Book Review: Drawing and Painting Flowers with Coloured Pencils - Trudy Friend

Book Title: Drawing and Painting Flowers with Coloured Pencils
Author: Trudy Friend
Publisher: The Search Press www.searchpress.com
ISBN: 978-1-84448-942-8
Published: 2014, Reprinted 2015
Pages: 144, Colour illustrations
RRP: £15.99

Who For: Intermediate amateur and professional artists wishing to try coloured pencils.

In Drawing and Painting Flowers with Coloured Pencils, Trudy Friend demonstrates the versatility and flexibility of coloured pencils. The book guides the reader from starting out with pencils and materials to tackling complicated compositional pieces.

In the first section, Friend introduces her choice of pencils: the Derwent range. She guides the newcomer through the various types and describes their characteristics and possible methods of application. Coloured pencils are not what they used to be many years ago, these days they are a medium for professional work of the highest quality. This is very evident in Friend's many demonstrations which the book is packed with.

The other sections take the reader through a logical and well organised topics. This makes it possible to dip into the sections rather than reading the book cover to cover. Having said this, for the newcomer to coloured pencils, I would advise a good look through the book so that the various techniques are covered. 

There are two key aspects of the book which I really like. First is Friend's approach to using the full range of pencils, water and non-water soluble, in a multimedia technique. Thus making full use of the potential of the medium and achieving impressive results. Beginning artists may find the approach particularly helpful, especially if watercolour is a medium they are familiar with.

Using coloured pencils in a multi-media approach

The second, is the way Friend uses objects to give the flower paintings and drawings substance and context. For example, she uses objects such as a water pump, a pair of old boots, and even a bicycle! The compositions are effective and the various elements support each other. This is particularly useful for artists who may find painting flowers in a 'botanical' style not easy or not what they want. These compositions can also be found in most gardens

Including objects to give context to paintings

Coloured pencils are the medium of the future. More and more professional artists are finding its versatility, and lucky for us manufacturers of art materials are responding to the demand. New and exciting products are being introduced regularly..

The book will serve the reader well as both an instructional and inspirational resource.

Mo Awkati

Ann Kullberg Workshop

Ann Kullberg has an upcoming workshop in the UK-

Workshop Info: http://annkullberg.com/pages/glasgow

There are currently have 12 of 16 spots open, though we expect it will fill spots very quickly indeed. Get your name down quickly!

Ilkley Art Show

A message from Ilkley Art Show:

I would like to send you further details about this summer's Ilkley Art Show to share with your members. This year we have special offers for Art Clubs and Societies!

The main details for you are:
Friday August 14th / Saturday 15th August 10am – 4pm each day

At Ilkley's fabulous Kings Hall and Winter Gardens : right in the centre of our spa town.

Art Exhibition – Demonstrations – Discounted Art Materials – Workshops -

Tickets for your Art Club/Society are available at 5 for the price of 4. Groups of 5 will also receive complimentary vouchers to use throughout the show. Contact us now to book.

I have a couple of A4 posters which I can send now for you to display to inform your members, and will have further details about the demonstrators, the workshops on offer and the exhibition in a few weeks time. Please contact me for further information.

Kind Regards,
Sue
www.ilkleyartshow.co.uk

AGM Clarification

There seems to be some confusion about the members workshops being held in the afternoon after the AGM.

There are 3 workshops at £25 each. David Lewry - fur, Morryce Maddams - buildings, Malcolm Cudmore - complimentary colours. These are hands on and are NOT demonstrations. For booking and further details check out the members page of our website or contact the tutors direct.

In the morning before the AGM there is a talk and demonstration also by Malcolm Cudmore about 'composition' this is open to all members and is free.

Please do come and support your society, hear what is being planned for the future and if you wish you can have your say too, we don't put you under any pressure. Your Executive Committee will be pleased to meet you and you will have the opportunity to meet other members from beginners to professional artists. You all have one thing in common, a love of coloured pencils.

The MAC centre is an art venue and there is often other things going on. There is plenty of parking and a good cafe.

UKCPS AGM

Indulge in a Day of Coloured Pencil

UKCPS AGM, Talk and Workshops

19th October 2014
MAC, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, B12 9QH

10.30 - 11.30 am
Free talk by Malcolm Cudmore on Composition

11.45-1.45pm
AGM - meet the exec and have your say.

