Chris welcomed guest artist Paul Talbot-Greaves from Halifax.

The painting will be based on a photograph of a National Trust building at Hardcastle Craggs in winter.

After describing the composition and the light effect, Paul started with a blue wet-on-dry wash for the sky.

Darker shades of blue were used for shadow areas, and the drying was speeded up with the use of a hairdryer.

Rather than using Paynes Grey, Paul mixed blue, red and Raw Sienna to achieve a more natural dark grey with individual colours showing through.

During the break members read notices and signed up for future meetings and outings.

Not forgetting - of course - to have a cup of tea .....

.... or buy some of Paul's teaching materials that he had brought along.

The sunlit house with hydrangea provides a marked contrast to the dark shaded areas.

While the yellow paint was drying Paul created the tree canopy with a dry brush and dull red.

He then painted in the tree trunks, always working from light to dark.

With a ruling pen he created numerous twigs and thin branches, much quicker and easier than using a brush.

The window frames were painted 'loosely' rather than having architectural accuracy.

More shadows were added and the moss-covered wall took shape.

A track through the snow leads the eye into the picture. Final details were added .....

... and the painting was complete. Paul was thanked for his enjoyable, interesting and helpful demonstration.