Showing posts with label Elephant in Watercolour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elephant in Watercolour. Show all posts

Wednesday, 22 July 2015

" Presence "

 Lost for Words
Sometimes its' impossible to find the right title to go with a painting.
"It looks better on me" comes to mind when I see these beautiful creatures with their ivory tusks.

I am preparing my studio for filming my new DVD with Townhouse Films here next month. While tidying up  my store cupboards it has been really incredible coming across not only products but old paintings that I have kept to remind me of my art journey. I envisage being an old lady looking through my collection of watercolours one day and remembering when and why they were painted. And where. That is of course if I can remember!

They say elephants never forget. So it is timely that I  reworked an old favourite of one this afternoon. I made this piece more vibrant using my favourite Daniel Smith shades. Layering and building up colour. I loved working the textural colour veins in the top right hand corner. You can see a close up of these below.


 Watercolour veins worked in watercolour to add interest in the background. 
Isn't this a stunning shade of blue?


I wonder if you noticed the baby elephant at the foot of the painting? Hidden and protected by its caring and doting mother. It is only just there. As is the rapidly declining population of these stunning creatures.


Hidden baby elephant at the foot of the painting.

My heart aches when I think that in generations to come these  gentle giants may be a thing of the past. Wiped out by mans' greed. It is such an awful thought. And yet so much of our wildlife is suffering at the hands of the human race. 

How ashamed those who  are behind their loss should feel.
Anyone who follows me on Twitter will know I care so much about animals. They have no voice of their own so it really is up to us to do our bit to raise awareness and help if we can where and when needed. Thank you so much for all the lovely messages from my last blog post  with the previous elephant painting. 

It really does help to know I am surrounded by people and friends who, like me, care.


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Thursday, 11 April 2013

Animal Workshop UK 2013

"Blushed"

Today was the last day of my  Spring 2013 Animal Workshop course and it was wonderful. 

 Sometimes as a teaching artist you leave a session and  think about obstacles some of the artists are struggling with. Last night was such an occasion. I always listen to questions arising in workshops and concerns. One of the main hiccups is keeping colour alive and fresh in watercolour. Choosing colours at all can be a nightmare at times for some.

Everyone who knows me  is aware how much I adore colour. I always strive to make each new painting unique. So today I started with a demonstration on how to take an ordinary subject and paint it in colours you wouldn't normally choose. Colours that didn't relate to what you actually saw. I already knew I was going to exaggerate my point by opting for vibrant purples or pinks but as my demonstraton progressed I was fascinated listening to the comments coming from the class behind me, who were watching each new brushstroke. Everyone loved this  "blushing" elephant.  I must admit its a favourite of mine now because that "pink blush" is unexpected. Especially when you see the subject is an elephant.

Maybe tomorrow I will paint a green one!

Artists tip: Whatever you are painting , please don't fall into the trap of always painting exactly what you see. Add excitement, drama and an element of fun into some of your pieces. You may get pleasant surprises and brilliant results that you are proud of.

Saturday, 5 January 2013

Wonderful Year

Elephant coming to life in Watercolour

This may sound crazy but I knew this was going to be a great painting day as soon as I woke. I had made my mind up yesterday, to take a break and stay out of my studio today but the urge was far too great .  Which is why I  found myself  facing a gorgeous blank piece of paper  on my easel as the temptation to paint was too huge to resist. 

But in one way I did take a break as I strayed from my new collection, chose smooth paper which I usually don't wotk with and selected colours that were slightly different for my normal palette. As my brush worked its magic an elephant soon started to  not only appear on my paper but also turn to look at me. At one point I even thought it was winking!

Maybe I do need that break after all but this was such a peaceful and beautiful painting to create. The colours glowed and intereacted perfectly and I really could feel this majestic creature come to life under my brush.

Days like this are magical!

Have a brilliant year ahead. Paint as if there is no tomorrow, follow your urges to create when the mood hits you!


Tuesday, 4 December 2012

Wonderful Studio Time

Elephant painting, work in progress for 2013 Exhibition

I have a glorious week in my studio to catch up with writing and painting. It is heaven! I am working through folders of art that have been stored for safe keeping. These pieces are for 2013 exhibitions and my facbulous project of a new book. Life couldn't get any more exciting, or could it? I recently received a wonderful invitation from a gallery that is new to me to exhibit with and am happily putting a collection of pieces together for the show which will open early next year.

I am also having a fantastic time working on my new horse racing paintings that will form part of an exciting collection for my solo exhibition at the Wey Gallery in Godalming,Surrey which I am really looking forward to. Keeping this work secret, at times, has been so hard because as each painting has evolved during creation I desperately wanted to share my excitement. Especially with the thrilling colour combinations and feeling of movement in each new composition.

I will share details of  next years events later but for now I have original watercolours in some incredible Christmas shows in Hamphire,Surrey and Norfolk so please take a look at my web site if you wish to visit them.

Wednesday, 18 July 2012

Elephants Can Fly!

From my book
"Atmospheric Watercolours"

I had a wonderful message from the Dogs in Art Gallery in Stockbridge this morning letting me know that the elephant painting from my new book "Atmospheric Watercolours" is making its way to its' new home in Australia and I am thrilled.This is one of my favourite paintings which sadly is not shown well on screen. The colours sing when it is seen in real life. Also the light on the head of my subject seems to glow as if this majestic creature is truly walking in sunlight.

Part of me wishes I was  travelling with my painting because I adore Australia!

This piece is part of my watercolour collection on show at the Dogs in Art Gallery during my "Fur, Feathers and Florals " Exhibition which runs until August 3rd,2012.

The gallery are wonderful in that they are happy to send  my work all over the world to international clients.

You can see the selection of work available via this link.