Welcome to the Hertford Art Society Website

For information about the Art Society and how to become a Member click here.

• Previous
• Next

• 2025-a.jpg
• 2025-b.jpg
• 2025-c.jpg
• 2025-d.jpg
• 2025-e.jpg
• 2025-f.jpg
• 2025-g.jpg
• 2025-h.jpg

Hertford Art Society 27th Members’ Show

Friday 31st October -Sunday 2nd November 2025
At Cowbridge Hall, Cowbridge, Hertford SG14 1PG

This showcase of Members’ work draws a large number of visitors each year and there will be something for everyone: paintings in oils, acrylics and watercolours, 3D works, prints, collages and artworks in other mediums as well as greetings cards produced by the artists. All Members are invited to contribute to this show and last year 58 Members exhibited 198 works. Cowbridge Hall is an excellent venue which shows the work at its best.

There will be a preview of the show on the Thursday evening, 30th October from 6.00-8.00pm for our Friends of Hertford Art Society, where artists, family and friends of the Society can meet over a glass of wine to view the show and perhaps make a purchase.

The Members' Show runs from 10.00am-6.00pm on Friday and Saturday, 1st and 2nd November and from 10.00am-4.00pm on Sunday, 3rd November. We invite you to drop in for tea or coffee and cake and to enjoy the artwork and the artists' greetings cards, all available for sale.

Review of Summer Programme 2025

The weather was outstanding this summer and the 2025 Summer Programme was very enjoyable with a wide variety of venues – villages, towns and countryside as well as a working farm – presenting great opportunities for sketching and painting. In addition to the Tuesday evening sessions there was an opportunity to paint in the Cambridge University Botanic Gardens and an invitation to join spectators at the Hertingfordbury Cricket ground.

Joe Rowson

 
Left: Barges, Hertford Basin; Right: A Friend's Garden

 
Left: Fish and Eels, Dobbs Weir; Right: Bridge over the River Rib

Mike Lawrence

Ray Ward

   
Left: Ray Ward; Middle: Standon Green End Farm; Right: Codicote St. Mary's Church

 
Left: St. Leonard's Church. Bengeo; Right: Braughing

Cambridge Botanic Garden

Paper Craft

Create a Poppy Workshop with Nicola Dobrowolski
30th September 2025

HAS member and master paper crafter Nicola Dobrowolski led this practical workshop in paper crafting. Nicola works on real life scale and larger than life florals for big events and installations, but also has a very varied practice in 3D paper sculpture and 2.5 dimensional paper dioramas. Nicola represented the UK as Master Artisan of Paper Sculpture at the Michelangelo Foundation, and has exhibited and demonstrated in Venice at the HomoFaber biennale. This workshop immediately follows Nicola's installation of hundreds of XL florals at the Four Seasons Hotel London.

All materials were kindly supplied by Nicola - Italian crepe paper in two weights/red, black and green, wire and wax tape. Members had been asked to bring hot glue guns (which were shared), a mat to rest the glue gun and small sharp scissors.

Nicola began by demonstrating the first few stages of the process with these instructions:

• Take wire and, using some soft paper, wind around the top. Bend the wire to secure and continue to mould the paper into a ball shape. Secure end with glue.
• Using the wax tape, cover the ball by wrapping around a few times and then wrapping the tape around the length of wire.
• Double a long piece of black thread, hook around the base of the ball, twist and bring over the top, secure and twist again and repeat 3 more times with equal spacing to form the pistil of the flower.
• Cut a strip of black crepe into fine strands for ¾ of its width, feather the fronds into random directions and wrap and glue it around the base of the pistil to form the stamens of the flower.

Everyone got going on their own flower at this stage. It was busy and Nicola spent time helping out and explaining how to get the best results. The next stages were undertaken with advice as things progressed:

• Cut 4 petals from red crepe – squares with rounded edges on one side. Stretch the centre of the paper, gather at base then glue two opposite each closely around the black core followed by the remaining petals to form the flower. Stretch the paper to spread the petals out. With small piece of green paper cut into two rounded shapes, disguise the base where the red petals meet the wire.
• Cut a square of green crepe paper diagonally and glue this onto a wire with the “veining” of the paper pointing upwards, one piece on top of the other to hide the wire. Trim into leaf shape with scissors.
• Complete by binding the leaf stem in wax tape and then binding the leaf to the flower stem.

And they were done. Everyone had created a poppy. Some larger than others but all looking gorgeous and very professional.

