The current “stay at home” requirements are leading local people to try new and innovative experiences and even to find outlets for their artistic abilities.
To assist the experienced or inexperienced who may wish to dabble in painting, awarded local artist Ross Driver is providing a free on-line step-by-step tutorial in the use of watercolours.
He has created a Facebook page under the name Ross Driver’s Water Colour Group.
Ross, who has been teaching art at U3A for seven years and has also instructed courses at Central Queensland University Bundaberg Campus, said he was responding to requests from students and locals looking for a creative outlet.
“There is no doubt the current lockdown associated with the COVID-19 pandemic has provided an opportunity for people to engage in art, and watercolours is a marvellous artistic medium.
“The tutorial involves a series of more than 30 images which step the student through the process from the original picture to the finished artwork.”
Ross Driver said he had selected an old rusty ute as the subject matter because it involved a reasonably simple use of colours which gave a beautiful end result.
“One of my students, Sammy, because of her nursing background has been recalled to duties because of the current emergency. She messaged me that her relaxation after being at work is to come home and pick up a brush and paint,” he said.
“I hope there are many others like Sammy who can find solace in the creativity that art can produce.”
Ross said he had already been receiving examples on the Facebook page from people who had followed the course and provided their own interpretations of the rusty ute.
“The next challenge for participants will be a Sumatran tiger I photographed at Dubbo Zoo in 2016.”
Simply look for Ross Driver’s Water Colour Group to learn more.
