual trip to paint in Venice I was joined by quite a few friends from the UK, Spain and even the US.
There were 13 of us in all and this is a short film I made between paintings. We are all in it somewhere although I didn’t catch everyone painting.
It is intended to be a reminder of the trip for those that were there but I though I would also share it with everyone else.
It’s in 720HD so watch it full screen and turn up the sound. I hope you enjoy it.
Paintings by myself and several others on the trip are on show at the Mine Gallery in Carshalton. Impressions of Venice runs until 30 March 2013.
Artists on the film that are in the show are:
David Bachmann
Roy Connelly
Tony Dakin
Tim King
Valérie Perlot
Michael Richardson
Haidee-Jo Summers
Karl Terry
Painting outside is a great way to capture a scene. You experience the changing light first hand and also get to meet people who are interested in your work – people like the guy in this short animation I created. The video is just a bit of fun but the questions are genuine, if you paint outside I’m sure you’ll recognise them…
This is one of three paintings of Venice that I have on show in Impressions of Venice at the Mine Gallery.
Below is a shot of me working on one of several nocturnes painted on my latest trip. This was taken near the Grand Canal looking towards the Gritti Palace.
Mine Gallery
30-34 High Street, Carshalton
Sutton, Surrey, SM5 3AG
+44 (0)20 8647 1800
EXHIBITION DATES
Opening night: 6-9pm Friday 1 March 2013
Open to public: 10am Saturday 2 March 2013
Closes: 4pm on Saturday 30 March 2013
Exhibition catalogue: Available to download during show
OPENING TIMES
10am until 5pm: Monday, Tuesday and Friday
Late night from 10am until 8pm: Thursday
10am until 4pm: Saturday and Sunday
Closed: Wednesday
Car park: Directly opposite gallery on high street
We have been lucky to have had snow on the ground for about 10 days now. This is one I painted a couple of days ago not far from Arger Fen in Suffolk.
The light changed constantly while I was painting. When the sun was in I worked on the sky and corrected the drawing, when the sun was out I worked on the snow with it’s enticing blue shadows. In the middle distance you can see the sun-lit trunks of the silver birches in Cowlin’s Wood.
It is in oil on stretched linen canvas and measures 12 x 24 inches, 30.5 x 61cm.
Left to right: Roy Connelly, Ken Howard OBE RA, Tim King, Dora Bertolutti Howard, unknown, Haidee-Jo Summers, David Pilgrim ROI, Valérie Pirlot. Photo by Adebanji Alade
This week saw the launch in London of Ken Howard’s latest book – Ken Howard’s Switzerland. It was also the opening of his latest show – a fine exhibition of eighty paintings celebrating his 80th birthday. The exhibition at Richard Green Gallery, 147 New Bond Street, runs until 2nd February 2013 and is well worth seeing.
Ken Howard’s Switzerland is an account of his journeys, over the last few years, through Switzerland in the footsteps of JMW Turner RA.
Jürg Gabathuler, Ken’s friend, co-author and ‘fixer’ for the Swiss expeditions was also present and he has written an excellent account of the trips at gabathuler.co.uk
The day was a perfect excuse to get together with some of my plein air painting friends, look at some great paintings and enjoy a very fine hot chocolate on Piccadilly…
I have just returned from my annual painting trip to Venice. I haven’t photographed my paintings yet but here is a shot of one on the easel. Below, paintings on the floor in my palazzino – ready to pack.
The Art of Diana Armfield
explores Diana's art and life through her wonderful paintings and her own words.
To find more of my recommended books click here.
Events
Plein Air Landcsape Course
Assington Mill, Suffolk
22 September 2013
explores Diana's art and life through her wonderful paintings and her own words.
To find more of my recommended books 