METHOD OR MADNESS?  

JOHN CONSTABLE’S OIL PAINTING TECHNIQUES

A Special Interest Day led by Sarah Cove

THURSDAY 4^th JUNE 2026    10.00am-4.00pm

SOUTHWOLD ARTS CENTRE, CUMBERLAND ROAD, SOUTHWOLD

This year we are offering a Special Interest Day, for the first time since the pandemic. The subject will be John Constable, to celebrate the 250^th anniversary of his birth. It will provide an opportunity for members to get to know more about Suffolk’s greatest painter in the company of a lecturer who is recognised as one of the country’s foremost authorities on him. 

The programme will be as follows:

From 9.45am Arrival

10.00 Talk 1:    Chronological survey of Constable’s materials and techniques throughout his career   and how they change, develop and innovate

11.15 Coffee break

11.45 Talk 2:     Detailed study of the Great Landscapes and Constable’s influence on later generations of painters

13.00 Buffet Lunch

14.15 Talk 3:     A tale of Vanity Fair: Constable’s Treslove portraits rediscovered. Sarah Cove has cleaned and restored these portraits and considers that of Mrs Emily Treslove to be one of the artist’s finest portraits

15.45 Depart

The cost of the afternoon is £45 for members and £50 for guests. This includes morning coffee and a buffet lunch. Please book by emailing Jenny Allen ( jennyanddick@aol.com ) or by completing the tear off slip and returning it to Mrs J Allen, Wolsey House, Chapel Road, Blythburgh, IP19 9LW before Friday 15 May. 

Payment can be made either by cheque, made out to TAS Southwold and sent to Mrs Allen at the above address, by contactless card at a monthly meeting, or by bank transfer: Account Name: TAS Southwold Sort Code: 30-13-64  Account Number: 00451472 Reference: SID26.

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I wish to book …….  places on the Special Interest Day on 4 June 2026. 

I enclose a cheque for £___ or I have paid £___ by bank transfer/contactless card (delete as applicable). 

Name(s) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 

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Home address   

Our Special Interest Afternoon this year is about sculpture and will, again, consist of two talks with a sociable break between.

The first, which looks at the achievements of leading sculptors working in Britain in the 20th century, is:  Modern British Sculpture:  Moore, Hepworth, Caro, Frink and others and it will be followed by Sculpture in Britain - Today and Tomorrow which looks at those who came afterwards - Rachel Whiteread, Antony Gormley and Maggi Hambling among others.

The afternoon will be led by Raymond Warburton, an Arts Society lecturer since 2017.  Ray’s career began in health and social care with degrees from LSE and SOAS but gradually his deep interest in the arts led to his becoming a guide at Tate Britain and Tate Modern and to degrees in Art History.

Ray is an enthusiastic and engaging speaker and assures us that he knows what it is like to be on the receiving end of lectures as he is a member of his local branch of the Arts Society in Blackheath.

 Modern British Sculpture: Moore, Hepworth, Caro, Frink and others

This lecture focuses on the work and achievements of, and challenges faced by leading sculptors based in Britain in the 20th century. They comprise Henri Gaudier-Brzeska, Jacob Epstein, Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Anthony Caro, Elisabeth Frink and Antony Gormley. In their different ways, they all embraced modernism, but some more than others. Some looked to African, Oceanic and pre-Columbian cultures, while others looked to Paris. Some embarked on direct carving, while others modelled or shaped their materials. Some embraced social and humanitarian themes, while others opted for abstraction. For all these differences, the seven sculptors each produced bodies of work that will have a lasting effect on future generations. Mind you, sculpting can be a cut throat business, and there will be clashes and quarrels to tell you about too. The lecture will also feature a discussion of the difference between a sculpture and an installation, and how some modern artists did one or the other – or both!

Sculpture in Britain - Today and Tomorrow  British sculpture enjoyed a renaissance in the 20th century, with the likes of Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Anthony Caro and Elizabeth Frink leading the way. But who came afterwards and with what effect? Among the new generation of British-based sculptors were Rachel Whiteread, Antony Gormley, Maggi Hambling, Anish Kapoor, Richard Long and David Nash. These days all six are world-renowned and are still working as hard as ever. Each in their own way is innovative, inspirational and deeply human. They have produced sculptures that are glorious, challenging and moving in equal measure. After looking at a range of their work, the lecture continues by reviewing the weird and wonderful sculptures that have adorned the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square in recent years, and the new ones proposed for 2026-28. The lecture concludes by looking at what the future might hold. What new subjects, materials and methods of display – including digital – might be used? Who are the rising stars of British sculpture; and will women and people of colour get more of a look-in? 