This was a fun evening. The hot glue guns were a challenge. If anyone can get hold of the ingredients for poppies the instructions above should help. The same principle applies to other flowers so the potential is endless. Nicola was full of encouragement as Members tackled this unusual craft project and was thanked for her help and enthusiasm in making this a very enjoyable session.

Portrait in Clay

Demonstration by Ben Twiston- Davies
23rd September 2025

Ben Twiston-Davies has been a figurative sculptor since 2000. His statue of Ebenezer Howard, the founder of the Garden City movement, was installed in the centre of Welwyn Garden City in April 2021 to celebrate the city’s centenary. In 2023 Ben completed a statue of Agatha Christie for her hometown Wallingford, in Oxfordshire. He created the figure, seated on a bench overlooking the Kinecroft, as if she was drawing inspiration for her next novel.

Ben has visited the Society previously to demonstrate his approach to sculpture, to critique Members’ work and as a 3D judge. He was warmly welcomed back.

He invited volunteers to model for him. Ben chose Donna Chamberlain to sit on this occasion. He began to model large lumps of clay on a stand – bent aluminium rod which had been stuffed with some plastic (you could use paper) to create a firm centre and wound with wire to give a “key”. He had tools of various sizes and a wooden mallet.

Ben began by quickly pushing slabs of clay onto the frame to establish the relationship between volume and space. Within minutes he had the form established. He used calipers to transfer the measurements of his model’s head to the sculpture, adding the features and elements, roughly at first, constantly checking and studying the emerging form. He had brought his own tall stool for the model and moved this and his stand so that the model’s head and the sculpture were in tandem. He established the silhouette from various positions, adding and subtracting the soft clay as he worked.

Ben recommends using large tools in order to make big, not fiddly, marks and as he works he pushes the clay around with a large spatula or bats it with his wooden mallet to flatten some of the distinct planes of Donna’s face. He doesn’t follow a particular process, moving from one part of the head to another instinctively as elements demand his attention.

As the head progresses Ben rotates the model, checks dimensions with calipers and angles/distances with smaller tools – chin to nose/corner of nose to outer eye etc. He transfers these measurements from the model’s head to the sculpture, making bold marks on the clay to aid his changes. Ben sprays the work from time to time.

Working with clay has its difficulties, keeping it moist and workable over a period being one of the most important factors as dryer clay shrinks and distorts particularly when working on large sculptures. Having created the clay model, Ben’s works are not fired but are used to make moulds for casting the figures, often in bronze. This is an involved and technical operation which is undertaken by Ben and his team.

In the final stages of this demonstration he turns the model to work on the profiles, refines, re-measures, uses a smaller tool to define the mouth shape and ends by taking a series of photos of Donna from all angles with a view to continuing work later in his studio. (Ben indicated that for commissions, a head such as this would probably take a couple of days to complete to his satisfaction.)

Although unfinished the clay head (created in about an hour and a half) was bold and had character. Throughout the demonstration Ben talked about his career and shared his approach to his work and to teaching. This was a very enjoyable and impressive demonstration and Ben was thanked for sharing his approach with us.

These are comments from his model for the evening:

“Here are my thoughts on the ‘sitting experience’

The thought of sitting under the intense gaze of someone else is intimidating and certainly generated initial thoughts of self doubt, criticism and self consciousness. This might be particularly true for women who are used to having their worth judged on the basis of their appearance. However, these fears and doubts were fleeting. Ben’s conversation and manner quickly fostered relaxation and ease. There were moments when I became conscious of my expression and pose but mostly I tried to remain curious about the process and about what the sculptor was seeing. The opportunity to sit, be still and pause for a moment was very welcome and I felt privileged to have had the opportunity.”

Donna Chamberlain

Visit to Hatfield House

22nd September 2025

In September Hertford Art Society’s President, Lord Salisbury, kindly issued an invitation to the Society for a group visit to Hatfield House. 28 of us gathered at the House on the morning of Monday 22nd, to be met by Lord and Lady Salisbury, and chief guide, Dermot. Members were divided into two groups, led by Lord Salisbury and Dermot. Half way through the 2-hour visit we changed guides, both of whom were quite brilliant.

We were treated not just to the many rooms and galleries open to the public, but also to 4 of Lord Salisbury’s private rooms. All rooms, galleries, and halls are bursting with pictures and mementoes of centuries of the public and private lives of the Cecil family, starting with the 1st Earl of Salisbury, William Cecil, Lord Burghley who was a close adviser and confidant to Elizabeth 1st. The portraits are a pictorial history of the Kings, Queens and aristocracy of this country, from the 16th Century to the present.

