I thought I would try something a little different. I have been collecting odd pieces of slate from beaches around Scotland with the intention of using them to paint on. However we were getting work done on the roof and the roofers left a couple of odd slate tiles in the garden. The tile was a nice shape with two holes either side perfect for a display at Pittenweem Arts Festival. You can see where the holes are one looks like a skylight on the top right the other looks like a round window at the end of the house.

I put out some apple for our blackbirds to enjoy. This mouse had other ideas and dragged the apple to his den so he could munch away in a safe environment.

On Monday evening I was invited to do a demonstration at Alloa Art Club. This was the painting I did by firstly blocking in colours in pastels without drawing in the subject matter. Once I had an underpainting I used charcoal to draw this still life. I added more pastel once I had drawn in the main objects in the still life. The club members spent the second half of the evening engaged in doing their own still life paintings.

Yesterday was a good day for me to set up outside. It was bright but not sunny. I was inspired by a new jug I bought at Crail Pottery. You can see I put my colour studies behind my set up for reference which proved helpful.

This is a painting of a view I love where we live. It is a short walk from the house. The light is always changing which adds to a certain sense of drama. This is a good spot to do sketching and painting weather permitting!

This little character was so cute I couldn’t resist getting my pastels out to do a painting.

After a fortnight of glorious spring weather we woke up to over an inch of snow. This male doesn’t have a white band around his neck just a few white feather streaks, however he is stunning all the same and not any less eye catching.

I couldn’t resist painting this magnificent fellow who briefly visited the garden. This is a male Sparrow Hawk which has that blue grey back. Today a female Sparrow Hawk visited. She perched on the same post in the garden. She is quite different with a brown back instead of blue grey. I used only three oil colours plus white,prussian blue, translucent- magenta and cadmium yellow.

Last weekend we got away on a short campervan trip to Forfar. I did lots of sketching outdoors as the weather was so nice. I liked the fact the Daffodils were set against a dark background. This was a 15min sketch.

What wonderful weather we are having just now. I took the opportunity to work outdoors on some colour block studies. This is good for improving observational skills when it comes to colours. I did one study in overcast light and one in sunshine. The garden is coming alive with fresh buds on the plants. Birds were chirping away as I worked, who needs music when you are in the great outdoors! (or even your back garden!)