Bits and Bobs from Bob

Richard Childs, "Hope of Sepilok"

Several short pieces in this blog. Let us start with several big congratulatory cheers, with possibly more to come! First, for members Richard Childs and Jonathan Newey, who have both been accepted into the Mall Galleries Exhibition for the Wildlife Artist of the Year, run by the David Sheppard Wildlife Foundation, between 24th and 28th June this year. The final winner will be announced on the Preview Evening - we are keeping our fingers crossed for both members. Richard's piece is "Hope of Sepilok", which was a prizewinner in the 2008 UKCPS Exhibition, and which has been instrumental in raising a good sum for the Orang-utans in Borneo.

Graham Brace, "Dancing Trees"

Next, congratulations to member Graham Brace, who has a five page article in this month's (May) Artist and Illustrator magazine, with several examples of his beautiful work. Also in this magazine is a reference to the UKCPS Colour Comparison Charts, so we hope for more orders of those.

Next, a request from one of our members, Karen Coulson, to publicise her local art shop, which, despite the name, is in Lymington, Hants! Happy to do so, on recommendation of our members. This very friendly store may soon be stocking the new Luminance pencils from Caran d'Ache that are causing a stir at the moment, but it already has a good stock of Derwent and Caran d'Ache as well as some harder to find papers like the Art Spectrum Colorfix. Clicking on the picture above will take you to their site. See what Peter Weatherill, Nicole Caulfield and others think of Luminance here. While on the subject of members recommendations, if we have any members in North Queensland, Australia - and yes, we do have some in the Antipodes! - they might be interested in contacting Frieda van Aller to talk about visiting artists in the Port Douglas region.

Finally, if you have not already done so, get this book. Arlene Steinberg, known to many of us through "Scribbletalk", has written what I feel sure will become a standard in the coloured pencil world. I received my copy yesterday, and devoured it in one sitting, and am now going through it again to savour it. The best way I can sum it up is to say that Arlene does not just teach you how to become a coloured pencil artist - she shows you how to be an artist. And remember if you buy this book through the Society Book page, we benefit by a few pennies - which we can do with!