2.30 - 4pm
3 coloured pencil workshops as detailed below. Cost £25 and log in at the members section at the UKCPS website to book your place.

Log in and book your place now

Malcolm Cudmore
Using complimentary colours to add impact!

David Lewry
Fur Techniques
Techniques for rendering very realistic animal fur using coloured pencils

Morryce Maddams
Architectural features in fine detail, coloured pencils give the wow factor.

Try Colour Pencils - Wirral

Brenda Chappell

ONLY 10 PLACES LEFT - FIRST COME FIRST SERVED

Yours truly is hosting another 'Try Colour Pencils' day on Saturday, 29th September 2012, at St Chads Church Hall, Roslin Road, Irby, Wirral, CH61 3UH.  The day is suited to both beginners and those with some experience of CP.

Registration is from 9.30 am, and then the morning will feature a demonstration  of Caran D'Ache pencils and paints by Manchester artist, Brenda Chappell, followed by an afternoon colour pencil workshop.

A4 cartridge (200gsm) is provided, but bring your own colour pencils (of any type).  The workshop will feature a simple step-by-step drawing for those who are new to CP, but feel free to bring your own photos or reference material if you have a project to work on.

Coffee, tea, etc. is provided, but bring your own lunch.  COST: £8 (UKCPS Members), £10 (Non-members).

To book a place,  email me: alanmacann@btinternet.com

Alan McMahon

Members Workshops @ Keswick

A quick reminder for anybody visiting the beautiful lakeland area this summer.  A number of our notable members will be conducting workshops and some free demonstations at the Cumberland Pencil Museum in Keswick during June/July:

Janie Pirie: Free demos - June 12th/13th - Botanical Art in Derwent Artists pencils.
                    Workshop - June 14th - Botanical blooms of early summer.

Jennie Hill: Free Demos - June 19th/20th - Inktense pencils & blocks
                   Workshop - June 21st - Exploring the coastal seascape and beneath.

Karen Coulson: Free demos - June 26th/27th - Birds in Inktense pencils & blocks
                          Workshop - June 28th - Crocus & Starling in Coloursoft & Inktense

Tiffany Budd:  Free demos - July 3rd/4th - Landscapes in Coloursoft pencils.
                        Workshop - July 5th - Landscape in Coloursoft pencils.

The free demonstrations last for an hour and are run throughout the day twixt 10 am and 4pm.  No prior booking is required. The workshops cost £40 and last all day 10.30 am to 4.30pm and must be pre-booked via 017687 73626.  Details via www.pencilmuseum.co.uk

Robin Borrett - workshop news

Robin Borrett has been in touch with this message:-

A one day workshop, on Saturday February 18th 10.00 am - 4.30 pm St Mary's Church School Room, Main Street, East Leake, Loughborough LE12,
opposite the Parish Church. If you are interested please contact  me soonest.
Tel: 01509 856940 or Email: robin.borrett@talktalk.net.

Karen Coulson - Artist-in-Residence

Wildlife artist and UKCPS silver member, Karen Coulson, is Artist-in-Residence at 'Nature-in-Art' during this next week.  'Nature-in-Art' takes place in the village of  Twigworth, situated on the A38 in Gloucestershire.  Karen will be working on three different pictures from Tuesday 17 January until Sunday 22nd, and also hopes to have room for a 'Have-a-Go' table, space permitting.

The event, which features a wildlife photography exhibition, is open 10 am until 5pm, and costs £5.25 for adults, but there are concessions.  Nature-in-Art have a website: www.nature-in-art.org.uk

Karen says "If you are visiting the Wildlife Photography exhibition or are local to the area please call in and say hello. I've not done anything quite like this before, so it would be lovely to see some friendly faces."

Karen Coulson at Patchings

UKCPS Signature member, Karen Coulson, will be on the Derwent stand at this year's Patchings Farm art event, and will be pleased to meet any fellow members. The event (well worth the visit just for the trade stands alone!) is on from this coming Thursday [9th June] to Sunday [12th June].

