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.

Doodles

I have agreed to provide the hospital with three more paintings for permanent display, to hang along the main corridor, round the corner from 'Balloons'. My idea is to do a sequence of three or four paintings of a child at play, jumping off a swing, cartwheeling, gymnastics...or something. So today, at the WA, I doodled. My eye is drawn to the middle sequence......what about yours?

Stir 10" x 12" Oil

In such a rush to post before Roy gets home, I only now see that I didn't finish the handle! More to do on the hand too, but I like this!

First Marks

I spent most of the afternoon tiddling up 'Penny', amidst many suggestions and good feedback from the girls and boy, and Penny was delighted with the finished painting. I love a happy client, thanks Penny.
Which meant that I only had time to sketch in my next painting. This image intrigued me because of the incongruity of the masculine, hairy hand and the delicate china teacup. Stay tuned...you'll see.

Penny 16" x 20" Oil More Progress

Penny 16" x 20" Oil In Progress

I have been working on this portrait of Penny and there is a long way to go yet, but I am enjoying the sparkly bits....not something I would normally bother with.

Wonky!

WA day today, the brief was spoon in a glass. As you may be able to tell, I spent most of the afternoon chatting, and was not concentrating on what I was doing. Its wonkiness has a certain charm, though, don't you think?

Balloons

 

So all the elements are in place , all I have to do now is go back in and refine it .... mainly all the hands, I think. Or, I could put in more balloons over the hands......

 I couldn't get far enough away from it to take a decent photo, and to crop it would lose half the image, but I thought it good to leave in the door so you can appreciate how big it is!

All suggestions and comments gratefully received, thank you.

Happy painting! and have a great weekend.

Yet More Balloons

One more figure after this, and then I can show you the whole thing.

Penny

The brief at the WA was to paint a clock, paying particular attention to depicting the space between glass and dial. Good subject for watercolour and ink, which is what I took. Penny, however, asked me to take on another commission and presented me with a photo of her glamorous self. Brilliant....I get out of the clock thing by doing a preliminary sketch of Penny. All well and good.....but....watercolour! Bear in mind I have not touched watercolours for YEARS! But I had a go, actually inspired by Sadami, who is the reason I had dug them out of a box in the shed. Check her out, she is cool.

Stephen Fry 9" x 12" Oil

I am a creature of extremes. Mostly, I will scrub out as much paint as possible from the brush, wearing it out, rather than squeeze out or mix any more colour. I am also very lazy and very miserly! Today, I had so much mixed up paint left over that I painted this.
I have been sorting out paintings for another exhibition, this time in Swaffham at the end of October, tiddling up a background I wasn't happy with.

Breather

I packed up all my stuff ready for tomorrow and found myself with ten minutes to spare so I drew this. OK, half an hour! Should have got the hoover out!

John + Sally

 I'm off to the life drawing at HAS tomorrow, where I shall be chatting again to my very good friend, John. He is a lovely man who is so helpful, even popping home to fetch me oil paints when I was moaning about having no money and running out of fave colours! Friendly, full of suggestions and he makes me laugh, so I have done the only thing I can .......paint him!

I wasn't happy with Sally on Wednesday as I didn't get enough of a likeness, as I did with Doris + Paul, so I have spent a few minutes tiddling her up. I'm happy now, even though, now I have posted, I think her nose is a tad too big!

Thanks for visiting, and have a fantastic weekend.

WA

 DORIS

 PAUL

SALLY

Today, at the WA, we did 20 minute portrait studies of each other. You might wonder why there are only three! Well, we were celebrating Pennys' birthday....with TWO chocolate cakes! My idea of heaven or what?

Sally was done first as a demonstration of how I set about drawing a portrait. Paul was working in the building and Penny persuaded him to sit for us.....for chocolate cake! And Doris agreed to stay and sit when we were all debating whether to go home or do another drawing.

