Issue No.37 November 2018 R55.00 incl vat
FEATURED ARTISTS: Tiens Palmer • Lara de Jager Alanna & Shena Macdonald Celia Janse Van Rensburg Craig Banks • Grant Wood Brent Dodd • Ana de Vlieg
win prize worth oves r
R19,000!
• acrylic pouring demo • colour mixing for beginners • watercolour workshop series
Issue 37 ISSUE 37
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58 A note from the studio
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Feedback 5 Quick Art Quiz
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What’s Happening?
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Gift ideas and giveaways
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FEATURED ARTISTS: ALANNA DEALL & SHENA MACDONALD
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Oil painting essentials: BRENT DODD
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Life of a working artist: ANA DE VLIEG
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Big Painting Challenge No.6
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FEATURED ARTIST: CELIA JANSE VAN RENSBURG
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MASSA
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FEATURED ARTIST: TIENS PALMER
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Business of art: MALCOLM DEWEY
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FEATURED ARTIST: CRAIG BANKS
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Getting started with drawing ink
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GRANT WOOD Watercolour Workshop
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The Canvas Company
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Quick Quiz Answers
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FEATURED ARTIST: LARA DE JAGER
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Student’s Gallery
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Q&A
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Classes and Workshops
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what’s
happening
featured event ETCHINGS ART GALLERY
Art through the eyes of John Smith 5 December 2018 @18h00 Artist: John Smith ETCHINGS ART GALLERY Address: Shop 18, Park Boulevard, 11 Browns Drift Road, Durban North, KZN Tel: +27 31 563 6431 RSVP (for catering purposes) e-mail: etchings@etchingsart.com www.etchings.co.za Gallery Hours: Monday to Friday: 08h00 to 17h00 Saturday: 08h30 to 13h00
‘Reading the mail, Karoo’ by John Smith; oil on canvas
THE CAPE GALLERY My Grand Tour
Opening: 28 October 2018 at 16:30 Closes: 24 November 2018 Participating: Annari van der Merwe THE CAPE GALLERY Address: 60 Church Street, Cape Town Tel: +27 21 423 5309 Gallery Hours: Monday - Friday 09:30 to 17:00 Sat: 10:00 to 14:00
WALKER BAY MODERN ART GALLERY Illuminated Steel Sculptures
Opening: 1 November 2018 - 14 November 2018 YoungbloodAfrica in Association with Walkerbay Modern Art Participating: Louis Chanu WALKER BAY MODERN ART GALLERY Address: 167 Main Road, Hermanus Tel: 028 312 2928 || Cell: 082 719 0907 Gallery Hours: Monday - Friday 09:00 - 17:00 Saturday & Sunday 10:00 - 15:00
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g i f t id e a s
for artists
Make this a truly creative holiday season with our awesome gift ideas and giveaways for artists of all levels. Enter by simply sending your name, address and contact numbers to the e-mail address at the bottom of each giveaway.
Closing date: 31 December 2018
etchr ART SATCHEL
ITALIAN ARTSHOP STACK LEAD WHITE OIL PAINT
only
0 R4,25 30ml:
R425l: 6 0m R765
The etchr Art Satchel is the ultimate art bag. Perfect for urban art journalling or plein air painting adventures, you can carry the Art Satchel slung over the shoulder or as a backpack. Built to carry your art gear wherever you may venture, the Art Satchel is in an expandable, weather proof system designed to adapt to your creative needs.
We are giving away a gift voucher worth R500! to enter e-mail: hello@deckleedge.co.za
Made by hand in the traditional way using the 'stack process' or 'old Dutch method' (using lead strips, vinegar and of course buried beneath mounds of steaming, biologically active horse dung). Using this historic technique, every particle of Stack Lead White is randomly different. So every conglomeration of pigment particles on a nanoscale behaves differently. This is precisely the beauty of Stack Lead White. With industrially-made pigments, every particle is identical. So conventional paints cannot be used to create the brush strokes of the whites from centuries ago.
