Illustrated Talks on Art
by Robin Gray

Picasso: the Early Years, Blue and Rose Periods, Discovery of Cubism, and Picasso’s Symbolism.
Modern Sculpture. A look at sculpture of the last 100years.
The Invention of Photography. How it was influenced by Painting and the influence photography had on Painting.
Beautiful Objects made from early plastics. Items from Robin and Sue Gray’s fabulous collection of beautiful and interesting items made of plastic. The slides show handbags, dressing table objects, jewellery, and other beautiful things, many of which can now be seen in the Bakelite Museum. Some are from the 19th century!
The Interesting world of Printed Ephemera. A look at the art to be found in such every day things as paper bags, advertising, and greetings cards of yesteryear.
The History of Posters. Robin has a fabulous collection of slides showing the development of posters from the days of Toulouse Lautrec to the present day.
Introducing the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.
An Artist’s Choice. In this popular talk, Robin shows some of his favourite pictures and talks enthusiastically about why they are important to him. Also included are some of his own paintings.
The First Artists. This slide show introduces paintings in the caves of France and Spain. It deals with how and where they were produced and asks the question, Why?
Cave Artist of today. This is an interesting show involving artists who are known personally to robin. Ait also includes earlier work by Herbert Balch and John Hassall. Artists from the International Society for Spelaeological Art included are David Bellamy, Ceris Jones and Mark Lumley.
Turner and Constable: England’s greatest Painters.
Paintings of Robin Gray: from abstracts of the 60s and 70s to the present day.
There are many other possible slide shows and Robin is happy to discuss a groups needs. All the talks are entertaining as well as being informative. They are suitable for non-painting partners, and for students taking A levels and GCSE.

Illustrated Talks start at just £140 depending on distance and last about one and a half hours. Some talks also include actual artefacts to examine.

Art Workshops
By Robin Gray

An Introduction to Paper Sculpture. This one day workshop introduces the traditional art of paper sculpture. Using a basic set of tools, wonderful designs and figures can be created. Students learn the basic tricks of manipulating paper and will finish the day with either a group of quire boys or a full dressed knight. A basic set of tools is provided in the cost. Students will need to bring a good sharp pair of scissors.
All about Pen Drawing. The workshop introduces the use of quill and reed pens, steel dippers and the modern tubular pen and fibre tipped liner. It introduces illustration techniques and shows the difference between wash and pen and pen and wash. The workshop is ideal for those who like drawing and leads naturally toward illustration. Pens, papers, and inks are provided at cost.
A Still Life in Graphite. This workshop introduces the different forms of Graphite and how to use them. A large group of objects is provided and students work on a large scale to produce a finished, fully toned drawing. An upright easel is preferred, but students can sit at two chairs if they prefer. A minimum of A2 sized paper will be required. All graphite and paper is provided.
Try Edition Stencil Pictures. Here we learn the technique of stencil making and the production of beautiful, many coloured print editions. Stencil Card, knives and paper can be provided at cost.
Intaglio Printing the Easy Way. Here Robin introduces and new and exciting method of producing multicoloured print editions with very simple equipment.
Life Drawing Tuition. If you want help and advice for an all day Life drawing session, Robin will be happy to help. You will need a warm, well lit room, with maybe extra electric fires, a private changing area or screen and of course a model. ( models can be found by me but it is often cheaper to find a local model ). Paper and drawing materials can be provided.
Introduction to Abstract Painting in Mixed Media.
Introduction to Non Figurative Abstract Painting. A fascinating and rewarding experience.
Introducing Oils or Acrylic Painting. Here the various techniques are demonstrated and everyone will be able to get started on these important and permanent techniques.
Outside Sketching Techniques. In this workshop, based on a country walk with a stop for lunch, Robin introduces a number of simple techniques for the gathering of useful information. Short stops will be interspersed with longer ones. We will not be chasing the changing colours with watercolour. We will be using dry materials and water-soluble pencils to produce sketches that can be turned into finished painting back in the studio.

