COOKHAM FESTIVAL 2009 

A Celebration of Arts and Music

Friday 24 April 2009 - Monday 4 May 2009

2009 Cookham Festival Highlights

ART WORKSHOPS - CHARCOAL DRAWING

25 April 2009 - The Parish Centre

with thanks to Sue Stacey

(click on photo for larger image)

I've just returned from a charcoal drawing workshop at Holy Trinity Parish Centre inspired by the wildlife pictures of Ralph Thompson. Sounds dull - not at all. The pictures are stunning and beautifully executed but it's not easy to spot the odd lion or rhino in Cookham. Luckily tutor Paul Robbens is a film.T.V. model maker and he brought along some of his creations as our inspiration.

Paul loosened us up with quick sketches of a comedy rubber chicken (yes really) using only 7 unconnected lines plus shading. Throughout the morning we moved onto various other animals both real and imaginary always working very freely relying on shading rather than outline to give life and detail. I never expected to be ending the session drawing a dead dog!

Everyone felt quite challenged but thoroughly enjoyed the morning. Paul is running another session next Saturday and Ralph Thompson's fabulous pictures can be seen every afternoon at the Parish Centre. Definitely worth a visit.