Lesley Sharman - Ripon Workhouse Museum

UKCPS member, Lesley Sharman, will be taking part in HeArts Heritage Arts Festival at the Ripon Workhouse Museum in North Yorkshire, on 31st May & 1st June, between 10am and 4pm.
Many traditional arts and crafts are being demonstrated including blacksmithing, quilting, spinning, and coracle making.
Lesley will be showing some CP artwork as well as demonstrating, and she has designed simple Victorian-style samplers which visitors can produce using coloured pencil on paper.
The festival runs from 30th May to 1st June, normal museum admission charges apply, with free activities for children.
For further details visit:
www.riponmuseums.co.uk or www.lesleysharman.co.uk

Pauline Longley - demo

UKCPS Signature member, Pauline Longley, will be demonstrating at the 'Meeting House Art Centre', in Ilminster, on 14 May 2011, between 10 am and 1 pm. Any blog readers (UKCPS members, or not) who are in the vicinity on the day will be welcomed to call in and have a chat!

Further details from: www.themeetinghouse.org.uk or from: www.paulinelongley.co.uk

Coloured Pencil Experience Days

The latest news on Pauline Longley's Coloured Pencil Experience Days is that places at the 16th April event at Holt, Nr Wimborne in Dorset, are now fully booked, but as of today there are still places available on the 26 March event in Devon.

See my post of 26th February which refers.

Derwent News

Derwent Pencils are a valued sponsor to UKCPS, so I make no apologies for recommending a visit to their website: www.pencils.co.uk. In particular, it's well worth a look at their own blog : http://www.lovepencils.co.uk , where there is a good review of their new Inktense Blocks - solid blocks of water-soluable Inktense pigment in similar size to a pastel, and there is also a colouring Logo competition for you to enter!

If you are new to Derwent products, then click on the 'Hints & Tips' tag on the homepage for downloadable PDF files on various uses of their pencils, or similarly, click on the 'Contact Us' tag, and then click on the link to Youtube for videos of their products in use.

Alan

The Coloured Pencil Experience!

Because of the success of previous 'Coloured Pencil Experience' workshops in Somerset, Pauline Longley is now taking bookings for three more workshops in the South West (She's a glutton for punishment!).

1) Somerset: 12 March at Mark, near Burnham-on-Sea, with Bev Lewis & Pauline. Only 4 places left.

2) Devon: 26 March at Collerton St Mary, Paignton, with Juliet Eden, Ann Roberts, & Pauline. 9 places left.

3) Dorset: 16 April at Holt, Wimborne, with Karen Coulson & Pauline. 12 places left.

These workshops are an ideal chance to indulge in a day with 'coloured pencils', especially if you've never tried them before (you don't have to be a member of UKCPS to take part!). The worshop includes demos, slide shows, helpful critiques, step-by-step drawing, and much more.

UKCPS members: £10, non-members: £15

Email Pauline at: pauline@paulinelongley.co.uk for more information and application forms.

Would you be interested in attending a similar workshop in your area? Contact Pauline for further information.

Demonstrating coloured pencils

Malcolm Cudmore was demonstrating at the UKCPS Annual Exhibition last month - and was drawing this sheep for his demonstration.

Ewe lookin at me? by Malcolm Cudmore

Last week he was demonstrating again but this time at the Pencil Museum.  This included acting as the the tutor for a workshop on drawing Herdwick Sheep and Lakeland Beasts in Aquatone Sticks.

Demonstrating coloured pencils

Please let the blogmaster know of any future events you are participating in if you are a UKCPS member and demonstrate coloured pencil:

• to Local Groups and/or
• at UKCPS events and/or 
• for UKCPS sponsors

Members can find details of UKCPS Member Workshops on the website. 

If you are a UKCPS member and wish to add your colored pencil course/workshop to this page, contact the webmaster with details.

UKCPS - West Yorkshire Local Group

Baking the Cake by Angela Hammond

The UKCPS West Yorkshire Local Group meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 7.00 to 9.00 pm at St James's Church in Baildon, north of Bradford.  This is the prominent white wooden building on the Otley Road (Clink link for map of location) at the bottom of Hollins hill, opposite the Half Way House pub, just off Kirklands Lane.

The next meeting will be next week - on Wednesday 13 October 2010.

Old Barn Door by Roy Lorrain-Smith

Roy Lorrain-Smith, who lives in Baildon, writes

There's a wide variety of skill-levels and interests, including portraits, animals, buildings, flowers and landscapes.  We have a lot of laughter and times of silent concentration.  Members in the group number between 6-10 and people come for the evening from Bradford, Guiseley and Leeds, as well as Baildon.

