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!!

Aquarelle - Tuesdays from 2 - 4.30pm with Marina Kulik

The aquarellistas are back to working hard (and smart), helped by verveine, cookies, music and just a tiny sip of pink champagne! Our theme du jour was 'beaches'! Here are some of the -excellent-  results, and notice how different the subject is represented in the results:

 Carribbean hammock by Rita - our new girl! She has talent that's for sure. 

It will be finished tomorrow - can't wait to see the result!

 Avril started with the 'Transat' and a reflection of the clouds in the sea. 

Though not at all finished, it is already super interesting!

This is such a strong piece - by Sandra. Also a beach, but a completely different take. Love it!

 Brenda started the happy beach chairs with dunes in the background.

Painted in her lively and lovely style - we're looking forward to seeing it finished

This is Christiane's practice watercolour, she will make another one with the same scenery plus 2 kids climbing the fallen palmtree... Great and serious way of working! And very promising already...

 This is Bev's. You may have guessed, because it really is her style. Happy chairs for everyone!!

Tricia hasn't been in France for a while - and came back with a vengeance!!! What a su-perb beach... Note that there is still a lot of masking fluid in this painting, it will look even more interesting when that is rubbed off and replaced with other colours or left white...

Liz works on a painting that is related to the beach - the marina next to it... Still lots of masking on that one, but with these colour combinations not much can go wrong, brilliant!

Superduper soda bottles by Edith (to take with you to the beach?)

 A typical endeavour for Cathie: a lot of delicate robin's eggs in a very fine little basket with loads of detail... Only Cathie dares to start this - and be confident that she'll finish it too!!!

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 from 2 - 4.30pm with Marina

Bev has been working on a dark interior with a window - the light coming from outside. In this stage, the background is still light, but the picture is quite strong already!!

Theme for last Tuesdays' Aquarelle session was 'overgrown with ivy'. No one finished yet, but Bev and Brenda's work is already so interesting I really want you to see it. It will completely change next session!

 Brenda's painting of an overgrown place - this will change enormously in the next version - there will be lots of contrast, and probably accents in feltpen. Can't wait to see the result!

  Avril's Walasse Ting-cat, now finished. I love it, the personality of the cat and the clear lines, typical for Avril's style

Cathie is working on an important commission. So fragile and interesting.

(The Hangar blog will of course have the scoop on this later - watch this space!!)

 A fa-bu-lous wave by Edith. The colours are stunning and it is so transparent!!

 Edith also started on a new picture - at this point it is still quite abstract, but already very strong and interesting!

 Linda has the Hangar watercolourbook now and will go through the exercises. Here's her 'washing' result, that went really well - now on to the 'Volume'!

 Liz started with an eye candy painting! Not finished - expect stunning sharp shadows and admire the bright'n happy colours that are already there!!

 

This is another strangely interesting painting by Patience, with lots of pigment and it triggers a lot. It has words, like 'Marie-Josephine' and 'Limoncello'  and dates, and hearts and more in it. 

Click to enlarge and enjoy more!

 Sandra worked on two brilliant paintings. Above a bout of bad weather coming up. Thunder and lightning coming this way. Donker. Below the fragile tulips and a beautiful patterned 'curtain'. It is almost finished and the thing is to keep the delicacy!

And I sign off with: I am so proud of you!

EXHIBITION AQUARELLES IN CHATEAU DES DEMOISELLES

Until 14 January 2015, the watercolours of the Aquarellista group will be on display in the lovely Chateau des Demoiselles! We did our best to create an interesting combination of small and larger works.

 Liz and Tricia putting up paintings

Chateau des Demoiselles is in La Motte in the Var, a one-hour drive from the Hangar. We can recommend a visit, a walk through the vineyards and a winetasting there! It is really worthwhile - and their wines are excellent! They are also enthusiastic promotors of art, that's why they organise exhibitions on a regular basis.

Visit their site for more information: http://www.chateaudesdemoiselles.com/

 

We would love to see you on our opening night, Friday 26 September, from 6 - 8 pm.

A wonderful opportunity to check out our artwork, have some wonderful nibbles and last but not least sample the quality wines of the chateau!

The Exhibitors are:

Agnès McLaughlin, Anna-Karin Fast, Beverly Ellsley, Cathie van der Stel, Constanza Rock, Elia B., Liz Douglas, Marina Kulik, Mieke van Papen, Orjan Rinnert, Pauline Bull, Sandra Seymour-Dale and Tricia Bennett!