Hello there.
I try hard not to be repetative, but my health and circumstances have meant that I have not been able to do what I have wanted, as in catch up with projects, finish things, start new works, put into place new ideas etc.
Yes, sometimes it gets a little boring, but that's just how things are. Physically I am not always able to do what it is that I want and need to do. Hard though it is (believe me, it's bloody hard at times) that's how it is.
In this "state" I have come up with an idea I have been able to work at on and off, piece by piece, a little at a time, namely going through all of my old sketchbooks, earlier drawings and scribbles - and kind of sorting through the wheat and the chaff. All of the good stuff, those with ideas linked to them have been retained, the rest binned. Of the retained material I hope to be able to rework all of those ideas and thoughts into a couple of easy to use sketchbooks instead of countless reams of jumbled bits of paper and messy books.
What I hope to have is a couple of new books with a better grasp of what it was I am trying to get out of an image or idea; to get something down on paper that I can really sit next to and work up into that final work that I can see, understand, and put my name to.
Does that sound too difficult, too backweard a step, or even too vain?
Whatever your art - enjoy it.
Paul
Friday 27 August 2010
Wednesday 18 August 2010
Moorland Sheep Oil
Hello hello!
I have now managed to put a frame on this work to finally complete it, which I hope you will agree helps display it at its best. I have to put my hand up though and publicly acknowledge the help of my wife Sue in helping with the choice. Never nock the advice of another who can often see things you are too deeply involved in with a fresh pair of eyes!
I do hope you like the completed item. If you have any comments etc, please feel free to contact me.
Whatever your art - enjoy it.
Paul
I have now managed to put a frame on this work to finally complete it, which I hope you will agree helps display it at its best. I have to put my hand up though and publicly acknowledge the help of my wife Sue in helping with the choice. Never nock the advice of another who can often see things you are too deeply involved in with a fresh pair of eyes!
I do hope you like the completed item. If you have any comments etc, please feel free to contact me.
Whatever your art - enjoy it.
Paul
Wednesday 11 August 2010
New works!
Hi there!
This post is a short one, not intended to keep you hanging on, but just to let you know that I have a new work to show you very shortly, (it's a second large Iris) which is fully complete apart from it's framed support. I have had a go at photographing it already without and posting it on my FB page, but it is too distorted and looks a real bad photograph. Once I have the support frame made - it will be on here!
There is also the Moorland oilwork I have previously posted. This has now got a frame and looks totally different - it has really enhanced it (many thanks to my wife and her suggestions), and that will be on the same posting once I get the chance to properly photograph it (hopefully the same time as the Iris)!
Look out for the next post then ASAP!
Whatever your art, enjoy it.
Paul
This post is a short one, not intended to keep you hanging on, but just to let you know that I have a new work to show you very shortly, (it's a second large Iris) which is fully complete apart from it's framed support. I have had a go at photographing it already without and posting it on my FB page, but it is too distorted and looks a real bad photograph. Once I have the support frame made - it will be on here!
There is also the Moorland oilwork I have previously posted. This has now got a frame and looks totally different - it has really enhanced it (many thanks to my wife and her suggestions), and that will be on the same posting once I get the chance to properly photograph it (hopefully the same time as the Iris)!
Look out for the next post then ASAP!
Whatever your art, enjoy it.
Paul
Thursday 29 July 2010
Moorland Oil
Hello once again!
Seems it's the proverbial case of "All or Nothing" - and to prove it's an "All", here's my latest oil work for you to have a look at. As the title suggests, it's just a place - anywhere - on one of England's moors.
This work is once again done using palette knives, and is on a stretched canvass, measuring 10" x 8" and at the moment, is unframed.
Seems it's the proverbial case of "All or Nothing" - and to prove it's an "All", here's my latest oil work for you to have a look at. As the title suggests, it's just a place - anywhere - on one of England's moors.
This work is once again done using palette knives, and is on a stretched canvass, measuring 10" x 8" and at the moment, is unframed.
The two pictures give you a chance to have a better look at it - one close and one from a slight distance.
Hope you enjoy it, thanks for looking, and please leave a comment if you wish.
Whetever your art - please enjoy it.
Paul
Wednesday 28 July 2010
Coastal Oil Work
Hello again!
As previously promised, as soon as I have been able to, here is my Coastal Oil Work now in a card mount, and fitted into a nice wooden frame - completed and signed.
Approximate measurements are - area of work 11.5" x 8", total size of frame approximately 17" x 14".
Price for this is £50, so please contact me if you are interested in owning an original signed, oil painting.
Thank you for having a look, and whatever your art - please enjoy it.
Paul
As previously promised, as soon as I have been able to, here is my Coastal Oil Work now in a card mount, and fitted into a nice wooden frame - completed and signed.
Approximate measurements are - area of work 11.5" x 8", total size of frame approximately 17" x 14".
Price for this is £50, so please contact me if you are interested in owning an original signed, oil painting.
Thank you for having a look, and whatever your art - please enjoy it.
Paul
Friday 23 July 2010
Moorland Oil
Hi there.
I told you in the last post that despite a lack of picture evidence, I was still working away, and I can now tell you that I have finished my latest oil work. This one is a very small moorland scene, complete with a couple of sheep and a drystone wall, very loose like the last one, but this does seem to be my developing style.
Like may artists, having a style is something that often does not occur naturally, and it cannot be developed overnight. You have to get used to sketching and drawing in the first place, to have a sense of perspective, balance and tone, and even then you have to grasp the materials you are using and learn their characteristics in differing situations, methods and application.
Finally it seems that at last I can say to myself that I am "getting there". It is something that I do take great pride and care in; I don't want to churn out endless pieces of inferior work just for the sake of it. That is false, both to any prospective purchaser, and to myself, and is not a road that I will knowingly go down. Each of my works are individual - nothing is printed or copied - each work is unique, and will remain so. There will be times in the future I will see something I did a few years back and think "erm, that's what I did, right". Hopefully I will be able to look at it and see how it could be improved, and how far I have improved. I said before - we all live and learn.
This weekend my wife and I, along with 2 very dear close friends are going away, so the work has some time to dry, though even next week it will still be wet in places, but by then I may be able to get some sort of frame for it. Probably not the right one, but at least you will have a better understanding of it, and it will look so much better for having a frame round it just for photographic purposes.
Hopefully some of you may have noticed the new blog layout, and I hope you like it. My hand goes up though to say I was actually playing around with it, and lost the previous one, so we all have this through default!
Whatever your art, enjoy it.
Paul
I told you in the last post that despite a lack of picture evidence, I was still working away, and I can now tell you that I have finished my latest oil work. This one is a very small moorland scene, complete with a couple of sheep and a drystone wall, very loose like the last one, but this does seem to be my developing style.
Like may artists, having a style is something that often does not occur naturally, and it cannot be developed overnight. You have to get used to sketching and drawing in the first place, to have a sense of perspective, balance and tone, and even then you have to grasp the materials you are using and learn their characteristics in differing situations, methods and application.
Finally it seems that at last I can say to myself that I am "getting there". It is something that I do take great pride and care in; I don't want to churn out endless pieces of inferior work just for the sake of it. That is false, both to any prospective purchaser, and to myself, and is not a road that I will knowingly go down. Each of my works are individual - nothing is printed or copied - each work is unique, and will remain so. There will be times in the future I will see something I did a few years back and think "erm, that's what I did, right". Hopefully I will be able to look at it and see how it could be improved, and how far I have improved. I said before - we all live and learn.
This weekend my wife and I, along with 2 very dear close friends are going away, so the work has some time to dry, though even next week it will still be wet in places, but by then I may be able to get some sort of frame for it. Probably not the right one, but at least you will have a better understanding of it, and it will look so much better for having a frame round it just for photographic purposes.
