My still life drawing

I have decided to go back to school to further my education. Tried to register for photography course but unfortunate Sutton Coldfield College does not conduct this course. So been advised to take Foundation Arts and Design.  As I have not taken any art course before so I am confused  and blurred for the first 3 weeks then from then on I started to understand and picking up as I go along with the courses.


The courses are intense  and every 6 weeks we have 6 different topics such as contexture  art, drawing. fine art, photography, textile and photoshop. I enjoyed and love all the subjects as we are been teach at the foundation level.  I love my drawing as from I can't draw to I can to draw.

Today, we are been told to drawing still life by using Artist David Tress method of drawing.  By using different media to make into a artwork. David's painting is landscape but he used different media  in his work.

The above painting is David Tress painting. Today the media for still life were leaf, hand made mushroom and shell which is opened in the middle.

I used a A1 white drawing paper then glued it with different types of papers  such as black and white tissue papers, brown wrapping paper, tracing paper, black drawing paper, plain brown paper.   Some portion of the paper covered with one layer or more layers of different papers while other is just plain without any layer.

I used the willow charcoal to draw the outline of the still life then used the charcoal to paint on it. But unfortunately the charcoal and pastels which I used to paint on the image look very flat and uninteresting.  So I concentrate painting on the tissue paper which represent my leaf with acrylic paints.

I applied 1st layer of  orange acrylic paint on it first then added another layer of dark brown on it and highlight with white acrylic paint.

This portion is make out of 2 layer of tissue papers. I change the brown/red mushroom by adding another layer of white tissue paper on it. Paint with brown acrylic paint and red then white as highlight. It does look better and not so flat.  As for the shell I change the pastel color with acrylic paints then darken with black to give the depth.

Finally, I used the charcoal to shaded the background and use tissue to drip with water and go over the charcoal.  As for the table, I used the white chalk to go over the charcoal  and the negative spaces.  The mushroom needed  to darken with brown a bit but unfortunately our half day lesson is over and the paint is still too wet to add another layer on top of it.

I am quite happy with this drawing as it create different depth with the layers with different texture. It give this painting a  3-D effect.  Also my friend, Mandy, she is painting the same media as mine but her painting/drawing is totally different from mine.

 Mandy's drawing from the same still life display.

I love and enjoy this drawing lesson as every student produce different image from the same still life. It is quite fun and interesting as when we finished our works and look at each other paintings. We gain a lot from our tutor and our  drawing sessions.

Photos Supplied : by Catherine Suen
Date: 11.11.13
Drawing: Still Life

Trekking at Aber Falls, Abergwyngregyn, North Wales - 27.8.13

Our trekking trip to Abergwyngregyn, North Wales. We started our journey at 8.30 a.m. and it took us to reached the small valley of Abergwyngregyn at 11.30 a.m. Follow the A55 and exit at junction 13 by follow the signs to Abergwyngregyn. We left our car  in the car park which is free and not far away there is a disabled toilet and on the right there is a small path leading to a small gate.  Follow the lane alongside the river, Afon Rhaeadr-fawr is about half a mile.

Cross the old stone bridge, Bont Newyxd, and go through the gate. We follow the National Nature Reserve information boards. On the way there are markers for the North Wales Path  into the valley. Along the way there are display board explains the management of the Alder trees and their part in the making of charcoal. Just keep follow the path and it will lead to the falls

Before reaching the falls there is another board explaining the pile of stones at the side of the trail  are the remains of an iron age round house probably dating from 2000 -2700 years ago. The remains dated at 2000 B.C.

Passing the ancient site and a short walk up to the bank is one of Wales most beautiful waterfalls and the surrounding hills of Moel Whion, Gym, Bera Mawr, Bera Bach, and Drosgi.  The beautiful waterfalls and bridges to cross to the other side. There are big rocks stack at the bottom of the waterfalls to let you walk over the other side.  Easy access to the bottom of the pools to enjoy the cool water or right top of the pool where its falls from the top but it is slippery and it is better  to tie the string on the rock before venture into the top pool.

From here we carry on with the full walk across the river to the west bank of Afon Rhaeadr-fawr and follow the markers to North Wales Path. We can see the falls from the grassy bank on the right of the falls.

The trail  continues west across over the river, Afon Rhaeadr-bach, with more beautiful views and a smaller falls. Follow the path and we can see the grand view of the valley. The trail continues north through sheep filled pastureland and the outlook changes as the Irish Sea comes into view.  A panorama view that includes the Menai Strait, Lavan Sands, the south west tip of Anglesey, Beaumaris, the Penmon Lighthouse and Puffin island. From here there the trail is going downward the right is more steeply and short but the right is longer trail which both also lead to the small village of Abergwyngregyn,  to our car park.

The total times spent on trekking and taking photos took about 4 hours and covered about 4.5 miles. Amazing beautiful sights of the mountains which normally covered by the mist  and only can be view when the weather is hotter and after the walk can enjoy the beautiful milky water from the falls.

We went back by A55 to the look for food and then head home and it took us another three and half hours to travel back home. A beautiful end of the great day and would recommend this place as it worth an visit.

Place: Aber Falls, Abergwyngregyn, North Wales
Dated:  27.8.13
Photos by: Catherine Suen
Scored for the Place: 8 stars