Extreme landscape No. 9

I am still loving this process, and I can see that my ideas are beginning to move more to an abstract form.  I bought the DVD downloads of Debora L. Stewart's from North Light books, together with her book on abstracts.  The downloads are fabulous, I have just finished watching them, and want to watch them again.  The book only came a couple of days ago so I haven't got very far with it, but it does look great.

This piece is very small, and I am still in my 'turquoise' period,  but I love it.  I am not being judgemental about these tiny pieces of work, but after watching the DVDs I want to concentrate next on combining colour theory with composition.

I will wait until I have finished all these small pieces of watercolour paper first, then work on some slightly bigger pieces, with perhaps square or normal rectangular shapes.

No. 8 Extreme landscape on watercolour paper

I put all my inks away yesterday, so that I would come to the next piece with fresh ideas.  I did choose my favourite turquoise, but added ochre instead of my usual orange.

I think this has turned out to be a lovely seascape, although again, I try not to have any preconcieved ideas before or whilst working.

Extreme landscape No. 7

I feel as if I have been doing these for weeks rather than 7 days.  Watching the pigment floating and moving over the surface, suspended in medium and water, is amazing.

This has to be 'moorland fires' I think it's the best one yet, although I am trying to be non-judgemental about the results, as it is all about process.

Because I am taking my time on other, larger works, I am feeling so much more relaxed.  Doing these little experimental pieces is a sort of meditation, a lovely start to my working day.

Extreme landscape No. 6

I am so enjoying working with these mini works of art.  Each time I use the acrylic inks and fluid acrylics I surprise myself. 

I also used charcoal again in this piece, and there are a few technical pen lines, although they are very fine.  I love how the colours bloom into one another.

Extreme mini landscapes No. 5

Another mini landscape, or perhaps this is more of a seascape.  I don't have any particular view in mind when working these small pieces.  I looked at a lot of my photographs, taken over the years, of Yorkshire moors, dales and wolds, and the coast in all weathers.  

I didn't however keep any of the photographs out on view as I wanted to produce the feeling, the atmosphere of those places rather than any one place. I used charcoal in this piece as well as my favourite Payne's Grey acrylic ink.

Experimental mini landscape No. 4

I should say a little about colours.  I always have colour theory in my mind when painting.  I use colour complementaries a lot, such as blue and orange (my favourite), green and red or purple and yellow.

Of course the colours don't have to be strictly opposite on the colour wheel.  I like to use split complementaries such as a warm and cool blue, with a warm and cool Orange, and including the neutral colours made by combining opposite colours.

Of course when you mix opposite colours you do get Grey's so you have to watch for that.  I have included some Payne's Grey ink in this piece, a lovely grey with blue undertones.

Extreme, experimental landscape No. 3

I am enjoying doing these landscapes.  they are small and quick and I don't feel under pressure to 'make' a painting whilst doing them.  I am trying to use different colours each time.

6 x 14

I love the muted, earthy tones that this piece has, very reminiscent of the Yorkshire Moors on a misty day.