Hopefully some of you may have noticed the new blog layout, and I hope you like it. My hand goes up though to say I was actually playing around with it, and lost the previous one, so we all have this through default!
Whatever your art, enjoy it.
Paul
Wednesday 21 July 2010
Pochard Box
Hi there, how are we all doing?
No new work for you yet, but there are a few WIP's strategically positioned around the place!
In this post I want to tell you of a new piece or art "kit" I have just bought, and thought that I would take this opportunity to share it with you - just in case you have not heard of it. To set the scene, please read below.
The coastal oil work you have all seen, was being taken to some friends to show them, but as it was still wet I placed it on a medium sized board with a small lip to hold it during the short car journey. Unfortunately it mysteriously managed to fall off the board and into the footwell of the car, but somehow avoided being damaged. That started me to look around for some "clever idea" that would stop events like that from happening again.
I have hopefully found the solution, which is an item called a "Pochard Box". So far the only downside I have found is the size, but I'm sure larger ones may be available somewhere. The box/easel I have found comes in 2 sizes - taking 2 canvass textured boards sized 10" x 12" or 8" x 10". There is more than enough storage space for brushes, palette knives, tubes of paint etc, and once opened out, the hinged lid provides a comfortable angle on which to paint, and part of the box also makes a fair sized palette for your paint!
It has great uses for oils especially, but also acrylics, and with a little preparation watercolours too. The surface to be painted slides down between grooves set in the easel lid and are held securely in place. You could use it for your proper work if you so wish, and also for a quick en plein air session. The whole thing only measures around 15" x 13" x 4", is light to carry, and even comes with a shoulder strap and handle!
Apparently it has been stated that similar items were said to have been used by the likes of Turner, so if it's good enough for him................ Hope this little article is of help to you - I'm just waiting for my oil paints to arrive before I'm off out and using it!
Whatever your art, enjoy it.
Paul
No new work for you yet, but there are a few WIP's strategically positioned around the place!
In this post I want to tell you of a new piece or art "kit" I have just bought, and thought that I would take this opportunity to share it with you - just in case you have not heard of it. To set the scene, please read below.
The coastal oil work you have all seen, was being taken to some friends to show them, but as it was still wet I placed it on a medium sized board with a small lip to hold it during the short car journey. Unfortunately it mysteriously managed to fall off the board and into the footwell of the car, but somehow avoided being damaged. That started me to look around for some "clever idea" that would stop events like that from happening again.
I have hopefully found the solution, which is an item called a "Pochard Box". So far the only downside I have found is the size, but I'm sure larger ones may be available somewhere. The box/easel I have found comes in 2 sizes - taking 2 canvass textured boards sized 10" x 12" or 8" x 10". There is more than enough storage space for brushes, palette knives, tubes of paint etc, and once opened out, the hinged lid provides a comfortable angle on which to paint, and part of the box also makes a fair sized palette for your paint!
It has great uses for oils especially, but also acrylics, and with a little preparation watercolours too. The surface to be painted slides down between grooves set in the easel lid and are held securely in place. You could use it for your proper work if you so wish, and also for a quick en plein air session. The whole thing only measures around 15" x 13" x 4", is light to carry, and even comes with a shoulder strap and handle!
Apparently it has been stated that similar items were said to have been used by the likes of Turner, so if it's good enough for him................ Hope this little article is of help to you - I'm just waiting for my oil paints to arrive before I'm off out and using it!
Whatever your art, enjoy it.
Paul
Saturday 17 July 2010
Small progress!
Hello there, and welcome!
I've not seen you for just over a week, so the kettle's on, go get yourself a drink and we'll settle down.
Finished productions have slowed down since the last post, but 2 completed works in one week was a bit much - especially for me! The acrylic Iris was loved by the recipient, and should hopefully be hung and on display by now. The oil coastal scene has been well received by many people, both online and in person, and I thank you all who have commented on it. It is extremely rewarding to have people, especially complete strangers, make comments on your work, even more so if they are all positive, but I can take constructive criticism too you know, so don't be afraid!
As you may be aware I'm new to oil painting, and have been sat waiting patiently for this first one to dry. I never knew it could take this long, but maybe that's because I have always worked with watercolours or acrylics which are pretty much instant drying. One interesting tip I did pick up during this time, and which may be of interest to some of you, is that if you let oils dry in the dark, or very dim light, they can develop a yellowish film which can show when dry. This can be avoided by letting them dry naturally in a dry, well lit and ventilated area. So please remember that.
The Iris was easy to see to afterwards, as I had made and fitted a nice wooden backing edge to the hardboard work, so it was very easy to get on the wall. What I did have was a couple of annoying, but easily surmountable problems with the oil. First I went and bought what I think is a very complementary frame for it, then got home and found it didn't fit - the frame was slightly larger than the board, and there was no room for a cardboard mount! Arrrgh!
So, back to town, this time armed with an identical board to ensure that I came away with the same style frame and a cardboard mount, ensuring a properly fitting oil painting once I got home and it had dried. I just checked it again today and there are just small areas of it that are not quite dry - but we are getting there. Hooray I here you all shout!
In between I have been working on what I thought were some good ideas involving butterflies and watercolours, but after a couple attempts I'm not entirely convinced, but a few more runs and my mind will be firmly made up if I'm going to go with it or not.
Also during this last week, plenty of my time has been spent online, and like so many people, on Facebook! On there I have been trying to get an art page up and running, called EdrickArt, and linking it to as many people and groups as I can. This has lead to some success, and at the moment I have 64 members which keeps growing, slowly but surely each day. If you would be interested then please go and join, or get your friends or other art followers too - the more the merrier, and hopefully we can make a nice site to share and exchange ideas, projects and generally encourage each other.
Some of my ideas will come to fruition, some will fall by the wayside, and others I will just forget! But that's just part of the fun, and that is what I want you all to experience - whatever your art, please enjoy it.
Paul
I've not seen you for just over a week, so the kettle's on, go get yourself a drink and we'll settle down.
Finished productions have slowed down since the last post, but 2 completed works in one week was a bit much - especially for me! The acrylic Iris was loved by the recipient, and should hopefully be hung and on display by now. The oil coastal scene has been well received by many people, both online and in person, and I thank you all who have commented on it. It is extremely rewarding to have people, especially complete strangers, make comments on your work, even more so if they are all positive, but I can take constructive criticism too you know, so don't be afraid!
As you may be aware I'm new to oil painting, and have been sat waiting patiently for this first one to dry. I never knew it could take this long, but maybe that's because I have always worked with watercolours or acrylics which are pretty much instant drying. One interesting tip I did pick up during this time, and which may be of interest to some of you, is that if you let oils dry in the dark, or very dim light, they can develop a yellowish film which can show when dry. This can be avoided by letting them dry naturally in a dry, well lit and ventilated area. So please remember that.
The Iris was easy to see to afterwards, as I had made and fitted a nice wooden backing edge to the hardboard work, so it was very easy to get on the wall. What I did have was a couple of annoying, but easily surmountable problems with the oil. First I went and bought what I think is a very complementary frame for it, then got home and found it didn't fit - the frame was slightly larger than the board, and there was no room for a cardboard mount! Arrrgh!
So, back to town, this time armed with an identical board to ensure that I came away with the same style frame and a cardboard mount, ensuring a properly fitting oil painting once I got home and it had dried. I just checked it again today and there are just small areas of it that are not quite dry - but we are getting there. Hooray I here you all shout!
In between I have been working on what I thought were some good ideas involving butterflies and watercolours, but after a couple attempts I'm not entirely convinced, but a few more runs and my mind will be firmly made up if I'm going to go with it or not.
