Category Archives: Talks

Whats in store for 2024

As winter turns to spring so we see Bruton Art Society slowly coming to life. Very soon our first workshop of the year, “Sculpture in Wire and Resin”, will take place under the tutelage of Melanie Deegan. Altogether there are eight workshops planned for 2024 with the introduction of 2 taster days; one on gouache and one on pastel (oil and chalk).  We are also delighted to have James Lynch doing a 2 day workshop on egg tempera painting. 

The full programme is listed in the new ‘What’s On’ calendar which can be found under ‘2024 Programme’ in the menu. This is also where to book a workshop if you want to. (There is a quick link below.)

There are also eight ‘painting days’ planned. These are free to members and will be hosted at a variety of interesting local venues including Lovington Mill, a listed grade II mill probably dating from 1086 in a lovely setting with stream and weir, the ancient almshouses at Sexeys Hospital in Bruton and the Heritage railway at Cranmore near Shepton Mallet.

Our retiring chairman, Will Vaughan has arranged a wonderful lecture in April by Jill Dunkerton, a restorer at the National Gallery in London, on the science of investigating a Renaissance painting.

Full details of all the events planned can be perused in the ‘What’s On’ section of the website.

 ‘A practical approach to Portraits’ on Wednesday 12th April at Caryford Community Hall

James Budden will be giving a Live Painting Demonstration ‘A Practical Approach to Portraits’  at Caryford Community Hall, Ansford Park, Castle Cary, BA7 7JJ 

Members Free 

Guests £5 

2.30 – 4.30pm

James is returning for what promises to be a fascinating afternoon on Wednesday next week, and will talk us through the process of painting a portrait in oils, from colour mixing and the first markson the canvas to the emerging likeness.

There will be a chance to ask questions afterwards followed by tea and biscuits!

David Brayne at the A.G.M.

Following the formality of the A.G.M. on 12th January, at which the committee reported to the activities of the last year, the forty or so members present were entertained to an informal lecture David Brayne, a celebrated watercolorist. He stepped in at the last moment, replacing his wife Jane who had been due to give a talk but was unable to due to illness. In the event David delivered an informal and enthusiastic demonstration of some of his techniques, particularly the use of natural pigments. Without a doubt many of the members present will be reviewing their attitude to watercolour and perhaps their own practice as well. Many thanks to David for sharing his trade secrets with us.

Change of plan for the A.G.M.

Unfortunately, due to illness, Jane Brayne is unable to give her lecture at the A.G.M. on 12th January. Her husband, the watercolourist David Brayne has kindly offered to give a brief talk about his work and methods instead.

David Brayne RWS

David uses water-based paint, usually on paper, often very wet. He was elected to the Royal Watercolour society many years ago and is now one of its honorary members. He has won a number of prizes, including the Turner Medal for Watercolour, and his work is collected widely.

He paints most days in his studio in Evercreech after an early morning walk. The studio walls, floor and ceiling are spattered with colour and he can have as many as five or six paintings on the go at various stages of completion. 

Venue: Caryford Hall, Maggs Lane, Castle Cary BA7 7JJ. 2.30 – 4.30pm Thursday 12th January

A.G.M. & Lecture, Thursday 12th January

Reports, Elections, Future Programme etc.

Followed by a talk from JANE BRAYNE ‘Picturing the Past, an artist’s impression’ Caryford Community Hall, Maggs Lane, Castle Cary, BA7 7JJ

Members free Guests £5

Jane has an international reputation as a painter of ancient landscapes.

She was series artist on BBC 2’s Meet the Ancestors. 

Her work is widely published, used in the media and represented in museums including the British Museum

Her career in archaeology began on a dig at Stonehenge and her illustrated children’s book, Archer, Journey to Stonehenge, is a best seller there.

To download the A.G.M. agenda click on the link below:

https://www.brutonartsociety.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/AGM-Agenda-2023.pages

The Christmas Lecture and Party

For the first time in three years members were able to gather at Caryford Hall on 11th December for the annual BAS Christmas party. A full house of about seventy members and guests were treated to a fascinating lecture by Professor Will Vaughan entitled “Shadows in Art”. No-one present will ever see the world in quite the same way again.

“Shadows in Art”

CHRISTMAS LECTURE Thurs 8 Dec

By: WILL VAUGHAN ‘Shadows in Art’ Followed by seasonal refreshments. 

A time to welcome all NEW MEMBERS and to thank our EXHIBITION HELPERS 

Caryford Community Hall, Ansford Park, Castle Cary, BA7 7JJ 

Members free Guests £5 

2.30 – 4.30pm