New Year, New Technology

Jack MacDonald with his digitally painted landscape of Glen Prosen

Cortachy institute started the new year by taking a step into the age of digital photography and image manipulation, holding the hand of a friend of long standing.

Well known photographer, Jack MacDonald, generously agreed to talk to members when the scheduled speaker had to cancel the engagement and he demonstrated the process by which he creates his digital paintings. Jack set his use of technology into the context of the great masters who have used aids and developments from mirrors and studio assistants to camera obscura and photographic references. Working from a photograph of his wife Marion, one of our members, Jack used his visual skills and computer experience to produce his unique style of artwork on a screen, without so much as a brush needing to be washed.

Referring to a previously produced landscape, he indicated how he changed the composition and lighting of an original photograph and transformed photographically accurate detail to painterly textured impression in his final digital painting.

Mary Friedrich thanked Jack for the entertaining, enlightening and inspiring demonstration and urged members to consider learning new digital skills.

Competitions –

Thank You card – 1, Ella McKay, 2, Margaret Jack, 3, Sandra Boath. 

Mango Chutney – 1, Ella McKay, 2, Margaret Mackie, 3, Sandra Boath.

Flower of the month – 1, Marion Webster, 2, Caroline Lang, 3, Margaret Mackie.

Anyone interested in helping in the co-operative effort for the Federation show should meet at Patsy's on Wednesday 16th at 7.30pm.

Jack MacDonald presented a painting of Kirriemuir town centre and Peter Pan statue to the 'Gateway to the Glens ' museum. (pic reproduced from Angus Council website)