Peter Valentine is a well known professional local artist and a long-time member of Derby Sketching Club. On Friday 26th June Peter braved the heatwave to share with us his knowledge of colour theory and how he applies it to the alchemy of mixing and applying paints. As ever, Peter was entertaining, honest and informative. His approach is not entirely text-book, derived as it is from 60+ years of experience. We all came away with some pearls of wisdom we can use that may just make all the difference. Thank you Peter,

Home, Health and Hope is the theme of the current exhibition gracing the walls of Level 2 Royal Derby Hospital and Queens Hospital, Burton on Trent.

The exhibition showcases work by local artists and creative NHS staff members with the objective to create an ‘uplifting, comforting and welcoming environment’ for patients and staff. On display are pictures by Derby Sketching Club;s very own Tony Hall, Felicity Jackson, David Walton and Nicola Mann. Elsewhere the corridors feature work by our longest serving club member Ann Eames and former club Chairman Andrew Macara.

If you get the chance, why not go and take a look? There’s some fantastic work on display and you don’t even need an appointment!

A corridor of Tony Hall’s Floral prints

Nicola Mann’s Paintings on Level 2

We were hoping for some sunshine this year and we got a heat wave! Although a day shorter in duration, this year’s Trophy Exhibition at Markeaton Park was bigger and better than ever. We had around 550 visitors and sold plenty of original pictures.

Our judge this year was artist and heritage historian Ruth Matthews, now the director of Ashbourne’s newly opened Hopton Hall Gallery. Well done to everyone who contributed, helped out and brought their friends and relatives along to the show.

Trophy Winner 2026 : Margaret Esler’s ‘Let It Rain’

‘Cranesbill’ by Liz Harris – Highly Commended

‘View From Gimignano’ by Tony Deeming – Highly Commended

‘Before’ by Che Tyrell – – Highly Commended

‘Becky’ by Johny Bermudez – Highly Commended

The public also voted for their favourite piece. The overall winner was ‘Meadow’ by Heather Hardy. In second place was ‘Cromer’ by Charles Chen and in third ‘Derbyshire Sheep’ by Lesley Griggs.

‘Meadow’ by Heather Hardy – Visitors Choice Award

‘Cromer’ by Charles Chen – Visitors 2nd Choice

‘Derbyshire Sheep’ by Lesley Griggs – Visitors 3rd Choice

Historic Hopton Hall Gardens come alive for July’s Month of Art

Hopton Hall throws open its gates on Thursday, 2nd July for the Summer
opening of its Walled Garden  and to offer artists free access to
participate in the Month of Art  and the chance to win £1,000.

It is the fourth year that the Summer opening and Month of Art have been
combined in this way and some 200 artists across Derbyshire,
Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire have already signed up to
participate.

This year sees further enhancements to visitor and artist experiences
alike:

        * The number of artist gazebos where artists are invited, at no charge,
to display and sell their artwork, create artwork and run workshops, has
been extended to 32. Custom-made for the event by resident carpenter,
Louis, each includes spotlights and commercial Wi-Fi to give artists the
most professional setting in which to showcase their art. (All 32 are
fully booked for the final weekend.)
        * The addition of new storyboards across the grounds which give
visitors the opportunity to learn more about the Estate’s incredible
history, including on the decorative Pompeii Rock, brought back to
Hopton by archaeologist, traveller and one-time owner of the Hall, Sir
William Gell FRS in the early 1800s and on Musket Firing Range (set up
by prominent and ruthless Parliamentarian military commander Sir John
Gell to rapidly train local miners and labourers into a disciplined,
functioning infantry unit during the English Civil War).
        * Opening of the newly-refurbished The Stables at Hopton Hall which
offers a new space to showcase the work of artisans. During the Month of
Art, visitors will be able to view a solo exhibition of 2025 Month of
Art winner, Lesley Linley.
        * A new ticketing system enabling visitors book their tickets in
advance and, should they choose, a pass to return as many times as they
wish during the July event.
        * An extended menu and state-of-the art coffee machines at The Café at
Hopton Hall which can be enjoyed from indoor seating or an outdoor
terrace
        * (For visitors on the final weekend who wish to cast their votes to
select the Month of Art 2026 winner) the opportunity to access the main
corridor of the Hall to view the submitted artwork.

Owner and custodian of Hopton Hall Chris Harvey said:

“Our Walled Garden is well-known for its 2,000 rose bushes and 5,000
immaculately clipped box plants, and visitors love our walks through the
woodland and around the wildlife lake too. We know from Competition
entries in previous years that the Estate offers so much inspiration for
artwork – whether its natural beauty, quirky features like the
Crinkle-Crankle Wall (the inspiration for the Serpentine Hedges at
Chatsworth House) or our super friendly and fluffy cat, Gladys!

“The event brings such positive vibes and people to the estate and
we’re really looking forward to greeting all our guests.”

The Month of Art takes place every Thursday – Sunday from the 2nd to
the 26th of July. Tickets (priced at £7.50 for adults and £3.75 for
children) can be booked online at: hoptonhall.co.uk 

Ashbourne’s new Hopton Hall Gallery now open

Ashbourne’s new Hopton Hall Gallery is now open and running an
inaugural exhibition ‘Brushed Light: Atmospheric Watercolours’,
featuring artwork from local artists Roger Allen, Martin Sloman, Sue
Quinby, Cheryl Wilbraham, Mark Langley, Sarah Sutton, Tim Rose, Carol
Hill, Sarah EA Parkin and Ian Palmer Sculptures.

Owners and custodians of the Hopton Hall Estate, Chris and Andi Harvey,
chose an 18th century, Grade II listed building on St. John Street as
the home of their new gallery, with the aim of connecting centuries of
craftsmanship with the artists shaping today’s landscape.

The Gallery will offer an ever-changing programme of exhibitions and
events, and the opportunity for the local community to hire the space
for workshops.

Chris said: “This project really has been a labour of love. The
earliest known records of the property date back to 1770 and it’s
enjoyed several different lives as a butcher’s, clockmaker’s and as
a succession of drapers and outfitters. It’s such a characterful
building and we’ve worked hard to preserve as many features as we can
whilst renovating it to meet the needs of a 21st century art gallery.

“It’s been so exciting to see the Gallery come to life and we know
that it is in safe hands with our Gallery Director, Ruth Matthews, who
has also been instrumental in helping to build the success of our annual
Month of Art celebration in July. Ruth’s vision in selecting the most
talented artists for the Gallery means we now have a fabulous calendar
of exhibitions running until the end of May 2027! We’d like to invite
the people of Ashbourne and art lovers more widely to come along to take
a look.”

The Gallery is open for exhibitions from Tuesday to Saturday, 10am –
4pm.

Original contemporary artworks are available for purchase, in person at
the Gallery. Contemporary and antique artworks are also on sale at the
online shop.

More information on Hopton Hall Gallery is available at:
hoptonhallgallery.co.uk