My Art

Furry friends!

2012-02-04T16:36:00.000Z

Today I got going on my second otter, the fur requires lots of layers of pastel to achieve the furry texture. Starting with a soft pastel, I've then worked into this with pastel pencil, then used soft pastel again to pull out lighter areas. I spent time today trying to understand the pose of the second otter. Now I've think he's beginning to work, I will get on with the back of the top otter.

Otters wip

2012-02-03T20:01:00.002Z

First otter started, my broken wrist is making progress a bit slow, sharpening pastel pencils is hard, and in order to get plently of depth to the texture of the fur I need sharp pencils. I'm enjoying getting back to an animal painting, I'm just taking my time to allow my healing wrist to rest.

King of the castle!

2012-01-27T22:03:00.000Z

King of the castle, that's the title my 7 year old son has given this. The drawing stage is taking longer then usual, especially on this pastelmat which is like a fine sand paper that wears down my pencils, meaning lots of pencil sharpening, my broken wrist has been getting lots of physio!

I'm ready for the pastel painting now, I think this needs to built up slowly to achieve the sleek glossy sheen on the fur. I've started to consider the way the fur follows the form of the otters, and how to achieve that strokeable texture!

Otters, otters and more otters!

2012-01-26T19:11:00.000Z

In my opinion the more the merrier. There will be a pile of them by the time I've finished! This is going to be an A3 pastel painting.
I was lucky to meet these guys last year, sunbathing in London zoo. The otters fur is so sleak and glossy, the painting has the otters entangled, heads resting on heads, backs and bottoms! All the otters are in bliss, sunning themselves!

I think this is finished!

2012-01-21T11:55:00.001Z

This proved to be a good challenge to see what I could achieve with a knackered left arm. I finished eventually however it took a while. Simple tasks such as holding a pencil sharpener, and taking off lids on paint tubes slowing me down.

I did enjoy this though, it was nice to get back in the studio.

The one handed artist is still perservering!

2012-01-19T21:57:00.000Z

Lots of things to sort with this. Some bits to the left I like, lots of bits to the right I don't! Progress is slow as I seem to not be able to work more than an hour a day.

Ponte Vecchio w.i.p

2012-01-16T17:20:00.001Z

Well I've made it back to my studio, my left hand still very much out of action. Being right handed, I figured I could easily crack on with some work, but the whole process has been hard. Trying to remove tops from tubes of paint one handed, sharpening pencils ( I need to get another pencil sharpener ), just holding reference pictures in my left hand tires it.

But I have made a start, I'm finding it hard to get straight lines without my left hand to steady me, I guess it will come with practise!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-08T15:44:00.003Z

Well here we are 2012! It's been a strange start to the year for me, I started the year in hospital.

Call it miss adventure, or bad middle aged dancing, I fell early New Years Day at a party at my brother's house. My wrist was the casulty of my fall, and at first inspection obviously badly broken. Everyone's first response to my news has been the same, too much champagne? "Yes", was it you drawing arm? "No thank God!" An operation on New Years day to bolt my shattered wrist back together seems to have been a success, and now a week on, I'm feeling the need to get back into the studio.

Here's one I made a start on last year, again it's based on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy. I was drawn to many things, compositionally the curves of the arches in the building and the bridge. The next consideration you can't see yet, is the way the sun lights the facade of the bridge, bathing it in sunlight. Finally are the shadows that are cast against the glowing walls, in lovely violets.

This is a small study to pair up with a study I did of the same bridge last year, its size roughly A4, and I plan to use gouache, in vibrant coloured blocks, then work over details in pastel pencil.

Due to popular demand, we're back!

2011-12-08T19:46:00.001Z

Another chance to buy a unique Xmas gift! So excited that we're back. To be honest it wasn't planned, but the Market House asked us if we would like to do a few more days, after the success of the first one, we had to say yes!

Finally got my heron

2011-12-02T14:37:00.001Z

For well over a year I've been pursuing this heron in Richmond Park. As soon as my camera came out he'd be off, however when I didn't have my camera on me he'd know and hang around just to tease me!

Finally he gave me a break a few months back!

This is an A3 pastel painting based on these photos. I first painted a gouache base with some highlights, then worked over this in pastel.

2011-11-27T17:17:00.001Z

Sorting out all my work for my next KAOS Exhibition. We're in the Kingston Market Place again. This time we've decided to make all work £100 and under, with the thought that people's minds are on Xmas now. We can offer truely unique gifts by local artists and crafts people, you certainly won't get anything similar on the high street!

A little break from the swan

2011-11-24T19:33:00.001Z

I'm taking a break from my swan. Things that had to be done got in the way, and I've temporarily lost momentum, so I thought a new project to get things going again, then I will return to the swan with a fresh eye.
This is obviously a heron, I finally got my shot in Richmond Park, I've been trying to take a decent photo of a heron for months. I'm doing this roughly A3 mostly in gouache, which I will work into with pastel for his wispy parts in his plummage.

Ripples and reflections, swan wip

2011-11-21T17:02:00.001Z

Progress is slow on this, I've had a few other things to get done. I'm still refining the green. I need to get on with the foreground so I can finish the background. I always struggle to get on in the Winter, the shorter daylight hours reduce the time I can work especially using pastels which I find require good daylight.

Swan w.i.p.