Perhaps the most impressive image is ‘The Rainbow Portrait’ - Queens Elizabeth 1st clutching a rainbow hammering home the message ‘no rainbow without the sun’ – i.e. after storm comes Elizabeth, a bringer of peace. She wears a splendid gown adorned with symbols, most notably several eyes and ears: a not very subtle political statement of the surveillance of Tudor society by Elizabeth and her advisors, notably Lord Cecil, this county’s first spymaster. Elsewhere Elizabeth’s hapless rival, Mary Queen of Scots is portrayed.

There are many more friendly portraits including a splendid life-sizes portrait of the present Lord Salisbury casually hanging at the top of a flight of stairs.

The visit was a wonderful opportunity to savour through pictures the impact of the Cecils on English, later British, life throughout the last 500 years. A thoroughly enjoyable two hours courtesy of our President, Lord Salisbury.

Quick Sketches

9th September 2025

This was an untutored session and Members were invited to bring an interesting object to sketch or paint. The display was certainly interesting - items included an African statue, a windmill, a striking blue cat, a leaping metal dolphin, colourful bottles and, from the natural world, a selection of seashells, an intriguing twisted branch and a sheep’s skull. Some colourful fabrics gave an added twist.

The aim of the session was to encourage quick, bold sketches and the timer was set to 10 minutes, after which a change in position brought a new challenge. This was a very enjoyable evening and very well attended. Some Members were ambitious enough to use paints and, as can be seen from the images, there were some impressive results. A few used a large format to overlay and blend the various elements very successfully. Some focused on detailed and exact sketches. A great variety of media was in play. It was fun to work quickly and enjoyable, at the end of the session, to see the variety of work produced.

Winter Programme 2025 - 2026

The Winter Programme 2025-2026 begins on Tuesday 2nd September 2025.

These sessions are on Tuesday evenings from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at Cowbridge Hall, Cowbridge, Hertford SG14 1PG. Approximately half the evenings in the Winter Programme are for Members’ Workshops, some tutor led, some just as a group practice. There may be a small charge for workshop materials. This season includes still life arrangements, life models, printing and paper craft. The remaining evenings are taken up with talks, critiques of paintings brought along by Members or demonstrations from a professional artist.

Visitors are very welcome to come along to talks, demonstrations and critiques of Members’ work (Charge £5).

Saturday Life Workshops will recommence on 27th September 2025 and non-Members are welcome. Charges £20 per session for Members; £25 for visitors. See details on Life Workshops below.

The Members’ Show will be held from Friday 31st October to Sunday 2nd November 2025 and Members can contribute up to 4 paintings or other artworks to this Show.

• Winter Programme 2025 - 2026 (pdf) - click here for more details

Saturday Life Workshops

WHY LIFE DRAWING AND PAINTING? – Some may say it is old fashioned, but practising Life Drawing enhances observation and accuracy. Interpreting the shape of the human body trains the artist to see almost every curve line and subtle undulation found in nature. The satisfaction of producing an acceptable image can be quite intense. It does not happen immediately and demands a great deal of practice to achieve.

Hertford Art Society runs Life Workshops in Cowbridge Halls, Hertford, SG14 1PG on the last Saturday of 9 months during the year. An exception is the October session which is sometimes changed when it coincides with the Members’ Show. The July 2026 session also takes place on the third Saturday in the month. Although these are primarily run for Members we welcome enthusiastic visitors at £25.00 per session, this includes coffee, tea and biscuits, available all day. The sessions are untutored and last from 10.00am – 4.00pm with a break for lunch. We work in in all mediums including prep work for sculpture. Bring whatever medium and equipment you require with you. The photographs below illustrate the exciting variety of work produced by the artists.

There are many different approaches to life drawing which become very obvious during the sessions. We are a very enthusiastic group of artists and in a relaxed atmosphere we learn from each other different skills and methods of working, as well as experimenting with different mediums etc. We do not have a set programme of poses, but usually include short poses and longer poses for artists who wish to produce a more finished piece of work. So why not join us if you haven’t already?

Workshops take place on the last Saturday of the month (except for October) for nine months of the year. They do not take place in April, August and December due to the annual Open Exhibition and holiday periods.

Life Models Workshops within HAS Winter Programme for 2025 - 2026 - 10am - 4pm at Cowbridge Halls, Hertford, SG14 1PG

• Saturday - 27th September 2025
• Saturday – 25th October 2025
• Saturday - 29th November 2025
• Saturday – 31st January 2026
• Saturday - 28th February 2026
• Saturday - 28th March 2026
• Saturday - 30th May 2026
• Saturday - 27th June 2026
• Saturday – 18th July 2026

If you are interested please contact [email protected] for further details.

