Three Boats

A lovely relaxing morning spent on Thursday at the last Skyblue Drop-In session before the summer break.

The tranquillity seems to have come through to this pastel painting. It was completed with Conte pastel on Winsor pastel paper, and measures approximately 11" by 8".

Just after this I went into work and life became a lot less relaxed.

Diamond Juby(lee)

Lancing Art Club is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee. One of the categories for entry into the exhibition this year is on the theme of Diamond Jubilee.

Since I am also 60 this year, and with a surname like mine, it seemed that a self portrait might fit the bill. Rather foolishly the format of a Jack of Diamonds playing card was chosen. Foolish, because it requires not one but two self portraits.

Anyway here is the finished product, measuring approximately 9" by 12", and painted with Atelier Interactive acrylics on Bockingford paper.

It remains to be seen, if anyone understands the relevance.

All Saints Church, Buncton

A great couple of days painting this week. Monday a 2 hour life drawing session with the beautiful Nicole, and Tuesday 2 hours in the sunshine at Buncton Chapel sketching with some friends from Lancing Art Club.

I will not publish any of the sketches from Monday, as I know nudes can offend, but this is the pastel sketch completed at Buncton. Parts of the church date from 11th Century and it was just an outstanding day.

The sketch measures approx 9" by 6" and was completed with Conte pastels on Sennelier Pastel Card.

The Gleaners

The entry date for the Littlehampton Open is fast approaching. The theme this year is "Harvest" , and this is a study for a painting I hope to enter.

The reference is a black and white photograph from the turn of the last century. These poor souls were the wives and children of the farm workers, who were allowed to gather the corn left behind after the field had been harvested. It was a useful addition to the household diet.

Just look at how they are dressed, and the child's buggy, looks a lot like modern buggies.

The study is done in pastel, and I think I will use the same medium for the final painting.

Plein Air painting 2013

Normally by this time of the year, there would have been many trips out into our beautiful countryside to paint. However, personal circumstances, and the weird weather have restricted me to three sessions so far.

I decided to use Conte pastels on 6" by 9" Sennelier pastel card, because it's easliy portable and the small size means that a sketch can be completed quickly. The disadvantage is that you cannot capture too much detail, or perhaps that's an advantage.

Anyway from the top down:

An interior at St James the Less Church, North Lancing

St Nicholas and the Tollbridge from the west bank of the River Adur

Rope Tackle and the Railway Bridge over the River Adur

The Chapel at Lancing College from the River Adur.

Dome by Night sold

There must be something in the air. This pastel was painted almost exactly a year ago for the Worthing Open Houses. This morning it was handed over to its new owner. Apparently she was married in the building, so it will bring back some happy memories.

Worthing Churches Homeless Projects

Last year Worthing Churches Homeless Projects called for artists to paint portraits of up to 500 people they had worked with over the last year. The twist was that you would not see or meet the Client, nor would you be provided with any pictorial reference. Rather you were given a short piece of text, written by the previously homeless person.As an "early adopter" Client 4's details were sent to me. Here is the profile:

 I am 30 year old white, British male. I was going between friends houses sleeping on sofas when I first came into contact with Worthing Churches Homeless Projects. I am attending an anger management course which is supported by my recovery from alcohol and cannabis misuse, things I used previously to keep me calm. I am constantly working towards a healthy lifestyle and play football regularly to keep myself fit. Since working with the project I am able to live independently, work part time and do voluntary work. I have also completed a bike maintenance course so I can service and repair bikes – this gives me a trade to rely upon so that if I cannot find work in future I always have that skill. I am saving up for a house deposit to rent privately at the moment and am really excited about this.

A really fun project to  be involved with. The artists have donated their work, with any sale proceeds going to the Charity. All the work is on display at Offington Park Methodist Church, BN14 7TN for the next 3 weekends as part of the Worthing Open Houses. Do go along and have a look at a quite remarkable project.