| My Latest Silk Paintings | |
| Biography | Exhibitions & Workshops |
| Guide to the Galleries | Contact Information |
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Silk covered books of prints of my paintings on silk with verse inspired by the flowers have become very popular. You can read the verse by clicking on the two links below. |
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| Flowers & Verse Book One | Flowers & Verse Book Two |
| Flowers & Verse Book Three | |
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I publish four handbooks for users of iron-fixed silk paints. Find out about them by clicking on the link below. |
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Silk Painting is an exciting art form. Many of my new ideas can be viewed by clicking on the link below. |
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Using a medium-weight habutai silk, Pébéo Setasilk iron-fixed silk
paints, clear water solvent gutta and in some paintings batik wax as the resist, I have developed a technique
that hides the resist lines.
"Spotted Orchid" - silk painting mounted
50cm square ©2008 Leonard Thompson
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"Agapanthus" - silk painting mounted 50cm square
©2008 Leonard Thompson
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"Crocosmia" - silk painting mounted 50cm square
©2008 Leonard Thompson
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"Iris Tenax" - silk painting mounted 50cm square
©2008 Leonard Thompson
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"Cherry Blossom" - silk painting mounted 50cm square
©2008 Leonard Thompson
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"Datura" Latest Gallery [10] |
"Pink Rose" Small Gallery [9] |
"Harlequinade" Macro Gallery [4] |
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"Bougainvillea" Flowers Gallery [5] |
"Erythronium" Latest Gallery [10] |
"Dahlia" Small Gallery [9] |
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Tulips and Ginger Jar" Illusions Gallery [2] |
"Camassia" Experimental Gallery [7] |
"Black Parrot Tulip" Macro Gallery [4] |
More silk paintings are available for sale in each gallery.
After 32 years in the teaching profession I
took early retirement from my position as head teacher of Bunny CE Primary School near
Nottingham in July 1997. I have always been interested in art and craft, and enjoyed teaching
primary art, but the demands of running a small primary school left me little time to produce
my own paintings.
When I first started painting on silk and I saw how the colour flowed into the
fabric, the exciting possibilities of the medium inspired me. I tried out
various styles and subjects finding that colourful flowers and birds best
suited my approach to silk painting. Later I purchased a wax pot and added
batik techniques to my some of my paintings.
Whether I use soluble clear gutta or wax as the resist I always strive to hide the
outlines in the finished picture. This means that the sequence of drawing and
painting is carefully planned - an approach that suits my personality.
My designs are mostly figurative, I like to explore themes and try to
give my audience something to ponder.
Although most of my painting is detailed and controlled, I like to experiment. I make a
mental note of how I produce the various effects so that I can use them later
in my paintings. Recently I have discovered several exciting new ways of using stencils with
iron-fixed paints on silk and I am continuously trying out new ideas. I use many of my
experimental pieces to cover handmade notebooks and the lids of gift boxes. The images of many
of my pictures are also available as greetings cards.
June 2000
My silk painting studio space in the Textile Marquee at Patchings Festival of Art and Craft.
June 2001
FIRST PRIZE
"Queen of the Night"
Gallery 6
The Guild of Silk Painters Northern Branch Summer Exhibition
I have exhibited my silk paintings at Patchings Art Centre, in the gallery at Waterstones Bookshop
Nottingham, at Eglantine Vineyard, Boughton Pumping Station and in Southwell Minster. I am a
member of the Guild of Silk Painters and have exhibited with them at their summer exhibitions
in Cambridge 2000, Durham 2001 and South Birmingham 2002. I am also a member of the Batik Guild
and I teach silk painting at Rainbow Silks and am available for workshops, talks and demonstrations.
September 2001
Eglantine Vineyard's "Arts and Crafts in the Vineyard" as part of
the Rushcliffe Festival.
