Painting wildlife in acrylic workshop July 13th 2019, New Forest, Hampshire

I will be running a wildlife painting workshop using acrylics this summer on the edge of the New Forest national park, Hampshire

I have worked with acrylics as a wildlife illustrator and artist for over 25 years and find this versatile medium perfect for achieving the details that I love to capture in my paintings.

On this workshop, I will share some of my techniques and tips for painting wildlife which I use as an illustrator and painter, leading participants through the painting of an animal subject. During the workshop I will also cover composition and choice of subject matter, habitats, sketchbooks and use of photography.

This is an opportunity for anyone who has struggled with acrylics or would like to broaden their knowledge of working with this paint to experiment and learn with the emphasis on nature inspired art.  The day is all about relaxing and enjoying working with acrylics in the company of other artists and leaving with new techniques to try in your own work.

Hulse Hall, where I will be running this workshop, is set in the heart of Breamore village on the A338 and surrounded by countryside.  The hall is easily located from Ringwood or Salisbury.

Tea, coffee, biscuits and homemade cake is supplied. Please bring a packed lunch.

Parking outside the hall.

For further information or to book your place on the workshop please email me on the address below or call. Spaces are limited to just 15 so contact me asap to secure a place.

Email: kim.thompson7@btinternet.com

Tel: 01725 511 878  mobile 07946 594 482

The Rook

I just had to paint this portrait of a Rook. They are such gregarious, busy birds, always peering into bins or marching across farmland in large groups. This particular bird was hanging around the cafe at a zoo and watching every sandwich and sausage roll that was consumed. My offer of a crust was immediately accepted and afforded a fabulous opportunity to study the brilliant, petrol hues in his plumage. I loved painting the details in his beak, all those scratches and scruffiness of skin and the fluff of silky feathers around the eye. He was a beautiful and fun subject to capture as I recalled his confidence and interest. No aggression at all just a patience in the wait for a snack. I painted him against white on a board measuring 24 x 34 inches and he is quite a presence in a room with his clever eye staring straight out at you!

Surrey Contemporary Art Fair 16th - 17th March 2019

This year I will be taking part in Surrey Contemporary Art Fair at Sandown Racecourse, Esher. Recently I have been exploring new ideas and developing a more contemporary feel to my work. It has been exciting to paint on a much bigger scale with some pieces measuring a metre square and featuring large portraits of birds and animals. I still enjoy the details and realism that is a feature of my illustration style but now combine this with more abstract backgrounds. Equally I have been exploring textures and patterns and drawing some of this into my backgrounds, layering both and working into the surface of the board. Painting with acrylics and oils allows for some exciting developments as you are often not too sure how experiments will turn out. Watch this space as more paintings emerge from the studio and from my field trips out into the New Forest for inspiration!
Meanwhile, at the art fair in Surrey I will have some of my recent work on show as well as some gorgeous prints on canvas and archival paper. I have also printed some of my earlier work as bigger canvases including Zebra Storm which looks amazing as a big print I hope to see you there! For details please visit the art fair website

www.contemporaryartfairs.co.uk

Wildlife and Animal Art exhibition with Hampshire Open Studios August 18 - 27, 2018

I will once again be setting up my studio space and gallery at Courtens Garden Centre, Whiteparish in the beautiful countryside on the border of Hampshire and Wiltshire. Open studios is a hugely popular arts event which attracts those with a passion for the arts and who enjoy meeting and supporting artists and makers across the county.
I will have new originals on show at the event and will be painting on most days whilst I am at Courtens. Visitors are welcome to come in for a chat, show me their own art work and discuss different techniques. If you are interested in a commission I am happy to discuss your options.
I will also have a range of greetings cards and prints available to buy.

The event runs from AUGUST 18th - 27th, 2018 10 am - 4pm

Courtens Garden Centre has good parking and wheelchair access and The Shed cafe serves delicious cakes, light lunches and afternoon teas. As well as my art on show, visitors can browse the unusual plant selection, stock up on gardening essentials or shop in the well stocked gift shop with unusual gifts and cards on sale.

My listing can be found in the Hampshire Open Studios brochure and website. I am venue Number 72.

http://www.hampshireopenstudios.org.uk/

The venue address is:
Courtens Garden Centre
Romsey Road
Whiteparish
SP5 2SD


A map can be found on the garden centre website:
www.courtensgardencentre.co.uk

Nature in Art 21 - 27 May 2018

I am delighted to be returning to Nature in Art in May 2018 and look forward to another week of working in their wonderfully relaxing studio. I will be bringing a selection of new pieces in acrylic and oils and will be painting through the day if anyone wants to come and have a chat. I will also have some of my illustrations from past projects as well as sketchbooks and works in progress and plenty of prints and cards available to buy. 

For more information please visit the Nature in Art website  http://natureinart.org.uk/

This year I will also be running a workshop at Nature in Art in June on painting in acrylics and will hopefully inspire those attending the two days to experiment with this wonderfully versatile medium.

See you there!

Iona House Gallery Christmas Exhibition 2017

This winter I am exhibiting eight paintings at the Iona House Gallery Christmas exhibition which runs from November 25th 2017 to January 7th 2018. 

The paintings vary in size from smaller portraits of a male pheasant and a Bengal Tiger, a study of a Barn Owl and a medium sized painting of a Serval with a rather lovely frame. There are also four more contemporary looking metre square paintings of an Eagle Owl, a Snowy Owl , a Zebra and a 'Coloured Cob'. Most of the paintings are in acrylics on board or canvas but the horse is painted in oil. 

I have been working hard for the past 6 months to complete all the paintings for this show and hope very much that it will attract plenty of visitors. For more information and to view an online gallery where you can also purchase artworks please go to the Iona House Gallery website: 

https://www.ionahousegallery.org/collections/christmas-exhibition-25-november-2017-7-january-2018

Here are some of the pieces available in the exhibition: