The Buddist - work in progress

My once a month portrait group with our tutor was most enjoyable.  After an early morning start 9.00 am we were off trying to get the drawing placed correctly on the canvas and putting in the tones with burnt sienna.  This took until 1.00 pm taking into account lots of model breaks and coffee!  Next morning, back again to try mixing the correct tones that we could see.  No easy thing!  My tutor helped me with the shape of the head which I was having trouble with.  The shape of the skull needs a lot of observation.  I feel that I have made some progress on this one, still lots more to do, this time no help and no painting companions.  Fortunately after his posing for us I got a good photo to work from.  This should keep me busy for a while.

Finished now

At last I managed to get to finish my painting  with Sharon's help and encouragement.  We are painting the same photos that I have collected from my sketching portraits groups over the years.  These are very helpful to use for practice.   http://sharonwrightartist.blogspot.com/  I am sure this will get me going again. Thanks Sharon!  Oil on canvas 16" x 20".

Two blogs in one day!

Aha! two posts in one day!  Well here is another model we had on the other morning in January.  This is Vincent a very nice man who is an excellent artist himself.  Here he is dressed in his painting smock.  This time I left it as it was although I did take a photo of him with his hands together on his lap which I am attempting to draw in readiness for a painting.  Have been looking at some amazing U tube  sites but those time lapse clips make it all look too easy!  Oh well, back to the drawing board!

Learning Curve?

I hope everyone in the UK is surviving our first snow fall, it's been very cold.  Unfortunately, it's been a few weeks since I have posted anything of note and there has been gaps in frequency for this blog.  Not that I haven't been busy but I don't have anything much to show you.  I've started on several paintings none of  which are  working yet, and I have some 'duds' which I am not happy to show.

My portrait group is only two mornings a month and I only started in December.  However, this is one man that sat for us.  He had a very strong face and  I got enough information from the 3 hours he sat and then I carried on with it from a photograph.  This is oil on canvas 16" x 20".  The urge to fiddle around with the mouth and other bits is compulsive but I have to say I will stop now and go on with something else.  I know I just need to practice to perfect these issues so for now I have to be happy with it.

I have been doing small studies on any old pieces of paper lying around - trying to get quicker and looser style of drawing.  I hope to progress on to my ' good sketchbook' when I feel I am ready.  And so, for the time being I have nothing really great to share with you today.

This is me?

Found this self portrait I did last year.  I was surprised how loose and painterly it was and I wonder if I can be as spontaneous again.  I seem to have tightened up since trying to get all those features in correct proportion etc.  I obviously didn't rate it as I do not have the original, I must have relegated it to the dustbin but I am so glad I took a photo of it.  Funny when I look back at some of my paintings I wish I could do it again!

Sorry folks - I have not been on my blog recently but hope to be posting more regularly now.

On my Easel - Work in Progress

Well here is my latest abstract in progress.  It will probably take several more layers before I am happy with it.  I'm painting indoors just now as it is so cold in my studio in the garden.  I don't really like painting inside the house as I am conscious of not making a mess and it is inhibiting my freedom of expression.  However, it is better than not painting at all.

 This canvas is in oils and is 20" x 24".  I am also working on my drawing skills in the evenings so keeping quite busy. 

This new year I am going to be more positive, just hope I can keep it going!  Oh dear.........

Cuidad Abstract 2 oil on canvas 20 x 16

I have been working on this abstract following on from before I decided to delete the white areas and I now feel happier with it.  I think this one is finished now.  All best wishes for a good Christmastime to all art people  everywhere.