Welcome to the Cotswold Art Club

PAUL OAKLEY – IMPRESSIONIST OIL PAINTING

In March Paul Oakley from the Pewsey Vale Studio provided an excellent demonstration of impressionist oil painting.

Paul began his demonstration by showing us a painting he had copied from Claude Monet. He wanted to study the colours, style and brushstrokes to understand how to capture the shimmering effects of sunlight on water. He told us that the trees in the original painting were ready to be sold for timber, but Monet bought the trees at auction so he could continue painting them.
Paul had selected a similar photograph to work from to paint in Monet’s impressionistic style. He had primed and added the blue areas of the sky and outlined the image on board to save time.
He started with the darker underside of the clouds, using diagonal strokes with a round headed brush. He left the white of the primer to form the light areas.
When painting the water he used small horizontal strokes building up the layers of reflection. Although the trees were painted diagonally as was the sky, their reflections were
horizontal, thus creating the sense of movement. Square headed brushes were used for the vertical tree trunks.
Paul stressed how important it is to think about the light and dark areas and which direction the light is coming from. Cool colours in the distance and warm colours in the foreground. Mid range colour to soften the edges of the trees.
When painting the leaves nearest the viewer, the directions of the brush strokes should vary in different directions, again to show movement.
Paul completed the painting by darkening the hedge behind the trees to make the image pop. We were impressed that such a detailed painting could be completed to such a high
standard in the time given.

MARIE ALLEN – ART HISTORY

The Emergence of Impressionism in 19C Paris

In February Marie Allen provided an entertaining talk on the impressionist against the background of the Paris of the time. It was enjoyed by all and there were several comments of ‘when can she come back’. I am sure we will see Marie return with another talk in the future.

Marie gave a very interesting account of the art scene at the time, where “The Paris Salon” dominated the art world from the late 17th to 19th century. A jury selected paintings based on a strict hierarchy of state sanctioned subject matters such as
Historic scenes of battles and nobility,
Mythology including nude women such as “The birth of Venus”
State PR.

Later what they called “Lowly Genres” such as ordinary working people, rural life, landscapes and still life were considered. Being selected enabled artists to gain recognition, state commissions and popularity. Only male artist were chosen. Female artists such as Berthe Morisot were extremely accomplished but would not be considered.

Realism directly challenged the conservative Paris Salon. It portrayed ordinary life and working class people. This paved the way for social change and avant-garde art.
Impressionism originated as a rebellion against the rigid establishment of The Salon who refused to exhibit this style of art. Artists such as Manet, Monet, Renoir, Pissaro,
Degas and Berthe and Sisley Morisot painted everyday life in Paris and it’s surroundings, mostly en plain air to capture light using broken colour techniques. They painted with expressive, loose brushstrokes in a variety of luminous colours depicting light and it’s changing qualities.

More women artists such as Marie Bashkirtseff were exhibiting in Paris and many others attended art academies such as the Julien.

LIZZIE BENTLY – STILL LIFE IN OIL

In January Lizzie Bentley demonstrated a still life with spring flowers and provide lots of useful oil painting tips.

NEXT DEMONSTRATION

Leanne Ellis will be demonstrating in Water colour on April 18th 2026 Club Meeting Page