2011-11-17T16:41:00.001Z

I've roughly blocked in the green areas of the water. I don't want green over-kill so I'm working over the far background with a lavender colour to mute the green, and push it into the background. I'm going to work into the foreground tomorrow, then I can gauge how much I need to tone down the background colours.

I went to the Degas and the Ballet Picturing Movement Exhibition at the Royal Academy today. Fantastic absolutely fascinated by the use of photography, how by using 24 cameras, surrounding a figure all taking simultaneous photos, they could then be used to create sculptures or photosculpture. There were also examples of serial imagery that showed the broken down movements of the dancers. On top of this was the icing on the cake, Degas paintings, his pastels in real-life have so much more luminosity and vibrancy of colour.

Kingston wildlife

2011-11-15T19:25:00.000Z

I've decided it's time I celebrated my local wildlife. First up is this swan on the river Thames. It's an A3 pastel painting on pastelmat, obviously still a w.i.p;
I've started with a gouache wash, which I'm now working into with pastel.

Kingston wildlife

2011-11-09T21:02:00.001Z

My next few paintings are to depict some local Kingston wildlife. We are so fortunate to have Richmond Park and the river nearby, I've recently drawn a stag, now I have a number of other subjects. Firstly this swan on the Thames, I've also finally succeeded in my quest to take a photo of a heron. I've a great shot of a squirrel, and green parquets which also reside in our park, another resident in the park are Mandarin ducks these are to be an another subject soon.

2011-11-06T16:10:00.001Z

I've tweaked a bit, and taken a better photo, now I'm stopping. Hope the lady who asked for the painting likes it!

I've some small projects in mind next, various paintings of native wildlife.

Nearly getting there

2011-11-03T17:25:00.000Z

I'm starting to feel this is nearly there. I'm conscious that it can't become over-worked. This photo better shows the true colours. I've worked red into the beach, and obviously finished the boy in the foreground. I've also worked various lighter tones into the beach and sea, and tweaked down the blueness of the sky.

I'm going to ponder this over the weekend, then see what the mother of the boys thinks!

Trying to capture the movement

2011-11-02T16:17:00.000Z

I had a right job getting a photo with true colours, always problematic when taking pastel paintings. The sky is a bit too blue, and orange a bit more orange, and the sand a little dull, otherwise perfect! I've work some texture and tone into the beach, the started on the boys. The strong sunlight is casting hard shadows, so I'm finding it hard to keep the boys poses looking natural, not too graphic. I'm using eye-catching light illuminated colours so that you eye goes to them first then the sea in the distance. They've got a long run to the sea and the two in front are sprinting off to get to it, their elder brother looking on, pondering whether to follow!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T15:18:00.000Z

The title has nothing to do with photos, just thought I'd wish you spooky Halloween!

I've just received a commission, three brothers running free on a beach in Southern France. Today I started with some loose gouache washes, then once dry started to experiment with pastel over the washes. The painting is all to do with Mediterranean vibrant colours, movement and space.

Mini giraffe 2 finished

2011-10-25T19:16:00.000+01:00

It's half term so haven't been up to much art really, however managed to finish off my other mini canvas. I've just received a commission, so that will be my next project. I've drawn the subjects, three boys a few times before, but this time the portraiture is more about their movement, rather than to achieve a facial likeness. The three boys are sprinting across a beach towards the sea, it should be fun and challenging.

Art Celebration 2011

2011-10-21T10:07:00.000+01:00

Art Celebration 2011 is now on! Had our Private View last night, Jason Bowyer President of the New England Arts Club opened the exhibition.

Exhibition continues Friday 21 and Saturday 22, 10.00 - 5.00pm; Sunday 1.00 - 5.00pm.

Duke Street Church, Duke Street, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1DH

My next mini giraffe is in progress

2011-10-19T20:15:00.001+01:00

My second mini canvas is starting to take shape. I spent a couple of hours on it today. I think the two will look good together. I'm enjoying working on these canvases, you can work on them wet easily by hooking a finger around the edge of the canvas to avoid the wet paint.

First mini canvas finished

2011-10-17T16:19:00.000+01:00

I finally got a couple of hours to finish this one off over the weekend. I strangely enjoyed the painting the patchy pattern. Now I need to make a start on the other giraffe.

Mini canvas wip

2011-10-12T10:27:00.000+01:00

I've made a start on the top giraffe, mainly trying to make sense of his skull shape, and to start to tackle the folds in his patches. The bottom giraffe has now a skin of paint to give me an idea of total values and the balance of the composition. Today I need to crack on with the patchy pattern, I don't know if I'll have time to make a start on the other giraffe.

My mini canvas project

2011-10-10T17:04:00.000+01:00

These are mini canvases 8 x 8in, both oil. There are intended of an exhibition at the end of November with my KAOS art group. The exhibition is the Very Affordable Christmas Art Fair, as the title suggests the exhibition is an aim to make art affordable to all, artwork is to be priced £100 and under.

I'm working these two alongside one another, the top painting has a thin skin of lean paint on it, to give me an idea of the overall balance. You will notice a grid on both, I'm painting them from photos, taken by myself, so due to the complex pattern on the giraffe's fur, and the unusual dimensions of the animals, I thought it would be best to use a grid, to help with proportions and to stop me getting lost in the patchy markings on the giraffe.

