Three fat figs

I liked the 'picture' that's through the window but am not sure if this detracts from the focus/object of the painting, which is the figs. I think they probably hold their own just about.

Stilton, wine & figs on a sliver tray

Why do I do it? Pick a difficult elipse with complicated shadows and highlights!! This painting is approx 14" x 16", Unison pastels on a colourfix primed board. Not my usual supper, I hasten to add.

Silver jug - updated

This painting produced a lot of opinions on the Wetcanvas forum. The reflection of me taking the photo didn't come out well the way I had painted it. I have finally decided to change this and I think it improves the painting. I don't usually go back to finished paintings but this had always bothered me.

Figs in a silver dish

I have been waiting for figs to be available in the shops and so have taken loads of photos to keep me going through the winter - a bit like storing food for times of famine!! They are so enticing with their seemingly dull skins, although on closer inspection a riot of purples, and the startling oranges and reds of their flesh. I have had my eye on this silver dish in the antique shop for a few weeks and finally decided to get it for its simple elegant lines. I also managed to pick up several shiny silver things in the charity shops in Topsham - I am turning into quite a magpie.

I am not entirely sure about the black background and may yet change it. I am awaiting advice from my Wetcanvas fellow artists.

Still Life - Sunflowers

This painting was so far out of my comfort zone when I started it, but the photo tempted me with it's composition and contrasts (photo from the Wetcanvas RIL, my thanks to the photographer). I decided to just go for it with no planning, research or time to worry! I used a larger board than I have ever done for a still life 16" x 18", and a raw sienna colourfix primer. I wanted to really get away from the photographic realism that's my usual default setting but it's taking some time to settle into a different style and to make it my own. I am encouraged enough by this painting though, to keep trying! (I am especially pleased with the glass vase).

Still Life - Sunflowers

Still Life - Sunflowers

Still Life - Sunflowers

Rough colour/tonal values going on for the background.

Still Life - Sunflowers

Sketch in white conte pencil on raw umber colourfix primer.

Love it/Hate it

I found this jar of Marmite at the back of a cupboard, I bet this stuff keeps for years! It's such an iconic thing, and if I do decided to paint more on a theme of British icons, this will be number 1! It's another attempt a a quicker painting so only took a couple of hours.

Tea Pot with Plums

This will probably be the last painting including plums this year as they went off quicker than I could paint them - changing colour by the hour!! But they were fantastic colours.

Found this fabulous tea pot in a local charity shop although the greens are a little bit muddier on the real thing than in the painting. If I don't have the right base green I have to create a palette from what I have - a bit like transposing a piece of music. Style gradually getting looser, I may be an impressionist by the time I'm 60 then.

Grapes and a plum - study

Just a quick little still life which turned out okay, but I think I might try underpainting the white areas with acrylic next time. Haven't done that before but I am hoping that it will give me a brighter white end result. I was pleased with the plum which has a fantastic range of colours from purple to yellow, in it. Struggled to find the right greens for the grapes though, so the greens can go and join the reds on my list of 'colours that are difficult to get right'!!

New studio!!

I have been waiting for a long time to get a space that I can work in and it's finished at last!!
I guess this means I had better get started on some masterpieces......

Still Life - Water Jug

I have begun searching the local antique shops for more shiny things to paint! I fell in love with this little silver plated hot water jug that would have graced the tea table of the 1906 lady of the house. It's pleasing in so many ways: its history, its design and its shininess!!

Unfortunately I hadn't learnt the art of not getting in the reflection and needed to faithfully reproduce what I had captured. The pink highlights on the neck of the jug were fantastic but would have been meaningless if I had tried to remove myself from the reflection. Not a painting a day as these take too long, but still a good discipline to paint every day.

Studio nearly finished and I can't wait.

Still Life - Water Jug