TAS Newsletter Spring 05 Vol 3 p5

Although I was educated and worked all my life as a designer draughtsman and engineer and later, in marketing and publicity, I had always wished that I might somehow make use of a modest talent for drawing. This was engendered by my father showing me once upon a time how to draw a horses' head. I have never forgotten his advice and continued to draw but mostly aeroplanes and racing cars.
At school in the late 30's and early 40's we were never taught to paint and I don't remember handling a paint brush until I retired in 1986 (except, of course, a house painting brush when my wife insisted). I remember those tedious school drawing lessons so well - they mostly seemed to be long sine waves to which one attached ivy or laurel leaves. However, they must have been of some use because I achieved a distinction in art in the, then, matriculation exams

The war years followed during which time I didn't draw or paint at all. After the war my job was as a designer draughtsman, the worst possible occupation for anyone wishing to be an amateur artist. Exactitude is the draughtsman's byword. Lines must be straight. Curves drawn with a compass. Freedom and inspiration were subdued.

When I retired I decided I must take up art again and I chose oil painting as a starting point. Not a great success. I was too anxious to see my results quickly and the paint never seemed to dry. OK so I'll try Acrylic! Wrong again - this time it dried too quickly. So what about water colour? This seemed to work for me and I have stuck with it ever since. It is a wonderful medium and has such charm and delicacy. I also get on well with pen and ink and watercolour washes work well with this medium. I still regard myself as a draughtsman however, and drawing and outdoor sketching gives me enormous pleasure.

I joined the Waterside Art Society some several years ago and then was introduced to the Totton Three-Score Club. Eventually they invited me to become an instructor and I must say this has given me a huge impetus. I get a real "buzz" out of teaching others. The work requires me to prepare a subject once or twice a month and means that I sketch whenever I can (I always take a pad on holiday with me). I cannot stress too much the advantages of sketching and, in particular, retaining all the sketches, good and bad, for reference purposes. As an example, I append a little pen and ink sketch done in Dorset last November. I have since painted this scene. If there is one thing I have learnt from drawing and painting it is be observant and that gives a tremendous plus to ones lifestyle.

A few years back now I joined Totton Art Society and found it a very friendly and active group. Their demonstration evenings are always helpful and the annual exhibitions so well organized by an enthusiastic committee who are always striving to improve the standard of work submitted and at the same time the image of this highly successful group of amateur artists.My thanks to the TAS Committee and the many friends I have made in the Society. I wish them well and know that they will go on from strength to strength.

David Jary

*Spring 2005 Volume 3 No. 1 Page 5*		THIS ISSUE PAGES 1 2 3 4 - 6 7 8 9 OTHER ISSUES © TOTTON ART SOCIETY All text and images are copyright and should not be copied without permission.
Although I was educated and worked all my life as a designer draughtsman and engineer and later, in marketing and publicity, I had always wished that I might somehow make use of a modest talent for drawing. This was engendered by my father showing me once upon a time how to draw a horses' head. I have never forgotten his advice and continued to draw but mostly aeroplanes and racing cars. At school in the late 30's and early 40's we were never taught to paint and I don't remember handling a paint brush until I retired in 1986 (except, of course, a house painting brush when my wife insisted). I remember those tedious school drawing lessons so well - they mostly seemed to be long sine waves to which one attached ivy or laurel leaves. However, they must have been of some use because I achieved a distinction in art in the, then, matriculation exams The war years followed during which time I didn't draw or paint at all. After the war my job was as a designer draughtsman, the worst possible occupation for anyone wishing to be an amateur artist. Exactitude is the draughtsman's byword. Lines must be straight. Curves drawn with a compass. Freedom and inspiration were subdued. When I retired I decided I must take up art again and I chose oil painting as a starting point. Not a great success. I was too anxious to see my results quickly and the paint never seemed to dry. OK so I'll try Acrylic! Wrong again - this time it dried too quickly. So what about water colour? This seemed to work for me and I have stuck with it ever since. It is a wonderful medium and has such charm and delicacy. I also get on well with pen and ink and watercolour washes work well with this medium. I still regard myself as a draughtsman however, and drawing and outdoor sketching gives me enormous pleasure. I joined the Waterside Art Society some several years ago and then was introduced to the Totton Three-Score Club. Eventually they invited me to become an instructor and I must say this has given me a huge impetus. I get a real "buzz" out of teaching others. The work requires me to prepare a subject once or twice a month and means that I sketch whenever I can (I always take a pad on holiday with me). I cannot stress too much the advantages of sketching and, in particular, retaining all the sketches, good and bad, for reference purposes. As an example, I append a little pen and ink sketch done in Dorset last November. I have since painted this scene. If there is one thing I have learnt from drawing and painting it is be observant and that gives a tremendous plus to ones lifestyle. A few years back now I joined Totton Art Society and found it a very friendly and active group. Their demonstration evenings are always helpful and the annual exhibitions so well organized by an enthusiastic committee who are always striving to improve the standard of work submitted and at the same time the image of this highly successful group of amateur artists.My thanks to the TAS Committee and the many friends I have made in the Society. I wish them well and know that they will go on from strength to strength. David Jary		David Jary Photo: Di Alexander U.R.C. Church at Romsey by David Jary Bridge at East Stoke, Dorset Ink and graphite pencil by David Jary

Photo: Di Alexander

U.R.C. Church at Romsey

by David Jary

Bridge at East Stoke, Dorset Ink and graphite pencil

by David Jary