Quick Sketches

Wow!  I've just hit 80 followers now!  Thank you all for the lovely comments and taking the time to look at my blog.  I am busy working on some canvases, several on the go just now, so thought I would post you some quick sketches I made recently. One of my son whilst he was reading quietly - this was done with charcoal and pastel on Canson paper. 

Looking at snaps from our trip to Lake District last year, I decided to try out a couple of oil sketches on board.  This is a little stream we walked by - there are hundreds of these winding their way around the landscape.

A little church we stumbled upon in a place called 'Howtown' near Ullswater.  Why it was called that I don't know because there was nothing to see except the lovely scenery, lake and hills, but we found this little church nestling against the hillside - it was so cute - I tried to draw it but my perspective is not up to much.

Ice Blue

Oil on canvas

Yet another abstract painted with blues and greys.  Not a lot I can think of to say about this one.  I started painted it a long time ago - it was very dark and depressing, so I decided to put some colour notes on it and let it happen.  Not really thinking of anything in particular really, except that the cold and snow seems here to stay - the title seemed appropriate. Sometimes I just go with the flow.

Play

Lots of lovely bright colours on this one.  Oil on canvas 20 x 24.  Thinking up titles for paintings are difficult.  Nothing seems to spring to mind.  However, I thought I seemed to be playing with colour here so that's the title.!

Quiet Moment

Oil on canvas 16 x 20

It is not usual for me to have a figure in my paintings as I prefer a sense of isolation in the landscape.  However, on this occasion I thought it might be interesting.  In fact this was a scene I watched last summer, a lone child on the beach with the tide out looking for crabs and shells .   I just had to paint it.

Male model in colour

I don't often attempt colour for drawings of life models but I fancied having a go.  This one is acrylic on cartridge paper.

Rough Sea

The sea is not always tranquil, especially here on the east coast.   Oil on canvas 16" x 20".
A semi abstract painting, I hope to convey the excitement of the moment, being on the beach blown by the strong gusts of wind.  Lots of gestural brush strokes and mark making used here to suggest the drama of the sea.

Remembered Landscape

Oil on canvas 20 x 16 

I painted another Cumbrian landscape which is mostly from my memory of the place.  The lakes must be deep in snow just now, it is our worst winter for many years.  I like to think of it in the sunshine of September as it was when we visited last year.  I was thrilled to see the mountains and lakes for the first time.  I hope to visit again soon although I have a long list of 'must see' places in UK to visit.