ANGEL Kershaw was the visiting artist at Keighley Art Group on a Wednesday early this month.

Angel studied art in London where she gained her art degree. Angel believes that art is for everybody and would like as many people as possible to enjoy art.

Angel demonstrated the use of oil paint showing a wide range of techniques and tools. She discussed the work of famous artists such as Lowry who painted on cardboard and Raphael who painted on board that was sanded and primed.

Angel said that painting in oil didn’t have to be expensive, as you don’t always need to paint on a canvas. Paper can be used if it is primed first, and lining paper can be used for a mixing palette. Paints can be mixed using a palette knife; this prevents the build-up of paint in the bristles of the brush and helps to prolong the life of the brush.

Oil painting takes time and patience due to slow drying times and most oil painters have several paintings on the go at any one given time.

Angel then asked the group if they would like to use the materials that she had brought, and have a go at oil painting. Several members first tried mixing the oils with linseed oil to thin the paint for the base layer, and Angel gave advice to members as required.

It was good to see this skill demonstrated as it is a specialized field, and in our usual two hour weekly slots we usually concentrate on quicker drying mediums.

Oil painting is the process of painting with pigments that are bound with a medium of drying oil. Commonly used drying oils include linseed oil, poppy seed oil, walnut oil, and safflower oil.

Different oils confer various properties to the oil paint, such as less yellowing or different drying times. Certain differences are also visible in the sheen of the paints depending on the oil.

An artist might use several different oils in the same painting depending on specific pigments and effects desired. The paints themselves also develop a particular consistency depending on the medium.

The oil may be boiled with a resin, such as pine resin or frankincense to create a varnish; often prized for its body and gloss

Keighley Show is our next challenge at the beginning of September. We all have the pre-set art categories and as many as possible will enter.

It’s only 40p an entry and it’s the taking part, not the winning, that’s important. Anyone in Keighley and district can enter, not just Keighley Art Group members. Let’s hope for good weather. The name of the judge isn’t revealed in the show’s schedule.

Our programme for next year starts on September 3 with member Janet Horton bringing in pictures of wildlife for members to paint in their preferred medium.

Keighley Art Group meets on Wednesdays, from 6.45pm until 8.45pm at Keighley Healthy Living in Scott Street. Anyone interested in joining should contact Barbara on 01535 669914.