No other member 'does' portraits, so I am not only impressed at everyones willingness to have a go, but also by their efforts. One day I will photo them as well.

A very enjoyable afternoon. 

Lara

The finished portrait of Lara. I thoroughly enjoyed painting this portrait and I think a big part of that is because I really didn't 'fiddle' with it, and agonise over every tiny detail. I would like to thank Penny, for letting me paint it and for being thoroughly thrilled with the painting.

More Balloons

Another figure in place on the HUGE painting. I swear it is getting bigger and bigger! I am going to have to get down to some serious work on this if I am ever going to get it finished.

Lara WIP

At the Wa last week, the delightful Penny brought along fantastic photographs of her granddaughter, Lara. I asked her which she would like a painting of and she chose this. I've not quite got her yet....I feel some fiddling coming on. I have to say how much more difficult it is to portray a young beautiful woman than a scabby old bloke with a beard!

Tomatoes 10" x 8" Oil

The WA started their meetings again, after the summer break. It was so good to be back and catch up with  everyone. The theme was tomatoes, so here they are........tomatoes. I enjoyed painting them.
The club is having an exhibition throughout September at Hendersons Art and Framing, in King's Lynn. Wish us luck...fame and fortune is beckoning!

Mary Too

My first painting of Mary was gifted to Merle, Marys' sister and my very good friend, and to Stan, Merles' husband. This one is for another very good friend Myra, who is Marys', sisters', sons', wifes' mother, and her partner Alan. Yeah, I have trouble keeping up too! Myra chose her favourite photo of Mary for me to paint.

Balloons (detail)

This is going to take a long time! Another small piece of the large painting for the hospital. Hope they like it!

Snettisham Beach 12" x 9" Oil

On Tuesday I met up with my very good friend and fellow artist Carolann, who was taking a camping break at Snettisham. We had a brilliant day, chatting arty stuff, obviously, and we took the dog for a (very long, I discovered that my legs do work!) walk on Snettisham Beach.
I tend not to do landscapes, but Carolann inspired me to have a go, but I am not competing, her landscapes are awesome.

Balloons (detail)

I have not painted for weeks! And it is so hard to get started again. This week I have begun the large painting for the hospital, blocking in all the elements in the local colour in acrylic. Nothing easy to get me going again! I might have to finish in oils because, as you can see from this face, I've forgotten how to manage acrylics. This is a small corner of the painting, just to whet your appetite!

Front Page

Denise Fergus

I have begun to post on my other blog again, Front Page, take a look, if you want to.

Underpainting

The initial blocking in for a new portrait, of my niece, Kathryn. It WILL look like her by the time I'm done!
A few people have asked what board I have been painting on. You were right, Vern, it is MDF, 2mm. Although, this one, is on hardboard.
Have a great weekend, happy painting!

Listening 16" x 20" Oil

Another Rose 30" x 161/2" Oil

Painted with a knife, most unusual for me, must have been feeling adventurous! Very enjoyable as it makes it easier to eliminate detail. No fiddling here, which is good for my soul.

Cherries 14" x 10" Oil

Cherries from my garden.....they were delicious!

Escaped! 18" x 19" Oil

I thought I would try a beach scene on the bare board. I like it!

Rose 11" x 13" Oil

Took a rose from the garden to paint at the WA. I have to say, again, how liberating it is to paint something not quite so exacting as a face! I enjoyed this, and I really like the bare board for background.

Five Years Old 13" x 13" Mixed Media In Progress

I wanted to draw a quick charcoal portrait to exhibit with the reference photo in the hope of generating portrait commissions. Good idea....yes? No... not so quick and it's getting messier as time goes on. How do people make nice CLEAN drawings? It is mixed media because I have used charcoal, pastel, conte and carbon!
You may remember I painted this last year, see here, and I have to say that I prefer her in colour, so I might do that again, instead.
Sorry about the photo, don't know why it is 'stripey'.