Working on this but the twigs are too thick and dark. I might try and thin them down or paint over them and make them lighter. I need a thinner brush, just a few bristles. Hmm…. And daylight, it’s hard painting under artificial light.
Progress?
Tag: Life
Lake view
The visitor centre at Westport lake stands on stilts and appears like the curved prow of a boat above the lake. The roof juts out over the balcony and offers some shelter from rain that can blow in on the prevailing wind. The visitor centre has a cafe, and sells gifts relating to the wildlife on and around the lake and wooded areas. You can buy bird food and bird nesting boxes, and books including natural history. Staffordshire Wildlife Trust manages the park and does various activities to encourage children to get into supporting the environment and nature. There is also a children’s playground. The only drawback is that the council has bought in parking charges.
Swanning about
The silver blue water of Westport Lake in Stoke on Trent today. This Swan was one of many that were searching for food. It had cygnets in tow, almost free of the pale brown plumage. The swans got out of the lake later as visitors were feeding them bread (not an ideal diet) but in this weather they need sustenance. They even tried a swift peck at my friends arm!
We only walked a couple of miles but that was enough for today. I was chilled by a cold breeze and glad to get back to the car. I will do more walks.
List
Because of everything that’s been happening my life recently I have got behind on #bandofsketchers prompt so here is a list of some of the things I’ve missed. I hope to feel enthusiastic again but I have a health issue that needs investigating and I feel stuck again. One step forward two steps back. All being well everything will be OK. Fingers crossed, I’ve got enough worries without something else coming up!
Bench
Somewhere to sit
Somewhere to think
Look at the view
(a car park?)
Time to rest with your shopping
Before you go to the car!
Not one for a memorial…
Here sat Hilda
Her shopping bag
Was too heavy
And her chicken defrosted
Before she got it home….
Trentham trees
One hour watercolour, I tried to be as free as I could with the paint and colours. This is from a photo I took a week ago. There were long shadows because of the winter sunshine.
Teddy
Finally finished a painting of my friends dog Teddy. It’s taken a few months but I went to the Orme Art Group today and as it was a self directed session I finished this watercolour. It’s not perfect, but the best I could do x
Blurry Summer Dream
My hubby in about 1982/83, sorry the photos blurry the cat is the same one as in the other painting. It’s propped against the wall and the computer is in the way. The title is Summer Dream. It’s oil on canvas. There are standing stones at the top and a female figure with long hair blowing in the wind, (meant to be me). It’s supposed to be set in the west country.
Another narrative painting.
Through the round window
Round window at Spode painted a couple of years, ago, the glass was held in a circular metal frame. I enjoyed trying to get a feeling of depth using deep shade, and perspective with the rows of bricks. I think they might be a bit exaggerated. I liked the way the concentric circles sink inwards and the shadows bend around the edges.
Chair cover
So they keep their claws out.
Covered over, not so smart
But safe at least, from little paws
I want to save my chair from holes
Cats are cheeky, need a scratching pole!
Mallaband-Brown 