Also during this last week, plenty of my time has been spent online, and like so many people, on Facebook! On there I have been trying to get an art page up and running, called EdrickArt, and linking it to as many people and groups as I can. This has lead to some success, and at the moment I have 64 members which keeps growing, slowly but surely each day. If you would be interested then please go and join, or get your friends or other art followers too - the more the merrier, and hopefully we can make a nice site to share and exchange ideas, projects and generally encourage each other.
Some of my ideas will come to fruition, some will fall by the wayside, and others I will just forget! But that's just part of the fun, and that is what I want you all to experience - whatever your art, please enjoy it.
Paul
Thursday 8 July 2010
Acrylic Iris
Me again - how you all doing?
I'm on a roll here, so had best make use of it while I can!
Here is my second completed work this week. It's one I have recently posted and told you that it had been requested as long as I could change the background colour, so off I set.
The background was changed to a much lighter, slightly greener toned blue colour, which looked good and matched the colours in the room where it's to be hung. After doing that, the black lines needed to be tidied up some, but before that, I decided to change the petals. In the original work they are basically a very deep purple, but I now went for a lighter blue colour, and tried to give them some highlights and a bit of "form and structure". That also involved re-working the centres, blending the whites and yellows, plus introducing an orange into the centres, which gave it some focus and "lifted" the whole thing.
Once that had been done, I then went and completely changed the leaves and stems, introducing differing shades and tones to them all. The last thing to do was to re-paint all of the black linings to everything, but this time I decided to make them much thinner if I could. That still gave them an edge, but not a thick black one that could dominate - especially with thinner stems etc.
So there you go, now have a look below and see what you think.
The first image is the work as a whole - 4' x 2'8", with the second image being a detail of part of it.
Please feel free to leave a comments, I appreciate them all.
Whatever your art, enjoy it!
Paul
I'm on a roll here, so had best make use of it while I can!
Here is my second completed work this week. It's one I have recently posted and told you that it had been requested as long as I could change the background colour, so off I set.
The background was changed to a much lighter, slightly greener toned blue colour, which looked good and matched the colours in the room where it's to be hung. After doing that, the black lines needed to be tidied up some, but before that, I decided to change the petals. In the original work they are basically a very deep purple, but I now went for a lighter blue colour, and tried to give them some highlights and a bit of "form and structure". That also involved re-working the centres, blending the whites and yellows, plus introducing an orange into the centres, which gave it some focus and "lifted" the whole thing.
Once that had been done, I then went and completely changed the leaves and stems, introducing differing shades and tones to them all. The last thing to do was to re-paint all of the black linings to everything, but this time I decided to make them much thinner if I could. That still gave them an edge, but not a thick black one that could dominate - especially with thinner stems etc.
So there you go, now have a look below and see what you think.
The first image is the work as a whole - 4' x 2'8", with the second image being a detail of part of it.
Please feel free to leave a comments, I appreciate them all.
Whatever your art, enjoy it!
Paul
Oil Coast
Hello there!
Finally I can now post the end results of my first venture into oil painting, after hopefully managing to put the finishing touches to the work on Tuesday night without overworking it.
This is done on a 10" x 12" canvass board using a small selection of palette knives, and as yet remains unframed or mounted. Wonder how long it will take me to find what I think is the most complementary means of doing that? Luckily I have plenty of time, so I'm not worried.
Anyway, hope you like it and remember that I always welcome any feedback you care to leave.
Hope you enjoy your art, whatever your style of work or preference of medium.
Paul
Finally I can now post the end results of my first venture into oil painting, after hopefully managing to put the finishing touches to the work on Tuesday night without overworking it.
This is done on a 10" x 12" canvass board using a small selection of palette knives, and as yet remains unframed or mounted. Wonder how long it will take me to find what I think is the most complementary means of doing that? Luckily I have plenty of time, so I'm not worried.
Anyway, hope you like it and remember that I always welcome any feedback you care to leave.
Hope you enjoy your art, whatever your style of work or preference of medium.
Paul
Wednesday 7 July 2010
Oil painting!
Greetings Bloggers!
At last I have completed my very first oil painting to my satisfaction, but have no time to upload it here tonight, so I'm afraid you will have to wait until tomorrow - Thursday - until you can see it.
Hopefully you will be able to have a good look, and leave me some comments as to what you all think. Good or bad, I don't mind any constructive criticism. Honestly, as long as you leave comment.
So, whatever your art, until tomorrow, please - enjoy it!
Paul
At last I have completed my very first oil painting to my satisfaction, but have no time to upload it here tonight, so I'm afraid you will have to wait until tomorrow - Thursday - until you can see it.
Hopefully you will be able to have a good look, and leave me some comments as to what you all think. Good or bad, I don't mind any constructive criticism. Honestly, as long as you leave comment.
So, whatever your art, until tomorrow, please - enjoy it!
Paul
Wednesday 30 June 2010
Thank you!
Hi there.
This is just a very quick post to say that Jayne and Lara both completed the Race For Life last Sunday and my wife and I were both lucky enough to have witnessed it!
They have raised the fab total of £275, so on their behalf I would like to offer a very big THANK YOU to any of you who may have contributed in any way, and please enjoy the photo of them warming up for the big event. As the London Olympics approaches - the World trembles!
Whatever your art - please enjoy it.
Paul
Friday 25 June 2010
Oil Painting
Hello there, hope you are all well.
Here it is then, my latest work, which as you can all see, is definately a WIP. As I have said before, I am totally new to all of this oil painting working, and have no real idea as to how long it will be before it dries enough for me to add to it. Still, there's no rush, and it's all a learning curve. Nice and gentle.
What I am hoping for is to try and enhance the clouds or sky a little more, and to add some waves, both out on the sea and on the shoreline. Anyway, that's later on, as and when I can get to work on it.
The whole thing is done using oil paints, worked using palette knives, on a canvass textured board 12"x10" in size.
So there you go, you can now see that I have been working of sorts, and hope that you like it so far.
Whatever your art - please enjoy it.
Regards,
Paul
Tuesday 22 June 2010
Questions!
Well hello there!
Grab a chair and the kettle is on - would you expect anything less? No you wouldn't would you.
Tonight I hope to get back to the adults group and finish my first ever oil painting, you know, the very loose one I told you about last week. It's all exciting new stuff to me this oil painting, as I am intrigued as to how it has kept; is it still wet, part dry, and what will it be like to continue working over the top of what I started last time? Gosh, I'm almost excited!
The plan I had to have a go at home has slowly started too, but all I have managed to do so far is to overpaint a part worked on canvass previously using acrylics. But that's another experiment for me. What does oil cover acrylic like? Does it? That original work was a landscape, with only a light wash of pale blue on it as I started to work on the sky, so perhaps one side will be different to the other?
This canvas is a long rectangular one some 39"x12" in size. My master plan, though not an original one by any means, is to have a go at portraying one of the Massai people we met in Kenya in January of this year, using one of the photo's I took as my inspiration, coupled with a little artistic license I had from doing some sketches a couple of years ago, when I had a go at portraying some jumping warriors in a sort of abstract way. We'll see how they turn out, given time.
So there you have it, my week so far. Hopefully if I get the first one done tonight, I will be able to get it home and possibly photograph it and get it online for tomorrow. Drying times and smudges permitting of course!
Whatever your art, please enjoy it.
Paul
Grab a chair and the kettle is on - would you expect anything less? No you wouldn't would you.
Tonight I hope to get back to the adults group and finish my first ever oil painting, you know, the very loose one I told you about last week. It's all exciting new stuff to me this oil painting, as I am intrigued as to how it has kept; is it still wet, part dry, and what will it be like to continue working over the top of what I started last time? Gosh, I'm almost excited!
