New home for old friends

Delighted to say that these two found a new home over the weekend. They are staying together, so will not be too lonely!

Sold paintings

This was an interesting exercise. Over the years I have been fortunate to sell a number of paintings. It has not always been clear why people choose one painting over another. This collage of 40 paintings is an attempt to try understand what motivates people to pull out their wallet/purse.

Not all sold paintings are included, partly because there wasn't room and partly because I have not always photographed the painting before parting with it.

Now the difficult bit. Why did these sell, when others that I consider better paintings did not? Answers on a post card please!

Kos Town

This one is finally finished after hanging around for ages. It measures approx 11" by 15" and was painted with Conte pastel on Sennelier pastel card.

The reference was a photograph taken on holiday in July this year.

The Eye of the Tiger

This one was inspired by the great rock anthem by Survivor.

It measures approx 9" by 9" and was painted with St Petersburg White Nights watercolour paint ( with a little white gouache) on Bockingford paper.

Tying Her Laces 3

This is another in the series of ballet dancers. This one measures approx 8" by 8" and is painted with Conte pastels on pastel mat. A big thank you to a generous co-member of SAA who sent some samples of pastel mat to try. I am converted!

Autumn Leaves

This one took ages. St Petersburg White Nights watercolour paint on Bockingford paper. It measures approx 14" by 10".

Grisaille painting technique

A big thank you to the very patient Jane Denman, who taught us this technique over the last two weeks. It does seem to make for a more life-like result.

It measures approx 10" by 12" and was painted with Atelier Interactive acrylics on Bockingford paper.

SAA World Record Art Challenge

Definitely the smallest picture I have ever painted. It measures 64 mm by 89 mm, and is to be submitted as part of the SAA's attempt at a world record - the most original art works to be displayed under one roof. The only catch is that they will all be this exact size.

Line and wash on Artist Trading Card.

Pencil portraits

We practised drawing a portrait with just pencils and a putty rubber today. It made me realise how much I had come to rely on colour to do the work for me.

Not my best by a very long way, but a reasonable likeness hopefully.

Tying her ribbons - 2

Good to return to a familiar theme today. This one measures 14" by 10" and was painted with Conte pastel on Winsor pastel paper.

Take and Donate a success

Well done to Dudley Sawer for organising this. Fifteen artists in one gallery and no prices on any of the work. There was a reasonable flow of prospective purchasers, and those who were just intrigued by the idea. Some buyers found it difficult without any price to guide them, but in the main they got it.

Two of my paintings sold, including The Orchestra shown above. It was painted nearly 7 years ago, and frankly had been forgotten about until this event came along. A pleasing number of greeting cards also sold, generally for more than I would have priced them for!

Wanda swims off to a new home

It is just like buses. No sales for a while and then two in the same week.

Hopefully Wanda will be happy in her new home.

Red Ice

This was another painting that took some time to finish. Originally, it was intended for submission to the Littlehampton Open. Now I am not so sure. 

It was painted with Conte hard and soft pastels om  Sennelier Pastel Card. It measures approx 12" by 8".

Maybe it will be lifted by framing?

Iris Fire and Iris Ice Capades

Finally managed to finish this off yesterday. It is to be submitted to the Littlehampton Open, for which the theme is Fire and Ice.

Painted with St Petersburg White Nights watercolour paints, on Daler Rowney Aquarelle 300 gsm paper. It measures approx 12" by 9".

A real struggle with the composition, bit it seems to work OK now. Acknowledging the influence of Cedric Morris.

Somerset Art Trail

A big thank you to Rick who arranged for 5 of my paintings to go on display at one of the galleries taking part in this event.

The top picture shows Irises and Raindrops on Hosta

The middle picture shows The Wave, Scotch on the Rocks and Saffron

The lower picture shows the six works Rick is exhibiting.

They will be exhibited until 08 August 2015. Let's hope for some sales.

Scotch on the rocks

You should only paint a still life if you can eat or drink it afterwards! This one measures approx 12" by 12" and is painted with St Petersburg White Nights watercolour paints on Arches 300 gsm NOT paper. Cheers.