Cars at the Castle

1st June 2025

Cars at the Castle is one of the largest FREE vehicle shows in Hertfordshire, with an exhibition of over 60 modern and vintage cars and motorcycles, set within the picturesque grounds of Hertford Castle.

This highly popular, family friendly annual event took place on the afternoon of Sunday 1st June 2025 with live music, food and drink stalls and the Castle open for the public to explore - there was something for everyone.

Visitors were able to view a car and cycle themed art exhibition hosted by Hertford Art Society, located in the Mayor’s Parlour, inside the Castle. There was also a display of work and greetings cards for sale in the Society’s Gazebo situated in the Castle grounds. Many thanks to the following Members for contributing work for these displays: Geoff Bennett, Trevor Chamberlain, Debbie Elsden, Gary James, Mike Lawrence, Persis Limbuwala, Angela Roberts, D'Arcy Sallion, Tom Sim, Sally Steele, Neringa Sustensiene, Diane Warburton and Alison Wright. It was a varied and colourful collection of work on this most interesting theme.

Councillor Vicky Smith commented “This is one of Hertford Town Council’s most popular events, with lots for all the family to enjoy.”

Hertford Art Society 72nd Open Exhibition

Saturday 3rd to Saturday 10th May 2025

“Excellent collection – fascinating variety of styles and media”

“Magnificent display of work”   “Very skilled and innovative work on show”

“How wonderfully talented you are! A privilege to enjoy. Thank you.

“Fabulous display”   “A lovely mix of work – as always it doesn’t disappoint”

“Amazing art by amazing artists. Thank you.”

These are just a few of the comments made by visitors during the course of this year’s Exhibition.

There was something for everyone in Cowbridge Hall, a light and airy venue which shows work at its best. There were atmospheric landscapes, townscapes and seascapes; intriguing abstracts; still life images including some gorgeous peaches which made your mouth water; delicate and dramatic flower paintings; engaging and varied portraits and figure paintings, and a lovely variety of animals (relaxed cats, a curious giraffe, two owls quietly resting on their perches, a large model wildcat about to pounce on a ceramic mouse to name but a few). There were dramatic monochrome images. Some works were colourful and bold, others subtle and elusive. There were oils, acrylics and watercolours; etchings, lino prints; pastel, pencil, charcoal and ink and collage. The 3D work included some gorgeous sculpture in clay, stone and wire, ceramic mosaics, decorated pots and a lovely orange bowl with a bee motif.

There was a record number of submissions this year – 450. Our judges selected 315 exhibits including 35 3D works. Thanks go to our Judges - Anne McCormack RI SWA, Greame Unwin and Abel Kestevan for selecting the work for this Exhibition form many fine entries. We are also very appreciative of our sponsors who so kindly contribute to the Society each year. It is a great honour and incentive to receive one of their donated awards.

A childrens’ quiz kept children (and their parents) engaged as they explored the hall for solutions to some very quirky questions. Two additional paintings were displayed at Sworders Auctioneers in St Andrews Street, Hertford.

Thanks go to all the people who contributed in making this, the 72nd Open Exhibition, such a success - it was another exciting and popular show.

Our Treasurer, Geoff Bennett has made a selection of his favourite works from this year’s show. These are:

• ‘Piddle Lane’ - Alison Wright
  
  Deplorably scatological, beautifully painted: a subtle background wash, convincing fencing that had seen better days, clever collaging, and scruffy dogs messing up the foreground. I voted it my favourite painting.
• ‘Only the river knew her name’ - Juni Hounslow
  
  A very black title, a very sombre subject, but only for we adults who know of Ophelia’s fate. I asked a 7- year old girl why she voted it her favourite picture and she said ‘because of the lovely colours and lovely flowers’. So two quite different responses. I prefer the one of innocence.
• Nymphs of the river - Mitiko Murata
  
  This painting starts off as a very vibrant but strongly organised Abstract. Then as you get close it becomes something quite different - a gathering of nymphs relaxing by a river. Sky and water reflect each other and harmonise perfectly with the middle area of dancing figures: ordered chaos. The visitors’ favourite, quite rightly.
• Willstone pond II - Andy Lee
  
  A totally credible summer’s day deep in the countryside. Several tones of green working beautifully together. And a beautifully dappled river gently leading the eye to a background of a field basking in the sun. Why don’t my plein air paintings end up as restful as this?
• Francesca - Kathy Burman
  
  Not a picture actually, but a piece of 3D. I loved this piece for its simplicity. The model is sitting around against a plain white background, completely relaxed, quite content (so I imagine), possibly oblivious of the frantic art all around her.