Giraffe w.i.p

2011-10-05T20:00:00.001+01:00

I didn't think I'd start anything more this week, however had a few hours, so decided to make a start on a mini canvas. It's only 8 x 8 in. I've two of them, both are going to feature giraffe. They are intended for my Xmas exibition with KAOS, end of November. The artists are getting together producing lots of these mini canvas, so we can have a canvas wall of very affordable original artwork. There will such a diversity of work, I think it will be great.

I have used a definite grid work for this under-drawing as the patches on the giraffe's fur have been stretched and folded with the pose of the giraffe, making them very hard to follow.

Ponte Vecchio 2

2011-10-04T16:06:00.001+01:00

Finished off my small drawing of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, just in time to start getting myself straight for this weekend's exhibition. I feel I want to go back to Florence again, it's such a magical place, so pretty.

Another painting of Ponte Vecchio

2011-10-03T19:46:00.002+01:00

A small study, still in progress, I'm busy this week with an exhibition so didn't want to start anything too big. This is an A4 gouache and pastel pencil, I started the painting with simple flat blocks of gouache, which I'm now working into them with pastel pencil.

Ham Art Group Autumn Exhibition 2011

2011-09-29T19:18:00.001+01:00

I'm starting to get myself organised for my next exhibition. I enjoy this exhibition as I can get involved in the actual setting up, I love putting out all the work submitted by the group and arranging them into an exhibition, we never know what's going to be submitted and how it will work together, but some how it always does!

Tropical waterlilies I and II, now finished

2011-09-27T16:12:00.001+01:00

Here are my finished tropical waterlilies. Finished just in time to dry for my exhibition next month. Both painting are an attempt to capture the illumination of the lilies petals in the fantastic light of the glass house in Kew Gardens, and the reflections in the lily pond.

My next project below is another A4 paper based project, I'll probably use gouache and pastel pencil. It's a section of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. I've already painted this bridge in oils, that painting was about the sunshine on the walls and the reflections in the windows. This composition has great shadows, cast from the shutters.

Stag in Richmond Park

2011-09-21T19:57:00.002+01:00

Here's my stag, a quick A4 painting whilst my oil painting dries, I'm quite pleased with it. I'm wondering if it would work well as an oil painting. I may work a little more into the bracken, but for now, I'm returning to my waterlily.

Richmond Park deer wip

2011-09-20T17:16:00.002+01:00

Whilst I'm waiting for my waterlily to dry, I have started a small A4 painting in gouche and pastel pencil. I'm so lucky to have Richmond Park just 10 minutes walk from my house, the diversity of the wildlife that lives there is a never-ending source of material for paintings. This one is coming together fairly quick, so I hope to have it almost done by tomorrow, by which time hopefully I can get back to my waterlily.

Reflections

2011-09-19T19:28:00.000+01:00

Not a very inspired title, I've been working further into this painting today, I think I prefer the reflection to the actual flower at the moment, I need to get more contasts into it's petals.
I finally got myself into town this weekend to see the BP Portraits Exhibition, some fantastic work very inspiring.

Tropical waterlilies at Kew

2011-09-16T19:33:00.000+01:00

I think the top one is almost there, I will leave it on the shelf to tweak. I'm now waiting for the bottom to dry so I can start to work in some more refined details. I spent some time playing with colours and tones yesterday. I want to capture light in the colours, the waterlily house is such a beautifully lit place. I'm trying to achieve the lights without using pure white, so to let the luminousity of the colours give the impression of the light.

All things watery

2011-09-12T19:24:00.000+01:00

My day today has been very much centred around water. The depiction of it in my work, and in my day. I had a mini flood in my house due to a dodgy pipe. A plumber was trying to fix a small leak in the bathroom, which then turned into deluge that came through my kitchen ceiling, pouring through my extractor hood. Just hope the electrics have survived the soaking.

This painting is proving to be another challenge, however I think I've finally got a feel for where I want to take it.

Reflections in Helkidiki

2011-09-08T21:42:00.000+01:00

I've got to wait for my two mini canvases to dry before I can work further into them. The Summer has passed and it means that the drying time of the oil paints take longer, so I've started to sketch my next painting out. It's based on some photos taken in a fishing village in Helkidiki, Greece. This one is a bigger sized canvas,14 x 18in.

The boys are back in school

2011-09-07T17:39:00.001+01:00

Back to the old routine. Spent a little time today experimenting with my colours for this flower, the petals have a reflective quality, that give them such subtlety and a delicate appearence. The centre of the flower is submerged into the water, and the petals are covered in water droplets, which the most amazing reflections. Now all I have to do is paint them!

Waterliles wip

2011-09-05T19:50:00.000+01:00

My studio is lovely, clutter free without all my paintings which are in Southfields, London for 2 weeks. I made a start on these two canvases today, 10 x 10in. Lots of gorgeous details to play with such as water droplets, ripples and reflections.

KAOS at Southfields London

2011-09-03T11:24:00.001+01:00

KAOS have arrived at Southfields! We had our Private view last night, the gallery was packed out, people spilling out onto the pavement.

We had two VIPs, the mayors from Kingston and Wandsworth, who praised the success of KAOS .

