Alfresco

The things I love to paint...sunshine, shadows and people.
This is a little square in Corfu, unfortunately I cant remember its name.
I remember though it was a hot day.

Sunbathing in the shade

This little treelined cove on Lopud island, Croatia was very tranquil.
A mum cradles her child in a towel whilst grandma enjoys the view.
I like this sort of composition.

Waiting in the wings

Its some while since last posting on my blog so I hope you will forgive my neglect.
I have some what cheated with this composition by putting two photos I took of one model together. The young woman kindly posed for our art society some time ago. That is the beauty of photography has a reference. Perhaps the purists would frown, but I will resort to any inspirational reference for my fix.

Venice in watercolour 2

Its time I tried another short video clip. You may have already gathered from some of my blog paintings that I enjoy painting busy scenes with figures. This painting is one of my favourite subjects..what else but Venice. I hope you find it interesting.

Sunny Days

I have painted this scene from one of my holiday snaps of Rhodes. I quite like canopies and umbrellas, they make good contrast and create a splash of colour.

Dubrovnik

This is busy scene within the old city walls of Dubronik, Croatia.
It is a beautiful old city and thankfully it is being carefully restored after the Bosnia War.
Why do we never learn from the mistakes of the past.

Pals

I do like to put figures in my paintings. I think the chap leaning on his stick is asking the lady next to him for a date!!!
Perhaps she is refusing his advances and playing hard to get!
I wonder what the two pals are thinking!

I painted this watercolour recently and found the composition interesting. The lady with the umberella does look a little harsh, but she may have reason!
I wonder what their thoughts are.

Wakes Week

The scene is set has holiday makers wait at the train station departure platform to go on holiday. Wakes weeks were based round mill workers annual holidays, were everybody took them at the same time. I hope this brings back some memories to a few.

Alfresco

I am having another odd day today. I have painted three different watercolours in my desperation to achieve an ecceptable standard of satisfaction.
Why oh why is the journey so frustrating at times.

At the races 2 (oil)

Forgive me for repeating a previous image, but I have attempted the same watercolour image in alkyd oil this time. I do try to replicate my watercolour style in oils but unfortunately without success.
I must look on this medium with different expectation.

Venice

I do enjoy visiting Venice and I always manage to return with lots of references to work on at home at a later date. The narrow canals always manage to reveal an intriguing composition and the gondolas do suggest movement that is needed.
I have tried to create a feeling of immediacy with this painting even though it has been created from a reference photo rather than plein air. I hope you like this one.

At the races

Today I have painted an image which appeals to me.
I think the figures walking away from the viewer is an intriguing composition.
I hope you find this of interest.

Eros Statue

I seem to have been painting alot of life study pieces these last few weeks, has discipline for observation and technique. However I found my desire to go back to architecture and crowd scenes irresistable, has a resulted I have done this painting from references taken on my recent trip to London. I was surprised how patina green the statue was. Unfortunately I found it appropiate not to include eros in the composition. A bit naughty really I suppose, but it adds intrigue.

Pub entertainment

I like a painting to create a story.
These chaps are enjoying a pint in the local pub. They are being entertained by a performance.
I wonder by what!!!

The City of London

I had to take a rare trip to London last weekend and whilst there visited the National Gallery to see some wonderful inspiring works of art. I took my painting gear but decided photography was my only way to get as much information I could, before travelling back up to the North of England the same day. This painting, which is still wet as I post, is of course Piccadilly. There were many people sitting on the steps which surrounds Eros statue. I have tried to capture the atmosphere of the day but I think it lacks the usual hustle and bustle of traffic.

Market Day

Todays watercolour is a market day in a North Yorkshire town. I like to put lights against darks in order to create sparkle. I do leave alot of white paper but I think that adds to the atmosphere. The chap with the white hat and jacket looks rather smart dont you think?
I hope this appeals to you.

Byegone Days

Todays townscape watercolour painting is based on a London street scene, but could be any cityscape of the time. If you click the picture, a larger image appears.

A nostalgic townscape

Thank you very much to the artists who visit my blog and for leaving encouraging comments. I do appreciate it very much.
I am afraid my skills of writing interesting articles is very limited, and therefore I must apologise for being rather boring and just showing my paintings. Todays watercolour is of a typical nostalgic townscape. The scene is based on the old open top trams of Bradford , but I suppose it could be anywere in Britain of the time.
Thank you again.

Ella`s mum

A painting of Ella, our grandaughter is shown lower down the page. This is her mum Jessica (the eldest; as affectionally known in the family).
Next will be the turn of the youngest Kim, when I`ve painted her.

Window Shopping

This painting is more in keeping with my usual style of watercolours. I like there to be a story in a painting or try and create one by situation. This chap looks like his shopping trip is going to cost him more than he has in his pocket!
Less is more I find and I try to apply this in my work. I hope you find this of interest.

Grandaughter Ella

This is my darling grandaughter ella. She asked for a portrait of herself this week and when she saw it said "its very nice grandad but I dont think my friends will recognise me from it". How polite can a child be. I have to say the colours are quite garish on the pc compared to the original. However I am quite pleased with it.
She is so special to us.

Music in St Marks Sqr

Its about time I put a watercolours on my blog. I`ve been neglecting them somewhat. Finding new material is my biggest stress each day and I end up searching for insperation to ease the addiction of painting. Inevitably I return to Venice scenes which I enjoy painting, but I wonder if my twee painting is not stretching my boundaries enough. Perhaps I should travel more and experience the world. To many things to do and not enough time in which to do it in.

The Look

I think its time to put away the oil paintings and concentrate on some watercolours for my next exhibition. Its always a busy time preparing , but I feel deflated at the moment!!!
Perhaps the winter months have taken there toll. I need to be lifted.

Well today I have oil painted an image I have done previously in watercolour and initially I am quite pleased with it.
I am painting rather a lot of oils lately and I am doing my old thing of worrying that if I leave my watercolours more than a few days I will "loose it". Its funny really but I think that has prevented me venturing into the oil world in the past.
well, I am enjoying oils no end and thats what I need at present.
I hope you find it interesting.