Blaenau Ffestiniog

Spent a wet week in Wales recently and whilst there sketched in pen from a hotel restaurant window the sheer hillside with a small tree clinging to the top.

Last night created this painting from the sketch and memories of the day. Decided against a cold grey sky.

en plein air sketch

Painted this last Sunday morning when the seas were crashing against the rocks on this part of the North east coast in England.

Took about 90 minutes to paint just before the sun went in.

More Acrylics

A few more paintings, mainly abstract.

Acrylics

Spent last weekend on an acrylics painting course, the prize from Patchings 2007. Here are some of the paintings produced, plus a few I've painting since. Many are what I would term 'abstract' and a move away from my usual style.

Patchings 2008

I have been fortunate again this year in having one of my paintings accepted for the Patchings exhibition, organised by the Artist & Leisure Painter magazines. I was also accepted last year and chosen as a prizewinner.

This year's image is shown here

Recent watercolours

Some recently completed works in watercolour.

Loch Kishorn

Last light one evening last year whilst on a painting holiday studying with Alvaro Castagnet. Took this from one of my photographs.

Wester Ross

Painted this week from one of my photographs looking out from Wester Ross towards the Isle of Skye in the distance.

Winter Barn

Painted this one indoors today whilst visiting artist friend Pete. Too cold and windy to venture out today so painted from a photograph which Pete had as a challenge. Background tree colours changed a few times before the end and even the sky started out yellow.

Aberdour, Fife

A couple of small paintings of Aberdour harbour, both with the tide quite low. The second one (without boat) was painted last Sunday morning whilst an artist friend, Pete Dimmock, visited for the weekend. We both entered paintings into watercolour exhibitions in London which were collected by the courier on Saturday so fingers crossed.

Princes Street shoppers

Painted this one in the studio from one of my photographs of Princes Street in Edinburgh.

Spent a bit more time on it as a bit of an experiment and for practice painting figures. I was quite pleased the way the abstracting of the shop fronts on the right turned out.

(don't forget you can click on any painting to enlarge the image)

North Queensferry

Another pen, ink & watercolour sketch yesterday afternoon from in the car. Too cold and windy to go outside. Couldn't believe how fast the tide went out while I was there.

Forth Rail Bridge in the background was a nightmare to paint in!

Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens

Pen Ink & Watercolour sketch one Sunday morning back in October 2007 - just found it still in the pad. Quite a chilly morning as I remember (most are) but enjoyed painting it.

Roker Beach, Sunderland

Quickly painted one Sunday morning, again whilst out with friend Pete. L S Lowry used to stand at this viewpoint and painted or sketched many works around this area.

Caribbean Sunset

Painted this tonight at the Art Club. Took about 90 minutes to do and am quite pleased with the result. Only small, 9 x 6 inches. Memories of a recent cruise holiday. Hope you like it.

If any artists out there want to get in touch to share images, ideas or generally chat please feel free to get in touch by the way.

Pen & Ink Sketch

Out with pal Pete again last Sunday. One painting (not shown) was a disaster painted early against the light.

Second was in the sketchpad in pen with a bit of watercolour added. A ship appeared so quickly added that in. Location was River Wear in Sunderland. Took about 30 minutes to do.