The plan I had to have a go at home has slowly started too, but all I have managed to do so far is to overpaint a part worked on canvass previously using acrylics. But that's another experiment for me. What does oil cover acrylic like? Does it? That original work was a landscape, with only a light wash of pale blue on it as I started to work on the sky, so perhaps one side will be different to the other?
This canvas is a long rectangular one some 39"x12" in size. My master plan, though not an original one by any means, is to have a go at portraying one of the Massai people we met in Kenya in January of this year, using one of the photo's I took as my inspiration, coupled with a little artistic license I had from doing some sketches a couple of years ago, when I had a go at portraying some jumping warriors in a sort of abstract way. We'll see how they turn out, given time.
So there you have it, my week so far. Hopefully if I get the first one done tonight, I will be able to get it home and possibly photograph it and get it online for tomorrow. Drying times and smudges permitting of course!
Whatever your art, please enjoy it.
Paul
Friday 18 June 2010
Stained Glass
Hi there once again!
Today I would like to use this post to give you the chance to go visit the site of a good friend of mine.
Eddy Crick - who does some wonderful stained glass work lives in the same village as me, and I have know him for a number of years now. His work is bright and extremely colourful, being a traditional stained glass artist who uses coloured glass - not covering cut pieces of glass with coloured films. You really do get the real thing from him.
He has a small stock of items at home, supplies various galleries and outlets across the country, but is also very obliging to commissions - no matter how large or small.
Please go take a look at his site, I am sure you will not be disappointed. You can simply click on to his site using the "Edrick Art Supports" panel at the side.
Whatever your art, do keep enjoying it.
Regards,
Paul
Today I would like to use this post to give you the chance to go visit the site of a good friend of mine.
Eddy Crick - who does some wonderful stained glass work lives in the same village as me, and I have know him for a number of years now. His work is bright and extremely colourful, being a traditional stained glass artist who uses coloured glass - not covering cut pieces of glass with coloured films. You really do get the real thing from him.
He has a small stock of items at home, supplies various galleries and outlets across the country, but is also very obliging to commissions - no matter how large or small.
Please go take a look at his site, I am sure you will not be disappointed. You can simply click on to his site using the "Edrick Art Supports" panel at the side.
Whatever your art, do keep enjoying it.
Regards,
Paul
Wednesday 16 June 2010
Oil Be There.
Hello!
It's so nice to be able to welcome a new member to our happy band of blog followers, and this time it's Rob. A very warm welcome Rob, and thank you for taking the time and effort to join, I hope you enjoy it.
It's also very nice to be able to tell you all that last night I finally got round to having a go at doing some art again, after what has seemed a small lifetime! After the past few weeks I finally felt good enough to have a go at something loose and informal, so went the whole hog and went for a list of firsts!
Using oils, palette knives and a very loose style I started my very first oil work! To be honest with you I really enjoyed it and was more than pleased with what I have achieved so far. It's a beach, sea, sky, headland, small cove scene, and I hope to have it completed next Tuesday.
Jon who runs the group was so pleased someone finally got round to using the oils after having them sat on the shelves for over 2 years - he let me bring them home to use as and when I can. Nice touch - thanks Jon, I appreciate it.
My hand has to go up though as I admit to being a little lazy, not really wanting to get to use brushes with oils. From what I have read and heard it's a heck of a lot of trouble cleaning up afterwards. At least with palette knives it's a quick wipe with kitchen roll and your equipment is cleaned!
Hopefully I will be able to post a photo of it next week - then you can all let me know what you think.
Until next time, whatever your art, please enjoy it, and keep at it whenever you can!
Regards,
Paul
It's so nice to be able to welcome a new member to our happy band of blog followers, and this time it's Rob. A very warm welcome Rob, and thank you for taking the time and effort to join, I hope you enjoy it.
It's also very nice to be able to tell you all that last night I finally got round to having a go at doing some art again, after what has seemed a small lifetime! After the past few weeks I finally felt good enough to have a go at something loose and informal, so went the whole hog and went for a list of firsts!
Using oils, palette knives and a very loose style I started my very first oil work! To be honest with you I really enjoyed it and was more than pleased with what I have achieved so far. It's a beach, sea, sky, headland, small cove scene, and I hope to have it completed next Tuesday.
Jon who runs the group was so pleased someone finally got round to using the oils after having them sat on the shelves for over 2 years - he let me bring them home to use as and when I can. Nice touch - thanks Jon, I appreciate it.
My hand has to go up though as I admit to being a little lazy, not really wanting to get to use brushes with oils. From what I have read and heard it's a heck of a lot of trouble cleaning up afterwards. At least with palette knives it's a quick wipe with kitchen roll and your equipment is cleaned!
Hopefully I will be able to post a photo of it next week - then you can all let me know what you think.
Until next time, whatever your art, please enjoy it, and keep at it whenever you can!
Regards,
Paul
Monday 14 June 2010
Run For Life
Greetings!
As the deadline for the big event fast approaches - and it is NOT football - can I ask anyone who is still contemplating to pledge something, however small, to Jayne and Lara's Run For Life fund to finally do it?
They are now only £25 short of their target, which is a very modest one indeed, and every penny goes straight towards the fight against Cancer, something which helps everyone.
Details are on the right hand side of this posting - so please pledge and help if you can.
On their behalf, a very big THANK YOU to everyone who has done so far, or now.
Regards
Paul
As the deadline for the big event fast approaches - and it is NOT football - can I ask anyone who is still contemplating to pledge something, however small, to Jayne and Lara's Run For Life fund to finally do it?
They are now only £25 short of their target, which is a very modest one indeed, and every penny goes straight towards the fight against Cancer, something which helps everyone.
Details are on the right hand side of this posting - so please pledge and help if you can.
On their behalf, a very big THANK YOU to everyone who has done so far, or now.
Regards
Paul
Thursday 10 June 2010
Iris
Hi there - how we all doing?
I still have not been up to much, but one thing I have got to look forward to is the picture below.
Someone has asked me if I can re-paint the background a different shade of blue, then they will have it and hang it in a prominent place in their home. So, when I can clear my head for long enough, then I will oblige.
Hopefully it should not give me too much trouble as it's a nice large piece, around 4 feet by 2 feet 8 inches, so not much fine detail on it to send my eyes and my head daft (or dafter) - who said that?
Some of you who have seen my earlier works may recognise it, but for those who have not, it's acrylic on hardboard with a wooden frame.
However it ends up, I hope you like it.
Whatever your art - enjoy it!
Paul
I still have not been up to much, but one thing I have got to look forward to is the picture below.
Someone has asked me if I can re-paint the background a different shade of blue, then they will have it and hang it in a prominent place in their home. So, when I can clear my head for long enough, then I will oblige.
Hopefully it should not give me too much trouble as it's a nice large piece, around 4 feet by 2 feet 8 inches, so not much fine detail on it to send my eyes and my head daft (or dafter) - who said that?
Some of you who have seen my earlier works may recognise it, but for those who have not, it's acrylic on hardboard with a wooden frame.
Whatever your art - enjoy it!
Paul
Wednesday 2 June 2010
Heads!
Hi there!
Yes, it has been a while since my last posting, but unfortunately I have just been too ill these last few weeks, and had to spend some time in hospital, undergoing a bit of surgery along the way. I am pleased to say that I am now on the road to recovery - albeit slowly - but I will have no new works to post for a few weeks yet.
My new medication is playing havoc with my head (don't all artists go through phases like that?) and I am having a lot of quite bad headaches, so am unable to sit and draw, paint, sketch or anything artistic. My time on the PC is also limited to my headaches.