Many thanks, Geoff, for this personal view.

Award Winners

• The John Goss Prize for Best in Show – Kefalonia Walk by Chris Hewitt
• The Lady Laming Award for best Abstract – Abstract 3 by Geoff Bennett
• The Bill Dale Award for best Member’s work – Approaching Fire by Sarah Merry
• The Mayor's Award for the best 3D work sponsored by The Arts Society East Herts – Figs by Anne Gascoigne
• Best Watercolour sponsored by A S Handover Ltd Brush Manufacturers – Jug and Onions by Robert Sheffield

Open for 8 days the Exhibition attracted many visitors from a wide area. Hundreds of visitors cast their votes for their favourite exhibit.

• Visitors’ Choice Award:
  • Visitors choice: Nymphs of the River by Mitiko Murata
  • Visitors choice runner up: Hanging on by Martin Bushell
• Highly Commended:
  • Harbour Steps by Sally Steele – Watercolour
  • Life Journey by Ali Frewin – 3D

The John Goss Prize for Best in Show
Kefalonia Walk by Chris Hewitt

The Lady Laming Award for best Abstract
Abstract 3 by Geoff Bennett

The Bill Dale Award for best Member’s work
Approaching Fire by Sarah Merry

The Mayor's Award for the best 3D work sponsored by The Arts Society East Herts
Figs by Anne Gascoigne

Best Watercolour sponsored by A S Handover Ltd Brush Manufacturers
Jug and Onions by Robert Sheffield

Visitors choice: Nymphs of the River by Mitiko Murata

Visitors choice runner up: Hanging on by Martin Bushell

Highly Commended: Harbour Steps by Sally Steele – Watercolour

Highly Commended: Life Journey by Ali Frewin – 3D

The John Goss Prize for Best In Show - Chris Hewitt for Kefalonia Walk.

The Lady Laming Award for best abstract work - Geoff Bennett for Abstract 3

The Bill Dale Award to a Member - Sarah Merry for Approaching Fire

The Arts Society East Herts Award for best 3D work - Anne Gascoigne for Figs

The Brushes Award by A. S. Handover for best watercolour - Robert Sheffield for Jug and Onions

Presentation of Mayoral portraits at Hertford Castle

30th April 2025

Dating from the mid-15th Century, Hertford Castle hosts many events throughout the year and houses the offices of the Town Council. It is a beautiful building set in historic grounds.

Each Autumn, Hertford’s Mayor is invited to comes along to a Tuesday evening session at Cowbridge Halls and sit for their portrait. Members of Hertford Art Society enjoy painting and drawing the current Mayor in full regalia and many colourful images result from this enjoyable annual event.

   
Images of Rachel Carter - Mayor 2024
Left: by Daine Warburton; Middle: by Joe Rowson; Right: by Jill Rolfe

A group of Members were delighted to be invited by the current Mayor, Rachel Carter, to present paintings and drawings of herself and the previous Mayor, Vicky Smith, resulting from the two portrait workshops in 2023 and 2024. As these sessions are only 2 hours long, many of the artists had completed their portraits later, using sketches and photographs taken on the night. These paintings and drawings were displayed in the lovely rooms within the castle and the artists were offered drinks and nibbles as the current and previous Mayors, Rachel Carter and Vicky Smith, admired the work and chatted to the Members who had been able to bring their work along.

   
Images of Vicky Smith - Mayor 2023
Left: by Angela Roberts; Middle: by Derek Carey; Right: by Jill Rolfe

   
Left: by Sally Steele; Right: by Mike Lawrence

 
Left: by Joe Rowson; Right: by Kay Frid

This was a very enjoyable evening. Our hosts were warmly thanked for arranging such a pleasant get together. Mayor Rachel Carter is just coming to the end of her term. We will look forward to painting the next Mayor as this has become a traditional part of the Autumn programme.

HArts Fest 2025 at Hertford Castle

Saturday 12th April 2025

Visitors were able to enjoy a series of art and craft stalls, arts and culture based activities in the Hertford Castle grounds at this one-day free family event. The weather was fine and sunny and there were many interested visitors to the Hertford Art Society gazebo.

Children were invited to draw or use collage to decorate cards or Easter egg shapes and their work was displayed while they and their families explored the various stalls.

Angela Roberts and Ray Ward set up their easels to paint en plein air and created a great deal of interest from the visitors.

The event was very well attended and there was a lovely atmosphere created by the live musicians and singers. A broad selection of interesting stalls captured people’s attention and the various refreshments available encouraged families to sit on the lawn and enjoy the entertainment.

