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.
On Monday with it being such a nice day I set up a still life outside. I enjoyed the challenge of working directly from my subject. The daffodils were picked fresh from my garden for the still life. The shadows were lovely in the sunlight.
Yesterday I was able to get out to do a plein air painting. The weather was so pleasant and warm. The subject really appealed to me with the red phone box and washing on the line. As I was painting one of the houses got their fire going so I added the smoke to the chimney.
On Saturday we had lots of fresh snow on the ground. The weather was sunny but cold. I braved the outdoors armed with my sketching tools and warm coat and boots. There was little flurries of snow as I painted some landing on the sketch and others in my oil pastel box. This didn’t put me off as I was in awe of the scene before me.
Today I did this study in oil pastel something I am enjoying more and more. I enjoyed layering in the colours for the sky and pushing in the lights to illuminate the picture.
I got out my oil pastels today to do a study of Pittenweem harbour. The reflections on the water attracted me to this scene. As always Pittenweem is always a delight to the eye with all those colours on the boats, houses and water.
This afternoon I made an effort to get my oil paints out and walk up to the fields behind our house to do a study. In the nearby fields tractors we ploughing, I was not the only one working!
Today I was at Balmerino for an art lunch with creative friends. Tide was out so I had the opportunity to set up on the shore. Using a bit of artistic licence for the waves!! This painting I did just with a palette knife. I forgot to take my mixing palette so had to work directly from my colours.
This little rabbit is a charity shop find that I rescued. I enjoyed painting this on a red shiny tray.
During this painting I was wondering what to do with the lemons afterwards. Finished the painting today and ended up making a lemon drizzle cake.