New painting 'Ice Cream on a Cold Afternoon'

8' x 8'

oil on  board

I spotted this little boy eating ice cream, despite the wintry weather, one afternoon not long after the first day of Spring. You can see by the way everyone is wrapped up with scarves, hats and boots how cold it still was that afternoon, but kids don't seem to let a little thing like freezing cold weather put them off when it comes to ice cream!  I'm happy with the way the painting is progressing and should have it finished tomorrow. 

'In the Rain' finished

8" x 8"

oil on board

SOLD

All I needed to do to 'In the Rain' today was to finish the windows in the far building, redraw part of the umbrella and add a detail to the bag on the right and that was that! 
And now in answer to a request from Vic, a fellow blogger, here is an image of my studio in the roof complete with cat of course who, as I have mentioned in previous posts, is my ever faithful companion!

'In the Rain'

8" x 8"

oil on board

I spent yesterday moving back into my Ivory Tower...my studio space in the roof! I moved out last summer when my daughter and partner moved in with us whilst they looked for their own place and we needed the extra space. Somehow though I never seemed to get round to moving back...until now that is! And I'm very happy I'm here again! I have a lovely view from the window...I can even see Lincoln Cathedral on the horizon on a clear day. I painted 'In the Rain' this afternoon. There's not too much more to do so I should finish it tomorrow. 

'Jo' finally finished!

12" x 16"

oil on stretched canvas

SOLD

I realised this afternoon when I looked again at portrait of 'Jo' that the angle of the mouth wasn't right and needed to be altered...and so she wasn't finished after all!! Repainting the mouth then led on to reworking the chin which led on to adjusting the side of the face and so on and so on and before I knew it the whole afternoon had gone!!! So here we are at the finishing post again, but I'm very happy with her now and she really is done this time I promise! And on that note I'd like to wish you all a very happy weekend! 

'Jo' finished...I think!

12" x 16"

oil on Stretched canvas

This is 'Jo' finished...at least I think so at this point! I worked on the painting this morning, then had to go out, then came back, took a photo which showed up a couple of adjustments that had to be made, made the adjustments and here we are...done! Well at least until tomorrow when I'll look at it again and decide for sure. Hope you've had a good day too!

'Jo' next stage

12" x 16"

oil on stretched canvas

I could only spend a couple of hours this afternoon on 'Jo' but I managed to get quite a lot done. I think it's paid off doing the prep and making the preliminary drawings. I've been able to resolve certain drawing issues before I began painting, so it's helped me to capture a more accurate depiction quicker and, avoid getting to a 'wipe off' situation! I quite like the landscape format for portraits as it allows more space around the subject. 

'Jo' the painting!

12" x 16"

oil on stretched canvas

I made a start on 'Jo' this afternoon using my drawing as a reference. I managed to bring it to this stage and I have to tell you it wasn't easy!...but I'm reasonably happy with it now. I have enough information on canvas to make a start on applying the colour. I liked the contrast of the figure against the surrounding area that I achieved in the drawing (previous blog post) and the way the edge at the back of the head was lost as it blended with the darkness behind. I'm going to attempt to retain that in the painted version. 

Study for portrait

This is a sketchbook study for a portrait of Jo. It's my second study and I think at the moment it will be the one I use as a reference for the painting. I like the direction of the gaze and the turn of the head. I also like the strong light falling on her face. I look forward to making a start on Monday after a grim weekend catching up on paperwork :( 

Hope you have a better weekend ahead! 

'Peter' finished

'Peter'

8" x 8"

oil on board

SOLD

I'm glad to tell you that all went more or less to plan and I finished 'Peter' this afternoon :) I'm happy that I've managed to retain the lively brushwork and haven't tightened up too much when rendering some of the finer detail. I'm also satisfied that I've captured some of Peter's inner qualities that are reflected in his face which is the thing I strive to achieve when painting a portrait. 'Peter' is No 10 in my 'Collection of Faces' series.

More work on 'Peter'

I worked on 'Peter' this afternoon. At one stage the painting reminded me of a patchwork quilt with brushmarks all over the place...like organised chaos! (I like to think it was organised at any rate) Then all of a sudden..yay!...incoherence became coherence...phew! If all goes to plan I will post him finished tomorrow.

'Peter' stage 1

8" x 8"

oil on board

Ok...back to portraits. I started  'Peter' this morning and have now completed this first stage. I wiped over the canvas with a very thin layer of yellow ochre but instead of my usual burnt sienna and cadmium red, I've used a violet grey for the under drawing as I wanted a cooler base colour to work over. I made the violet grey mix with rose madder, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue and a little titanium white. I took my time with this value stage and worked until I was satisfied I'd captured something of the innate qualities of Peter.  I like to arrive at a stage when I have achieved not only a recognisable appearance but when I feel I can read aspects of character, personality and spirit in the subject I'm painting. 

'Wedding Boots' finished

'Wedding Boots'

8" x 8" 

oil on board

SOLD

I managed to finish 'Wedding Boots' just in time to take a photo in the daylight...I know, I know...I'm always racing against the fading light to take a photo, but I so much prefer taking photos of my paintings in daylight rather than artificial light. You'll just have to learn to finish earlier I can hear you saying, but it doesn't seem to work like that...while there's light I work, and most of the time right up to the last minute!

'Wedding Boots' in progress

8" x 8"

oil on board

I did more to 'Wedding Boots' this afternoon. I'm happy with the way it's going but I need some stronger contrasts in places and I have still to complete the face. I'm having to invent alot in the way of tonal value and colour as I've moved quite a long way from the image I'm using and so it's not providing all the information I need...a bit like feeling your way in the dark!

'Wedding Boots'

8" x 8"

oil on board

drawing stage

I haven't abandoned the portraits, I'm just making a small diversion before I begin the next one. 'Wedding Boots' is a painting I've been planning to do for a while. Last summer I attended a friend's wedding and the bride was wearing a pair of the most gorgeous boots!...they were just crying out to be painted!! This is my progress so far. Work has to stop now until Thursday as tomorrow I'm teaching all day at my workshops. 

By the way...I'm running an all day Portrait Workshop Sunday 12th May the cost of which is £20. The venue is the usual one at Sturton by Stow. If anyone is interested in attending please contact me asap as places are limited.