 
Left: View from Hertford Castle by Angela Roberts; Right: HArts Fest 2025 by Ray Ward

The forthcoming Open Exhibition which will take place from 3rd – 10th May at Cowbridge Halls, Cowbridge, Hertford, SG14 1PG was promoted and visitors showed great interest in the Society and its various programmes and exhibitions. Greetings cards donated by members were sold during the afternoon as well as some small artworks.

Councillor Ann Woodward, Chair of the Development and Leisure Committee, commented: “HArts Fest 2025 is set to be a fantastic celebration of art and culture in Hertford. Building on last year’s Harts Fest success, for 2025, we have added literature to the scope of the event. We are so lucky to have a wide range of organisations and businesses dedicated to literature, art and wider cultural activities across the town - Hertford Town Council is working in partnership with them to ensure that HArts Fest delivers a diverse programme that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.”

Elijah

Paintings to illustrate Hertford Choral Society’s Easter Concert
29th March 2025

   
Left: By Cherith's brook - Geoff Bennett
Middle: That the son may live - Christie Gilfeather
Right: Cloud arising - John Jarratt

Each year embers of Hertford Art Society are invited to illustrate Hertford Choral Society’s Easter concert, performed in All Saints Church in Hertford. This year’s concert is Mendelssohn’s oratorio ‘Elijah’ which will take place on Saturday 29th March.

This vividly dramatic oratorio draws its text from the Bible and tells the story of one of the fiercest prophets of the Old Testament. It opens with the pronouncement from Elijah that due to the people’s unfaithfulness, there will be a long drought. The following scenes were illustrated by the artists named in brackets.

 
Left: After the earthquake - Ray Ward
Right: By whirlwind to Heaven 1 - Diane Warburton

An Angel advises Elijah to go into the desert and hide by Cherith’s brook where he will drink its waters and be fed by the ravens (Geoff Bennett)

A Widow comes to Elijah (Christie Gilfeather) and asks for his help for her son who is so sick that there is no breath left in him! Elijah prays that the spirit of this child return, that he again may live.

Elijah asks the Lord to regard the distress of His people and to open the heavens and send them relief. A Child sees a little cloud arising now from the waters like a man’s hand. (John Jarratt)

 
Left: By whirlwind to Heaven 2 - Izabella Taylor
Right: Ascending into Heaven - Alison Wright

A mighty wind breaks the rocks of the mountains. The sea is in upheaval, and the earth shaken. After the earthquake comes a fire. (Ray Ward)

The Lord takes Elijah away to heaven in a fiery chariot with fiery horses, he goes by a whirlwind to heaven. (Diane Warburton; Izabella Taylor)

Elisha witnesses Elijah ascend into Heaven (Alison Wilkinson)

With grateful thanks to all the artists who contributed to this colourful and dramatic display.

Spring Flowers Still Life Untutored Workshop

18th March 2025

Members contributed a variety of lovely spring flowers to this untutored workshop including daffodils, tulips and hellebores. There were also interesting pots and vases to draw or paint and several different groupings and layouts. Some artists produced a range of sketches while others concentrated on creating one image.

This was a very enjoyable evening and resulted in some interesting paintings and drawings. Some were bold and colourful, others delicate and detailed.

Printing from a Tetra Pak

Workshop with Jude O‘Sullivan
11th March 2025

We were delighted to welcome back Jude O’Sullivan for this Workshop – a new experience for all of us. Jude started her career as a graphic designer, then progressed to teaching graphics and printmaking in the Further Education sector. She currently teaches all forms of printmaking at Courtyard Arts in Hertford.

Tetra Pak is a branded type of packaging for liquids, originating in Sweden in the mid-20th Century, recyclable and now commonplace. The interior face of the coated paper carton can be used for a distinctive printing process which does require a silver metal coating inside (not always the case).

We were asked to bring a protective cover for the tables (newspaper or plastic), a sharp knife or scalpel, other sharp implements to create lines/impressions, tissues and a soft pencil. If possible also a silver coated Tetra Pak, cut and opened out. A supply of these was kindly provide by Jude, together with paper, printing ink and engraving tools.

For full report, click here for more details.

Watercolour Demonstration by David Hyde

28th January 2025

 
Painting by David Hyde.

David Hyde is a self-taught artist who has exhibited widely, demonstrated at national art shows, teaches watercolour painting and has a wide range of tutorials available on YouTube. This recent venture is to give his artwork some 'purpose' and to share his technique with like-minded people who are already painting or are just starting out. His landscapes are bold and traditional, his animal and bird paintings alive with colour.