Main thing though is to make progress and to get well, so as and when I can I will try and post a bit of script now and then, hopefully once a week and put up a couple of my older works for you to have a look at. I hope this will be OK for you all, but there's not much I can do about it.
So until next week - have fun, take care, and whatever your art - enjoy it.
Paul
Yes, it has been a while since my last posting, but unfortunately I have just been too ill these last few weeks, and had to spend some time in hospital, undergoing a bit of surgery along the way. I am pleased to say that I am now on the road to recovery - albeit slowly - but I will have no new works to post for a few weeks yet.
My new medication is playing havoc with my head (don't all artists go through phases like that?) and I am having a lot of quite bad headaches, so am unable to sit and draw, paint, sketch or anything artistic. My time on the PC is also limited to my headaches.
Main thing though is to make progress and to get well, so as and when I can I will try and post a bit of script now and then, hopefully once a week and put up a couple of my older works for you to have a look at. I hope this will be OK for you all, but there's not much I can do about it.
So until next week - have fun, take care, and whatever your art - enjoy it.
Paul
Monday 3 May 2010
Saying "Thank You!"
Welcome once again!
No works for you to cast your eyes over today - but a word of thanks instead.
Last Friday I went to a new venture for the Life Drawing Group; we have a model who is not only posing nude for us - but pregnant too! Our model will be making 4 sittings to our "studio" to pose for us at varying stages of her pregnancy, so it should prove to be a more than interesting time.
My work for that day consisted of a watercolour: it was done in very pale washes - almost entirely made up of pastel colours, but trying to do the model herself in slightly stronger colours to help make her stand out and to be the focus of attention. Perhaps when I have time this coming week I will get to post it online, but as yet I am undecided if I should re-work it or stick with the original..
However - my main reason for this posting is to thank Kathryn for her efforts in modelling for us. She was excellent - posing for almost 2 hours without having no more than a 5 minute break. Could any of you do that - dressed or not? Even though a model gets paid for their work - it takes little effort to say hello and to thank them for their efforts. After all, if they didn't make the effort - you would not have the opportunity to work on such a subject, and it takes nothing to say "thank you".
Whatever your art - please enjoy it.
Paul
No works for you to cast your eyes over today - but a word of thanks instead.
Last Friday I went to a new venture for the Life Drawing Group; we have a model who is not only posing nude for us - but pregnant too! Our model will be making 4 sittings to our "studio" to pose for us at varying stages of her pregnancy, so it should prove to be a more than interesting time.
My work for that day consisted of a watercolour: it was done in very pale washes - almost entirely made up of pastel colours, but trying to do the model herself in slightly stronger colours to help make her stand out and to be the focus of attention. Perhaps when I have time this coming week I will get to post it online, but as yet I am undecided if I should re-work it or stick with the original..
However - my main reason for this posting is to thank Kathryn for her efforts in modelling for us. She was excellent - posing for almost 2 hours without having no more than a 5 minute break. Could any of you do that - dressed or not? Even though a model gets paid for their work - it takes little effort to say hello and to thank them for their efforts. After all, if they didn't make the effort - you would not have the opportunity to work on such a subject, and it takes nothing to say "thank you".
Whatever your art - please enjoy it.
Paul
Thursday 29 April 2010
Afghanistan Flyover
Hello there - hope you are all well.
A couple of weeks back I posted one of my new works, an acrylic, but it was without a title.
After giving it some thought I have come up with a suitable title now, it being - Afghanistan Flyover - which I think is rather self explanatory.
As a memory aid, I have re-posted it below. Hope you like both the work and the title.
As ever - whatever your art - enjoy it!
Paul
A couple of weeks back I posted one of my new works, an acrylic, but it was without a title.
After giving it some thought I have come up with a suitable title now, it being - Afghanistan Flyover - which I think is rather self explanatory.
As a memory aid, I have re-posted it below. Hope you like both the work and the title.
As ever - whatever your art - enjoy it!
Paul
Sunday 25 April 2010
Second New Watercolour
Greetings art lovers of the Internet!
Here is the second of my current watercolour works for your (hopfully) enjoyment.
Like most of my watercolours now it is done on Saunders Waterfod 140lb paper, using Daler Rowney artists grade paints, painted with the use of Rosemary & Co Red Sable brushes and Jacksons Kolinsky Sable brushes. However - they are all done with the aid of mine own fair hand of course!
Here is the second of my current watercolour works for your (hopfully) enjoyment.
Like most of my watercolours now it is done on Saunders Waterfod 140lb paper, using Daler Rowney artists grade paints, painted with the use of Rosemary & Co Red Sable brushes and Jacksons Kolinsky Sable brushes. However - they are all done with the aid of mine own fair hand of course!
I have to admit that since taking this photo I have enhanced some of the details slightly, and added some stronger shadows. These are not shown on this photograph as I have posted it off to it's new home and the very nice lady who asked me to do this work for her, before I got chance to re-photograph it. There is, however, enough of the work here for you to get a good idea of the finished work.
OK - time to go and make progress, so whatever your art - enjoy it!
Paul
Friday 23 April 2010
Watercolour from Kenya
Hi there again!
It would appear that I have been on a bit of a roll over the last couple of weeks painting wise, so I had best make the best of it while I can.
Below is one of two watercolours that I have been asked to do whilst on holiday in Kenya earlier this year. Each was requested by two lovely sisters my wife and I met whilst there, and both wanted a watercolour of a local small fishing boat, always to be found directly in front of our hotel. This one was anchored alongside a small sandbank that ran along the coastline there. The fishermen would tie up each day and wander along the sandbank looking for crabs or whatever.
This is done on Saunders Waterford 140lb paper, using Daler Rowney artists quality paints.
It would appear that I have been on a bit of a roll over the last couple of weeks painting wise, so I had best make the best of it while I can.
Below is one of two watercolours that I have been asked to do whilst on holiday in Kenya earlier this year. Each was requested by two lovely sisters my wife and I met whilst there, and both wanted a watercolour of a local small fishing boat, always to be found directly in front of our hotel. This one was anchored alongside a small sandbank that ran along the coastline there. The fishermen would tie up each day and wander along the sandbank looking for crabs or whatever.
This is done on Saunders Waterford 140lb paper, using Daler Rowney artists quality paints.
I hope that you like it - and most of all - that the lady who requested it likes it or I will be in trouble!
Whatever your art - please enjoy it.
Paul
Thursday 22 April 2010
New work!
Hi there, hope you're all well.
Below is my latest work - an acrylic done on Winsor & Newton canvas textured paper, using Reeves Acrylic Paints and worked on using my Favourite Rosemary & Co Shiraz brushes.It's just short of A2 size, with a card mount surrounding it to finish it all off. Please bear in mind the photograph is not the best!
Below is my latest work - an acrylic done on Winsor & Newton canvas textured paper, using Reeves Acrylic Paints and worked on using my Favourite Rosemary & Co Shiraz brushes.It's just short of A2 size, with a card mount surrounding it to finish it all off. Please bear in mind the photograph is not the best!
As yet it is untitled, but I hope you enjoy it.
Whatever your art - as ever, please enjoy it.
Paul
Friday 9 April 2010
Makeover
Hello there!
Yes - look again.
You may just have noticed that I have tried to make some changes to spruce up the blog; not anything really earth-shattering of course, but hopefully just enough to make a bit of a difference.
So how do you like it? Have you any ideas that you think could make it better, more appealing? Whatever you may have, please let me know by emailing me at edrickart@aol.com.
Good news I do have is that there is one watercolour I have finished this week, hopefully it will be on the blog over the weekend, with the second due for "release" next week!
In any case - please take a couple of minutes to register your support for the Race for Life (link provided on the last blog post) and make a donation - however much, if you can. Thank you.
