I was in Crail recently and visited the Pottery Shop where I had a surprise. It was my best inspiration of the day! There was a cat curled up in one of their beautiful bowls, sound asleep. I just had to sketch him. Apparently he just started coming in to the shop and found a nice warm spot (it is above the kiln workshops) and keeps coming back every day to the same bowl.
I was so busy leading up to the ENOS event that I did not get a chance to post about the event beforehand. Thank-you to those that came to visit me at my new studio (Wash House Studio).
I enjoyed meeting with many people during the open studio event. I was even able to do some sketching during the day. A lot of people commented favourably on the sketch book and liked seeing what I had been painting. They could see my still life on the window ledge and were curious as to how I approached my sketch. The pastel book below is full of various coloured pastel papers, these give me a wonderful colour choice for the background. The green I decided to work on particularly suited the sunflowers.
During the week I did another study using watercolours and a long handled brush which was great fun to paint. My flowers were still fresh and inspiring.
It is full on right now for the Pittenweem Arts Festival 2017.
There is lots of work to do for the new studio but I was able to take some time out over lunch and make a quick watercolour sketch looking out of the window.
The weather at Pittenweem was beautiful. I took the opportunity to do an outdoor sketch then gouache painting. It was sheltered from the wind working in the corner at the cottage. The weather was also so mild that I didn’t need a coat, however everyone passing were all wrapped up. Great to be working outdoors and enjoying the lovely light.
I was walking nearby and a little Wren flew past me and stopped for a moment close to me. It was such a delight that I wanted to share it in a painting.
Wishing you a Happy Christmas and all the best for 2017.
I was recently visiting a friend in Balmerino and decided on my way home to do some sketching.The gardens and grounds of these cottages have always attracted me and they were looking particularly good on this day.
I am just back from a holiday in Shetland visiting family. This is my first time visiting the Island. What a beautiful place teaming with wildlife. The sketch above was done in situ at the top of a sand dune (see photo below). I am eager to get down to producing some paintings from my outdoor studies.
I like to switch to working in different medium’s. This keeps me on my toe’s and reminds me of the pros and cons of the materials I am using. I did this painting using watercolour paper prepared with a thick coating of gesso. I approached the painting by applying a wash of warm colour and lifting out the lights with a damp paper towel. I liked the texture the gesso gave to the paper.
At the weekend Andrew and I went to Inverary for a short break. We stayed in a lovely guest house called Newton Hall. It was a real treat to stay here, the owner made us feel really welcome. The views over Loch Fyne were spectacular. The photo above shows the view. I did a quick study using watercolour and neocolour crayons as the sun was setting. Then we went to the George Hotel for a wonderful meal.
When I got up I used my tombow pens for this monotone study of the misty morning light before we both headed for a full Scottish breakfast. The two birds flew past just at the right moment for me to consider them in the composition, very convenient of them.
I have just purchased a new watercolour square format sketch pad. As you can see it has a small square window on the front revealing a little bit of the painting. My first study in the book is of a collection of finds from the beach in St Andrews. I just love strolling around beach combing and listening to the waves.