This watercolour demonstration had David working with his board upright on the easel – good for the audience, tricky for the artist. Normally he would work on a shallow slant. He had chosen a photo of Houghton Mill, a National Trust site in St. Ives, Cambridgeshire, and had lightly sketched an outline on 140g NOT* rag paper. He used Bockingford watercolour paper which is his normal choice for demonstrations, Arches being his preference for commissions etc.

For full report, click here for more details.

Self Portrait Workshop with Susan James Dean

21st January 2025

Susan James Dean has a degree in Fine Art and a background in art education. She continues to be a visiting artist in schools, delivering drawing and painting workshops. Susan has been a life drawing tutor for many years and for this workshop demonstrates her approach using A3 cartridge paper, graphite, charcoal and rubbers, as well as a mirror! Members were invited to bring any materials they are comfortable with, including colour (soft pastels or crayons). Susan brought supplies of materials to share as needed as well as a huge collection of self-portraits illustrating her bold and varied approach.

Susan begins by describing her background and showing examples of her own work. Her first demonstration is in graphite – using large broken sticks to quickly sketch a large self-portrait. She advised that the lower part of the eye socket represents the approximate half way point of the head and plots the features using this scale. Soft graphite allows for smudging and corrections as the sketch takes shape. She traces, using the mirror, the path of various lines and adds shading, very roughly. The angle of the face must be carefully observed and her advice is to rework and keep correcting, rubbing out highlighted area and enhancing shadows. This results in a lively drawing.

For full report, click here for more details.

Critique with Mike Todd

3rd December 2024

Each month Members are invited to bring one recent artwork for a Critique Evening. This is a traditional element of the Society’s Winter Programme and is normally led by a professional artist or tutor who appraises and comments on the work and gives advice and tips on how it could be improved or enhanced. They may ask the artist what inspired them to paint, draw or sculpt the particular image and how they approached the work. Colour choices are explored, tones evaluated and composition discussed. The presentation of the work is part of this process – the decision of how to crop the image, the choice of mount or frame. Some work is still in progress, hence unframed and suggestions may be made as to framing etc.. Members of the audience are often invited to comment.

For full report, click here for more details.

The Hertford and Ware Flyer

We are delighted that The Hertford and Ware Flyer magazine has chosen to feature paintings by Members of Hertford Art Society on recent editions.

• “The Wine Lodge” an oil painting of Ware High Street by Mike Lawrence was on the cover of the 26th March 2024 edition. Details of the 2024 Open Exhibition were included in the magazine.
• “Hertford Bridge”, a watercolour by Michael Radley featured on the 27th April magazine.
• “All Saints Church, Hertford” another watercolour by Michael Radley was chosen for the cover of the 28th May edition.
• “Love Flowers” an oil painting by Angela Roberts was on the cover of the June issue which also featured on Page 6 an article on the Summer Outdoor Painting Programme and two further paintings, “On the River Lea” by Angela Roberts and “View from Port Hill” by Ray Ward.
• “Gazebos, Ware” in oils by Mike Lawrence on the cover of the 30th July 2024 edition.
• “Jacoby’s Ware”, another oil painting by Mike Lawrence featured on the cover of the 31st August issue.
• “Tunnel at Stapleford” by Geoff Bennet on the cover of the 2ndSeptember 2024 edition.
• “The Maltings, Stanstead Abbotts” by Derek Carey featured on the cover of the 2nd October 2024 issue.
• The November issue featured Ware Church by Mike Lawrence – painting only displayed.
• December edition had a painting by Michael Radley, Hertford Christmas.

A number of other paintings by Members of Hertford Art Society of local scenes – portrait format, especially with a seasonal theme - may feature in future issues.

Fantastic beasts

Clay workshop with Abel Kesteven
12th November 2024

Originally trained as an illustrator, Abel Kesteven is a multi-talented artist who loves to explore new techniques and ideas. He has exhibited widely and over the years has developed a very spontaneous semi-abstract approach to painting, drawing and modelling in clay. We were delighted to welcome him back for this workshop.

He runs drawing, sculpture and monoprint workshops for local art societies and also leads therapeutic art sessions in day centres and care homes in and around his home area of Carshalton, Surrey. Not only does this provide a regular income but is also a source of inspiration, working with adults who have varying degrees of physical and learning difficulty. They have a fearless and unconscious approach to their art which is wonderful to observe and has inspired him to express himself more freely in his own work.

For full report, click here for more details.

