Pearl Earring

Oils on Board 18" x 12"

After Vermeer.

One of my favourites so of course I had to paint it.  As usual I have not quite finished, but I'm pleased with how its going. I never thought I would be able to paint it and I always put it off until now. 

This is my first attempt at Girl with the Pearl Earring and it was very hard painting in layers because I am not a patient person and usually paint alla prima.  Quite a learning curve!

I would like to improve the skin tones, but hey, I'm just getting started and still so much to learn!

Another Seago study

Oils on canvas board 16" x 12"

Another study of a Seago painting. I really loved doing this one and I must say it looks even better in real life - sadly I can never quite get the colours correct on screen, but this is pretty close.

Summer Days and Fairies

Ink on tinted sketch paper - After Charles Robinson's The Siesta

A quick study of the illustration entitled The Siesta, which appealed to me because the fairies seem to be using a cobweb as a hammock. It reminds me of warm Summer days languidly lying in our hammock. I also adored the shape of the cat.

I could have worked more on this to give more detail, but didn't really have the time.

Teddy and the Cookie Jar

Teddy with the Cookie Jar - Ink sketch

Pencil sketch

Just sketching some ideas in readiness for my painting. I have already started the painting but I need to add stuff and these are some studies which should help when I get back to the painting.

I have recently been in hospital and unable to paint or even sketch. Glad to say I am on the mend and soooo happy to be getting back to my artwork. I have missed it so much.

Feeling the Rhythm

Acrylics in sketchbook

Thanks to my friend, John for the loan of the photograph - I was struck by the sunny atmosphere and hope that I have captured some of that here. It is unfinished but then, that's what a sketchbook is for isn't it? To practice technique etc... not to finish. I could work up a painting from this and may do so in the future - I think it is worth exploring further.

I think the acrylics are growing on me. Surprisingly, I find I am using them more just lately.

Music has rather a magical effect doesn't it? The beat of a drum, the strumming of a guitar or the sound of a piano... all do something to the soul, lift the spirits and make me want to dance. You feel your foot tapping to the beat and it's hard to ignore... it's irresistable. Even for me, someone without any real sense of rhythm but who nevertheless loves to dance.

Thinking Time

30 min study in acrylics (in sketchbook)

Quick study of Sargent's "Miss Eliza Wedgewood". Sargent's work was in watercolours but I have used acrylics just sloshed about in my sketchbook. I rather like the looseness of this. Sargent's is better of course, but I am secretly pleased at how this has turned out considering the very small amount of time spent on it.

Thinking time is needed when painting. I find I spend an awful lot of time just thinking about what I am going to paint, how I am going to paint it and even when I have painted it, time to reflect on what I have accomplished and how to move forward. Art is not just about action, but also about thought.

When the sun is shining and I feel its rays warm upon my head, it's easy to slip into daydream mode and then I find my thinking works so much better. During cold spells it's much harder to get the brain working properly. :) Roll on Summer!

The Lady Clare

Study of The Lady Clare after J W Waterhouse.

Doing this I realised that I needed more time in order to get a better likeness. I am reasonably happy with this but I wish I could have caught that kind of wistful dreamy look that Waterhouse captured... it was beautiful. Still practice, as they say, makes perfect and I intend to continue trying.

Teddy's Surprise

60 minute study 10" x 8" oils on deep canvas

It was evident that Teddy was surprised. He had thought there was nothing in the world that could surprise him anymore, he had seen it all. But this.... was something else.

Teddy in Sienna

60 min water mixable oils on canvas paper

Used limited palette of raw sienna, burnt sienna, ivory black and titanium white.

I rather like Teddy's new look and I really enjoyed the challenge of using such a limited palette. It freed me from worrying too much over colour and gave me the opportunity to concentrate more on moulding the form, getting the light/dark contrasts and having a whole lot of fun!

I will be using this palette again I think in a larger work on canvas.

Secret Messages

30 min tree study watercolour in sketchbook

My imagination got the better of me when I spotted this tree.... such a handy place for lovers to leave secret messages. Ah, I'm such a romantic!

Teddy with Sunflowers

60 min Ink and wash

This is one of the preliminary studies I did in ink and wash before working on a similar set up for a large oil painting.

I really like teddies and this is one of my favourites - of course the had to be teamed with my favourite flowers too.

Sunflowers in Ink and Wash

40 min ink and wash on tinted card

The best part of the week I bought two bunches of sunflowers on special offer and took one to the office and one home, so I am surrounded by sunshine!

I am still hooked on the sunflowers and am busy on another large oil painting, but I had time to do a quick study in my favourite medium.

Really lifted my spirits.

Old Brickwork

10 min study of old brickwork... watercolour on paper.

I love old brickwork, like many ancient things it has such character.

I have to capture that character and so I think there will be a few more of these studies until I am happy with my progress.

Kate Greenaway Study

30 min ink and watercolours on tinted card 8" x 6"

Inspired by a project on WetCanvas I enjoyed doing this little study of a Kate Greenaway illustration.

Not such a good study, but I really enjoyed myself. I think I will do more ink and watercolours. I had almost forgotten how much I love watercolours... soon time to get my brushes wet again!

Tree Study

Oils on postcard

Using a very limited palette I tried a quick tree study. My trees are usually horrendous - believe me, this is an improvement!

I know...... keep practising. :)

I must admit I had a wonderful time painting this - sitting in the local park, in brilliant sunshine (yes, sometimes it's sunny in England!) with my paints out on the grass. What a great way to spend a lunchbreak.

Studying Other Artists

Oils on canvas paper 50 min study of Nathan Altman's painting which I saw at the Russian Exhibition in London last year. Still plenty to do on this but it was great practice for me. This one is not strictly in keeping with the premise of this blog - to do sketches and paintings from life -but sometimes it is really worthwhile to study the work of others in this way.

Then in our souls there seems to languish
A tender grief that is not woe;
And thoughts that once wrung groans of anguish,

Now cause but some mild tears to flow. (Charlotte Bronte)