The gallery was packed so getting a decent shot of the actual gallery proved to be hard. I had a great night, but I had to unfortunately cut it short as my son had a fever and needed his Mum!
I'm now really excited about the exhibition, here's to another success!
The exhibition runs until 17th September. The Gallery, 223 Wimbledon Park Road, Southfields, London SW18 5RH.

Another small project

2011-08-31T18:41:00.000+01:00

Today I delivered my paintings for the Southfields Exhibition, and it made me realise how much I was missing painting. The boys are still on holiday, so nothing too adventurous just a small 10 x 10in canvas. I put the skin on this oil today and felt better straight away! I haven't been totally off duty the past few weeks, I've been out and about with my camera, taken some great shots. I'm experimenting, using my photos to print some cards. I'm also venturing into the Xmas market, so have produced a calendar and hope to create some festive cards as well, but nothing tacky though!

My next exhibition.

2011-08-21T19:46:00.000+01:00

Blimey this one is coming round quick! Technically I'm taking the Summer off as the boys are on holiday. I have however got to get myself ready for this exhibition. We've got the Kingston and Southfields Mayor attending, so hopeful for lots of local press coverage. This is another venture with my local artist group KAOS. Our last exhibtion was great, it was our first one and a fantastic success. After this exhibition, I've got to start thinking Xmas which may sound strange in August. I've some projects I want to have finished in time to catch the Xmas opportunities!

Been tweaking!

2011-08-14T15:16:00.000+01:00

I've been pondering this for a bit, and slowly building up the tonal values on the petals. I've also made the centre of the flower more golden, trying to capture a glow like quality. I can continue to tweak for a few more days, but then I must decide if I want to put it in my next exhibition which is the end of the month. If I do it has to dry, and I need to attach hanging cords etc.

Kew Waterlily House

2011-07-27T19:41:00.000+01:00

Another painting to ponder! I worked the various tones and hues into the white petals today. I've stopped for now, it's going up on the shelf to be peered at until my next exhibition, then I'll decide if it's going be one of my selected paintings.

School's out!

2011-07-25T20:11:00.000+01:00

It's that time of year again! My boys are out of school now until 7th September, so that means I'm not working much! I've this painting to finish so need to grab a few hours here and there. I'm hoping it will be ready for an exhibition in the September. I really need to finish it in the next week, so it can dry. I tend to use the holidays to get out and about armed with my camera and exercise my boys at the same time!

Waterlily II

2011-07-20T19:35:00.000+01:00

Whilst waiting for my other waterlily to dry, I've made a start on the next canvas. This is a small 10 x 10in oil painting. Its going to be very detailed and up close. The flower is semi submerged in the pond, the reflections and water drops are fantastic. I was fortunate to be in the Kew Waterlily House whilst it was being attended to be a gardener who was kitted out for aquatic pursuits. Gardening in a wetsuit? Now that would give my neighbours something to talk about! The gardener had been busy tidying up the dead leaves, the result was that the waterlilies had been splashed, and this one pulled slightly below the water.

Waterlily w.i.p

2011-07-19T20:16:00.000+01:00

I've worked further into the background today, having a play with some of the colours. I've added alot more green/turquiose into the water. The waterlily pads have beautiful colours limes and magenta. I need to leave the background to dry now, then I will add the suble details and tone to the actual flower.

Delicate hues and tones

2011-07-18T19:04:00.000+01:00

I made a small start on the actual flower today. I'm experimenting with the colours to capture the subtle shadows, and glowing highlights where the sunlight is reflected from the white petals of the lily.

Waterlily work in progress

2011-07-14T15:00:00.002+01:00

I've decided to start on the background, this is due to the dark tonal values on the right. The waterlily has extremely delicate tones, so I needed a tonal guide of the overall composition, so the petals don't look too faint. The background is far from finished, I've just blocked in the basic colours and tonal values. I'm going to let this dry, then start work on the flower. Once I have most the detail of the flower I can work out how detailed the background needs to be, so it doesn't take away the focus from the flower.

Whilst this dries, I've another waterlily oil painting to start, so I'll get to that onto canvas tomorrow.

Next project

2011-07-13T19:45:00.001+01:00

My next project, or projects, I've two in mind. Both paintings are oil paintings of waterlilies. This one I've just put the oil paint skin on, which is a very dilute layer of paint. It's main function is to knock out the white canvas. The dimensions of this one are 16 x 12in, the other 10 x 10in, the small canvas is a close up of a waterlily. I got my inspiration this time at Kew Gardens, I'm very fortunate to have it on my doorstep, just a short bus journey away. In Kew there is the most spectacular glass house full of

waterlilies, it's one of my favourite places in the gardens, it so peaceful.

Ponte Vecchio

2011-07-10T17:39:00.000+01:00

I've put this on the shelf today, I've signed it, but not sure if it's totally finished, I need to ponder it and have a break from it. I'm pleased that I captured the illumination on the yellow walls and the reflection in the foreground. I need to live with the painting for a while to see if I want to pull any other elements out.

Light, shadows and reflections

2011-07-07T21:42:00.001+01:00

Today, finally got the canvas covered. I also had another go at some of the perspective on the windows/shutters in the background. Now I've started to consider this painting as a whole, so light and shade on the bridge needed to be worked on. Looking at this photo, I needed to luminate the first building in the foreground, it's looking dull. I mentioned the window in the foreground, it has a great reflection, I've made a start on this today too. I think I now need to let this dry. Yesterday I sketch out my next project, a waterlily, oil on canvas, so I can make a start on this whilst Ponte Vecchio dries over the weekend.

