Sunday, 14 October 2018

A New Computer

I am trying to use a computer after many years without one.
Everything about it is strange after using an Ipad.However I
am determined to become familiar with it which may take some
time I think.
I haven't posted in many months but I hope to start again soon
when I find out how to get access to my photos stored in my phone
and Ipad.I intend to get back into painting and sketching again after
a time of doing very little in that area.I recently went with a group of artists
to Mintaro,a beautiful little picturesque town in the Clare Valley of South
Australia.We travelled to this delightful place on a Friday where we met
up with the other artists at a dinner in the local Pub.
On the Saturday we met our tutor and set out for our first plein air experience,
It was so cold!As we watched a demonstration we shivered but were able to
take photos and do quick sketches which we made use of later in our paintings.
The landscape was so green but this was interspersed with various shades of yellow
from fields of vibrant yellow.The distant hills were shades of blues,really lovely.
Among the artists there were watercolourists and oil painters providing some
interesting and varied results.We were so lucky to be able to use the town hall to
paint in if we so desired,as many of us did.
It was a great weekend despite the intense cold.

Thursday, 1 December 2016

New Paintings




Near Christmas

With only a few weeks left in 2016 I can reflect on this year at the Friday group where we have gathered to paint together regularly .Our group has met consistently over the year and has gone from a relatively easy to manage number to today's maximum of 14 people.I am not sure how we will manage if the numbers keep increasing as the main studio was full today.
I have had limited time to paint in the last few weeks as there have been many other commitments.However ,as long as I can keep Fridays as my one day per week to have just for painting I will be happy.
I have painted mainly in watercolour and acrylic recently but have used ink and gouache occasionally too.My subject matter has been still life,flowers and landscapes.I painted en plein air once but will try to get out more as it is very challenging if not frustrating and rewarding if the painting works well.

Wednesday, 17 August 2016

Wednesday

Today's Post
I uploaded four small watercolours today.
As already mentioned ,I have been trying to use  more water in my watercolours.
I tried dropping colours in wet in wet too which I found quite effective.
When in Japan recently I went to an art exhibition of paintings done many years ago and was interested in trying to paint tonally using very little colour.I bought some graphite in somber colours and have been experimenting trying to make my painting more tonal.One of my friends today recommended using a grey scale and converting one of my photos to tones which I will try.

Lilies


Pink flower

Wet in wet

White blossoms



From a Japanese painting