May 2002
The Guild of Silk Painters South Birmingham Branch Summer Exhibition
Exhibition and Demonstration of Silk Painting at Patchings Art and Craft Festival
Exhibition of Silk Paintings at The Jinney Ring Craft Centre
October 2002
Nottinghamshire Amateur Artist of the Year 2002
Patchings Award 2002 - National Open Competition
Exhibition of Silk Paintings at Boughton Pumping Station
Exhibition and Demonstration of Silk Painting at Patchings Art and Craft Festival
Highly
Commended
"Christmas Wine"
Gallery 4
Exhibition of Paintings by Local Artists at Upper Broughton
November 2003
Léonard Brushes Award
"Tulips & Ginger Jar"
Gallery 2
Patchings Award 2003 - National Open Competition
March 2004
One Man Exhibition of Silk Paintings in Southwell Minster
Twenty four Silk Paintings were exhibited in the South Quire of the Minster.
Exhibition and Demonstration of Silk Painting at Patchings Art and Craft Festival
Highly
Commended
"Amaryllis Minerva"
Exhibition of Paintings by Local Artists at Upper Broughton
Selected for The Artist Magazine Exhibition
"Daylilies"
Exhibition and Demonstration of Silk Painting at Patchings Art and Craft Festival
October 2007
Highly
Commended
"Poppies"
Exhibitions, Demonstrations and Workshops
7th June 2008
: Workshop: Peterborough Branch of the Embroiderers' Guild
21st June 2008
: Demonstration: Scunthorpe Branch of the Embroiderers' Guild
24th September 2008
: Demonstration: Wrekin Branch of the Embroiderers' Guild
27th September 2008
: Workshop: Hampton Creative Textile Group Peterborough
24th November 2008
: Demonstration: Matlock Embroidery Group
Gallery One "Mimicry" contains a set of silk paintings of exotic birds and
flowers.
Gallery Two "Illusions" contains a set of silk paintings where I have
juxtaposed real flowers and foliage with paintings and carvings of plants and portraits.
Gallery Three "Flowers, Feathers and Foliage" contains silk paintings of
flowers, birds and leaves.
Gallery Four "Flowers in Macro" contains silk paintings of flowers in
close-up.
Gallery Five "Flowers" contains silk paintings of specimen flowers.
Gallery Six "White Flowers" contains silk paintings using white
as a colour.
Gallery Seven "Experimental" contains silk paintings that use some of my
new ideas.
Gallery Eight "New Silk Paintings " contains recent silk paintings.
Gallery Nine "Smaller Silk Paintings" contains more silk paintings.
Gallery Ten "My Latest Silk Paintings" contains silk paintings I have painted this year.
The
Batik Gallery contains painted silk batiks of flowers and leaves.
The
Watercolour Gallery contains watercolours of favourite places I have visited.
Experimental Gallery One shows the development of my silk painting technique using wet threads.
Experimental Gallery Two contains images of new silk paintings techniques I have developed.
Experimental Gallery Three contains images of new silk paintings techniques I have developed using stencils.
The
Practical Notes explains The "Hidden" Gutta Line Technique, Some Aspects of Design, Help with Backgrounds and How to make a
stand for small framed paintings or greetings cards.
My
Visitors' Book enables you to comment on my website and my work.
On the
Question Page I answer the questions I am most frequently asked about silk painting.
The size measurements shown include a surrounding mount
approximately 6cm wide.
All the paintings are mounted and ready for framing. Commissions,
Demonstrations and Workshops For
enquiries about the prices of my paintings, commissions, demonstrations and workshops, and for
further details please contact me at my e-mail address or use the Visitors' Book for
your comments and questions.
E-mail address
Contents Page
Copyright ©2000 Leonard Thompson
Paintings marked with a red spot have been sold.
THIRD PRIZE
"Starburst Lilies"
Gallery 6
June 2002
July 2002
April 2003
June 2003
October 2003
June 2004
October 2004
June 2005
Exhibition of Paintings by Local Artists at Upper Broughton
The paintings marked with a red spot have
been sold.
Last revised: May 08, 2008