Spot the difference!

2011-07-05T19:44:00.001+01:00

Spent another couple of hours on this today, mostly using a brush this time. More shutter painting and perspective tweaking, as the work comes together I can spot areas that need more work. I'm looking forward to working on the final window in the forground, it has a fantastic reflection to paint.

Slow progress

2011-07-04T19:39:00.000+01:00

Got back to this painting today. I started to work a little bit more into the details with a brush. I think I will be a shutters expert by the end of this. I keep tweaking the perspective, however, the main rule to this bridge is there is no rule to the perspective! I'm still enjoying this, the main requirement is patience, to not try to work details until the blocks of colours have dried. To try to avoid the temptation to rush, I am making sure I have a project to work alongside this painting. I've pretty much completed Sorrento Reflections, so have a new project lined up, another oil painting, 16 x 12 in, of a waterlily. I think I've got another day's work in the Ponte Vecchio before I need to move on my next project.

Reflections in Sorrento

2011-06-30T16:11:00.001+01:00

Whilst my Ponte Vecchio painting dries and worked further on my Sorrento painting. I've used a palette knife for most of this work, however today I swopped for a brush, in order to tighten up the details on the rope and chain. I'm putting this on the shelf to ponder, I want to keep the reflections fresh, so I'm weary of killing it with overworking. This is only a small 10 x10 oil painting, so I wanted to keep it simple.

Shutters, shutters and more shutters

2011-06-28T17:21:00.001+01:00

Lots of straight lines today still mainly using a palette knife. I've started to try and get a feel for the areas that are illuminated by the sunlight, and the areas in the shade. I have to let this dry now, so its back to my Sorrento painting.

The weather today was driving me mad, stormy weather making the sky turn black, the light was changing constantly!

Ponte Vecchio, w.i.p.

2011-06-27T21:32:00.000+01:00

This project I'm really enjoying. For several reasons firstly I'm using a palette knife, a tool I always love, however don't use often enough, the subject is something different for me, finally the canvas is not my usual proportions. I'm loving the textures of the ancient walls, this bridge dates back to Medieval times, it's the only surviving original bridge into Florence since the bombings in the WWII.

KAOS 1 is now closed!

2011-06-25T20:27:00.000+01:00

Our Open Studio closed today, great week with lots of work sold and plenty of visitors on the art trail. I really enjoyed the event and look forward to being involved again next year. I sold my oil painting Resplendent, and said goodbye to it today. KAOS have plenty of other exhibitions planned for this year, an exhibition in Southfields, London is my next event with them, so nose down to the grind stone and get painting!

We're open again!

2011-06-23T19:23:00.000+01:00

KAOS 1 is open again for two more days Friday 24th June - 25th June 11-5p.m. I'm hoping for another busy weekend, lots of people were following the art trail around Kingston. It so exciting that people are discovering our local artists.

Ponte Vecchio

2011-06-21T18:27:00.000+01:00

Whilst my Sorrento painting dries I got on with my Ponte Vecchio. I continued to use a palette knife, the straight lines and blocks of colours are perfectly suited to it. Perspective has gone mad on this bridge, walls lean in all directions, I guess not surprising as it dates back to medieval times!

More work to my Sorrento painting

2011-06-20T19:09:00.000+01:00

Decided to immerse myself in work today, to help distract myself. This morning my eldest son left to go on a school trip to Sussex, he's away all week. He was all smiles so that helped me not freat too much!

So had a further go at this painting. I like some of the reflections that are emerging, but need to work on the details of the chain and rope. I continued to use a palette knife. I'm leaving this now to dry, then I'm going to tighten up some details with a brush.

Open Studios 2011

2011-06-18T19:16:00.000+01:00

We've just had such a great day. So many visitors to KAOS 1 who were doing the complete artist trail. All the artists sold work, so a happy studio! Open tomorrow again 11-5p.m. so hoping for another busy day!

Sorrento

2011-06-13T19:39:00.000+01:00

I wanted another painting to work along side my Ponte Vecchio painting. This is a small 12 x 12in oil painting. I decided to use a palette knife for the reflections. I need to let it dry a little before I can do more, so will start on my Ponte Vecchio painting tomorrow. This painting is another one that will work will with a palette knife.

Ponte Vecchio

2011-06-08T21:18:00.000+01:00

I've just returned from a lovely holiday in Italy, where culture is crammed into every inch! I made a long overdue return to Florence, a city I last visited some 20 years ago. I was charmed by this city then, and I wasn't disappointed this time around. I was fascinated by the Ponte Vecchio with its crazy angles, and little box houses that overhang the Arno river. The bridge was the only one in Florence to survive World War II, and dates back to Medieval times. The beautiful simple exterior of the bridge hides an Aladdin's cave, a jewellery mecca, shop upon shop that span the length of the bridge.
Today I sketched onto the canvas some basic guidelines, the perspective on this bridge seems to break all conventional rules. I then laid down a dilute layer of oil paint to give a skin on the canvas, mainly to loose the white of the canvas.
I had good news on my return from my hols that I sold a painting in my last exhibition. Now I need to get myself organised for the next venture with KAOS, Open Studio Event, Kingston artists are opening their studios to the public this month, details are on my facebook fan page.