Ground Floor; Riverside Mall; Rondebosch Tel: 021 685 1877 | www.italianartshop.co.za
13 Brickfield Road, Salt River Cape Town Tel: 021 201 4100 www.deckleedge.co.za
We are giving away a 30ml tube worth R425! to enter e-mail: info@italianartshop.co.za 11
a blooming
sister act
Alanna Deall and Shena Macdonald are identical twins who have been involved in the art world for more than 40 years. In this past year, they have embarked on a new creative venture together, namely “Flower Encounter”. This is a three-day oil painting workshop in which Alanna and Shena impart their ability to paint large-scale flower paintings to a very diverse range of students. They love to multiply their gift in others, and in the past year more than 20 Flower Encounter workshops have been conducted throughout South Africa. So how did it all begin? Shena was in Mussoorie, a hill station in India, visiting a community she knows well. At the request for a workshop by some of the women, she decided to make them her ‘guinea pigs.’ Would it indeed be possible to impart the skills and vision needed to interpret the flowers selected, especially in those participants with no previous painting experience? Shena reminisces: “It was just after monsoon. Five women gathered together to paint. We bought canvases in Delhi and a selection of oil paints and brushes. Upturned flower pots were used to prop up the paintings against walls as we had no easels. 15
TIPS AND TECHNIQUES
oil painting
essentials with
brought to you by Over the years I have tried to fine tune the process of making art, or ‘abstracting’. So, through showing the progress of a painting I hope to be able to illustrate this abstraction of the world’s complexities. I hope you are able to take something from it and use it to continue making art There have always been rules to the art game - validations, qualifications, doing your time. Some of those remain, I have found that they are very similar to the rules of life. The most important of which is: ‘There are no shortcuts, unless you manufacture them to make the system more efficient’...
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In every third issue we will post a reference photo for you to paint. Interpret it any way you like, using any medium or any combination of mediums. Add something... take something away or paint it as it is... We aren’t necessarily looking for photorealism, so use your imagination. The overall winner will receive a hamper of products from Winsen’s Canvases... so, it's time to take up the challenge!
challenge no. 6 with
Win a Winsen’s canvas ha m worth ove per r R3,000!
RULES: This competition is open to all permanent residents of South Africa. Works created using software or other digital means are not allowed. The five artworks deemed to have best interpreted the reference will be chosen as the finalists. The onus of delivery of the prizes falls upon the prize sponsors. The SA Artist magazine does not, in any way, take responsibility for the loss of prizes during transit or non-delivery by the sponsor. Prizes are not transferable nor can they be exchanged for cash. Challenge No.6 starts on 1st October 2018 and the closing date for entries is 28th November 2018. You can either e-mail your entry to: challenge@thesaartist.co.za or upload via our website using the upload form. The winner will be announced in issue 39. To download a larger version of the reference photo please go to the ‘competition’ link on our website: www.thesaartist.co.za 27
sunlight &
shadows
Celia Janse van Rensburg started attending art classes in Polokwane from 2006. She became a member of the Watercolour Society of South Africa where she achieved New Signature status and became an Associate. Over the past 12 years she has been to many of the workshops arranged by the Watercolour Society and has also learnt a great deal from the British artist Hazel Soan and late South African watercolour master, Richard Rennie. “I have learnt a lot from every workshop that I have attended over the years. I have tried to develop my own style, but still pick up tips and tricks from artists at workshops, in magazines and on the internet. I also enjoy sharing my art and ideas with other artists on Facebook.” She has been painting full time since the end of 2013 and has held a solo exhibition every two years at her holiday home in Struisbaai. “I have a large studio with many windows and a lot of natural light where I spend most of my time with good music and coffee. I enjoy experimenting with a variety of contd. on page 35
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miniatures
winning abroad Although miniature paintings are small – seldom larger than 170 x 170 mm (framed) or equivalent area, it is quite unique that miniatures from MASSA, the “Miniature Art Society of South Africa” travel far and wide throughout the world, participating in many exhibitions. Not only can we showcase our delicate creations this way to the world, but it often affords the creators an opportunity to win awards worldwide, and some members have participated in these exhibitions since our Society’s inception in 1992.
RMS: The Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers was founded in 1896 by Alyn Williams who was the first President, a position he occupied until 1898, and then again from 1908 until 1941. The Society's Inaugural Exhibition, held in 1896 in the Modern Gallery, was the first to be devoted exclusively to contemporary miniatures and was an immediate success. King Edward VII granted the Royal Charter in 1905. In 1926 the RMS extended its welcome to other forms of miniature art. Recognition of this wider scope was officially confirmed when Sculptors and Gravers were added to its name by Royal Command of King George V. Their exhibition venue is at the Mall Galleries in London; and they receive an average number of 650 to 700 entries per year.
* The President’s Special Commendation, certificates for the President’s choice of miniature and large work. * The Society’s Award for the Best Set, £500 for the best set of five or more works * The Mundy Sovereign Portrait Award, a sovereign mounted in a framed certificate for the best portrait * The Bidder and Borne Award for Best Sculpture, £350 for the finest piece of the Sculptors and Gravers art * Peter Charles Booth Memorial Award, solid silver Armada Presentation Plate * Anita Emmerich Presentation Award, silver gilt magnifying glass * Anthony J Lester Art Critics Award * Arturi Phillips `Connoisseur` Award, £500 for a portrait of any living thing * The Elizabeth Meek Award * The Marion Winter ‘Joey’ Award of £500 * The Marion Winter ‘Kunstler’ Award of £500 * People’s Choice Award of £250
Awards: *The Gold Memorial Bowl, crafted in 18ct gold by Garrard the Jewellers, for the best miniature work in the exhibition. A silver gilt replica worth £1,000 in value is received by the artist * The Prince of Wales Award for Outstanding Miniature Painting
The above drawing by Karen Wiggill received the Elizabeth Meek Award at Royal, but was also one of the pictures, that with 4 others received the Group Award for Best Set of 5 or more paintings.