Raindrops on hosta

Finally managed to finish this one. It measures approx 9" by 12", and was painted with St Petersburg White Nights watercolour paint on Daler Rowney Aquarelle 300 gsm paper. A little body colour was used for the droplets.

The reference was an excellent photograph from PaintMyPhoto.com.

Saffron

Back to the trusty Conte pastels last night at Art Club. This one measures approx 1.5" by 11.5" and was painted on Sennelier Pastel Card. The reference was an excellent photograph by Viacheslav on PaintMyPhoto.com. Might be one for the exhibition, but not sure yet.

Leaping Cat

An excellent session on reflections at Sky Blue this week. This one exposed my lingering Jaguar envy.

It measures approximately 8.5" by 11.5" and was painted with St Petersburg White Nights watercolour on Winsor and Newton Aquarelle 300 gsm paper. A little body colour was used - naughty boy!

It made Painting of the Week.

Wave_2

I have so many paintings awaiting completion, it was nice to finally finish one this week.

Seascape was the theme at Sky Blue drop in session this week. This was painted from an excellent reference photograph by Valerie Weber on the Paint My Photo website.

It is painted with Atelier Interactive Acrylic paint on Daler Rowney Aquarelle 300 gsm watercolour paper, and measures 12" by 9".

I think it is a keeper, but my "muse" is not convinced.

Irises

Still looking at the work of Shirley Trevena - this time the colours purple and green.

Once again this is not a copy of one of her paintings but rather a piece painted using her "style". It measures approx 12" by 9" and was painted with St Petersburg White Nights paints on Daler Rowner Aquarelle paper.

St James the Less, Lancing

Wow this was different. The Church asked for designs for a new logo to be used on their stationery, newsletters etc.. This was my effort, drawn in ink.

Wonder how many will be submitted?

Snow drops

Back to watercolour at the Skyblue drop-in session yesterday. The inspiration for this was the work of Shirley Trevena, although it was more to do with the colours than the composition.

It measures 12" by 9" approx. and was painted with St Petersburg White Nights paint on Daler Rowney Aquafine 300 gsm paper.

It made "Painting of the Week" and Jean likes it, so it can't be all bad.

Holly Green - SAA Portrait Challenge

The SAA have launched a challenge to paint a portrait of a local BBC News or Weather presenter. This is running in conjunction with the BBC programme "Big Painting Challenge".

Painted with Conte pastel on Sennelier pastel card, it measures approx 11" by 12".

Not my best portrait by a long chalk (no pun intended) but I ran out of time. It has been entrusted to Royal Mail, in the hope it arrives by Monday- the closing date.

Sleepy Head

This was painted on the theme of "Birds of Prey" at art club.

It measures approx 12" by 12" and was painted with Conte hard and soft pastels on Sennelier Pastel card. The reference was an excellent photograph by Aviya Glass on the Paint my Photo site.

Reminds me of Orville - I probably should not have said that!

Carrying baby

This time we were looking at the work of Soraya French. This was painted with a palette knife using Atelier Interactive acrylics on Daler Rowney Aquafine 300 gsm paper. The reference was an excellent photograph from Paint my Photo. It measures approx 12" by 8".

Coffee for two

This pastel painting was a lot of fun. It took two sessions at Art Club to complete. Measuring approx. 12" by 8" the inspiration was an excellent photograph from Franklin on the Paint my Photo site.

Conte hard pastels on Winsor pastel paper (green) were used, and I drew heavily on the demonstration by Joel Wareing at the Club in April 2014.

Fish on a blue plate

It was a welcome return to Sky Blue Drop-in morning yesterday. The theme was the work of Clare Harrigan, and her use of the colour blue. This is not a copy of one of her paintings, but rather my own composition, painted in her style. While it may not be to everyone's taste, I am pretty pleased with it.

It measures approx 12" by 8" and was painted with Atelier Interactive acrylics on Daler Rowney Aquafine 300 gsm paper.

Sundown at Aldeburgh

Measuring approx 12" by 15" this was painted with Conte pastels on Winsor pastel paper. It was completed over two Club evenings, on the the theme of Stormy Sky.

The reference photograph came from the website "Paint My Photo", and was contributed by Rosie.
The first painting completed in 2015!