Ham Art Group Spring Exhibition 2011

2011-05-23T19:51:00.000+01:00

I'm busy preparing for my next exhibition, this time with my Ham art group. So here's to another great exhibition with lots of sold paintings, I hope!!

Atlas Moth is finished

2011-05-16T20:54:00.000+01:00

I think I'm done, I decided to keep the background monochrome so not to distract from the moth. I've been looking into the facts of this fantastic moth. Its from Asia and has the largest wing-span of any moth 25-30cms. When I first saw it, I didn't think it was real until it moved!

Atlas Moth is starting to get there

2011-05-13T20:26:00.000+01:00

Lots of fine brushwork later, and stippling, I'm beginning to find my way round this moth. It's proving to be surprisingly time consuming. I had hoped to have both finished by end of next week to give them time to dry before the exhibition, I think maybe only one will be ready in time.

Getting to grips with a smaller scale

2011-05-11T20:16:00.000+01:00

Today I had a experiment with the Moon Moth's colours, the one on the bottom. The other one, the Atlas Moth I was happy with the colours, so started to work into the details. It took me awhile to get back into a smaller scale of work, after working a bit looser.

Let's get painting

2011-05-10T21:53:00.000+01:00

Today my youngest baby turned 7, how did that happen? I was watching a Mum with her newborn baby this afternoon, trying to remember when my boys were that small.
My morning was then spent being tortured by my dentist, he's a lovely guy, he always apologises when I flinch!
This afternoon I found some time to get going which these paintings. The bottom painting, the Moon Moth, I got a basic skin on. The Atlas Moth I crudely blocked some colours in to consider my palette.
I treated myself to some new brushes today, can't wait to use them tomorrow. The Atlas moth has some serious details so hope my new small brushes are up to the job!

fluttery things

2011-05-09T21:21:00.000+01:00

I've had a rethink on my next project. The hippo has been shelved temporarily, not because I don't like it, more it's the wrong size. I've another exhibition the end of the month, and decided after my last two sells of paintings I wanted some smaller paintings. These two are going to be oil on canvas, the top one 12x6in, and the other 10x10in. They are both moths, but not the normal variety I'm familiar with, that are tatty brown and braining themselves against my lights. These beauties are from further afield. The top one

is the Atlas Moth from South East Asia, the tips of its wings are made to look like a snake head to scare away anything that fancies it as lunch. The other is a Madagascan Moon Moth. I didn't have to travel so far to see these guys, about a year back Kew gardens had the most fantastic collection of moths in the Princess of Wales glasshouse, flying free amongst the tropical display.
As the paintings are small I hope they will not take too long, I hope to get them in the sunshine, back of the canvas facing the sun to help dry them in time. Its important to dry the canvas from the back to prevent cracking.

Guincho beach gone to a good home!

2011-05-04T18:15:00.001+01:00

Good news from the KAOS Exhibition, just got a text to say, my pastel of Guincho Beach has been sold, so pleased!
I've been calling this a gibbon, I stand corrected, its a monkey, as I now know gibbons don't have tails! I believe its probably a spider monkey, I painted from a series of photos taken a couple of years back. I'm not a zoologist just an artist who likes animals! If you know better please let me know, I like to be educated!

Back to painting after all the excitment

2011-05-03T21:32:00.000+01:00

Got back to painting today, spurred on with the news that I've sold a painting at the KAOS exhibition. My peacock has gone to a new home! I met the guy who bought him, he was so pleased with his purchase. It gives me such satisfaction to meet the people who buy my work. I think that's why I enjoy taking commissions. Today I worked further into my gibbon piece played with ideas for the rope and branches. I also had a major redo of his head, I hope for the better! My latest project is a hippo, again in oils. A new sized canvas for me, but obviously suitable for the subject! I put a skin of oils paint on today, just to knock out the stark white of the canvas.

KAOS Launch Exhibition

2011-05-02T18:40:00.000+01:00

Finally the day has arrived, Kaos has been launched! The exhibition was opened by the mayor, who also awarded the prizes to the kids who had entered our art competition. The exhibition looks fantastic, and I'm so proud to be part of it. The last photo shows my son making his mark on "marking it' A big public artwork, you choose the colour and where you want it. The lady in the green is the Mayor who had opened the event earlier.

A new project

2011-05-01T21:39:00.000+01:00

Just started another canvas to work alongside the gibbon. In contrast to the gibbon, this painting will have a more restrained palette. This one is about textures and reflections. If you can't make it out, it's a semi -submerged hippo. I would like to have photographed and observed it in the wild, however a fantastic zoo in the Loire proved to be the next best thing!

Wish me luck!

2011-04-28T20:04:00.000+01:00

This is our launch weekend for KAOS. The exhibition opening on Mayday 2nd May. I've my fingers crossed for some good weather, especially for our opening by the mayor. I did a final leaflet distribution today to promote what should be an exciting event. I managed to get another hour at this painting today, just trying to to get the form of the gibbon, also adding a little more colour into the background.