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golden
moments
Tiens Palmer describes his painting process as an instinctive reaction to what he sees. During the painting session certain ‘happenings’ can occur on the canvas, and these are what he calls ‘golden moments’. “I have learned not to try and enhance them, because I just might lose the freshness, and spontaneity which almost always ends up making me feel like I’ve lost the painting. I think my fellow artists will know what I am talking about. I first experience my subject visually and then translate it through the painting process. It’s all about what I see.” Mostly self taught, he believes artists are continually learning and counts as his influences, old masters such as Diego Velasquez, John Singer Sargent and Joaquin Sorolla. Modern day artists whose work he admires are Steve Huston, Jennifer McChristian, John Sanden, and C. Michael Dudash to name a few. “Of couse our own artists here in South Africa are very talented. Phil Botha’s teaching took my work to a new level and I consider him to have been a true master artist.” 41
THE BUSINESS OF ART
by Malcolm Dewey
HELP!
MALCOLM DEWEY is an artist and art teacher based in Port Alfred, Eastern Cape. He paints landscapes, seascapes and figure studies. You can view his gallery, sign up for FREE art lessons and more at his website.
nobody wants to buy my paintings Put a group of artists together and pretty soon the conversation will turn to art sales. More specifically about how tough the economy is and how art sales have dried up. If you are the one with thriving sales then it may be a good idea not to mention this. Unless you are entirely insensitive that is. Okay we can agree that sales are tight so what can you do to rejuvenate sales?
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Above: Uncle Trevor; pencil on paper Top right: Hope; pen on paper Right: Three Generations; pencil on paper
50 shades of
graphite
Self taught pencil artist, Craig Banks spends most of his spare time doing commissions for his growing list of dedicated clients. “Most of my artwork is commission based. My client will provide a clear photo that they love of a beloved family member or pet and I will spend time planning the sketch, which is the most time consuming aspect as accuracy is vital.” Once the composition has been approved by the client, Craig starts what he calls the ‘fun part’: “This is when I shade the sketch to life with a variety of pencils. After spraying with a fixative the sketch is good to go, gets packaged safe and securely and is delivered to my client.” contd. on page 52
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TIPS AND TECHNIQUES
Over the past 45 or so years I have had some amazing highs and a few unavoidable lows as well, during the process of creating a work of art, using my favourite medium – watercolours! The aim of this series is to give you the confidence to approach your favourite painting subject and apply your newly learned skills to paper and to be able to hopefully avoid the more obvious pitfalls which sometimes occur in watercolour and cause your painting to end up in a frustratingly muddy mess!
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Above: Siren’s Song
Opposite top left: Rose Gold
Below: Cupid 02
Left: The lid of a presentation box shows the practical application of the art form Above: Cupid Below left: Alien Baby 03 Below: Cupid 01
fabulously
fluid art
Acrylic pouring has taken off and is fast becoming one of the most popular ways to create abstract art without a brush. Additives such as pouring medium, colourants, pigments, pastes and powders are all used to enhance the paint. The paint is poured onto a substrate (such as canvas), and manipulated by slightly tilting the canvas and slowly moving the paint over the surface. By adding specialised products, you can achieve attractive cell formations and lacing effects. Lara de Jager is a graphic designer by trade, but she has always had a passion for colour. “I was fortunate enough to be born into an exceptionally artistic family, and my eldest brother also majored in art. For as long as I can remember, my father drilled into my head how to hold a pencil; what to do and what not to do when colouring in or shading; how to position my hand and wrist; and how to steady or rest my hand on the substrate I was working on.” contd. on page 73
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student’s gallery
A monthly selection of art by talented high school students in South Africa.
this month’s winner
“Sister love” by Annika Eksteen; 600 x 600 mm; Charcoal, black oil pencil and white pastel on wooden panel Hoërskool Zwartkop, Pretoria Art Teacher : Ms Sonja Brink RULES: 1. Students currently enrolled for study at High Schools (Grades 6 to 12) in South Africa are eligible to enter. 2. Only paintings created with physical mediums will be considered – digital art will not be accepted. 3. The artwork must be your own original work and may not be a copy of another artists’ painting. 4. Any photographic reference must be your own or you must have written permission from the photographer for any reference used. 5. To enter your work, go to our website (www. thesaartist.co.za). Click on ‘competitions’ / ‘students’. Fill in your details and upload your file.
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enter your art to WIN a Dala hamper worth over R2,000!