Lecture 1 Looking with the Eyes Wide Open  

 We can stand for minutes in front of a painting and think we are seeing it, but how much have we actually noticed? How much more could we take in if we have a mental check list of things to look for, if we know how to know what is significant to notice. In this first session, we will consider many of the basic stylistic features of a painting, from colouring to the uses of lighting, to analyse how different artists tend to use them at different times and in different art centres  

 Do we ever notice any technical aspects of the piece – is it on canvas or on panel, for instance, - and does it matter? What can an awareness of the pigments used, or the artist’s choice of ground colour, tell us about where and when something was painted?

Lecture 2 Family likenesses, significant characteristics 

When we receive a letter from some one we know well, we can often identify the writer from the handwriting on the envelope. Such instant recognition of an artist’s hand is the goal of a connoisseur, but how can the novice start to do this? This lecture will unpick some of the ways in which artists give away their identity, and demonstrate methods for learning to identify the hand of different artists.  

Before the inevitable noise and drama of a General Election with its promises, claims and counter-claims, insults, scandals, triumphs and disappointments, are quite upon us, we’re taking time to learn more about the great building where similar scenes have been taking place for centuries.

The afternoon will be a slightly altered version of the Study Day which had to be cancelled last October because of the illness of the lecturer. There will be two talks with a break for tea and cake in between.

We’re very pleased to have been able to re-book Dr Caroline Shenton to lead a highly-topical event that covers a thousand years of the history, art and architecture of Britain’s most famous building. Beginning with its medieval origins as a royal palace, we will see the complex transformed into the Tudor Houses of Parliament; burned down in the disastrous fire of 1834; rebuilt by Barry & Pugin and damaged in the Blitz. .Caroline will bring along a selection of artefacts from the old and new Palaces in her own collections, and signed copies of her award-winning books will be available for purchase at a discount.

Caroline Shenton is an archivist and historian. She was formerly Director of the Parliamentary Archives and a senior archivist at the National Archives, and a fellow of a number of learned societies. Her book The Day Parliament Burned Down won top prize at the inaugural Political Books Awards in 2013, and its sequel Mr Barry’s War, about the rebuilding of Parliament, was a book of the year for the Daily Telegraph and the BBC History Magazine in 2016.

She was Political Writer in Residence at Gladstone’s Library in 2017 and her third book National Treasures. How the Nation’s Art Was Saved in World War Two was published in November 2021.

The cost of the afternoon is £20 for members and £25 for guests. You can book by emailing Jenny Allen jennyanddick@aol.com

Payment can be made either by cheque, made out to TAS Southwold and sent to Mrs J Allen at Woolsey House, Chapel Road, Blythburgh, IP19 9LW  or by bank transfer: Account Name TAS Southwold  Sort Code 30-13-64  Account Number 00451472 Reference SIA and your own name.

This event will take place in the Stella Peskett Millennium Hall, Mights Road, Southwold IP18 6BE

We very much regret that this interesting day has had to becancelled at short notice because of the illness of the lecturer.

Our long-established and successful series of Study Days will resume on 20th October when we  welcome Caroline Shenton to guide us through the history of the Houses of Parliament.  Caroline was for many years the Director of Parliamentary Archives and her subject includes the history, the architecture, Turner, Pugin, the burning down and the re-building and something of the controversial plans for further restoration.

it might offer a wider perspective at a time when the idea of Parliament can be overshadowed by the daily reports of government turmoil.

Caroline's work is highly praised by historians such as Mary Beard and Lucy Worsley and by a wide range of newspapers and journals.

Please make a note of the date.  Further details will be forwarded to you soon.

Mike Grundy who gave an enjoyable talk last year to the Society on the Art of the London Underground makes a welcome return in April with a Special Interest Day on the art of the Paris Metro and of the Moscow Underground.

It is sure to be a fascinating day with this knowledgable and engaging lecturer. The day will commence at 9.30 with coffee, with the session starting at 10am and will also include a buffet lunch with sandwiches, savoury items, scones and cakes (normal and vegetarian but not vegan). Finish time will be around 3.30. Cost is £35 per person including lunch.