Getting back to it

2011-04-27T20:57:00.000+01:00

After lots of putting off doing all day, I finally sat down for half an hour and roughly applied the background, I want the sky to echo the muscular power of the gibbon, so I'm interested in the direction of every brush stroke. I struggling to keep my focus, my Kaos exhibition starts on Monday so lots of bits for that. The Easter holidays finished this Monday, however the schools are closed again for 4 days, Friday for the Royal wedding, then Mayday on Monday so really finding it hard to knuckle down again, I gave up today and took myself off to Richmond Park, Pen Ponds and the Isabella Plantation to do duckling spotting, and I wasn't disappointed!

Gauguin inspiration

2011-04-13T20:06:00.000+01:00

My colours are very much inspired by Gauguin, however I don't recall him ever painting a gibbon! I had a quick go at this today, the boys are on their Easter hols, so I don't expect to have too much time this week. I've also been busy with the final touches to the painting for my exhibition in May, silly stuff like attaching d-rings to canvases, framing pastel paintings and getting some new cards printed of my work. Back to the Gauguin inspiration, I went to a fantastic Gauguin exhibition this year at the Tate Modern. I was mesmerised by his colours, hope I can get just a hint of his genius.

KAOS Exhibition

2011-04-06T21:37:00.000+01:00

I'm exhibiting next month with a newly formed group of Kingston artists which the joint aim to promote arts and crafts in Kingston.
If you're local it's 2nd - 7th May in the Market House, The Market Place, Kingston KT1, 10a.m. - 6 p.m. We've got the mayor opening on the 2nd May at 10a.m; here's to a successful launch of KAOS and a new and exciting art group in Kingston.

Funky gibbon

2011-04-05T19:19:00.001+01:00

Made a start on a new project today, its oil on canvas, fairly small 30x30cm. This painting is hopefully going to be all about capturing tension, in the gibbon and the rope its balanced on as its pulled taut. The gibbon is bathed in a golden glow, however details are going to kept to a minimum so the clean shape of the gibbon's profile isn't lost - well that's the plan! Got a very rough skin on the canvas this afternoon just to knock out the white, and to form a crude colour balance in my mind.

A bit more tinkering

2011-03-30T19:34:00.000+01:00

I've been playing with the light coming through the feathers today, I've also softened the corners and edges, I'm trying to get the main focus on the birds head. Another painting that's going on the shelf for further thought!

Peacock at Kew, revisited

2011-03-29T20:02:00.000+01:00

Another painting back on the easel. This one has been well travelled, its one of my first oil paintings since returning back to my art a few years back. It was in a gallery for a time in Falmouth, Cornwall and I exhibited it last November, however since having it back in my studio some things were troubling me. Some of the colours weren't glowing, and some of the details of the feathers too hard. I also noticed the head wasn't quite right so had a go at remodelling it. I'm going to have another day at it, then I'm leaving it.

A Summer's day revisited

2011-03-24T19:15:00.001Z

This A3 pastel has been hung on my wall for the last couple of years. It was one of my first pastel portraitures, a scene from my son's sport's day. In the last year I guess my eye as an artist has improved and my skill in the pastels increased so the painting was beginning to annoy me, making me want to have another 'go' at it.
I've been asked to donate a pastel portraiture commission for an auction to raise money for the school that both my boys attend, I agreed, then realised I needed a pastel painting to demonstrate my pastel portraiture. The nature of taking on commissioned work is that the paintings don't stay in the studio very long, they are off to their new home as soon as they are completed. I have lots of paintings of my boys and cats in the house but mostly in oils, so wanted a pastel example. So finally this painting was taken down, removed from the frame and done! So glad I got round to it, finally I've stopped staring at it muttering about conrtast
and more form!

Resplendent

2011-03-21T19:43:00.000Z

Here's my mallard, I think it's nearly there now. I'm sticking it on the shelf with the zebra to ponder and tweak. The last thing I must get on with this week is to take some good quality photos of my new work, I want to get them printed up as greeting cards for the exhibition in May.

Grevy's zebra is finished!

2011-03-18T19:22:00.002Z

I think I'm finished with my zebras, the exhibition isn't for a while, so I have time to leave it on the shelf to ponder, but I'm pleased on the whole.

This is the latest on my mallard duck, the title for this piece had to be decided this week, as I needed to get it insured for the exhibition, so I called it Resplendent. I still have plenty to do to the ripples, but it's a slow one this, I worked on it a while today, but again need to let it dry, so I will leave it over the weekend.

Nearly finished Grevy's Zebras

2011-03-15T19:16:00.001Z

I've been working into the mane today, and generally sharpening up the stripes. I need to let this work dry, then hopefully work in the final detail on the mane and stripes and I should be there. I'm definitely putting this in my next exhibition with KAOS (Kingston Artists Open Studios) 2nd-7th May 2011, for details of the exhibition and group follow the link.

http://www.kingstonartistsopenstudios.co.uk/news.html

Grevy's zebra

2011-03-11T19:33:00.000Z

Yesterday eye-strain, today brain-strain. I've painted on and off for years, however it's only the past year or so I have started to exhibit. My last two I was insured as part of a group so didn't have to deal with that part of it. My next exhibition I need to have it covered independently, so I've been reading all the small print of my existing cover, and guess what I need to pay more to be totally covered. Nothing I can do now until Monday, so back to the painting. More work to give the zebra more form, and lots of stripes.

