Turtled!

You may have noticed that there are hardly any posts about the 'Aquarellistas' of the Hangar... This is because we have our own blog, www.aquarellista.blogspot.com. It is very popular among other watercolourists and watercolour teachers 😉 But now and then there are paintings that we don't want you to miss...

A fabulous and very characterful sea turtle by Carol Fischer

Last week the subject in the Aquarellista group was 'Sea Turtles'. Just Because. Also, they are very interesting, ancient creatures, around for over 100 million years, from the time of the dinosaurs. I learned from Agnès that they cannot retract their flippers like other turtles. Well, and they are absolutely beautiful, intelligent and full of expression!

All of us worked on doing them justice in watercolours  - and I think that worked out! Here are some results:

This sea turtle was painted by Bev, 'Diving' movement very well achieved!

Celina's turtle - almost finished... I love her clear lines and the contrast between the flowy background, the interesting back and the almost mosaic-like flippers and head

Another gorgeous sea turtle, by Elia. This one high up in the sea. Perfect use of salt and colour.

Sylvie I's turtle in deep Sea, visibly created with pleasure!

Sylvie II created a wet-in-wet protest against turtle slaughter. 

As that happens too, unfortunately. Here's more info

This colourful version was painted by Agnès, I love it! For the story behind it, check out her blog www.hobbysketcher.com

 

Patience painted this amazing fast and energetic turtle... he swims just under the surface, and the sun shines!

And last but not least, Brenda's,  in the watercolour & feltpen technique that she so often uses in her work. Comic book-effect that adds the wink we sometimes need!

 

 Our correspondent in Bretagne, Michele, sends her love to all, and these two watercolours! 
I love the pendant - well done, that silver shine!

A very young sea turtle, also by Michele. Fantastic colours!!

The Aquarellistas - the watercolour group of the Hangar

On Tuesdays, from 2pm - 4.30 pm the Hangar is a very zen place: it is warm and cosy, there is music, there is herb tea, chatting and laughing - but also deep concentration. A watercolour is different from other painting techniques - we work on paper, with the transparent and watery paint, and we work fast and spontaneous. Usually we spend 1 afternoon on a subject and then most of us are finished!

And then sometimes we do research or an experiment. Like last week, when we dived in the subject of "Short Curly Hair". It was inspired by the front page of the magazine l'Art de l'Aquarelle:

 Front Page painting by Dylan Scott Pierce

The assignment was meant to experiment and try out what would work best to create the illusion of curly hair... The idea was not to create a beautiful picture or a deep statement. It was practicing hair, with a face underneath to explain what it is meant to be... But of course you can't suppress talent - and as you can see, most of the curls are totally believable!

Michele

Andrée

 by Linda
( pupils to be added and lips to be defined but curls are good!)

 True research! by Sue

 Edith is still working on this portrait. mainly with a fine brush. Amazing character!!

 Agnès used a combination of wet-in-wet and palet knife to achieve this breathtaking painting!!

 Carol worked on this serious boy. What a character... Is he anxious about something?

Yes! This painting is now finished and telling a story! You can check it out from 29 January in the Quel Cirque Exhibition in Valbonne (more about that very soon!)

See http://www.aquarellista.blogspot.fr/ for more info about the project itself!

EXHIBITION AQUARELLISTAS IN LA ROQUETTE

You may have heard it on the radio, or read it in Nice Matin: From 3 - 31 August, Eleven Hangar Aquarellistas have a beautiful exhibition of their amazing watercolours in the mairie of La Roquette. The work is selected on quality and beauty, hence the title 'Festin pour les yeux' (or 'eye candy').

Participants are Cathie van der Stel, Sandra Seymour-Dale, Edith Alborni, Agnès McLaughlin, Liz Douglas, Avril Howard, Costanza Rock, Beverly Ellsley, Patience Devas, Brenda Moorhouse and yours truly - Marina Kulik

The exhibition is open every day from 8am - 4pm and there is a vernissage on Friday 7 August from 6.30pm.You can look forward to seeing works like these - and many more...

Aquarelle - Tuesdays 2 - 4.30 with Marina

Patience's aquarelle of Xinarca with his 200 year old Cetera

FYI Patience let us know: Xinarca is giving a concert with instruments including his 200 year old Cetera in Valbonne church on Sunday 19 July at 21h.
He has played in Carnegie Hall New York,Westminister Abbey amongst other prestigious venues.
Try not to miss this amazing event.I heard his previous concert and have never forgotten the impact. He is fantastically good looking en plus!

Agnes created this jazzy watercolour - we used it to announce our booklaunch, it swings doesn't it!!

 

Avril's Icon, SO well done - in egg tempera, finished in homemade aquarelle with pigment & gomme arabique.

After her impressive international commission (more later!) Cathie now works on a commission at least as important: a serie of 3 perfume bottles for her daughter...  Two down, one to go!!

Double Bass - Edith's fab painting almost finished! She still has to write some music with a one-hair brush and then it will be done...

Liz starting an (well actually two) exciting transparent still lives with marbles and glasses...

Aquarelle - Tuesdays 2 - 4.30pm - with Marina

 Agnès started an aquarelle with two trompettists - here still masking fluid-only...
Can't wait to see the progress

 Last Tuesday - a regular watercolour session, with tea, Adèle songs and a theme: 'Music'

Avril started a painting of an antique 'Bandoleon''

Brenda finished her 'overgrown house' and started with this harp-front, that looks promising...

Edith was really inspired by the subject and started this one - doesn't she make the colours sing!!

Costanza used to play the violin and still has one at home. You can see from this excellent painting that she understands the instrument!

And then on top of all that there were projects that were finished:

Agnès's Princess

Brenda's Overgrown House

Cathie started a new watercolour in her 'Jewelry' series - this is a bracelet in a birds' nest, so delicate

Edith finished her painting and I recommend you to click on it so you can see all of it, because there is so much in there! 

We saw the shape of a girl sleeping, a dreamy cloud (in the shape of a man, or a child, or something else), an egg that is pushed out, and towards a hole, a landscape, a close-up on the beach, an abstract and more...

Liz wasn't happy with this painting for some time but I think she's nailed it!! 

Eyecandy by Sandra!! What more can I say - Festin pour les yeux!!

And the very last dots and strokes complete this strong 'n stunning seascape, also by Sandra