New paintings and regular art updates.
This was a tiny painting I did three years ago soon after I got my studio at Spode. I paint small pictures so that if people don’t have wall space for anything large they could still have something, and not expensive. This was about 1″ by 2″, it was sold at a craft fair (remember the heady days when people could go out and cram into a place full of lovely crafts and art?). Maybe, one day, I can do a few more.
If you are learning to draw have you tried drawing vanishing points yet? If you draw a horizontal line along the middle of a piece of A4 paper you can work out how to do three dimensional objects. Draw a dot somewhere along that line. Use a ruler and draw lines radiating from it. Then draw vertical lines up or down to them. Instant buildings in perspective. You can even use more than one vanishing point. For curved objects like a can or a glass it gives you a clue on how to draw curves and what direction they will be in. Generally upwards if you are looking from below the rim of a can and downwards if from above. It all depends on your eye level. The horizontal line in this exercise represents that. But it’s your choice. The line can be higher or lower (think of the view for a child, closer to the ground, or someone at the top of a bus!)
I used to also have fun drawing boxes with this, or alien buildings, or anything, I tried it with a horse once! You can use soft pencil to draw in the lines so you can erase them later, or use to mark out an object before you start a painting. It helps you sort out all types of things, including portraits or figures. Just play about with it.
I only suggested A4 as that gives you plenty of room…. You can use any size or type of paper.
Looking through my photos of small paintings with gold leaf, I found this of my girl cat. I think I was about half way through this painting. I used the gold leaf to emphasise her eyes and the cushion behind her. I know I have a bit left over. I was not very good at attaching the gold leaf, its hard to stop it wrinkling and breaking up, but I would say its fun to use and have a go if you fancy it.
The first picture was drawn in ArtRage oils. The second was edited in Photodirector. Take your pick of which you prefer. I’ve changed the texture and colours in the second one. I’ve also added an overlay of grunge and some extra texture using a couple of the filters. I think although they are both digital, the first looks more painterly, the second more stylised, like a print. I could imagine both of them being used as editorial images as illustrations for a written presentation about horses? All the time I’m trying to improve my drawing and art skills….
Painted a year or two ago. The derelict pottery at the back of Portmeirion pottery. I love painting bricks. Most of the windows are boarded, and the Falcon symbol is on the end of the building. Painted in Autumn, acrylic on canvas.
It’s still standing but I think I will take some more photos of it before long, it’s worrying that it’s not being maintained or restored as far as I know. I guess it might be taken care of one day, but I’m not sure when.
Based on the Florence colliery this is a mural I painted on panels several years ago. It’s emulsion on marine ply and it was covered in perspex to protect it from the dirt and fumes from the road. I think it’s been relocated from here but I’m not sure whether it’s now inside the building. I haven’t been there for a few years. One day I will go and have a look.
Painting by Bonnard. The art group I’m in are taking squares from this image and producing copies to be linked back together. I think the plan is to get it finished by the end of December. Plans are also being discussed to collaborate over a Christmas card. It’s good to be doing this despite being in lockdown again. At least we get to share artwork even if we don’t physically meet.
I think this is the third or fourth one we have done. I’ve already completed square 2 but I’m doing square 6 as well. I’m going to try and get it done soon.
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Owls, painted on a tiny canvas (which is why the canvas surface is so obvious). The beaks and the eyes had tiny pieces of gold leaf to add highlights. Looking at it I might do a few more owl paintings. This is a small picture about 3×4 inches I think I remember? Maybe smaller, it did sell. Again courtesy Facebook memories…
Painted a few years ago while we were on holiday in Pembrokeshire, South West Wales đ´ó §ó ˘ó ˇó Źó łó ż.
I ppainted this while we were staying in a caravan in Pembrokeshire, I’d decided to take paints and a canvas for a change (I usually just take a sketch book or watercolours). I did some sketches of the castle but used a guide book for the castle to find an image to work from.
Manorbier is still in private ownership (a lot of places are now owned by the National Trust and other charities). Its really close to the coast, you can walk down a valley to the sea and if you look back you can see the castle up on a hill on the left and the church tower of the village on a hill on the right.
If you ever go to South West Wales it’s worth a visit……
This wasn’t finished when I took a photo of it. I refined the water surface which was not delicate enough. I also did more to the fish, but I can’t find a photo of the finished piece. It was another small painting, acrylic on canvas with gold leaf. I did sell it at a craft fair at Spode.
Mallaband-Brown