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.
I couldn’t resist this subject! Puddles can be so much fun. I enjoy doing my figurative work in pastel.
This is a new studio painting. I love the sense of wonder that children just can’t hide when they are enthralled by nature. I enjoyed using some unusual colours for this painting.
Here is a painting I did today of my favourite beach on Islay. It was windy when I was there however very sunny and colourful.
This is a plein air study I did on a walk at Jura House Gardens. The walk took you through bluebell woods to this view of the sea. There was a bench to enjoy the view and soak up the sun. I did this painting while sitting at the bench. The water was so clear and the colour so beautiful, very inviting. I didn’t go for a swim, however by the time we got down to the shore someone was swimming in the crystal clear water.
On Saturday we went to the Isle of May sailing from Anstruther. We were in search of puffins who were out fishing at sea! There was a few on the island however which were a joy to watch. Lots of other sea birds everywhere. You need to be careful to watch for the eiders nesting very close to the footpaths. I did this study on the island buffeted by the wind. The constant movement of my board helped create some of the movement in the painting.
Auchmithie is one of my favourite places to escape to and paint outdoors. It is especially appealing when there are lots of crashing waves. The sound is just amazing as the large pebbles crash together. On Saturday the waves were wonderful. This is one of my watercolour studies I did in situ.
I took my pot of pansies from the garden into the studio. This allowed me to work away with the advantages of the light not changing much throughout the day. I put them on my window sill which is just at nice level for me to paint while standing at my easel. I worked in watercolour and finished off with using neocolour water soluable wax pastels.
This is a larger studio piece. Pittenweem in the East Neuk of Fife always gives me so much inspiration for my work. There is always something happening at the harbour that makes standing to watch entertaining.
This was my drawing from last nights life drawing class. I used vandyke ink to block in the major shapes, then once that had dried I did my drawing over the ink. I used charcoal initially then conte to get a nice strong dark. I finished by putting some pastel colour to indicate the blanket she was lying on.