Until next time.
Paul
Yes - look again.
You may just have noticed that I have tried to make some changes to spruce up the blog; not anything really earth-shattering of course, but hopefully just enough to make a bit of a difference.
So how do you like it? Have you any ideas that you think could make it better, more appealing? Whatever you may have, please let me know by emailing me at edrickart@aol.com.
Good news I do have is that there is one watercolour I have finished this week, hopefully it will be on the blog over the weekend, with the second due for "release" next week!
In any case - please take a couple of minutes to register your support for the Race for Life (link provided on the last blog post) and make a donation - however much, if you can. Thank you.
Until next time.
Paul
Monday 5 April 2010
www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/jayneandlara
Hi there!
Regular readers will know I have not done this sort of thing before on the blog, but I hope you will agree that it's a kind of an important one this, and deserves some support.
Two of my very good friends who are both involved in local radio, and have both been very helpful and supportive of me in the past, have registered to take part on a fundraising run in Britain called "Race For Life" raising money for Cancer Research, so I am asking you on their behalf to please pledge a donation to this very worthwhile cause. It's the least I can do to use the blog to raise awareness for this.
To do so simply click on the link and make your pledge - www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/jayneandlara
and on their behalf - THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Regards,
Paul
Regular readers will know I have not done this sort of thing before on the blog, but I hope you will agree that it's a kind of an important one this, and deserves some support.
Two of my very good friends who are both involved in local radio, and have both been very helpful and supportive of me in the past, have registered to take part on a fundraising run in Britain called "Race For Life" raising money for Cancer Research, so I am asking you on their behalf to please pledge a donation to this very worthwhile cause. It's the least I can do to use the blog to raise awareness for this.
To do so simply click on the link and make your pledge - www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/jayneandlara
and on their behalf - THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Regards,
Paul
Sunday 4 April 2010
Happy Easter Holiday
Hi everyone - how's things?
Hope you are all enjoying whatever break you have got, and that the sun shines on you wherever you are.
Not too much to report lately; as previously mentioned the Life Drawing Group has closed for a break, and so has the Kid's Art Clubs and the adults one I attend -all closed for the Easter breaks - so there.
At home I am stuck with two current watercolours I am attempting - but just keep going to my practice boards to, well - errrr - practice I suppose you would call it, until I get the kind of completed image I am hoping for and working towards.
Also there is something on one of my easels that has held a spot in the back of my mind for years I suppose. Like millions of people, my grandad fought in the Great War - WWI - whatever you want to call it. That thought until recently was always difficult to convey in a way I would like to. But last year I found two images I liked, thinking that I could develop them and work with. One is a very vivid sillhouette, and the second one to me a very poigniant one. As I have often said with many of my subjects - I hope that I can do them justice.
In the meantime, circumstances enabled me to finally complete my last Bratz picture for my grandaughter, reward for her doing so well in her latest Irish Dancing Competition. Next work similar to this will be a suitable one for my grandson.
Like all of the previous picturers in this line, it is done on gessoe primed hardboard using Reeves Acrylics and worked using my favourite brushes for this medium - Rosemary & Co's Shiraz. She will just love it.
So, until next time, whatever your art - please enjoy it.
Paul
Hope you are all enjoying whatever break you have got, and that the sun shines on you wherever you are.
Not too much to report lately; as previously mentioned the Life Drawing Group has closed for a break, and so has the Kid's Art Clubs and the adults one I attend -all closed for the Easter breaks - so there.
At home I am stuck with two current watercolours I am attempting - but just keep going to my practice boards to, well - errrr - practice I suppose you would call it, until I get the kind of completed image I am hoping for and working towards.
Also there is something on one of my easels that has held a spot in the back of my mind for years I suppose. Like millions of people, my grandad fought in the Great War - WWI - whatever you want to call it. That thought until recently was always difficult to convey in a way I would like to. But last year I found two images I liked, thinking that I could develop them and work with. One is a very vivid sillhouette, and the second one to me a very poigniant one. As I have often said with many of my subjects - I hope that I can do them justice.
In the meantime, circumstances enabled me to finally complete my last Bratz picture for my grandaughter, reward for her doing so well in her latest Irish Dancing Competition. Next work similar to this will be a suitable one for my grandson.
So, until next time, whatever your art - please enjoy it.
Paul
Wednesday 24 March 2010
Pen and Ink
Hi there!
This last post marks the end of the current session of Life Group Drawings, as this Monday now sees us have a break for a few weeks. Trouble for me is that when it starts up again I have other commitments during the summer, so it may be a couple of months before I can get back into it. Never mind, can't be helped.
Not a very long post in typing terms for you today, except to say that these 2 works are done using waterproof ink pens on Bristol Board - which is basically a slightly thicker, smoother paper surface, but one which I do find very nice to work on. Try it sometime.
Personally, the one on the left is my favourite of the two, and I have to admit that I am rather proud of that one. The sketch on the right is not bad, but the model's shoulders look a little twisted to me now, plus the gown and it's folds were starting to cause me a problem. In the short time given, there is only so much you can get down, and I didn't want to become too bogged down with the gown. I suppose in the end I got a little too involved and didn't concentrate on the model and her shoulders enough.
Ink colours are sepia, sanguine and black; I think that these three colours are enough to cover almost any situation that I am likely to encounter. In fact, the sanguine is almost like working with the coloured materials of some of the Old Masters - just go look at some of Da Vinci's works to see what I mean! Not that my works are that good of course, but it does give you an extra something.
Tell you what though - I have some old parchment coloured paper somewhere, and I may just have a go at seeing what the two look like together!
Right - other than an acrylic that has been waiting for completion for months, I have no more news, except to say that I do have a page on Facebook, and thank everyone who has joined that too. All your support certainly does help me, and as I have said before - I do appreciate it. Thank you!
So until next time - enjoy your art, whatever it is.
Paul
This last post marks the end of the current session of Life Group Drawings, as this Monday now sees us have a break for a few weeks. Trouble for me is that when it starts up again I have other commitments during the summer, so it may be a couple of months before I can get back into it. Never mind, can't be helped.
Not a very long post in typing terms for you today, except to say that these 2 works are done using waterproof ink pens on Bristol Board - which is basically a slightly thicker, smoother paper surface, but one which I do find very nice to work on. Try it sometime.
Ink colours are sepia, sanguine and black; I think that these three colours are enough to cover almost any situation that I am likely to encounter. In fact, the sanguine is almost like working with the coloured materials of some of the Old Masters - just go look at some of Da Vinci's works to see what I mean! Not that my works are that good of course, but it does give you an extra something.
Tell you what though - I have some old parchment coloured paper somewhere, and I may just have a go at seeing what the two look like together!
Right - other than an acrylic that has been waiting for completion for months, I have no more news, except to say that I do have a page on Facebook, and thank everyone who has joined that too. All your support certainly does help me, and as I have said before - I do appreciate it. Thank you!
So until next time - enjoy your art, whatever it is.
Paul
Friday 19 March 2010
Patience + Practice = Pleasing
Welcome everyone - hope you are doing fine.
Firstly I have to welcome a new follower - Sam; thanks for making the effort and joining Sam, I hope you get something out of reading some of the posts and maybe have a go in your own time.
Since posting the Eye Of Horus circumstances have restricted me in some ways, and the work I have been doing has suffered as such, so things are a little slow. Two watercolours I have been asked to do have had a few practice runs to try and get them right, but I have just not been able to. Patience is one thing I do have, and it will enable me to get there in the end.
That is something you must all have too - if it's not quite right then don't worry - go back later and look at what you could not master the last time and have another go. If you are set on doing one particular subject, say landscapes, and you struggle with trees - then work on them. The advice is - practice on what you CAN'T do - not what you CAN.