So far, we have mostly done out own thing. We also share tips with each other, including books, DVDs or videos we've liked and found helpful.

The Group have now arranged to have their first guest tutor on 10 November.   Roy continues...

Stephen Ormerod will be coming that evening to give us a demonstration of painting or drawing with coloured pencils.  You can see examples of his work on www.sormerod.co.uk

More about Local Groups

If you have a UKCPS Local Group you'd like to see featured on the UKCPS News blog please contact the blogmaster

Information needed includes:

• scope of the group in terms of current geographical coverage
• venue, days and time of any regular meetings
• details of any local activities you have arranged
• something about your members 

If you'd like more information about the UKCPS Local Groups or want to set one up please visit the UKCPS Local Groups page on the website and/or contact Pauline Longley the Local Groups Co-ordinator

Susan Christopher Coulson at the Pencil Museum

Susan Christopher Coulson
with her suite of five botanical drawings in coloured pencils
Society of Botanical Artists Annual Exhibition 2009
photographed by Katherine Tyrrell with permission of the SBA

RHS Gold Medallist Susan Christopher Coulson SBA GM uses Derwent Artists Pencils for her botanical artwork.  She will demonstrating and teaching at the Cumberland Pencil Museum in Keswick between 28th-30th September.

Free Demonstrations of Derwent Artist Pencils


You can see her demonstrating her use of Artists Pencils at the Cumberland Pencil Museum on 28th and 29th September.

FREE Demonstration event.
Explore the detail of botanical flowers and seasonal fruit using Derwent Artists Pencils.
Please collect a ticket from reception which entitles you to one hours FREE tuition. Demonstrations run between 10am until 4pm

Tuition Workshop - Flora and Fruit Pencil Illustration with Susan Christopher Coulson

The Pencil Museum is also running a fee-paying workshop with Susan on 30th September - see the website for more details.

Workshops run between 10.30am – 4.30pm. 
£40 per person per workshop. 
A 10% discount is offered for any two or more workshops booked at any one time.

Karen Coulson demonstrating at Pencil Museum

Siberian Owl by Karen Coulson (SOLD)
currently on display in 9th Annual Open International Exhibition
at the Stamford Arts Centre

UKCPS member Karen Coulson UKCPS is demonstrating Studio Pencils at the Cumberland Pencil Museum in Keswick on 21st - 22nd September 2010.

FREE event! 
Draw Eagles, Owls, and Birds of Prey, using Derwent Studio pencils, you will be amazed at the interesting effects that can be created using this versatile coloured pencil. 
Collect your ticket from the Museum reception which entitles you to one hour's FREE tuition. 
Demonstrations run from 10am until 4pm. 
For more information just call the Museum on 017687 73626.

Karen's picture "Longleat Lions" won first prize in 2005 at the "World of Coloured Pencil Exhibition"also held at the Pencil Museum.

Demonstrators at the UKCPS Annual Exhibition

If you're intending to visit the 9th UKCPS Annual Exhibition at Stamford Arts Centre this year you may be interested to know who are the UKCPs members who will be demonstrating during the course of the exhibition

 The Peri II by Elizabeth Barton

• 14th September - Elizabeth Barton, Suzy Herbert UKCPS, Jo Goudie and Malcolm Cudmore
• 15th September - Elizabeth Barton, Suzy Herbert UKCPS and Malcolm Cudmore
• 16th September - Suzy Herbert UKCPS and Malcolm Cudmore

Purple Parrot Tulip by Judith Waugh

• 17th September - Judith Waugh UKCPS
• 18th September - Judith Waugh UKCPS
• 20th September - Victoria Parsons
• 24th September - Judith Waugh UKCPS
• 25th September - Victoria Parsons
• 27th September - Victoria Parsons

Itchy Feet by Pauline Longley

• 30th September - Pauline Longley UKCPS
• 1st October - Pauline Longley UKCPS

The Exhibition opens with a Private View tomorrow evening and is then open to the public from 14th September to Friday, 1st October 2010.

Open during normal gallery opening hours : Monday-Friday 10.30am - 5.30pm, Saturday 10.30am - 5.00pm and Sundays 1.00pm - 5.00pm.