Letters

LETTER OF THE MONTH

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO EDIT LETTERS FOR PUBLICATION

BACK IN BLACK

I love seeing all of the different mediums, styles and techniques used by artists published in Artists & Illustrators. I wanted to share one of my pieces and my love for using black watercolour paper in my recent landscape pieces.

I’ve always enjoyed using different coloured papers to create art and have experimented with pencils and my beloved pearlescent watercolour paints on coloured paper for years.

Over the past year I’ve really taken to gouache paints and I’m obsessed with using them for creating landscapes on black paper. You get the vibrant colours from the gouache and then it’s really fun to use the black paper for the shadows and to create atmosphere. I really wish that 300+ gsm watercolour paper came in more colours! Kathryn Huxter, via email

PAINTED WITH CARE I recently spent fi ve weeks in hospital, a week of which was in intensive care, with canulas stuck into arms and neck. As a result, both hands became very restricted in their movement, not to mention the connection with my brain.

My son and his wife bought me a colouring book and some cheap brush pens, which gave me the opportunity to exercise my hands and get some connections working again. I moved on to trying out drawing in a small sketchbook and eventually making a small watercolour. I developed this into an A4 painting, which I framed and gave to the nurses who looked after me as a “thank you” for their care. I attach a photo of the fi nished article [pictured left]. David Raison, Guildford, Surrey

A very thoughtful gift, David. Here’s wishing you a speedy recovery and many more paintings to come!

BIRDS IN THE BASEMENT I live in Spain and my subscription to Artists & Illustrators is eagerly awaited and never fails to disappoint. I re-read back issues all the time for inspiration. The August edition with Hashim Akib’s Masterclass painting fl amingos was just that. Avoiding the heatwave recently, I spent time in our cool basement trying out his method.

My art group is very supportive of all our efforts and I have to say that your magazine is passed amongst us each month, it really is a delight to receive. Keep up the good work, whilst I try to be braver with big brushes and lots of paint. Vivienne Williams, via email

OUT OF THE FRAME There are no ads in the back of Artists & Illustrators nowadays for good old framers, the type that had a little sign saying, “Fine Art Trade Guild”. I used to go to one in Kingston upon Thames that had a great selection of sample corners, and card backings. You could try before you buy.

There is little choice when buying from a high street shop, and you need a workshop and specialist tools to frame things at home. My frame shop turned into yet another coffee shop – like we really need one of those – and I’m left talking about the good old days. Terry Last, via email

If you are missing a bespoke framer, Terry, there are still plenty of options advertised in Artists & Illustrators every month. Look out for adverts in this issue for the likes of Frinton Frames in Essex, Gloucestershire's Fellows Framing, and The Picture Gallery in Bedford, all of which have websites.

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POST: Your Letters, Artists & Illustrators, The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd., Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London SW3 3TQ

EMAIL: info@artists andillustrators.co.uk

The writer of our “Letter of the Month” will receive a £50 gift voucher to spend with Atlantis Art, the UK’s largest art materials store. www.atlantisart.co.uk

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