That's one reason I go to the Life Drawing Group, to improve my ability and style of drawing the human body; if it's something you cannot do then keep having a go until you are satisfied. In my past postings the one thing repeated is that practice time is never, ever wasted.
Firstly I have to welcome a new follower - Sam; thanks for making the effort and joining Sam, I hope you get something out of reading some of the posts and maybe have a go in your own time.
Since posting the Eye Of Horus circumstances have restricted me in some ways, and the work I have been doing has suffered as such, so things are a little slow. Two watercolours I have been asked to do have had a few practice runs to try and get them right, but I have just not been able to. Patience is one thing I do have, and it will enable me to get there in the end.
That is something you must all have too - if it's not quite right then don't worry - go back later and look at what you could not master the last time and have another go. If you are set on doing one particular subject, say landscapes, and you struggle with trees - then work on them. The advice is - practice on what you CAN'T do - not what you CAN.
That's one reason I go to the Life Drawing Group, to improve my ability and style of drawing the human body; if it's something you cannot do then keep having a go until you are satisfied. In my past postings the one thing repeated is that practice time is never, ever wasted.
Even simple things can help you, like last year I sat out in the garden and found this "bug" sat on a plant - so I got my pens out and had a go at sketching it. No it's not perfect by any means, but the point I am making is almost anything can be a good subject to have a practice on - and in this case it's modelling fees were free! Plus, with wildlife - they could move at any time, so it also helps with getting your subject down onto your surface as quickle as possible.
In this case, as an opposite to the bug, one day I was sat indoors on a dull day and simply decided to have a go at this small piece of drawer furniture.
Yes - some of the wooden mount the main subject is fitted onto are not exactly straight, but that is another thing to learn to draw as you develop.
There is plenty of shading on this sketch, highlights and darks - tonal values and probably more than enough information to have a good go at when I feel like putting it on to paper properly. The only thing really missing is any reference to colour: the wood, the knocker, the plate. If needed they could be made into any combination I wanted.
So keep having a go at whatever you fancy, whenever you feel you are up to the task of taking it on. Any subject, no matter how large or small is there just waiting for YOU to interpret it in YOUR way.
Until next time - whatever your art - please enjoy it.
Paul
Monday 15 March 2010
The Eye of Horus
Welcome to you all.
Here is my latest completed work - an acrylic version of the Eye of Horus - hope you like it!
This work I have done on canvass textured paper which is A3 in size, using Reeves Acrylic paints, and lovingly applied with my favourite brushes for this type of painting - Rosemary & Co's Shiraz synthetic brushes!
At the moment it is neither framed nor mounted, but I have been working on it over the last couple of weeks and some of my friends said they could not wait to see it - so here you all go!
Hope it's something you like, as I have toyed with the idea of doing a series of works on ancient people's in countries I have visited.
Anyway - as usual - whatever your art, please enjoy it.
Paul
Here is my latest completed work - an acrylic version of the Eye of Horus - hope you like it!
At the moment it is neither framed nor mounted, but I have been working on it over the last couple of weeks and some of my friends said they could not wait to see it - so here you all go!
Hope it's something you like, as I have toyed with the idea of doing a series of works on ancient people's in countries I have visited.
Anyway - as usual - whatever your art, please enjoy it.
Paul
Sunday 14 March 2010
Watercolours and Waterproof Ink
Greetings!
Hope each and every one of you are well and thanks for logging back in to the blog.
I am pleased to announce that I have a new member - Carol; a very warm welcome to you and I certainly appreciate your efforts, hope you enjoy your time here.
As for things new, I now have a Facebook (FB) Group - EdrickArt - where I hope to attract people to have a look at the website and blog. It is already doing quite well after being started this mid-week. To those people who are already aware of my sites etc I apologise, but in the modern times in which we live (says he sounding old), you just have to make the most of the opportunities that are presented to you. Hopefully I will not appear to be too much in people's faces, but if I am, then I apologise - I am only doing my job as a non-techie amateaur artist trying to show my work
This blog contains below a little mix for you to hopefully enjoy.
The first two works I am showing here are a couple more of my sketches I did recently in Kenya.
This first is a study of two small palm trees, situated alongside a good sized pond with hundreds of small fish in. A small A5 sized waterlour pad, student's quality paint and cheap synthetic fibre brushes are all I used for this. Who says all your materials have to be expensive - especially if you are taking them abroad!
This is a waterproof ink sketch done on a small A5 pad of cartridge paper. It depicts a local fishing vessel, anchored up at the side of a small reef that stretched out along most of the local coastline.
It's worked using a combination of sepia and black coloured inks, with plenty of the white cartridge paper left to give the impression of highlights in the bright sunlight. Most of the boat was drawn using an 01 sized pen, with some details done with a heavier 03 size.
This is done in waterproof inks on cartridge paper, using sanguine, sepia and black coloured inks.
It's strange how when you draw in pencil and then rub out and re-draw and work away, it can take you ages to get it right. But do the same thing in ink and for some reason you don't seem to make as many big mistakes. Any corrections look like part of the original work - which I find quite wierd. Perhaps we should all work this way all of the time!
This next work is obviously along the same lines, and is also of the same pose (bit of a giveaway if you look closely!) Same materials used exactly, but on this one I have tried to give it a bit more substance by giving more support to the figure. On the above work you can see a suggestion of a bed or pillow, on this one you see them. I also had some trouble with this pose with the folded under left leg, no matter how I tried it just wouldn't come good, but never mind - it shows we are all not perfect by any means, and just need to keep practicing!
Hope each and every one of you are well and thanks for logging back in to the blog.
I am pleased to announce that I have a new member - Carol; a very warm welcome to you and I certainly appreciate your efforts, hope you enjoy your time here.
As for things new, I now have a Facebook (FB) Group - EdrickArt - where I hope to attract people to have a look at the website and blog. It is already doing quite well after being started this mid-week. To those people who are already aware of my sites etc I apologise, but in the modern times in which we live (says he sounding old), you just have to make the most of the opportunities that are presented to you. Hopefully I will not appear to be too much in people's faces, but if I am, then I apologise - I am only doing my job as a non-techie amateaur artist trying to show my work
This blog contains below a little mix for you to hopefully enjoy.
This first is a study of two small palm trees, situated alongside a good sized pond with hundreds of small fish in. A small A5 sized waterlour pad, student's quality paint and cheap synthetic fibre brushes are all I used for this. Who says all your materials have to be expensive - especially if you are taking them abroad!
It's worked using a combination of sepia and black coloured inks, with plenty of the white cartridge paper left to give the impression of highlights in the bright sunlight. Most of the boat was drawn using an 01 sized pen, with some details done with a heavier 03 size.
It's strange how when you draw in pencil and then rub out and re-draw and work away, it can take you ages to get it right. But do the same thing in ink and for some reason you don't seem to make as many big mistakes. Any corrections look like part of the original work - which I find quite wierd. Perhaps we should all work this way all of the time!
This next work is obviously along the same lines, and is also of the same pose (bit of a giveaway if you look closely!) Same materials used exactly, but on this one I have tried to give it a bit more substance by giving more support to the figure. On the above work you can see a suggestion of a bed or pillow, on this one you see them. I also had some trouble with this pose with the folded under left leg, no matter how I tried it just wouldn't come good, but never mind - it shows we are all not perfect by any means, and just need to keep practicing!Right - I think that's enough for now, so I will try and concentrate my efforts on tomorrow's events - hopefully it's back at the Life Drawing Group, this time with our male model. So, until next time - whatever your art - enjoy it!.
Paul
Tuesday 9 March 2010
Life Drawing
Hello everyone.
