MEMBERS of Newton St Cyres Art Group received a most absorbing demonstration by internationally-renowned local artist John Haysom at their September meeting.

John made use of charcoal and black Conte crayon to create sketches full of depth, tone and atmosphere.

Three sketches completed with great skill raised our awareness of the importance of both linear and aerial perspective, a range of tones and a need to concentrate on feeling and atmosphere rather than on fine details that can be added later.

His presentation was both amusing and informative.

John used very thick charcoal and fine crayon to produce a great variety of marks, as he drew an imposing elephant, full of attitude, and a scene of two figures on an empty beach, looking out to sea, with distant headlands and a moody sky.

He told us he had spent many hours observing and drawing people, and animals, and this was clear from the confident way he was able to sketch both.

He recommended sketching with charcoal en plein air, as it’s easily portable and less challenging than paints, and results can be surprisingly good, and also drawing what we see, rather than what we think we know.

The demonstration inspired many of us to pick up charcoal and sketchbooks right away.

Jenny Hallam