Lesley Birch workshop

I'm going on a one day workshop, lead by Lesley Birch tomorrow, the subject being 'colour'.  I'm really looking forward to it,  hopefully I'll write about it next week.

This week I have been pulling work together, getting ready for the first exhibition of the year at Burton Agnes Hall.  We set up on Friday 29th April, so only two weeks to go.

I have had some lovely frames made by Paul at Blacktoft, I'm very pleased with them.  Together with some I bought last year, my work is going to be in mid to pale wood frames this year, with either white or cream mounts.  I have striven to get a more co-ordinated look, and this year I have finally managed it.

I spent the day matching paintings to frames and mounts, then making a list of the work, together with notes on what else still has to be done.  I have twenty-two pieces of work altogether, sixteen of which are new this year.

Fishing boats. Collager & Oil on canvas with some stitching

This is one of the pieces that's almost but not quite finished.  I still have a lot to do before set up day on the 29th April

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

Srtill Life painting

Seems I can't get away from Still Life paintings.  I wasn't very well today, but I had this painting half done, or rather more than half done, so I finished it today.

Still Life, Oil & oil bars, 16 x 10 inch

I worked on it today with Markel Oil Bars, which are oil paint in a solid stick.  I like to use these when I want a loose, textured look.

I've painted this still life several times, the first time from observation, but subsequent paintings done from the first painting.  I like to try out different techniques, styles and materials with the same subject.

Quick sketch aain

I haven't finished yesterday's painting, so here is a quick one I did last week.

Headland, oil, 8 x 8 inch

Wolds Field

The photograph for this painting was taking nearby, on a cold winter day, the grasses were half dead, but were blown in the wind, looking like waves running down the hill.  The soil is reddish brown around here.

Wolds Field, 8 x 8, oil

Rannock Moor

If ever there was a place that was totally linked to the weather it's Rannock Moor.  The first time I went it was cold and overcast, and looked like something out of a horror story.  the second time,  when I took the photograph this painting was worked from, it was windy but sunny spells as they say.  I have been several times since, and the weather always alters the atmosphere of the moor.

Rannock Moor, oil 8 x 8

Staithes, oil sketch

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

Staithes, oil, 14 x 10

Polperro, Cornwall

Worked from a photograph I took a few years ago.  A lovely place.

Polperro, oil, 12 X 16

Seascape, after Turner

Another painting in the style of a master.  This was worked from a sketch of Flamborough Head, about a mile from where I live.

Flamborough Head, 14 x 16inch, oil, palette knife

Still Life, after Cezanne

Decided to do some paintings in the style of artists I admire.  Cezanne had to be first, I love his edgy brushstrokes.  This was worked from a still life I set up in the studio.

Still Life, 16 x 12, oil

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.

House on the hill

Used thinners, trickled on to remove paint for road and lower right tree trunks.

House on the hill, oil on board, 8 x 8 inch

Poppy fields

Perhaps too many poppies.

Poppy fields, oil on board 8 x 8 inch

Farmhouse

Oil painting with charcoal and oil bar added.

Farmhouse, oil & charcoal on board 8 x 8 inch

Farm lane

Looking at contrasts, light against dark.

Farm Lane, oil on board, 8 x 8 inch

Poppy fields

A quick oil painting today.

Poppy fields, oil on board, 6 x 6 inch

Bluebell Woods

A painting from a photograph, using quite thick oil paint.

Bluebell Wood, oil on board, 6 x 6 inch

Yorkshire Moors

Trying a loose, atmospheric style today.  Trying to capture the weather on the moors with mist in the distance but sunlit in the foreground.

Yorkshire Moors, oil on board, 6 x 6 inch

I used different brushes, including a fan brush, and a cloth-wrapped finger!

Spring Fields

Very simple painting today, not too much time.

Spring Fields, oil on board, 6 x 6 inch