This is a retrospective post about my visit to In The Studio, the exhibition by members of the Royal Watercolour Society at Bankside Gallery. If you didn’t get to see it, many of the works that were in the exhibition are still available on the RWS website.
I am always interested in the processes that go into creating works of art. Every artist has their own particular way of working so the possibilities are infinite. In this exhibition, the paintings on the walls are interspersed with photographs of the artist in their studio and snippets of information about the way they work in the studio. A series of videos showing RWS members working in their studios to give visitors more of the ‘behind the scenes’ view of the show.

Including the information about the artist in their studio is a format that gives the viewer more insight into the artist as a person.
I took a few picture of works that appealed to me (having first gained permission to take photographs).
In the Studio – some of my favourites
Its always difficult to get a good photograph without reflections when paintings are behind glass. I apologise for the quality of some of these.

There’s no surprise in my loving this one at first sight: playful, colourful and…. shoes!

I had already seen this on social media. When I was standing in front of it, I was struck by the detail and delicacy of the marks on the paper. There’s a wonderful elegance about each little abstract section. No wonder it was a gallery staff pick.

Sophie Knight RWS
This is one of three large works by Sophie Knight. Her work is always atmospheric and dynamic.

Three aerial views by Liz Butler appealed to the traveller in me. They are views that you might see when flying over a dramatic landscape.
Links to other works I didn’t get good enough photographs of, and some that are pictured above:
Liz Butler RWS – Somewhere over Siberia (pictured above)
Liz Butler RWS – Cloncurry District, Australia
Sue Howells RWS – Glow of Day Fading Away
Richard Pikesley RWS – Axe, Summer Evening
Neil Pittaway RWS – Dusk Evening Light on the Glacier du Bonibassey, France
Gertie Young RWS – Kitten Heels with Fairy Lights
This exhibition felt different to some of the others I’ve seen at Bankside. It was lighter and made the artists seem more approachable. I’m going to be visiting Bankside Gallery more often.