The first image is my study of the Wave. I started the painting using a discarded piece of cardboard. I prepared it with a layer of gesso, this enables the pastel to adhere to the surface. My idea was to be less precious about the painting. I enjoyed it so much that the painting started to work out. I then went in search of more archival quality support and progressed onto the much larger second painting.
I am still thinking of Summer despite the zero degrees last night, it is warm in the studio. I stumbled across this lovely display of wild flowers just outside Balmullo, Fife. They have been in my mind since then and it is good to get my feeling of the scene on paper.
I enjoy doing paintings of people concentrating on their craft. Chefs are great subjects for this. The Chef was cooking at a market stall in Dundee city centre. This was one very large paella pan!
This small painting was done as preparation for a landscape demonstration at the St Andrews Art Club.
I did this small study yesterday. I started blocking in mid tones then worked on the dark tones and finished with the lights. This was done on Canson pastel paper on the textured side.
I have been busy preparing for Pittenweem. My holiday in Venice has inspired a number of paintings for the show. As usual I will have a varied selection of my latest work, some of which can be previewed on my web site. Visit my Pittenweem Arts Festival 2011 page to view them.
This is a detail of a new painting I have just finished. About one month to go until the Pittenweem Arts Festival.
I am aware I have not posted for a while. I have been busy preparing for the Pittenweem Arts Festival. Here is another painting of Venice. The trip has given me so much inspiration.
I am just back from a fantastic holiday to Venice. What a beautiful city with so much to offer. I did quite a lot of plein air sketches to try to capture the atmosphere of the place. These will help when it comes to do some studio paintings. The weather was sunny and warm which enabled me to get around and about. My bag with my art materials was a little on the heavy side. However it was better to have them with me as inspiration came in the most unlikely places.
The colours of this scene were what first attracted me. Then the boats lined up awaiting repairs and a coat of paint were the next point of interest. The houses behind had been newly painted.