Here to Ignite, Encourage and Inspire your Creative Flame
‘An artist is not paid for his labour but for his vision.’ James McNeill Whistler
Please note: some items are repeated for the benefit of new subscribers. Thank you 😊
🎨 On My Easel
Hey there my friends I hope you’re all keeping well and enjoying a relaxing weekend. I was hoping to get out and about and enjoy the sunshine, but alas I’ve too much to do in the studio so the sunshine will have to wait for another day, not complaining though as a busy studio keeps me happy and out of mischief lol.
After speaking to my latest workshop participants it’s become apparent that an additional section to my newsletter, that would be appreciated, would be an ‘On My Easel’ section (thank you to Louise for this suggestion) hence the above teaser photo 😉
So without hesitation, and whilst my mixed berry tea is still hot, lets head on with this week’s newsletter 😊
Wildlife Art Workshops New for 2022
| Date | Medium | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| January 22nd | Watercolour | European Robin |
| February 26th | Acrylic | postponed due to Covid |
| March 26th | Pastel | Red Squirrel |
| April 30th | Watercolour | T.B.C |
| May 28th | Acrylic | Puffin |
| June 25th | Pastel | T.B.C |
Six dates have now been confirmed over at Martin Mere Wetland Centre. One running each month until, and including, June. The mediums alternate between Watercolour, Acrylic and Pastel, and all workshops are suitable for beginners. More information can be found over on our exclusive Art Workshop page on the Martin Mere website as well as on the Workshop page of my website. If participants would like further mediums added then extra dates can be slotted in to suit. So if your passion is coloured pencil or you love oil painting then just let me know.
Diary Dates
| Patching’s Art Festival | 14th – 17th July 2022 |
| Exhibition of Wildlife Art | 29th – 31st July 2022 |
| Art Safari in Uganda | 15th – 30th September 2022 |
| North West Birdwatching Festival | 15th & 16th October 2022 |
| Art Safari in Uganda | 16th February – 3rd March 2023 |
Patching’s Art Festival – an international four day art event celebrating the best in art & craft. Open to all there’s something for everyone, the chance to meet over 250 artists, a lot of which will be demonstrating (including me demonstrating for Caran d’Ache). Plus ‘hands-on’ workshops and art material offers all set in 60 acres of beautiful Nottinghamshire countryside.
Exhibition of Wildlife Art – ‘an exciting three day show featuring the work of some of the world’s most talented wildlife artists. The biggest and most successful, open selling, exhibition of Wildlife Art outside of London. All exhibited work is for sale and many artist demonstrate whilst there.’ I’ll be demonstrating whilst exhibiting there this year and would love for you to drop by and say hello.
Art Safari in Uganda – a two week tour taking in some of Uganda’s best national parks, optional gorilla and chimpanzee tracking, visiting a rhino sanctuary and so much more. With a maximum of 6 participants this art based safari ensures you’ll have all the natural world of Uganda has to offer, plus plenty of 1 to 1 guidance from me when you need it to enable you to capture all that you want on paper or canvas. More information below.
North West Birdwatching Festival – Open at 8am, start your day by watching the spectacle of thousands of wild geese leave the roost before heading for breakfast in the Martin Mere restaurant. Over the two day there will be an array of guest speakers and exhibitors, artists and photographers including photography workshops, guided reserve walks, and more. I’ll be exhibiting and demonstrating throughout the weekend and would love you to drop by and say hello.
Latest News
So a change is as good as a rest they say, not sure who originally said this, but in the world of art (my world of art to be precise) it’s definitely true. Very rarely do I get ‘artist block’ and I believe one of the reasons for this is that I work in multiple mediums. Preparing for workshops in three separate mediums ensures there’s never time to get bored with one alone, plus interchanging (is that a real word) projects on my easel means that I’m looking at something with fresh eyes weekly, if not sometimes daily. Don’t know what prompted me to say this but there you have it, maybe it’s just that someone needed to read this today 😉
Okay so what’s new news from this end? Well I’m soooooooo (definitely not a real word lol) excited to announce that Venture Uganda have added dates to their diary (and mine) for a second Art Safari in Uganda 16th February – 3rd March 2023 and for an amazing price of £4,775 The owner of this Ugandan based company is the lovely Lesley Harris and she’s more than happy to answer any questions you may have. You’ll find her contact details below if you wish to call her or email here – I know she’d love to hear from you 😊
I’m finally in talks with a UK based fine art reproduction company so it shouldn’t be too long now until my prints will be available, I can’t wait to update my gallery pages with the links. I’ve also purchased a beautiful mount cutter – the Logan 350-1. I haven’t had chance to get him (yes I know I tend to personalise my purchases far too much lol) out of his box yet, but I’ve seen these mount cutters in action so am thrilled to have this as an addition to my studio. Updates on all of this soon.
On My Easel
Okay so as promised here’s a little peek into my studio and what’s on my easel at the moment 😊
Today we have a black Labrador in pastel on Clairefontaine Pastelmat paper. Lots of work to do on this one yet, including another row of books for the background, patterned carpet for the foreground and obviously those lovely legs to go in yet. I’m working from photos supplied by my client this time.
For the love of Uganda
Calling all artists, would you like to take your love for art and wildlife one step further? Then why not join me on safari in Uganda this coming September? There’s so much to see and do on this adventure of a lifetime; safari drives, boat cruises, gorilla tracking, chimpanzee tracking so much more… Any questions? Then contact Lesley who’s looking forward to hearing from you.
‘Capture some of Africa’s finest wildlife in art that will help your memories last forever. We are very excited about our new partnership with wildlife artist Kerry Newell and hope this art safari – based on one of our classic wildlife safaris – will become an annual feature in our tour calendar.’
Ugandan Art-based Safaris
15th – 30th September 2022
&
16th February – 3rd March 2023
Limited Places
Amazing price of £4,775
For more information please contact Lesley Harris Lesley@ventureuganda.org
WhatsApp: +256 782 735 309
Lesley Harris, owner of Venture Uganda, is more than happy to answer any questions you may have regarding this adventure. Please take a few minutes to read the amazing itinerary Lesley and her team, over in Uganda, have put together (you wont be disappointed).
Subscriber Question
Q. I’m having difficulty getting white fur to look real in pastel, any advice please?
A. Hi there, creating realistic fur in any medium is always about using layers, and white fur is no different. Remembering that white fur is reflective helps, this means that anything naturally white will be reflecting colours in the subject’s surroundings so that the colour white will be used sparingly.
White Fur in Pastel is a little video that runs at around 1hr 20mins showing and explaining my process in creating the look of white fur. I hope to make more videos soon on how to create white fur in other mediums, however the principle will remain the same even though the techniques will vary upon the medium chosen. I hope this helps.
I may not always have a video on my YouTube channel to go alongside a subscriber’s question, but when I do I’ll be sure to add it.
Okay I’m going to have to finish here as I’ve a certain dog waiting on my easel 😊
If you’re out and about this weekend enjoying the sun don’t forget to stay hydrated and maybe, if you get the chance why not spend a few minutes sketching.
So thank you once again my friends for spending some time with me today, and please feel free to leave a question or suggestion in the contact form below.
Until next time, as always, stay safe and stay creative, Kerry xXx
Questions & Suggestions welcomed
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