Hertford Art Society 26th Members’ Show

Cowbridge Hall, Cowbridge, Hertford SG14 1PG
Friday 1st - Sunday 3rd November 2024

All Members of Hertford Art Society are invited to put work into this Show and this year 58 artists contributed 198 works.

Visitors enjoyed a great variety of artwork in all manner of mediums. Some were bold and colourful, some delicate, some monochrome. There were abstract images which told mysterious stories; atmospheric landscapes, townscapes and seascapes; still life images (two giant scones topped with jam looked delicious), boats and cranes; flower paintings in many exciting styles; engaging portraits and figures (one of passengers on a tube train, caught in their own worlds); and brilliant images of animals and birds. There was a spooky corner as the opening evening was Halloween. 3D work featured in wire, wood and ceramic and two displays of fruit on large reclaimed pieces of bark which had been imaginatively painted.

There was a quiz for children to seek out answers as they looked around (with a bit of help from their parents!) and a great selection of arty greetings cards.

Many Members helped to set up this 3 day show. There is a great deal of work involved and grateful thanks go to all the Members who gave their time and to the stewards who greeted visitors and ensured that all ran smoothly.

The Show was very well received and visitors commented on the wide variety of exhibits, something to please everyone. Many were also delighted to be able to enjoy the refreshments and homemade cakes contributed by Members.

Prizewinners

Marie Goldsmith Award for a Member with a high standard of work who has served the Art Society well without formal recognition

• The World in Boxes by Jenny Stratfold - Collage

Stephen Lowe Award for most intriguing work

• Fascinating Rhythm by Marianne Dorn - Mixed Media

Visitors’ Choice Award

• Flowers for you by Anne Roworth - Acrylic

This year there was an extra prize awarded for The Best Title

• Circles of pleasure by Ray Ward - Acrylic

There was also a Raffle of a beautiful flower painting kindly donated by Eugenia Alekseyev.

The World in Boxes by Jenny Stratfold - Collage

Fascinating Rhythm by Marianne Dorn - Mixed Media

Flowers for you by Anne Roworth - Acrylic

Circles of pleasure by Ray Ward - Acrylic

Autumn painting and drawing workshop

29th October 2024

This was an untutored session and Members worked in various mediums, sketching and painting the superb arrangements of plants, watering cans, pumpkins etc. kindly provided by Michael Radley.

There was something for everyone – from delicate orchids to sturdy pots and watering cans and Members appreciated the challenge of capturing an image in the space of two hours. Some used watercolours, others acrylics or pencil.

For full report, click here for more details.

Introduction to Gelli printing

Demonstration by Mitzie Green
8th October 2024

Mitzie Green is a painter and printmaker who enjoys working in a playful and spontaneous manner where unexpected results are allowed to happen. She has exhibited widely and runs regular workshops.

For this demonstration Mitzie is equipped with a Gelli pad (a durable, reusable plate that looks and feels like gelatin), large tubes of acrylic paints (Amsterdam brand, but any will do), small roller, ‘Logan wrap’ parchment paper (easy to use semi-transparent sheets similar to greaseproof paper), stencils, stamps, brushes and water/rags for cleaning up.

Mitzie applies paint directly from the tube to the Gelli pad and rolls it to a smooth layer. She then quickly cleans the roller on a blank sheet of paper before applying a stencil on top of the paint and a piece of parchment paper which she presses and then rolls firmly on top of the stencil to obtain a print. A second “ghost print” is then taken. The plate is then cleaned. The sheet on which the roller has been cleaned builds up a great texture and pattern of its own.

For full report, click here for more details.

Colour Workshop with Vanda Campbell

17th September 2024

Vanda Campbell is a painter and sculptor who has exhibited widely and runs courses and workshops from her studio in Saffron Walden. She provided members with a very thought-provoking and entertaining Colour Workshop. Colour theory is a body of principles that provide guidance on the relationship between colours and the physiological impacts of certain colour combinations. Vanda explained the three rules of colour and demonstrated how great artists - contemporary and historic - consistently applied these rules to their work

For full report, click here for more details.

Society's aim

The Society's aim is to encourage interest in the visual arts and to provide opportunities to practice, study and exhibit art in Hertford and the surrounding area.

It is well regarded for the high standard of artworks on display at the annual Open Exhibition. Submissions are received from across Hertfordshire as well as other parts of the country.

Members work in a range of media and styles from traditional painting in oils, pastel, watercolours and acrylics to printmaking, collage, multi-media and digital – computer based imagery. Three dimensional work in wood, clay, stone and metal is also well represented.

This diversity and an approach to art which values traditional skills alongside contemporary art forms combine to make Hertford Art Society a leading light in the local art world.