Bookings can be made by email to sallygoodsell3@gmail.com or by post returning the booking slip below with a cheque made out to the Arts Society Southwold and a SAE (if confirmation required) to Mrs Sally Kent, Coplands, Acton Road, Lowestoft Suffolk NR33 7LG  or alternatively BACS payment to our Treasurer, Jenny Allen, with the reference Special Interest Day. 

We look forward to seeing you then. Any queries or questions, please contact me by email or on 07752227248.

This Special Event, which replaces the usual Special Interest Day, will consist of a one hour talk online at 2pm. 

The Nutcracker ballet has delighted audiences at Christmas for many decades yet it was deemed a failure at its initial performances. Based upon the current Royal Ballet production by Sir Peter Wright, this lecture takes a close look at how this well-loved ballet now takes its rightful place on stage and how the music of Tchaikovsky along with story-telling, design, dance and a little bit of stage ingenuity all come together to make the most magical escape for young and old alike. The talk will be fully illustrated with audio and performance video clips.

In September the film Downton Abbey will open in the UK.  We are delighted to announce that Andrew Prince is coming to give his talk based on Downton, and the changing styles of jewels and fashion.

Andrew was commissioned to make many jewels for the main characters in the TV series and in his talk will guide us through the extraordinary periods and events between 1890 and 1929 when the great couturiers collaborated with the finest jewellers to produce jewels of outstanding quality and glittering opulence.  He will also talk about the clients and patrons who commissioned the jewels and will show how they were worn with sumptuous gowns.

This talk will be given twice on 29th October.  First at the Seagull Theatre, Pakefield at 11 am and then at The Arts Centre Southwold at 2 pm.

Tickets are £5 each, obtainable at the venue of choice.

To celebrate the 500th anniversary of his death, The Arts Society Southwold has invited one of their favourite speakers Shirley Smith to give an illustrated talk about Leonardo, who is one of the Most Famous Artists ever.

 She will explore this complex man, who thought he was more an inventor of war and flying machines, and musical instruments, than an artist. She will show and talk about some of his most famous paintings, which many of us will have never seen before.

The talk will take place at THE ARTS CENTRE SOUTHWOLD, Cumberland Road, at 2pm on Tuesday 25th June 2019.

Tickets cost £5 each, and can be purchased from the Festival Box Office at the Arts Centre, or by telephone 01502 722572, or online at  www.southwoldartsfestival.co.uk

Sandy will outline the developments in classical music over a period of 300 years from the early 17th century. His aim is to give us a clear understanding of the essential elements of each era, that will enable us to listen to classical music with fresh ears, and greater understanding.

The day will commence at 10.30 with coffee, with the talk starting at 11am, with a comfort break at noon. It will continue until 1pm when an excellent buffet lunch will be served with soft drinks. The day will end at 3.15pm. Friends and visitors are most welcome.

The fee for the day will be £30 including lunch or £22.50 without.  No tickets will be issued but confirmation of your place will be sent by email or post if you send a stamped addressed envelope. Numbers for the event are strictly limited so please apply as soon as possible to be sure of your place. 

HOW TO BOOK THIS EVENT:

Contact David Goodman on 01502 723343, email: davidrgoodman@btinternet.com.

at SOUTHWOLD ARTS CENTRE (St Edmund’s Hall), Cumberland Road, Southwold

We welcome Stephen Taylor, former head of painting at the Open College of the Arts and Course director for the Inchbald School of design. He is an accomplished and successful artist as well as a lecturer on interior design. 20th Century interior design had many ways to be up-to-date and traditional at the same time.

After 1918 Art Deco dominated our culture and interior design. In the 1940’s Scandinavia showed the way of combining traditional materials with new ones and new designs which ultimately led to IKEA.

Stephen will also talk about many successful interior designers including Colefax & Fowler; David Hicks and Phillipe Stark. The day will commence at 10.30 with coffee, and Stephen will begin his talk at 11am, with a comfort break at noon. It will continue until 1pm when an excellent buffet lunch will be served with soft drinks. The day will end at 3.15pm. Friends and visitors are most welcome.

The fee is £27.50 including lunch or £20 without lunch.  No tickets will be issued but confirmation of your place will be sent by email or post if you send a stamped addressed envelope. Numbers for the event are strictly limited so please apply as soon as possible to be sure of your place. If you have a query, please phone 01502 723343 or email davidrgoodman@btinternet.com David Goodman, Special Interest Day Organiser

HOW TO BOOK THIS EVENT:

Contact David Goodman on 01502 723343, email: davidrgoodman@btinternet.com or download the form and follow the instructions.