Robin is always ready to discuss a group’s particular requirement for a workshop. He is an expert in materials and has taught children, students and adults successfully for more years than he chooses to remember.
If your group would like a small shop of materials to be provided at a workshop, please request it when booking.
Workshop prices start at £250 and materials can be supplied at cost where they are not included as part of the price. Please enquire with your particular requirements.
The usual times for a workshop are as follows.
Start 10.00 am. Continue till 1. 00 pm. Break for Lunch. 2.00 pm till 4.00 pm. plenary session till 4.30pm

Painting and Drawing Demonstrations
By Robin Gray

A Still Life Drawing in Graphite. This is a popular and highly entertaining demonstration produced on an A1 piece of paper. Robin sets up an interesting and demanding group of objects, together with back drape and lighting. He explains his choice of objects and makes sure that both he and the audience can see. He explains the process as it builds, with other entertaining information and stories. This is a very vigorous demonstration which usually results in a fully toned and finished drawing, together with a pair of very black hands.
Underground Adventure. Another very popular demonstration, involves the use of oil pastel. Robin is Chairman of The International Society for Spelaeological Art and is still very involved in cave exploration. The demonstration, on a large (A1) sheet of black paper shows the beauty of the underground landscape and includes cavers going about their sometimes dangerous hobby. The demonstration deals with all you need to know about this permanent form of painting and also includes information and stories about this exciting pursuit.
Sketching Techniques. This useful demonstration shows four possible ways of dealing with drawing from life out of doors. Producing a sketch which might be turned into a finished painting in the studio is the main reason for going, so the sketch has to eliminate the unimportant and provide accurate information to work from. The materials demonstrated are easy to find and are inexpensive but they will prove invaluable. The demonstration results in at least four different pictures.
Mixed Media Abstract. The demonstration can be adapted to provide a subject suited to the interests of the group. It could relate to the discovery of cubism by Braque and Picasso, working from a still life arrangement, or be made from shape and colour relationships in the form of a completely non-figurative painting. Both involve knowledge of materials and how they work together. The finished painting will be on an A1 sheet and hopefully well composed and dynamic.
Using real Gouache. Real Gouache, the type often referred to as ‘continental gouache’ is quite different to ‘designer’s gouache’. Designer’s Gouache is totally opaque, while the original gouache can be used transparently as well as thickly. Gouache can be mixed with less water to make a more opaque paint and it is possible to cover that which is underneath. The Designer’s Gouache was developed in the 20s and 30s to provide flat areas of completely opaque colour for poster design and commercial art.
This is a landscape demonstration. Subjects might be a scene along the River Nile, a mountain landscape or the Somerset landscape round Glastonbury.
Working in Mono-chrome. A painting in Continental Gouache or water soluble wax pastels, possibly a moon lit landscape.
Robin’s Famous Fish. Always a popular subject at Art in Action, Robin has built up a reputation for vigorous and entertaining demonstrations using water soluble wax pastels.
The giant wax pastels made by Caran d’Ache provide and enormous amount of colour and the end product is always lively.

The Wonderful World of Bygones. Here is an event for club fund raising and for having a great fun evening. Robin has been a keen collector of unusual objects for most of his life and has appeared on TV antiques programs. He brings a selection of about 25 unusual objects and challenges the club to identify them. All answer sheets, pencils, etc are provided and everyone can examine the treasures. After a glass of wine or a coffee, Robin reveals all, with some hilarious descriptions of what the objects are. The Lucky winners receive their choice from a selection of Antique prints. One club is on their third table of objects and numbers have to be limited due to the success of the game;
A GREAT FUND RAISER!

Demonstrations
of Caran d’Ache Art Materials
by Robin Gray
Demonstrations are available on request, to Art Societies, Retail Outlets, Schools, and Art Groups.
The demonstrations are free subject to certain conditions. Please write with two or three alternative dates to:-
Jakar International Limited, Hillside House, London. N12 9BX
E-mail info@jakar.co.uk Website:www.jakar.co.uk
Telephone 020 8445 6376

For other demonstration robingrayartworks@yahoo.co.uk
07968 287961

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