Continuing on from my last blog about video editing, I have finally finished the 'Introduction To Botanical Painting' film and there is a link at the bottom of this blog if you want to view it on You Tube. Although I found Openshot video editing easy to get to grips with initially, over time, as …
Lights, Camera, Action!
Well, it’s been an exciting, educational, frustrating, irritating, exhilarating, oh, and did I mention exciting few weeks! And the reason is that I have been experimenting and exploring filming art work and the bug has well and truly bitten! Mind you, my studio walls are reflecting varying stages of blue right now after a long …
Paper Trail
Recently I wanted to explore painting with water miscible oils on paper. The traditional supports for oils are canvas or wood panels and several reasons given for this include the rigidity of the support stops the painted surface from cracking, oils can cause paper to disintegrate and issues with framing oils behind glass. However, a …
Gestural Conversations
During the current Covid-19 crisis I think we have all been glued to the news each day waiting for the data and the graphs to start showing the curve flattening out in the rates of infection and number of deaths, to have evidence that strategies are working in the world wide fight against corona virus. …
Transported to Malham
Like all of us I have been wrestling over the last 2-3 weeks with my reactions to the developments happening all around us and the far reaching implications for ourselves, our loved ones, the NHS, the economy and so on. I am sure that I am not alone in having to deal with and reflect …
I Don’t Mind if I Do!
The best learning for an artist is to actually get stuck in there and have a go! It is great that we can learn so much from seeing other people’s work, watching their processes in demos, or reading books about techniques and materials but, at the end of the day, the real learning for you …
The Ground Beneath My Feet
I always work on my landscape paintings from numerous photos in the warmth and shelter of my studio, but I had often felt a bit guilty about this as it seems that so many artists made a big thing of working en pleine air. But then I reprimanded myself because that is their thing, their …
Loosening Up!
I have recently been working on my web site getting it ready for the new year when I will be taking early retirement and looking forward to having more time to dedicate to my art and explore marketing it. I have wanted to get the 'brand' for my work right and was thinking about a …
Does my B*** Look Big in This?
Life has just been one of those hectic times since we came back from holiday with just lots of 'stuff'! But some of that has been preparation for exciting things in the new year. One of these is that I am taking early retirement from the NHS in Jan 2020 - I am one of …
Grounded
I must admit that I prefer the mindful use of grounded as being more self aware and well balanced - maybe my dictionary is rather old and outdated! Anyway, I have been reflecting on the grounds I want to use in my paintings and from that reflection feel more grounded as in self aware and …
Getting to Grips with the Knife!
Recently I have made some new discoveries using the palette knife that are challenging the way I paint the ground and build up layers. I think more traditional oil painters will throw their arms up in horror but this approach is really working for me and I want to explore it more. It is my …
Autumn is Drawing In!
In addition to painting, towards the end of summer, I returned to drawing practice, as many artist friends have done in order to continue to develop observational skills, broaden mark making and expressive range and to practice theory in tone and composition. I also particularly love drawing with pencil and find it is a great …
Annual Exhibition at Huddersfield Art Gallery
I was delighted to have two paintings accepted for the Annual Exhibition of the Huddersfield Art Society, held at Huddersfield Art Gallery. And further delighted when one of my paintings was awarded one of the Exhibition Team's Awards!
Experimenting with landscape
I took this photo on a walk with my husband on Meltham Moor, near Huddersfield, on a path beyond West Nab towards Raven Rocks. It was a cloudy day with rain threatening any time, but I needed to get out for some fresh air and to clear my head and, as always, the moors are …
Work In Progress – Pule Hill
This painting is of Marsden Moor, looking towards Pule Hill, a rather iconic, wedge-shaped hill that can be seen from miles around. Starting and sketching. Blocking in Adjusting colour, shape and form Adding detail Final Result
March Hill – a Work in Progress
I always love seeing how artists work from the start to finish of a piece, as it is fascinating seeing the progression of planning, thought and reflection as well as observing the technical considerations of producing a final piece, whether that be a painting, sculpture, ceramics etc. I wanted to share my own processes, partly …
Scumbling
There are a number of painting techniques that I particularly like with oils and one of them is scumbling. Scumbling is traditionally described as applying a thin coat of broken colour to change the effect of the base colour without totally covering it. It is often advised to use opaque colours and lighter colours over …
Going Digital?
Over the lovely sunny days of July I have enjoyed some grand days out on walks in beautiful Yorkshire! Now, whilst I totally get the benefits of drawing en plein air I really don't like carrying lots of stuff when out on a general day with my family. I like to travel light! As light …
What’s my point?
During my artistic journey to date I have found so many things interesting, fascinating, joyful, a pleasure. I love seeing other people's work and have marvelled in their skill and the results. I have learnt so much by trying various different things with varying degrees of success. And whilst, not infrequently, I have been able …
My Studio Space
Once the children left 'the nest' I have been lucky enough to commandeer one of our bedrooms as a studio space. This room has been re-jiggled many times to make it work for me with what I am currently doing but generally I am happy with it for what I want to do now. It …
My Second Experiment En Plein Air!
My second en plein air experience was again with the Huddersfield Art Society on a painting day looking across the Yorkshire Sculpture Park from the Baking Club House and Longfield Gallery. The day was (mostly) dry and the scenery lovely. View of YSP from Longfield Gallery I was captivated by the curve of the field …
Reconsidering How Loose to Go!
Following on from my last blog I have continued to think about loose brushwork and how I can experiment more with it in this new year, using a break in the sunshine very soon to try a few different things. As part of my ‘research’ I came across a Youtube video by Florent Farges ‘Oil …
