Figures for April

I decided to tackle figures in April.  It is a subject I usually steer well away from as it is so difficult, but I need to have a go and explore all design and techniques as it says on the heading.

This is a piece I started in the Tuesday class I go to, it's a brilliant class, more of a mentoring really.  Its 24 miles away, but well worth the trip.  I worked on it some more today, and I think it's as finished as I want it to go.

Moody, charcoal & white Conte, 10 x 14 inch

Still Life collage No.5 and No.3 & 4 of the 100 Artworks Challenge

Yet another still life collage, I haven't got tired of doing these yet, and am still loving them.  I have 3 or 4 prepared boards still to use, so expect more of them.

Still Life collage, acrylic, 10 x 14 inch

And here are two more for the 100 Artworks Challenge

100 Artworks Challenge, No.3, acrylic mixed media 5½ inch square

100 Artworks Challenge No. 4 acrylic mixed media 5½ inch square

I am so enjoying doing these small acrylics, giving me a chance to experiment with no pressure.  they only take between 15 and 30 minutes, so if it doesn't work I haven't lost much time, and the materials are pennies.

Thanks to Kellee Wynne for coming up with the challenge.  On her blog today she talks about taking it a step further, making it 10 x 100 Artworks, and I think it's a great idea.  I want to do still life for my next 100!

Extreme Composition, lesson 4, another one

And another sample from this online workshop

extreme composition, lesson 4

Staithes, oil sketch

Another painting of Staithes, done from a sketch.  This is oil, with Markel Oil stick.

Staithes, oil, 14 x 10

Venice, Grand Canal

Another view of Venice, painted from a photograph, on black gessoed substrate. working with scrubby, loose strokes.

Venice, Grand Canal, 10 x 14 inch, oil, 

 

February and a trip to Venice

I printed out some of the photographs my daughter took when she went to Venice last year.  Today's is the first of several paintings I hope to do of Venice.

Venice backwater, oil on board, 10 x 14

I hope to do a lot more experimentation during February, including different substrates.  This is painted  on a black gessoed board.

Staithes, again

Another quick sketch of Staitches, using watery acrylics

Staithes, acrylic 10 x 14

Rain on the moors

A very loose painting, with lots of layers.

Rain on the moors, acrylic 10 x 14 inch

Yorkshire Dales

A splashy under-painting, with pastel highlights.

Yorkshire Dales, acrylic & pastel, 10 x 14 inch

Chrysanthemums in blue vase

A very quick painting at art class, using up the colours on my palette.

Chrysanthemums in blue pot, acrylic, 10 x 14

Staithes, a little tipsy

This was worked from a sketch, I deliberately made the houses look wobbly.  It makes you feel a little uncomfortable when things are off kilter.

Staithes, acrylic on board, 10 x 14

Staithes, North Yorkshire

Back to oils today.  As I know I have more time, it's easier to use my oils at the week-end.  This is a subject I have painted dozens of times.  I haven't got the colour balance correct as the blue and red roofs jumps out as pure colour whereas all the others are tinted.  I used a palette knife for the stream and rocks above it.

It was a quick sketch, and I think I need to go back to using smaller boards so I can spend more time on composition.

Staithes in winter, oil, 10 x 14 inch