Doodle 6" x 6' Oil

I found this little sketch, done so long ago I don't even remember, but it made me take a second look. I got out my favourite colour, red transparent oxide, and doodled.
The sad thing is I can't seem to recapture that look on her face, which is what grabbed my attention in the first place! Maybe I should frame the sketch!

If you would like to purchase this painting for 50 GBP please email me. Or the sketch for 15 GBP.

Barack Obama 10" x 10" Oil

The man of the moment, well, I started this on Inauguration Day. Many rejoice and many see new hope for the future. I feel inexplicably uneasy.

If you would like to purchase this painting for 70GBP (unless otherwise stated) please email me.

Hot 18" x 24" Oil

This was a discarded life painting, done at HAS years ago. As soon as I saw it again, I knew why it had been rejected. The legs were far too small! She looked deformed, so I set to work. She certainly looks better now, although far from comfortable. How the model lay like that all afternoon, I don't know, but she did.

If you would like to purchase this painting for 100 GBP please email me.

Distracted

So much for my intention of not getting distracted by the internet. I have just revisited David Larson Evans and spent an emotional, delightful hour exploring his blog. His portraits are outstanding, in fact everything is so full of life and movement and I think is a statement of David's joy of living and painting. Check out Red Slide, which had me mesmerised, and his portrait of Andy Warhol stopped me in my tracks!

Bedtime Too 20" x 30" x 2 Acrylic

Everything I have done this week has been a washout, or even a wipeout! So I thought I would show one I did earlier! It is actually two paintings and would be a shame to split them up. This is the only attempt at palette knife painting that I have kept. I enjoyed painting them, but then went on to the next thing, as I usually do, and have never used a palette knife since! I keep trying new things and consequently am the master of none. This year I am going to concentrate on portraits and figures in oil, obviously with the aim of becoming brilliant!
I think my malaise springs from the fact that we have sold our house and so we are in limbo. We don't have a moving date yet and I am loathe to start packing until we have. You would think that having the painting to do would take my mind off it. Not me, I am excited and want it to happen NOW, and I cannot concentrate. Will keep you posted.

If you would like to purchase these paintings for 200 GBP each, or 350 GBP for the pair, please email me.

Roy 26" x 18" Oil

Roy is finished! I like it. It has turned out very high key because I started on a very light ground of wet paint and couldn't get the darks very dark. I really enjoyed painting on a wet surface and will do so again, but I think I shall start darker next time, a mid tone probably, not unlike pastels on a toned paper.
I have been worrying lately about pricing, in the present economic climate. It is very tempting to put prices down, alongside houses and cars, etc, all the luxury items really, but buying artwork, I think, is something very low on the list for most people. I have decided, though, that to put my prices down would be unfair to those customers who have paid a lot of money for one of my works. I would be interested to know what you think about this issue?

If you would like to purchase this painting for 300 GBP please email me.

Roy 26"x 18" Oil WIP

Despite my good intentions I started to fuss with details, even before I had blocked in the whole composition! The darker patch is (or will be) a framed piece of Tottenham Hotspurs executive carpet, which Roy is very proud of! I might rename this painting ' They Lost Again!'. Roy doesn't look very happy, does he?

I found out today that my painting 'Asleep' ( at least they think it was that one!) won the prize for Best in Show, at the Hertford Art Society Annual Members Show. This prize is a legacy from a very exuberant past member and is voted for by the members. I am so proud of myself. Here is the painting again, for those of you who missed it.

Thanks for your visit, happy painting everyone.

Roy 26" x 18" Oil WIP

I had a boring, tedious morning, you know, housework, paperwork and I had to wait for the car mechanic because my car won't start! Then, when I finally got to the studio, I spent an hour tidying up and wondering what to do! I have three pieces of work to do for other people, but I didn't want to do them. Contrary, that's me.
I had nothing to paint on, anyway, so I found an old canvas board with a rubbish painting on it, and painted the whole thing over with a sloopy grey mix. Normally I would wait for that to dry before painting on it, but by now I was getting the buzz. I pinned a photo of Roy to the wall and off I went. I had about an hour before it got dark and I didn't want to stop. I have never started a painting on a wet surface before, but I shall do so again. Another revelation!

Revelation

I forgot to tell you of my revelation yesterday. As usual I started fussing with details, so I moved my reference photo to the wall of my studio, about 3 feet away, instead of having it adjacent to my canvas. Well, you can't dot the 'i's and cross the 't's if you can't see the 'i's and the 't's!

Me Again 10" x 10" Oil

Not quite what I had in mind, but nothing turns out as expected or intended. But you have to go with the flow.........or not, as happened today. I must remember to put paint on the brush, or you scrape off what is already there!

If you would like to purchase this painting for 70GBP (unless otherwise stated) please email me.

Me Again 10" x 10" Oil WIP

I'm sorry but I just had to have a go at this! I'm using the Zorn palette, black, white, red and yellow, and a big brush, and I wanted to be sparing with the brush strokes, a la Carole Marine.
Well, it's not a bad likeness, but it is a mess! I hope I can salvage something tomorrow!
The problem with me is that I spend half of most mornings looking at what other people are doing. I watch David Darrow, Carole Marine, Susan Carlin, Duane Keiser et al, and think "I can do that". Well I can't! I have learned a lot about the technicalities, warm and cool colours, mediums, grounds, brushes etc, etc and I am very grateful to all those folks. But I am so easily distracted from finding my own way, and I am getting nowhere fast.
So, I have decided, that for two weeks I am not going to look on the internet, or at any of my books and paint portraits without the distractions. Watch this space!
All comments gratefully appreciated.

Jan 16" x 20" Oil Finished

A couple of very minor adjustments and a less glarey photo, and I'm happy. What do you think, Janice?

If you would like to purchase this painting for 300 GBP please email me.

sharon.wright9@btopenworld.com

Jan 16" x 20" Oil

WIP or finished? A bit hard to tell from this awful photo, my husband took th better camera to work today. Something is a bit askew, and I think it is the eyes, or it could be the nose. Or is the mouth too big?!!! Methinks there is more to do on this one.
Your comments would be very welcome. Thanks fo your visit.

DSFDF Challenge Me by Hillary Miller

The wait is over. I am bowled over by this watercolour portrait, it is an awesome piece of work.

Thank you, Hillary, you must have worked your socks off!