Last day of May

It's the last day of May, and my last figure piece in my challenge, although I have begun to enjoy doing figures, so may well do more in the future.

Window Shopping in the rain, mixed media

 

10 x 14 inch

I started this one last week, and worked on it a little with my right hand today as my shoulder is still painful.

Window shoppers

Started this painting yesterday on the theme of window shoppers.  I'm quite pleased with it and I think the whole subject has great potential.  I may try for younger figures on the next painting. I think the shop number would be better at 60 rather than 50 (or even 70) for these grey-haired retail therapy lovers.

Window Shoppers, acrylic,10 x 12 inch

I enjoyed painting it and that's the main thing.  I like to work in this loose, expressive style, but still worry that I should be spending hours getting things just right rather than dashing pieces like this off in under two hours.  I suppose most artists are like that, never happy with the results.

And for those who don't know, 'clouts' in Yorkshire and Lancashire too I think, are clothes, as in the old adage "ne'r cast a clout 'til May is out", which translates as "Never cast off any clothing until the May blossom is on the trees and the weather is warmer".

Teashop ladies

I started a new series of paintings on Tuesday - Window Shopping.  I have only finished two so far, and they are both rough drafts for possible future paintings.  I like the whimsical feel to them, you often see two friends staring into shop windows, so you only see the back view.

I think they would work well in collage and acrylic, and have already started thinking about an approach to take.  I don't have much time at the moment so it will have to wait until later in the summer.  I have only just realised that my first exhibition this year is only just over four weeks away, so I need to get moving and sort out work for framing over the coming weekend.

Teashop ladies, acrylic, 10 x 12 inch

Here is another of the paintings from my past, another using the ruler I suspect.

Yorkshire Dales, acrylic, 20 x 16 inch

These two paintings are so far apart it's difficult to realise that I used to paint in such a tight style.  Also the palette was very restricted, no bright colours.