Brothers

Two Boys, One Shadow

Oil 18cm x 24cm

This was painted from a photograph I took at the weekend whilst walking on Clapham Common - my two boys engrossed in conversation (no idea what they were talking about, no doubt Pokemon or computer games).  I have been experimenting with different techniques and painting surfaces.  This was painted on Jackson's Clear Fine Linen on MDF.  I covered it in a coat of OMS before painting and then painted with no medium.  I actually really love this picture and am certainly going to use this technique again.

So Many Things

Well, it's been a while since I've posted.  I have been VERY busy on my website and pastel pencil drawings so apologies for the radio silence.

I have so many plans for so many things that sometimes the only things that get done are things in my brain!  However, I have been experimenting with all sorts of techniques and methods in oils.  I have a strong idea of the kind of thing I like and the kind of thing I'd like to produce, but at the moment I have so many ideas, I'm like a kid in a sweet shop (although I always preferred the stationery shop - oh those rows and rows of felt-tips and crayons do so much more for me than haribos and black jacks.)  I guess we all need to experiment, it's what keeps it fresh.

So, here are a few I've painted over the last couple of weeks.

Royal Gala Apples

Why did I choose Royal Gala apples?  Oh the complicated layers of reds, pinks and yellows.  I'm always up for a challenge, but as this was the first oil I'd done in a while, that was challenge enough!  I am really not happy with certain aspects of this and I went from precise, to impasto knives to medium, to no medium, to dry to Oh I don't know what.  In the end I was reasonably satisfied. At least it's the best of all the versions I wiped.  And I do like the way the light breaks through between the middle two apples.  I expect to use this in future compositions - look out for it.

Tuscan Trees and Fishing

Two little (6 inch square) ones.  I really loved painting both of these and found them so do-able in just a few small hours.  In fact these have inspired me to paint a lot more in oils.  I will keep you updated!

Hippo Love

Hippo Love

For Sale on Art Gallery for £1050.

This took around 3 weeks to complete over many sessions.  There are several glazes and all sorts of textures, which you can see a hint of in the close up below.

Girl by a Blue Washed Wall

Girl by a Blue Washed Wall, Soft Pastels on Sennelier Pastel Card
Size 11 x 15 inches
£85 / $120



Another in my cropped soft pastels series. I was attracted to the original photograph by the blue of the wall against the deep red/brown shades of the little girl's skin. I also love the way the blue reflects on the skin making the shadow around the sides of the face glow.

Kitten's Wonder

Tilly, Pastel Pencil on Strathmore Paper
Size 40cm x 30cm
£250 / $350



This little kitten seemed to have such a huge collar in relation to its head, so compared to the original photograph this collar is much smaller. Even so, I was worried it might overwhelm the tiny creature. However, I think the huge eyes and whiskers grab enough of the limelight that we overlook the dark collar.

Extra care was needed with the white whiskers - when you have to keep a pathway clear it's a little harder to be expressive with the fur. But, perseverance paid off and my reward was in the eyes and the soft fur around the chin.

Tilly

Tilly, Pastel Pencil on Strathmore Paper
Size 40cm x 30cm
£250 / $350


Pet portraits hold a special joy for me. Those huge orbs of eyes next to the softest ever fur - my ten year old son told me he just wanted to cuddle this cat (he'd just eaten crisps so the answer was NO!).

Dog

As promised, here is my first canine in sanguine pastel. Many more to come!

Dog, Pastel Pencil on Strathmore Paper
Size 40cm x 30cm
£250 / $350