My experience at the London Fine Art studios

I had forgotten to blog about my period of study at the London Fine Art Studios on Lavender Road, London this past summer. Stumbling upon this 'atelier' set up in the tradition of the classical masters' studios online, I decided to kill two birds with one stone and spend part of my post retirement holiday/visit to family holiday (3 weeks) to improve on my painting skills and in the process, meet artists from all over the world. I found accommodation in nearby Beckenham, travelled from family in Milton Keynes and prepared for my daily commute (two trains and a bus! each way) and some serious learning.


After picking up our art kits on day one, we had to set up easels and learn to draw with charcoal on paper, delineating light and darks (two values) after drawing forms to correct measurements.

Later, we discovered that in the course of the programme, all weeks I registered for (Foundation, Figure and Portraiture) started with this basic introduction. From two values to three values (lights, darks and a mid tone), then application of paint in monochrome then full colour - we were restricted to the Zorn palette which forces you to mix paint to the correct values without the distraction of plenty of colour choices.

There was absolutely no time to waste on any of the days. Standing for hours was what we signed up for. At every point in time, sharp directed lighting and the subject would be set up and the day's tutor would be always asking us to step back, review and correct values, measurements until we got it right. I doff my hat to Joni, Archie, Anne,  Michael, Nneka & Chris. I still hear Joni's voice telling me to step back from my easel while I'm painting.




Luckily, there were breaks in between where we could stretch our legs, have a coffee, go for lunch and socialise.

Lots of learning and fun that I will be applying to my painting going forward. Made new friends that I have kept in touch with.

I also had at the end a small haul of oil quick paintings on board and sketches of figures done during Monday live figure drawing /painting sessions that I won't post. Lol.

My juried paintings on exhibition

I have four paintings at the New Frames 2018 exhibition, two of which are hanging in the main foyer, Hotel Presidential.

Nyarinya 36 x 36" 2018 Oil on unframed canvas

My Redeemer liveth 36 x 24" 2015 Oil on unframed canvas

Others not on display

Hustling and Dozing
Nigerian Woman
paintings that I have described in previous posts.

New Frames 2018

It was an evening to remember at the Opening Night of New Frames 2018 in Port Harcourt on 20th October, an annual juried exhibition of the Society for Nigerian Artists, Rivers State.

Highlights of the evening.

An alla prima demonstration depicting the degradation of Rivers State environment and the need for constructive reparation in terms of development and rebuilding.

Eager and attentive audience:

In summary we had a great evening.

2018 New Frames - 4 days to go

We are 4 days to the Society of Nigerian Artists annual juried exhibition New Frames. I will be exhibiting with about 30 other artists, largely based in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. You are cordially invited to this exhibition which runs from 20th to 27th October 2018 at the Hotel Presidential Foyer, Port Harcourt.

You'll be amazed at the sheer volume and diversity of works available for viewing and purchase.

My muse has flown.

After the euphoria which died at the end of my most recent painting Nyarinya, which as I have earlier mentioned, was the largest oil painting I have done, I have sort of lost the will to paint. I am at a loss for subject matter, medium or mode and have been staring at blank canvases for the past week.

One option would be to go back to semi-completed paintings (you know, those ones that at some point we become stuck on and can't proceed) and attempt to make a more detailed finale.

Would have loved to make another huge painting before the Society for Nigerian Artists exhibition in a few weeks time (well, huge by my standards is the 36 inches by 36 inches blank canvas winking at me) but it just isn't happening.

A final option would be to just go back to bed - ID Extra and Crime & Investigation and Candy Crush being my companion. Getting to level 2574 is not 'snuff spit' as my people would say (giving myself a pat on the shoulder till the muse returns).

Another Art Shop for supplies?

Hi everyone,

It's really difficult finding painting material in Port Harcourt. Apart from the usual Art World at Rumuola, I'm not sure there's any other place worth its salt for paint, canvas and other related art material. I wonder how the Fine Arts students at the University of Port Harcourt and Colleges of Education cope with this monopoly.

Wouldn't it be a lot of relief if we had another Art shop in town?

New Horizon Exhibition

My two paintings, Family and African Woman were part of the exhibition at New Horizon Exhibition organised by Discova Art Centre in Port Harcourt from September 8 to 16, 2018.

Some highlights from the opening day.

Nyarinya

This painting I think took a lot of my energy over the past weeks as it's the first time I have painted this large. I had no excuses as my mentor had given me huge canvas frames to encourage me to stretch bigger canvases and paint large.

I observed the model (somewhat covertly) from my car window at a busy street intersection. She was full of joy, holding in her hands two bags - one a plastic black bag usually given at open markets to carry purchased items home and the other a bag of 'pure water' to quench thirst in our hot climes. I admired the flow of her hijab and the joy on her face. Her hijab was not this peach colour but I leaned on artistic licence and prompting from my daughter to change the colour.

African Woman

Oil on Canvas
20 x 16 inches
May 2018

I had fun making this. It was shown at the recently concluded New Horizon Exhibition in Port Harcourt from September 8-16, 2018.

John Howard Sanden - Exercise on 'Nigerian Lady'

This is my second exercise following John Howard Sanden's 'Portrait s from Life in 29 Steps'. Today, I am working on the Nigerian Lady, step by step.
I don't have Venetian Red or Cadmium Red Light colours but I'm making do. If nothing else at least this was a learning experience and provided much needed confidence. Guess I'll be making one of myself next.

Finished painting

Young woman and baby

Spent some time on this one. My reference photograph stopped just short of her arm so I had to improvise and added the basin. Not sure it works.

36 x 24 inches; Oil on Canvas.

Artillery Junction

Ending the year 2017 with this post of a painting done late week of a road junction I go past on my daily commute. The photograph wasn't too clear so the features aren't too defined. I like it all the same.

20x16 oil on canvas.