THE chairman opened the May meeting by introducing speaker Jim Patterson, whose topic was paper making.

Jim has spent all his working life in the paper making industry and now operates one of the few remaining European paper mills that specialises in the production of handmade artists' papers.

He explained the handmaking process has not changed in principle for more than 2,000 years.

The basic fibrous material, which forms a particular paper is milled to form a pulp of the required consistency and then transferred to a porous felt pad to drain and dry.

Jim had brought along the equipment and materials needed to give a demonstration and he quickly lifted and transferred a layer of pulp, so illustrating the basic simplicity of the process.

Having done this, he went on to discuss the finer points of paper making by hand and to explain the choice of the basic fibre, the different methods of pressing the sheets of paper and of sizing the paper to control its absorbency.

All these factors contribute to the weight, surface texture and paint handling properties of the finished paper.

He then described the production of machine-made paper and compared its properties with those of handmade papers.

Finally, he showed a selection of paintings in watercolour, gouache and oil pastels.

These were painted on different papers from his range of products and Jim explained how each artist had exploited the properties of his chosen paper.

Throughout the presentation, questions were answered and explanations given to dispel the many misunderstandings of this subject.

The next meeting is at St Luke's Memorial Hall, Evesham Road, Headless Cross, on Wednesday, June 2, at 7.30pm. It will be an informal workshop evening when some members will work in their chosen medium and all members will be free to observe and discuss the work and take part if they wish.

The spring exhibition takes place on Saturday in the Kingfisher Centre at Kingfisher Square.

The public will be invited to vote to select the best picture overall and the best flower study.