Quiet Reflection 2016

 Quiet Reflection

Simple Abstract 

Sometimes it is good for the soul to sit quietly and reflect and I must admit I get very little time to do just this lately. I have many emails to reply to and an exhibition to prepare for. All my work fo rthe show is now wrapped and titled, priced and ready for collection by courier tomorrow morning. But the catalogue still needs finishing for the gallery. The hard work behind an exhibition draws me away from my painting time which I badly desire after two full weeks teaching recently.

I know it would be impossible to sit and paint in a quiet state of mind today as this is my last chance to work on my show before all my paintings leave my studio. But I cannot allow a single day to pass without picking up my brush. On days like these I would rather experiment than aim to paint something that is frameable for an exhibition or book.

I took paper and covered the whole piece at the top with a beautiful cerulean blue shade. a colour that I have ignored for such a long time. I allowed it to fade with a water application towards the lower section of my paper. I then added a horizon line of full colour and this flowed over my initial blue wash forming patterns as it did so.

I repeated this effect more intentionally above my horizon line and before I knew it this quiet reflection scene awoke before my eyes. I like it. And I love what I have learned from the experimental session of painting which to me is so valauble for my growth as an artist.

The images below show a cropped version from the painting below the full scene. I like both images.

A day to reflect. 

Time to think what I will be doing after my work disappears tomorrow when I can paint freely again. Perhaps I will paint more abstracts, perhaps more experimental washes. But whatever, I will be painting. 

Will you?

  Quiet Reflection

 Quiet Reflection

Cropped version

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Landscapes in Watercolour

"Morning Mist"

Landscape inspired by the fields near our cottage

I woke this morning to gorgeous sunshine flooding into our cottage through the windows. As I walked to my studio I couldn't miss the stunning landscape of rural fields in morning sunlight . These are usually filled with horses or dog walkers.  But at this time of day the scene  seemed to belong to just me. I can fully understand why so many artists over time have been drawn to painting such gorgeous countryside. Influenced by nature.

Morning dew lay on the  surface of the field whilst a magical mist lay almost floating in mid air, under the canopy of the distant trees and hovering over the grass. Sunlight was touching the very tip of the top of the old tree at the top of the hill, now wearing its' glowing Summer foliage. Although I could hear birdsong not a bird was in sight. Or any of the many rabbits and hare that usually adorn the setting. The young fox that often looks back at me was missing, so maybe he was still fast asleep. In fact, it seemed the world was yet to awake. How calm, relaxing and so very beautiful.

It looked perfect and far too good to resist as an artist. So as soon as I reached my studio I painted the sight before my eyes. Peaceful morning mist.

The strange thing is, I was always known for painting landscapes. I loved sharing techniques and tips on how to paint beautiful skies and trees were a firm favourite subject too. I felt as though I was "going home" painting this piece and maybe I was.

Artist Tip For the Day

Paint what inspires you when it inspires you.

Italian Influences!

Venice In Watercolour

On my Easel waiting to be completed

I know everyone is expecting me to be sharing robins or even cockerel paintings at the moment but right now I am working on huge landscapes. The above painting is a smaller version of a large piece that has captured my heart today. I am in love with the Cerulean Blue pigment of the upper part of the architecture whilst a mixture of pinks give a warm glow to the facade. I am trying to avoid too  much in the way of  tiny detail in too many sections. Mainly as I do not  want to lose the spontaneity of the piece. Spontaneity which I could easily miss out on if I used a preliminary sketch!

There is so much life in this and a feeling of energy which is amazing considering I am working on a building. And so after working on the floor with this painting, I placed it on my easel to photograph and I now cannot wait until tomorrow to continue with this theme.

Whatever you are doing today I hope it makes you feel as happy as I do right now.

I heard "Atmospheric Watercolours" , my latest book is to be published in Italian next year so I am thrilled!