Driffield Art Club

19/08/2026

🖌🎨Theatre Gallery: Mary Wells - Iconic People and Places

Exhibiting in the café at ERT 15th August - 10th September

Mary Wells, a Hull College of Art Graduate in Graphic Design, is an award-winning Artist based in Beverley.

Since retiring from her career in design & marketing she has built a second career as an artist and art tutor running classes and workshops and giving occasional art demonstrations to clubs and societies around the region.

Mary also carries out commissions, usually portraits.

She says: “I am often asked what is my favourite media to work with. If I am doing a portrait I love to use charcoal but I also love the buttery blending qualities of oil paints on canvas and the quick drying qualities of acrylics for my more graphic works.”

Mary is heavily involved with the local art scene and is a member of Hornsea Art Society, Driffield Art Club, East Riding Artists and a committee member of the Friends of Beverley Art Gallery.

She shows in local galleries and takes part in exhibitions and open studios wherever possible.

05/08/2026

21/07/2026

Tonight we were treated to a palette knife demonstration by Heather Burton who had brought some of the vegetables she grows in her garden to create a still life composition.
Heather uses acrylic paints on loose canvas which she buys in rolls and prefers to box canvases as they can be stored flat to save on space. She started by explaining which is the best knife to buy if you’re planning to do some palette knife art and the best way to hold it while painting. This, she said, allows you to create a much looser style of painting rather than something more photographic.
Her techniques involve mixing the acrylic paints straight from the tube without watering them down, spreading thinly for the first layers and gradually building up the shapes and tones.
At the end of the evening Heather said there was still some way to go to finish the painting but she would send us a picture of the final painting it’s finished at home.
Many thanks to Heather for a very informative and enjoyable evening on which to finish our monthly meetings until we meet again in September.
We have a tent at Driffield Show this Wednesday 23rd July if you’d like to come and see us! Find us on the show ground map!
driffieldartclub.co.uk
email: [email protected]

16/06/2026

This month’s meeting had Dac member David Mapplethorpe giving an illustrated talk about framing and the importance of choosing the right mount and frame for your paintings.
David has had a lot of experience in making his own frames for both his own artwork and other artists.
He illustrated his talk by showing examples of different types of mounts and frames, asking members what they thought with each example.
David had some good ideas to pass on about using coloured mounts.
He also gave tips on buying ready made frames and creating artwork to fit them and also on making use of frames on artwork bought from Charity shops.
Thank you David, you passed on a lot of useful advice!

06/06/2026

Looking forward to our next speaker James Russell: Art Books & Lectures talking about the talented couple Eric Ravilious and Tirzah Garwood. New members and visitors welcome. Doors open 7.00pm - plenty of time to find a seat, get a drink and have a natter.

06/06/2026

06/06/2026

Thank you to Rose Horspool of Vista Arts for a fabulous workshop at the village hall, North Dalton that put us all through our paces!
Rose had set up 3 still life groupings using complementary colours which we drew in turn using charcoal. This took us till lunchtime. After lunch we were tasked with choosing at least two pieces of our work to paint using gouache. We chose one piece to be spray fixed first then painted each one. There were some wonderful creations! The unfixed charcoal drawing created some dramatic effects when mixed with the paint
Everyone enjoyed the day very much especially being spoilt with home made lemon drizzle cake for elevenses and a choice of red or white wine or orange juice with our picnic lunch.
Thank you Rose for your inspired still life workshop and Robin for serving us with tea and coffee!
Much appreciated.

06/06/2026

There's been a lot of interest in Lee Miller lately, what with Kate Winslett's film last year and the recent exhibition at the Tate. Don't miss our upcoming talk by her son Antony Penrose. It should be a memorable occasion. Doors open 7.00pm. New members and visitors welcome.

20/05/2026

Members brought more than 28 pieces of artwork, some unfinished, for our guest artist Robin Horspool to critique on Monday night.
Robin, who lives at North Dalton, specialises in oils and has many years of teaching experience under his belt plus years spent painting in France with his wife Rose - both are well known in the area for their excellent classes, workshops and talks.
Robin gave very encouraging critiques to each piece of artwork with useful pointers where he felt additions or occasional improvements would enhance the work, particularly the unfinished pieces. He was able to draw on his vast experience of drawing and painting in different mediums and his wide knowledge of art history. 
Those members who missed the meeting have missed a treat and an opportunity to enjoy the wide variety of members’ artwork on display - some of these are pictured here.
Huge thank you’s to Robin on behalf of our art club.

Write up and photos by Mary Wells
Publicity Officer, Driffield Art Club

03/05/2026

Once again Driffield Art Club enjoyed a wonderful workshop; this month by renowned watercolour artist, Ione Harrison.
Ione gave us a unique insight into the thoughts and j that enable her to produce such unique, vibrant, colourful and expressive watercolour paintings.
The workshop commenced with a series of exercises using credit cards and bamboo skewers to apply masking fluid before applying rich wet on wet watercolours to create a series of beautiful miniature landscapes.
We then used these techniques to create painting of 'Woods in Springtime' and with Ione's guidance produced some truly wonderful paintings.
Thankyou once again Ione for a fantastic day and supplying us with an armoury of new techniques to tackle our future projects.

ioneharrison.co.uk

Write up and *photos by Paul Coatsworth
( photos to follow- watch this space!)