Every time I start a painting there is always a stage where I question my process, the colours I use, the composition and a host of other thoughts. So I’m always looking to improve or just freshen up my paintings.

Richard Torn (a wonderful watercolour artist) has been a big influence for me but I’ve always struggled to work out his methods. So when a course demonstrating his process work came up I jumped at the chance to learn more.

I painted this scene, following closely his style and ideas. The artist said I’d done well. So I’m using this painting to inspire and inform my future work.

I used conte crayon to map out the shapes and shadows.

Blocks of colour and masking fluid provide structure. Giving depth and texture

The stream has now colours and the trees are taking shape. Keeping the colours sharp is key

The final painting. Masking fluid has been removed and darks have more colour in them

I’m now waiting for Spring to continue my journey, so that I can get out painting, find the spring colours, highlights and shadows.

I’ve not posted on this site for a while but I’ve still been painting in my sketchbook. This year I’ve been to the Lakes and North Wales but the rest of the paintings are of my various sessions outdoors in Surrey with the Surrey Hills Plein Air Group and Leatherhead Art Club.

Lake District sketches with the London Plein Air Group

North Wales: Anglesey

Surrey Paint Outs

Sussex

A mixture of plein air and studio work , created over March and April 2022

Here are my paintings for November and December 2021. A mixture of plein air and studio work.

As busy month with the LAC Autumn Exhibition in progress and some commissions to work on. I did manage to get out and paint thoguh and enjoyed the sessions as we move deeper into Autumn. I’m trying some ink based work and will keep these going as they may help with my watercolours in the future.

Leatherhead was the theme of the month as we had a small exhibition at the Institute. I painted the High Street from three angles , which were well recieved by the local community.

This is from our holiday to Derbyshire. I liked the tree on the far hill and the row of cottages.

I was asked to demonstrate a watercolour at Leatherhead Art Club at the last minute. I had painted this view of Venice before and felt I could reproduce the painting in the meeting. Plus it was an interesting view that people might find intimidating to start.

I was commissioned to paint this view for Grace and Flavour

These paintings are from my Plein Air sessions with the Surrey Hills Plein Air group. All organised by Rick Holmes (thanks!)

We had a dull August weather-wise and this effects the colours and shadows of my work for this month.

I moved away from my sketchbook and painted with the remaining stock of watercolour paper I bought last year. Already Brexit and Covid are effecting paper shortages and I’ve had to resort to different paper manufacturers. We will see what effect this has on my work when it arrives.

Most of this month has come from trips with Leatherhead Art Club and Surrey Hills Plein Air but there was a trip to Singleton on my birthday.

I’ve been painting outdoors a lot recently but the weather has been so changeable. Most of this months work has been in my sketchbook as this allows a certain amount of freedom and its easy to set up. I’ve been painting with the Surrey Hills group and Leatherhead Art Club, plus on my own during July.

Our weeks holiday to Norfolk has been a big influence and I hope to paint more pictures from there in the future.

It’s been a strange few months artwise for different reasons. The weather has been changeable and I have only felt like painting outdoors, so very little studio work. Also my focus has been on my Open Studios and the Leatherhead Art Club Exhibition, both went well but visitor numbers were well down from two years ago. I sold more paintings than 2 years ago and income was a little higher. Just about covering my costs for the last two years.

I chose to show my paintings from the virtual sketching lockdown , plus the local paintings I’ve been working on over the last 18 months. Over 150 on display and a wide range of subjects.

I recieved fantastic response to my work and I would like to thank everyone who turned up and supported me. My sketching style was popular, roughly half were in this style , with the rest being local scenes.

Local Plein Air paintings over the last three months