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May 2017: Sketching Demonstration with Gem Bowden
Thanks, Mike Bird for this write-up OVAS was delighted to welcome renowned artist Jem Bowden to their meeting at the Institute on May 5th, where he gave a demonstration of his distinctive technique with watercolours. Jem lives in Bristol and is both a practising watercolour artist and a tutor. He derives his inspiration from the English landscape, usually choosing to paint “en plein air” in order to capture the full experience of the location, even though weather conditions can sometimes make this an uncomfortable experience. His prowess in the field was given national recognition by the Society for All Artists, who named him artist of the year a couple of years ago. |
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On the evening he chose as his first subject a watercolour study based on a scene near Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire. The key feature in the scene was the dramatic outline of a pollarded willow tree in late winter.
The best watercolours have life and energy breathed into them by the artist taking risks with the swift application of paint to paper. It may not always work but when it does the results are more likely to be satisfying for both the artist and the viewer. After the interval, during which members of OVAS enjoyed discussing with Jem his techniques and the materials he uses, he then embarked on a second study, this time a springtime scene with a meadow and hedgerow. A subtly different choice of colour gave a bright and fresh feel to the scene, evocative of the season and in contrast to the wet and soft grey feel to the winter scene. At the conclusion of the event the chairman of OVAS, Mike Bird, in thanking Jem on behalf of the society said that it is always a great pleasure to watch someone who is the master of their chosen medium demonstrate their artistry, which Jem did with consumate skill. |
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Jem, leading the Watercolour workshop at Gosford Village Hall, Taleford
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