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.

Robin Hood's Bay

This is a painting I started some time ago,  but added figures to yesterday.

Robin Hood's Bay, acrylic, 12 x 16 inch

The name Robin Hood's Bay is a bit of a mystery.  Some say Robin Hood came here, but others believe that the name is derived from the wood elf Robin Goodfellow.  Yet others believe that it was probably named after a local smuggler, as Robin  Hood's Bay was once a busy port, larger than Whitby. When we used to visit when our daughter was small, my husband would tell her that it was where Robin Hood went for his holiday's. So you can take your choice.

Figures in the landscape

Looking at figures in the landscape, proportion and scale.  This was worked from a photograph I took at Robin Hood's Bay last year.

Figures, oil, 9 x 9 inch

Moroccan figure

 Another sketch in charcoal, trying to capture a misty look.  I did add a little white gouache to lose some of the lines into the background.  Still finding figures very difficult, and not excited by the subject yet.

Moroccan figure, charcoal, gouache, 5 x 12 inch

I have been looking through some of my old work and thought it would be interesting to post a few, to show how my style has changed.  The painting below was done about 15 or more years ago, when I first started with acrylics after painting with pen and watercolour before that.  It looks as if I used a ruler to get the straight edges!  The water and the shadows work well though.

Thornton Dale, acrylic, 12 x 20 inch

I know that many people will wonder why I wanted to find a looser style, would be very happy with the painting style shown above.  The answer is that it doesn't have any of 'me' in it.  Anyone could have painted it. 

Having said that, these figures haven't any of me in them either.  I will keep battling to the end of the month, hoping that I find my way.

Sketch

Yet another quick sketch.

sketch, water soluble graphite, 4 x 6 inch

I haven't even had any time to do more of the 100 Artwork Challenge,  which I am rather sad about.  My have more time tomorrow?

Another quick sketch

Over this Easter weekend I am not going to have much time for art work.  I have managed another quick sketch of a figure.

Two linked figures, 11 x 5 inch

I seem to have so much to do over the next week, but I am determined to post every day, so it will mostly be quick sketches.

Quick sketch figures

I have been working in my sketchbook over the last few days, getting into the rhythm of drawing figures.  I need to work into a sketchbook to explore ideas.  Some work, some don't, but it doesn't matter.  It's the actual exercise that counts.

figures sketchbook 8 x 10 inch

Here I am exploring tone and colours, the light yellow contrasting with the dark purple-blue.

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