Painters Online

www.painters-online.co.uk 59 October 2020 artist t Clairefontaine & The Artist Exhibition Awards Jenny Aitken Oystercatchers, oil, 8 3 12in (20 3 30cm). Jenny is a regular contributor to The Artist and has created exclusive online video demonstrations for our Studio members. She explains: ‘I love to see these beautiful birds on the coast. Their joyous peeping always makes me smile - hopefully that comes across in the painting! I wanted to get a sense of light, movement, sparkle and salt in the air. I painted the birds first, in thin oils, then added the water and rocks. I find it easier to paint the subject first, then make the surroundings work to support it.’ www.jennyaitken.co.uk u Daler-Rowney & The Artist Exhibition Awards Eleanor King Red Kite over Dartmoor, watercolour, 13½ 3 16½ in (34 3 42cm). Eleanor studied Foundation Art at Harrow Art School, and trained as a graphic designer with a large commercial art studio in London. Freelance self-employment followed and with a foundation of sound drawing skills underpinning her work, she enjoyed incorporating illustrative elements into her designs. After a period of absence from the design world raising a family, and studying for another career, Eleanor returned to the world of art in 2015 after a painting holiday in Scotland inspired her to explore the technical challenges posed by watercolours. www.e-king.art u Caran d’Ache/Jakar & The Artist Exhibition Awards Estelle Robinson Self Portrait, pastel, 12 3 16½ in (30 3 42cm). Estelle tells us that she is ‘inspired by colour, expression, good light or anything that catches my eye with the challenge being to create the perfect tones and shadows, I love contrast. I really enjoy portraits and have attempted my own many times from life, but with limited success. So I finally succumbed to The Selfie. I took lots and lots of photos and hated them all. The one I used for the painting was the last one, hence the wry smile as I was feeling a bit of an idiot. The good news is that my family recognised that it was me instantly! ‘Art is a hobby for me and a mile away from my day job but it is a significant pastime. In the early days pencil was my medium of choice but I now paint mostly in pastel. It was the discovery of textured pastel papers that was a revelation; for me they turned pastels into a versatile and forgiving medium that affords bright and vibrant colours. Using both sticks and pencils, I can build up in layers to achieve a sharp and detailed finished piece.’ www.estellerobinson.com