Workshops are available to book:
Art workshops with Janet are available in sessions of 2hrs, 4hrs or 7hrs and cost between £20 – £55 per person.
Life drawing workshops are also available. They are £55 per person for a 2 hour session. This includes all materials and the model.
Group art sessions are also available – please contact me for price.
I run an art club on Wednesday evenings at our local heritage centre and since the pandemic we’ve had to change from a life drawing group at the centre to an online class, finding different subjects to study.
For further details, and to book on please visit The Canalside Heritage Centre.
Life Drawing Practice
Below are many of my life drawings since diagnosis 12th September 2018.
The early (bottom of the page) sketches were produced whilst I was taking 6mg of Ropinirol XL.
This has gradually increased. Since May 2020 I’ve been on 12 mg of Ropinirol, and since October 2021 I’m also on Madopar 3 times a day.
My technique has evolved to accommodate my lack of ability to sketch, cross hatch and create fine detail. I now paint as much as possible, and colour has become more important to me. I have developed a looser style that I prefer to my pre-diagnosis life drawing. However, I get very frustrated when my drawings lack detail and sometimes the coarseness.
This is a painting I was asked to do. The model has had a mastectomy and reconstruction surgery. The process of modelling was part of her strategy to recover mentally as well as physically.
Jane, July 14th, 2021
Gordy 22nd May 2019. Bolder and bolder, with less detail, but more confidence.
Chris 30min and 50min poses, 15th May 2019.
I loved this week’s life drawing. I’m drawing with a new found freedom and confidence. I’m much less tight and precise, and I like the process and the results. I’m getting more depth of colour and the lights and darks are more pronounced. I’m really happy with the direction I’m going, but just feel I’m up against the clock – how long will I be able to draw the way I am doing? When will I need to start adapting?
Paul, 10th April 2019
24/03/19. This was an extended 4 hour session at CHC. Julie was the model, and I had a great time with broad brush strokes and bold acrylics. I’m pleased with the care-free nature of my painting here.
15th March 2019. A wonderful 4 hours painting Jane in my studio with Liam. I started really strong and then over-worked it. A great way to spend 4 hours and I’m pleased, not frustrated with the outcome.
13th March 2019. Always love drawing Julie. I enjoyed this session, and felt no hindrance from Mr P. Just felt I lost my way with the drawing – caught somewhere between trying to be accurate and enjoying the flowing nature of the drawing. I think I over worked it.
Really enjoyed this session. Two challenging poses, particularly the standing pose with lots of length and few angles. Drawing, hatching and shading felt fine.
27/02/19, Paul. I got really emerced in this evening’s drawing. Played with textured paper and pastels. My drawing felt fine – not exactly reflecting my mood at the moment.
20/02/19. Jane. Great attitude in this pose. I felt on form and enjoyed the process and result.
13/02/19. Jo. Struggled a bit today with detail and shading. Fear I’m in need of a medication review.
06/02/19. Paul. So much happier with this week’s drawings. I’ve got more depth, and feeling of mass and balance. Cross-hatching was better.
Below are a selection of images from early 2017 through the summer, my tests and diagnosis period. The drawings were big, bold, but I seemed to struggle with subtlety, and quality of line. Cross hatching was proving impossible.
A selection of sketches from before the end of 2017, before I started to notice a difference to my hand writing (micrographica):
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