Zebra wip day 3

2011-03-10T19:05:00.000Z

Today I had to try to see beyond the stripes, and find the zebras form. I'm using lots of hints of colour within the solid stripes to give the zebra more sense of form. I'm pleased with the progress on this today, I had a rare day of uninterrupted painting, most days my thought processes upon my work is very disjointed as I try to grab a couple of hours, it means I never really settle into my painting.

Eye strain

2011-03-09T21:02:00.001Z

I've really enjoyed getting stuck into this today. It's one of those paintings that seems to have a natural direction you follow instinctively. I truly thought after my first zebra, I'd never be so silly to do it again!
Tomorrow if the dark paint is dry I will start on the white, if not my mallard or disco duck as I keep calling it will be reviewed. I've just done my homework, the name of this zebra is Grevy's zebra.

All stripey

2011-03-08T18:29:00.003Z

My next project zebras, I must be mad, these are no normal ones either, they are a super stripey variety. I must do some research to find out the name. I took a load of photos of them last summer. A piece of useless trivia for you, even though zebras are closely related to the horse, they have never been successfully domesticated.

Its an oil painting 50cmx60cm, due to the subject matter a fairly limited palette will be required.

I've also been looking at my mallard, and I'm looking forward to it drying, I think I know where I want to take it, more fluidity and liquid movements, the overall feel is clumpy at the moment.

This is where I've got to

2011-03-07T16:45:00.004Z

I'm taking a break from my mallard. I'm going to let it dry completely, then finish the painting.

I've just decided upon my next project more patterns in nature, but this time not as colourful. I took some great photos of zebra. I'm sticking with oils as I've already got the perfect canvas for the painting.

Ripples....................

2011-03-04T18:34:00.003Z

I had an unusual start to my day, which was to speed dress my two boys as characters from favourite books. I'm a firm believer in leaving it until 8.00a.m the morning they are required to dress up, adds to the challenge! Half an hour later before me stood Mr Bump and Harry Potter. Mr Bump looked more like some gruesome zombie with a bandage wrapped around his head, however fortunately my son was happy with the result.

I continued to work into the ripples today trying to get an overall feel for them. I'll let this dry over the weekend, then I want to work stronger colours to the water in the foreground.

Jet-lag has returned

2011-03-03T19:29:00.002Z

Groan, my jet-lag hit again big time, the tiredness I could handle, but it makes my hands shake, maybe down to too many cups of coffee and opal fruits. Today I was trying to feel the movement in the water. I'm trying to decide the most important details and simplify the detail a bit.

Ripples, ripples and reflections

2011-03-02T19:35:00.002Z

More of the same today, I've decided I want to work on the foreground tomorrow and Friday, I need to get an idea of how I want to develop this. I'm still seeing this painting as details rather than a whole. I want to have a good crack at the foreground then let it dry over the weekend. I'm wondering if some glazes in the water would be good, but I need the original paint dry to apply them. I'm using water soluable paints, so I think I will make the glazes using the paint diluted down with water.

Back to painting

2011-03-01T18:47:00.004Z

Feeling a little jet-lagged today, so work was slow. I started today to try to get a feel for the ripples in the background. Hoping that another good sleep tonight I'll be back on GMT again!

Stars and Stripes

2011-02-28T20:41:00.008Z

Wow back from a rollercoster trip to USA, not too hard to guess where, Florida. BIG is the first thing to say, flat, no hills anywhere, sunny mid 80s all week, very dramatic!

We stayed in Orlando, we've two young kids who love the theme parks. I can honestly say I don't enjoy most of the Disney/ universal studios but if you're under 14 it seems to be a class A drug that they just can't get enough of.

I did get my own way for a few days, we did a fantastic swamp ride in an air boat gator spotting, visited the Kennedy Space Centre then saw the Discovery launch the next day from Cocoa Beach. The shuttle was absolutely amazing, I videoed it going up, all you can hear is Wow, wow,wow....from me, to describe it I'll use an American expression, awesome!

What's going on, I've hay-fever in February

2011-02-16T19:28:00.002Z

Itchy eyes, mouth and nose, but in February? It's definitely hay-fever, I took an antihistamine and felt fine again, I only stopped taking them last year end of September, it makes you wonder what up.

I spent two hours on this today, but it not obvious, you have day like that. I'm taking a break for a bit as the schools are breaking up for half-term. When I come back to this, I think I will start on the ripples, I need to see how they work with the duck, I need to make sure I still retain a focal point.

More rosy hues

2011-02-15T20:50:00.002Z

It's been very frustrating that I've not had much time to really get stuck into this painting, but I'm determined not to cut corners on it. Today I made a start on her body, working out how her feathers work, and building up the gorgeous rosy glow from the sunset.

Sunset Mallard

2011-02-14T18:58:00.002Z

Made a little start on my painting today. The duck has the most beautiful colours as it's bathed in the light of the setting sun. I want to capture the golden hues on the ducks plumage.

Paint by numbers

2011-02-11T18:52:00.003Z

Today I painted very basic blocks of colour, trying to concentrate on the basic shapes. At times painting in the large areas I was feeling like I was painting by numbers. I will let this dry over the weekend, then the fun begins.

The skin's on

2011-02-10T19:04:00.002Z

The canvas that is, I've started by applying a skin of dilute oil paint, its main function is to knock out the white of the canvas. some artists apply a wash of ochre or similar for the same reason. whilst I was waiting for this to dry I had a quick play with my palette.