Thanks to a happy mix of events, the South Delta Artists Guild is presenting an outstanding two-day figure drawing and painting workshop next month in its studio at Gallery 1710.
Set for June 10 and 11, the workshop will be led by world-renowned English artist Gary Long, a figurative artist and university instructor now living and working in Cornwall (birthplace of the Ladner brothers) who also loves to paint his impressions of coast, sea, sky and weather.
Working with a professional model, he will lead artists through the fundamentals of interpreting the nude on paper or canvas, with individual instruction and interactive comment as the work proceeds.
Long attended Birmingham College of Art, then basically started his career by working for two years as an illustrator in Vancouver, where he met and married Pat, from White Rock. They moved back to England where Long attended the Manchester College of Art, after which time his career took off, particularly in the field of illustration.
He worked with Saatchi and Saatchi, one of the largest and most successful advertising agencies in the world, freelanced with famous authors such as American Judy Blume, and with many national and international companies. He was commissioned to paint six pictures for the luxury liner Queen Mary II in 2002, and he is an elected member of the Society of Illustrators in New York.
Long combines producing work for several exhibitions annually with an active career as part-time lecturer at the University College Falmouth, and he also runs art courses at the St. Ives School of Painting, and in Italy.
Workshop coordinator Coral Gurney first heard about Long a few years ago from a new neighbour, a cousin of the artist. As she learned more about the artist, and found that he and Pat had scheduled a visit this summer, things clicked, and he was invited to consider leading a guild workshop, which is now open for registration.
Figure Drawing and Painting with Gary Long – Oil, Acrylic or Watercolour runs Wednesday, June 10 and Thursday, June 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost (including professional model) is $230 ($225 for members). Registration deadline is June 9.
Full details can be found at https://artistquarter.com/sdag/courses/view/id/1747. Gurney can be reached at 604 943-5429.
