Early Stuff

I seem to have hit a brick wall, haven't been able to get going at all since the onset of British Winter Time! So I thought I would show you some really early stuff, so you can see how I have improved...or not!

'Thelma'  Pastel on Canson Mi Teintes 

'Andrew' Pastel on Paper  One of the very first pictures I made.

'Jim'  Charcoal on paper. Done during my week with Ken Paine. Blimey...was that eight years ago!

'Stella'  Oil on canvas board.

'Dr I M K Hiscock'  Acrylic on canvas board. 

'Jan' Acrylic on canvas board.

'Blue Mood' Acrylic on canvas board. Also done under the watchful eye of Ken Paine. I've done nothing like it before or since!

'A Good Joke' Oil on paper. 

'Interspect' Acrylic on canvas board. One of my all time favourites.

'Knife'  Mixed Media on canvas board. One of my very few still lifes.

'Apple Sauce' Acrylic on paper. One of my favourites, just because I get a kick to think of a pig watching!

Can you see him?

I hope to get back in the swing of it very soon....or maybe just show you some more oldies!

WA

The brief at the WA this week was to finish what we started last week and so I was in a quandary as to what to do, spending time surfing the www for inspiration for an hour or so before I had to get to the meeting.  Jackie came to my rescue with a photo of her granddaughter, so what better time to start.

I did some more yesterday......

And hoped to finish it today.......

But I see it still needs some work.

WA

The brief today was pointilism, and of course, me being me, didn't do that! Everyone did a really good job and, I think, surprised themselves. I thought I would compromise and do a painting using square brushstrokes, but along the same principals. Well, you know me and colour? Can't do it! I did begin with purple but I don't know where that went! This portrait was started at the last life drawing session at Hertford Art Society and I liked the composition and the pretty face so had to finish it.

Brenda + Douglas 20" x 16" Oil

It is very evident, in these two paintings, the difference between digital and non digital photographs. I prefer digital, as they eliminate minute detail, and as I HAVE to paint what I see, I feel I paint better paintings from them. What do you think? Having said that, nothing beats painting from life, but who has the time or inclination to sit?
 So here we have Brenda + Douglas. I do hope they like them.
PS. How do you post pictures side by side?

Punt 10" x 12" Oil

I needed a break from faces today so was pleased that the brief at the WA was 'messing about in boats'. I enjoyed slapping on the paint, shame I forgot to paint the pole in properly!

Douglas 20" x 16" Oil In Progress

Meet Douglas, a fellow artist who goes along to the WA with his wife Brenda, who has asked me to paint their portraits. I hope 'Brenda' goes as well as 'Douglas'. I'm enjoying it immensely, I think because he is such a lovely man, it is an honour to paint him. Very quiet, ( well you would be...surrounded by women!) when he speaks it is usually a very funny observation or helpful advice. 

I started this yesterday morning and took it along to the meeting, although the brief was to make Christmas cards. Should have taken some photographs.....they were very good and interesting.