Help for a group of painters

[nutcasenan]

I have been helping a small group of painters. We have painted fruit, flowers, landscapes from photographs and still life. They wish to paint with acrylic as this presents the easiest option. My favourite subject is portraits but have had no takers so far. We are somewhat confined as we paint in a small room. At the moment thinking of a coloured subject, flowers perhaps, but with a black and white drawn background only. Any unusual or imaginative ideas would be welcome. Our group is mainly over sixty years of age and are gaining confidence and enthusiasm. I, therefore, hope to keep the activity varied and enjoyable. Would welcome Mumsnet input with all its lively thinking.

What about a still life of books with flowers? Nice contrast with straight and organic shapes....or a tea tray with flowers?

fossils make a very interesting subject too...

fossils - the old and permanent, monotone - against flowers the new and transient, colourful, makes a lovely contrast

in our art classes we also used to make a 7 by 5 mount/frame and choose a large picture by any artist - and use the frame to pick out a bit and try to put our own take on it... Monet was good for that sort of thing...

or choose a subject - example - a front door
and paint it in the style of a painter - example Modrian (easy) or Arcimbaldo (bloomin hard!)

My painting teacher used to have a huge box of photos that we'd work from individually - it allowed you to spend a few weeks on something and also choose something appropriate to skill level.

Alternately go to a car boot sale and pick up some ugly interesting bric a brac?

And painting things upside down is always good for visual vocabulary and training about seeing voids etc.

Using household objects can make for interesting still lifes....collanders, whisks, tea pots, little jugs, egg cups, candle sticks etc, also glass bottles and glassware is good for the light shining through and reflections.

Thank you so much. Great import from you all. I am going to gradually try them all. Like the ideas regarding contrasts. The box of photos is useful. I have asked them to bring in any photos of their own and have supplied paintings from calendars and art magazines. Using the mount is a god idea. I will try that. Also the upside down idea. Forgot about that. Great for drawing skills. I am printing your ideas to take for us all to discuss.

What about looking at different styles of painting, abstract, Impressionism, photo realism, cubism, expressionism, surrealism etc