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

I’m starting to prepare for the Leatherhead Art Club Exhibition at Denbies, 17th May for a week; Also working towards my Surrey Open Studio in June (first three weekends plus the second and third Fridays). I have a lot of sketches to show and I’m planning to just mount these as there are so many.

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A very mixed bunch of paintings this month. Nearly all are responses to virtual or club challenges. These challenges allow me to try out new techniques and materials, so the work is varied.

A month working in the studio, completing challenges set by virtual groups. These groups continue to provide inspiration, challenges, motivation and purpose in my work. I discover new places and revisit holiday locations.

With another lockdown there are no plein air paintings to show this month. I’ve returned to the VirtualRibble Facebook group, painting both UK and International pictures from Google 360 photos. This allows me to select my own composition and create my own atmosphere.

With the return of Sky Portrait Artist of the Week I have been painting every Sunday morning whilst listening to the artist and sitter talking to each other. Very enjoyable!

Also I’ve joined another virtual art group (#virtualribble) and have been painting views from Google Street View

With mixed weather during October there wasn’t so many opportunities to paint outside this month. However, I did enjoy the times I did go out with the Surrey Hills Plein Air Group