my first landscape in oils

Hartley Vale
Blue Mountains NSW

Oil on

Canvas Board
35 x 45 cm

In preparation for
John Wilson’s
Landscape in Oils Workshop

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Norma Jones, my watercolour tutor, gave of her time and expertise today to go through colour mixing techniques and her knowledge of painting the Australian landscape in oil with me, in an all day painting session in her studio at home.

Realising that the upcoming Workshop with John Wilson would be very advanced for me, having no experience in painting landscapes let alone Australian landscapes. Norma thought I would benefit from a quick run down 'crash course!'

I had a wonderful day painting this from one of her many photo references. We painted together, each setting up a canvas side by side.

This private tutorial starting with equipment, laying the paint out, through to sketching and painting. The only thing we didn’t do was sign the bottom of each of our works on completion.

I was not expecting to leave with an actual oil painting of an area i love and painting this today had me feeling quite melancholy and with distant sounds of the Currawongs i was transported there if only momentarily through this painting porthole!

A big thank you Norma, for your generosity,time, kindness, patience and passing of your knowledge and most of all your support. Her love of art transfers itself and is very contagious. I like you Norma, love it all, and it is as you say... "there is just not enough time!"

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Norma Jones, is a Sydney based artist.

She is currently an active member in the Bankstown Art Society where she tutors and exhibits, as well as other art societies in the Sydney metropolitan area.

Her early academic training was as a commercial artist and dress designer.

Norma has a passion for art and has worked across a variety of mediums including watercolours, oils, pastels and charcoal. This enthusiasm transfers itself in her classes and her vast experience is a valuable asset to those she instructs.

Norma has a brilliant eye for draftsmanship and her knowledge of composition, colour and painting skills combine adding interest and drama to her works in both contemporary and traditional styles.

Her works have been successfully exhibited in Sydney and rural New South Wales winning numerous awards.

Norma is sort after for workshops and demonstrations in both watercolours and oils.

Her work is represented in many private and public collections here in Australia and overseas.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate her on her awards at the Bankstown 50th Annual Art Exhibition.