Learning to Quit While You’re Ahead
A post that could alternatively be titled ‘Before I F***ed It Up’, this little portrait experiment had something good going on, lost it, got it back, then was butchered beyond repair as I tried to add the merest hint of…
The Three Graces (or quinces in a huddle)
I have a soft spot for quince. As well as liking the fruit, I like the word itself. Until quite recently we had a couple of Quince trees in the garden, but sadly they became diseased, and after consulting two…
Slap it on!
Having prepped my largest canvas to date, and with ideas for another 3 larger scale paintings for my new theme, I find myself in a state of artistic paralysis with regards to getting started on any of this work. I…
Ladurée Macaroons
A relatively quick sketch of my favourite macaroons from Ladurée. The flavours that hadn’t been eaten at the time of painting were pistachio, Columbian chocolate, salted caramel and coffee. It’s not a particularly well structured painting in terms of composition,…
Delft and Tomatoes Under Strip Light
Here’s a little alla prima painting to get the week going. (I know it’s Wednesday, but I painted this on Monday and have been a posting slacker.) I’m thinking a lot about atmosphere at the moment, and what I am…
Long Shadows, Coln St Aldwyns
Another evening painting of a Gloucestershire village; Coln St Aldwyns. I left it a little too late to get out this evening, and as a result was very rushed in trying to get the paint down and resolve the composition….
Weathered Elm
The old weathered Elm that is the subject of this painting, stands in the middle of a picturesque meadow where we walk the dogs most days. It is a monumental structure that goes more silvery with each passing year, and…
Daisies’ Last Gasp
This is a quick sketch of the daisies I painted earlier in the week (whose longevity I am amazed by). The length of time I spent on it aside, some days I really feel that I have lost any painting…
Old Bottles
It was getting dark by the time I was ready to photograph this sketch of old bottles. The fading light has resulted in a less than sharp image to post. When painting this, I was mindful of suggesting the subject…
