NEWSLETTER March 2026
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Dear Artist,
March is here and there’s a real sense of spring in the air, and with it, a wonderful excuse to bring out some colour!
This month, we’re looking back at a lovely recent demonstration and looking ahead to an exciting demo and workshop bursting with colour and creativity.
We would absolutely love to see you at one (or even all) of the upcoming events!T HAPPENED IN FEBRUARY
WHAT HAPPENED IN FEBRUARY
BARBARA WHITBOURN ON MIXED MEDIA ABSTRACT
We were delighted to welcome Barbara
Whitbourn to our recent demonstration. Barbara works in an abstract style using mixed media, and for this session she created her piece on birch panels.
She began by using marker pens in a loose, intuitive way, followed by writing across the board with crayons. She then introduced various types of wet
strength tissue paper to build layers of mark making, applying them with glue. Water-soluble crayons were added, and she sprayed them with water to create beautiful, organic runs.
As the piece developed, Barbara layered spray
paint, experimented with different rollers and used
stencils to add further depth and texture. At each
stage, the work was dried before moving on to the
next layer.
She continually stepped back to observe the
emerging shapes, carefully considering which areas
needed more attention.
Over the course of two hours, the artwork gradually evolved into the finished piece.
It was a very informative session, and quite surprising to discover just how many wonderful mark-making tools are available! A full list of the materials Barbara used is available if you’d like to have a go yourself.
17gsm wet strength tissue paper:
https://www.dryadeducation.co.uk/d-t/wet strength-tissue-paper-pack-of-25
Transparent spray paint:
https://www.cassart.co.uk/liquitex-spray-paint 400ml-400ml-transparent-mixing-white Woodies – Stabilo – water soluble crayons: https://www.amazon.co.uk/
Catalyst Wedge: Pri Catalyst Tool Syn Grey Wedge 1 : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools
Montana empty marker pen: MON-76-324062 Montana 30mm Acrylic Empty Marker Pen with Flat Tip. To make paint more transparent without affecting the integrity of the binder
glazing medium
Golden gloss glazing liquid
Matt or gloss medium
She uses Golden but there are many other makes – used to isolate coat or to stick collage
Cradled birch panels
https://artdiscount.co.uk/products/seawhite unprimed-cradled-panels-18-20mm-approx isolating coat for wood panels – Golden GAC 100
Stencils
Etsy
Woodies
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Multi-talented-STABILO assorted-colours
sharpener/dp/B000FFR5KI
Gamblin cold wax oil
https://www.jacksonsart.com/gamblin-cold-wax-oil painting-medium-120ml
Powertex cold wax acrylics
https://www.greatart.co.uk/powertex-powerwax.html Acrylic mediums (there were quite a few questions). Jacksons Art have a great blog on this
https://www.jacksonsart.com/blog/2019/07/30/golde n-acrylic-mediums
comparison/#:~:text=Golden%20GAC%20Mediums,to %20ensure%20good%20film%20form
ation.
The tools that made the lines are:
Tire Bearing Roller Tool, Portable Tire Patch, Stitcher Wood Handle Ball Bearing Roller, Tyre
Patch Fitting Roller, Wheel Roller, Puncture Tool
WHAT’S COMING
WHAT'S COMING
DEMO: SAT 21ST MARCH 2PM AT ST CATHERINE’S VILLAGE HALL.
‘ANIMALS OUT OF ABSTRACTION’ IN ACRYLIC WITH JAMEL AKIB.
Jamel needs little introduction. A full-time award winning professional artist living in Salisbury, he is known for his sweeping brushstrokes and energetic paintings covering many different subjects, such as birds in flight, animals, movement in women and musicians. Jamel works with oils, acrylic and pastels, and his passion for painting is evident in his impressionistic and abstract paintings. He is very much inspired by movement, which clearly comes across in his work. He loves the feel of paint on a brush and how it transfers to canvas. His demos are a joy to watch, where he will often produce more than one painting. Jamel has a Workshop with us 18th April.
https://www.jamelakib.com/about.html to see more of his work.
DETAILS
Non members £5 - cash & card accepted on the door.
Members - free this year for our “100 Anniversary”.
To book your place, as it helps with catering, please email Nicola:
Hope to see you there!
JAMEL AKIB - WORKSHOP SATURDAY 18TH APRIL 10-4PM
ANIMALS OUT OF ABSTRACTION - ACRYLICS
Please come and join us for what will be a wonderful day of experimentation and fun. You will produce more than one piece of work that’s for sure. With his sweeping brushstrokes and energetic, abstract, impressionistic paintings, Jamel’s enthusiasm is very catching. More information nearer the time.
To book your place in advance, please contact Nicola at:
and you will be advised how to pay to secure your place.
Members £40 - Non members £50
SAD NEWS
REST IN PEACE, BARRY SULLIVAN
We were saddened by the news that our member Barry Sullivan passed away in early February. Many of us on the committee knew Barry well, as he was a familiar face during the Pop-Up Exhibitions and was always keen to help.
A truly lovely man, you could sense from the way he spoke that he was a gentle soul, something that was also reflected in the delicacy of his artwork.
We send our love and support to his family during this difficult time, and we will keep a fond memory of Barry with us.
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