I have been sorting out which paintings to submit for two local exhibitions because the forms needed to be posted today. This one,which you may or may not remember, needed brightening up, which is what I did. I am happy with it now.
The brief for the afternoon at the WA was 'Bare Necessities'. Well, I've been humming the tune all week! I couldn't think of a better idea than bread and water, so took a photo of this set up. Among the ideas were a nude, a pair of boots, a row of coloured pencils, a matchbox and a cute child with a bare bottom. Maybe I could photograph the other work done in the group and show them here in future. An amazingly diverse group, and endlessly fascinating how folks minds work! The star of the show, though, was the delicious home made cake, presented by Pat, of which I had two slices. What diet??
Stretch 20" x 30" Oil
Tumble 20" x 30" Oil
This is my sister, Janice. I have painted her before but yesterday I wanted to do a perfect lovely pencil drawing. I had a wonderful afternoon, taking my time and thinking it was going very well.
This morning I notice that everything was 'out' because her face was too long, and several times I sat, eraser poised...but I couldn't do it. It certainly brought home to me how important it is to keep drawing, hand-eye co-ordination sure suffers if you don't.
Not to be beaten I took her to the WA this afternoon and, so far, it's better. I find oil paint is far more forgiving than graphite, but because I forget to erase before correcting and I hate that shiny thing that happens! Her features are better proportioned anyway, and her face not too long, but there is some work still to do. I vow to get back to the pencil....one day.
This wasn't as easy as I thought it would be and I had to stop before I wanted to. But you get the gist? I had thought that I would do two figures but Carolann suggested 'lots more children and lots more balloons'. Three is getting there. 
MARY
The task today, at the WA, was to draw each other, a 20 minute sitting each. Penny asked me to give a few pointers, as I do portraits, but the the others generally don't. I decided to demonstrate, but did my usual thing of concentrating on the job in hand and forgetting to talk!
I chose a carbon pencil because it looked like mostly everyone else had pencils. I prefer charcoal, though, as I find it easier to work and far quicker to get a good result.
IRIS
JUDITH
I have been thinking about the HUGE painting for the hospital and this sketch was my first idea. I felt that even coloured in it would not be happy enough! Ilike the idea of balloons and a figure, so...... 
This is the very rough sketch of of the next idea. I wanted to keep it simple, but attention grabbing! On the balloons, which isn't very clear, will be depictions of ice cream, jelly babies, cats + dogs, dolls, ballet shoes, things that create happy memories. If I go with a boy it would be scoring a goal, boating, trains, skateboards, etc. Maybe both? I would very much appreciate feedback. Do you think it will translate to huge? Would cartoon depictions on the balloons be better than realistic? So much to think about and I really want it to be GOOD!
UNSURE 16" x 20" Oil 
