Art Picnic at the Rose Theatre, Kingston, 29 Jan 2012

Report by Ros Newby

On a cold, frosty and not quite bright enough January morning when it would have been very easy to stay home, I set off for our first art picnic of the year.  This time we were venturing out of the borough to The Rose theatre, Kingston, lured by the promise of interesting vistas, both architectural and social.  The picnic was to be based in the Culture Café but we were to have the run of the public areas of the building with all the rooftop and townscape views through the expansive windows and intriguing perspectives on the ‘industrial chic’ architectural features of the building itself from its three floors.

It turned out to be an even more stimulating and enjoyable day than any of us had expected.  Not only were the temperature and the welcome warm but, as luck would have it, there were additional attractions  for us.  In the morning a play reading group, The Versophiles, were rehearsing King Lear in the auditorium and agreed to let us go in to sketch it (and them - provided we ‘knocked 10 years off’  their ages with our drawings!)  How idyllic – practising our drawing skills while listening to a semi-professional (many of the group are working actors) performance of Shakespeare.

After a brief show-and-tell session with our highly supportive and encouraging tutor Emily and our picnic lunch (amply complemented by cake and coffee from the Culture Café) we resumed our sketching.

The afternoon’s treat turned out to be the monthly Swing Dance – a Tea-Dance style event in the café with ballroom, Latin and jive recordings provided by a devoted duo, supported by a very enthusiastic group of dancers, clearly enjoying their Sunday afternoon and oblivious to or unperturbed by our attempts to capture their moves with pencil and paper.  Needless to say, some of us joined in with the dancing and vowed to go back for more!

The Rose picnic was only the first of the season but exemplifies the whole spirit of the idea which is to provide a venue (indoors in winter, outdoors in warmer weather) with landscape or architectural interest, a tutor and a group of people to learn or improve with or simply to spend the day drawing or painting with others.  Absolutely no previous experience of drawing is needed – that’s what the tutor is for! – and  families are particularly welcome.  The full year’s programme is always available on the Trust’s website and we try to introduce some new venues every year with some firm favourites featuring more regularly.  I have a feeling The Rose may turn out to be one of those.

Please contact the office on 020 8891 5455 to book your place on the art picnics.

About the Art Picnics and Courses

Experiencing our environment is so much better when we get outside and walk round and look. We bring learning through looking together with the development of your art skills to make the great outdoors an even more enjoyable experience.

If you have ever stopped to watch someone sketching or painting by the river or at some other beauty spot and thought ‘I wish I could do that’ – now you can.

But I can’t draw

It does not matter. Experienced local artists will help and guide you. Soon you will know how to study a scene, see the effects of light and shadow cast on the smallest field mushroom, appreciate the particular beauty and qualities all around from a fading thistle, a rusted bucket, the prow of a boat, an unusual doorway, an exquisite engine piston, to a meadow of wildflowers, a cloud formation or the sweep of a lake.  If you are more experienced you can work away to your heart’s content in the company of like minded people.

What do I need to bring?

All materials are provided : Charcoal, pastels, pens and coloured pencils, watercolours and oils, drawing boards and clips. You are very welcome to bring your own.

We run two sorts of art events. These are art picnics and art courses.

Art Picnics

What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday. Each month we get special access to beautiful and interesting places, sometimes inside sometimes outside.  All art picnics run from 11am to 4pm. All you need to bring is a picnic lunch and maybe something to sit on.

The tutor introduces and makes suggestions about subjects for the day.  Beginners are given some additional tuition to get them started.  There is a break around 1pm to review work and have lunch. The afternoon session continues until about 3.30 when everyone has a chance to share experiences and discuss their achievements.

Art courses

Our art courses based on a particular subject are generally half day or shorter sessions running over a few weeks. These courses sometimes combine different skills like drawing and printmaking.

View more information about our art picnics and courses, and book your place.

Art Auctions

Each year art works generously donated by local artists and some eminent artists from around the UK are put up for public auction. This is a major fundraising event and the money made makes a great difference to our community-based work with volunteers and our education projects.

View more information about our annual art auction