Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone who is kind enough to follow my blog, a very happy Christmas.

The light of the Christmas star to you
The warmth of home and hearth to you
The cheer and good will of friends to you
The hope of a childlike heart to you
The joy of a thousand angels to you
The love of the Son and God's peace to you

Irish blessing

Still Frozen

Not that I'm harping on about it But this cold weather is so unusual for us!

Went out this morning and took some photos - my house is at the far right bottom of the picture.

Too cold to paint!

I haven't given up on my blog but I don't usually post unless I have a painting to show you all. Who wants to just listen to my waffle!

I haven't painted for a couple of weeks as it's been so cold here that it's hard to heat the studio. Things are looking up at the weekend though, so I am hoping to start something then.

I haven't been wasting my time though - I've been shopping! Got some great items to paint so look out soon for: an Oxo tin, some old beer bottles and a little red oil can!

Silver Hot Water Jug (sold)

We found this little beauty in an antiques shop in Honiton and I couldn't resist it. I am guessing that it's from somewhere at the beginning of the 20th Century but if anyone knows for sure I would love to know. It's the elegance of the fluted design and the little touches like the scroll on the handle, that are so appealing. They really knew how to make things in the 'old days'. The usual pastels on board, approx 12" x 10".

It's getting pretty cold in the studio now - I must look bonkers sat there with my feet on a hotwater bottle, with fingerless mittens on and two jumpers! All for art....

Figs & Honey

There is such a fantastic range of colours on the outside of a fig! Depending on ripeness: from cold blue to deep purples and browns. I suppose I should have found a proper honeycomb straight from the hive but I quite like the plain old, half used jar from my cupboard. Tricky light and shadows but more dramatic I hope.

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.