Last night I was back at the Life Drawing Group, held in a nearby town. Despite having every intention of going with my soft pastels which I have not used in what's seems ages, as my lift was on it's way, I changed tack and decided to go along with the ink pens I had been using on holiday. As a back up though, my pastel gear was packed in my bag!
The opening quick starting poses I took on with the ink pens, simply to loosen up, but enjoyed it so much I just carried on working on every pose with them. Although the pastels were laid out to one side, they never got touched, except to put them back away!
One thing I must put my hand up and admit to, is that portraits as such are not my forte. In fact, I am not happy with the vast amount of faces I do. Loose figures are more my type of work, and the Life Drawing Group is helping me with this type of figure drawing in a big way. Below is one of the ink sketches I did last night.
Hopefully it shows that even though there are things you cannot tackle to your satisfaction, or just genuinely struggle with, you can still produce something that is starting to look reasonable and is maybe a base for a future work.
The very fast warm-up sketches help to get us to loosen up and focussed on the task in-hand. Admittedly they almost always turn out to be very poor indeed, but no matter - they are there for a purpose, and do their job.
This is one of the first sketches that I did after doing the warm-ups that I thought had some potential. Hopefully it gives a nice image with some interest for people looking at it, but - if you look closely you should notice from some of my previous postings that I have committed one of the faults that I tell you to try and avoid!
Yes, the model is not sat on anything - she is "floating in mid air" - not anchored to the "ground" or any base. Our model Suzanne was actually sat on a wooden cube with a large soft cushion on top. No excuses - I failed miserably!
Right then, enough for today, another posting tomorrow probably. This afternoon I am helping at the children's art group, then tonight it's a relaxing session at the adults group. Before I went away I had started an acrylic on one of those Egyptian eye symbols - sorry, I don't know what they are called - and so I want to try and finish, or at least make good progress on it.
So, until next time - whatever your art - enjoy it.
Paul
Last night I was back at the Life Drawing Group, held in a nearby town. Despite having every intention of going with my soft pastels which I have not used in what's seems ages, as my lift was on it's way, I changed tack and decided to go along with the ink pens I had been using on holiday. As a back up though, my pastel gear was packed in my bag!
The opening quick starting poses I took on with the ink pens, simply to loosen up, but enjoyed it so much I just carried on working on every pose with them. Although the pastels were laid out to one side, they never got touched, except to put them back away!
One thing I must put my hand up and admit to, is that portraits as such are not my forte. In fact, I am not happy with the vast amount of faces I do. Loose figures are more my type of work, and the Life Drawing Group is helping me with this type of figure drawing in a big way. Below is one of the ink sketches I did last night.
Hopefully it shows that even though there are things you cannot tackle to your satisfaction, or just genuinely struggle with, you can still produce something that is starting to look reasonable and is maybe a base for a future work.
This is one of the first sketches that I did after doing the warm-ups that I thought had some potential. Hopefully it gives a nice image with some interest for people looking at it, but - if you look closely you should notice from some of my previous postings that I have committed one of the faults that I tell you to try and avoid!
Yes, the model is not sat on anything - she is "floating in mid air" - not anchored to the "ground" or any base. Our model Suzanne was actually sat on a wooden cube with a large soft cushion on top. No excuses - I failed miserably!
Right then, enough for today, another posting tomorrow probably. This afternoon I am helping at the children's art group, then tonight it's a relaxing session at the adults group. Before I went away I had started an acrylic on one of those Egyptian eye symbols - sorry, I don't know what they are called - and so I want to try and finish, or at least make good progress on it.
So, until next time - whatever your art - enjoy it.
Paul
Sunday 7 March 2010
Kenya Travels
Hi everyone, and a warm welcome as usual.
Hopefully I can rub off some of that flippin' hot Kenyan sun on you all - up to 33C at times! Far too hot for me, but there's enough shade about, so it's no problem really.
As promised last week, now I have got myself all gathered up and back together, I have managed to scan and upload some of the sketches and watercolours I did whilst away.
I hope that it gives you some idea of how I like to work - a mix of little watercolour rough works and some fairly detailed waterproof pen work. All my sketches I like to do in pencil first, correcting any mistakes with the soft putty rubber, then go over them with the ink pens which are waterproof. This stops the soft pencil from smudging, and helps my sketches survive until I get back home (at least!). Some I keep purely as pen sketches, some I use alongside watercolours - pen and wash.
OK then - here are some pages taken directly from my sketch and watercolour books I used recently.
This ink pen sketch shows a small variety of nests from Sociable Weaver birds, a fantastic, gregarious, mainly yellow little bird, which once you sit down and they see you are not going to disturb them, quickly get on with their business. It really is amazing just how close to them you can get, and I was lucky enough to sit and watch one bird make the best part of his nest from scratch. Truly fascinating, and I think one of the main wonders of nature.
I like to travel with 2 small pads - one watercolour, and the other a small A6 sketching pad. A small travel watercolour set, and a small selection of waterproof ink pens, putty rubber and a couple of 2B pencils with a small collapesable water bucket complet the set. Water can always be found locally. So there you are, hope you get some inspiration and ideas from the rough field stuff I have done, and have the patience to wait until I have put some of them into action.
Until next time - whatever your art - enjoy it.
Paul
Hopefully I can rub off some of that flippin' hot Kenyan sun on you all - up to 33C at times! Far too hot for me, but there's enough shade about, so it's no problem really.
As promised last week, now I have got myself all gathered up and back together, I have managed to scan and upload some of the sketches and watercolours I did whilst away.
I hope that it gives you some idea of how I like to work - a mix of little watercolour rough works and some fairly detailed waterproof pen work. All my sketches I like to do in pencil first, correcting any mistakes with the soft putty rubber, then go over them with the ink pens which are waterproof. This stops the soft pencil from smudging, and helps my sketches survive until I get back home (at least!). Some I keep purely as pen sketches, some I use alongside watercolours - pen and wash.
OK then - here are some pages taken directly from my sketch and watercolour books I used recently.
This detailed sketch shows part of the natural foliage roofing used on the buildings - it lasts about 5 years I was told. Once there is a break or hole in it, then damp gets in and gradually spreads. Always a problem when there are monkeys around I would suppose! The ridge is covered with overlayed pieces of tin, each about 3ft long, and painted in a reddish brown colour, which the sun burns off, no doubt rather quickly.
This ink pen sketch shows a small variety of nests from Sociable Weaver birds, a fantastic, gregarious, mainly yellow little bird, which once you sit down and they see you are not going to disturb them, quickly get on with their business. It really is amazing just how close to them you can get, and I was lucky enough to sit and watch one bird make the best part of his nest from scratch. Truly fascinating, and I think one of the main wonders of nature.
I like to travel with 2 small pads - one watercolour, and the other a small A6 sketching pad. A small travel watercolour set, and a small selection of waterproof ink pens, putty rubber and a couple of 2B pencils with a small collapesable water bucket complet the set. Water can always be found locally. So there you are, hope you get some inspiration and ideas from the rough field stuff I have done, and have the patience to wait until I have put some of them into action.
Until next time - whatever your art - enjoy it.
Paul
Thursday 4 March 2010
Jambo!
Hi everyone!
I'm just typing a quick post to let you all know that we have returned from 2 weeks away in Kenya (hence the word Jambo, which sort of means "hello, how you doing?") so once I get my stuff sorted it will be service as usual, probably after the weekend.
Yes I have tales to tell, pictures to post, and lots of catching up to do, so till then, whatever your art - please enjoy it responsibly!!!!
Paul
I'm just typing a quick post to let you all know that we have returned from 2 weeks away in Kenya (hence the word Jambo, which sort of means "hello, how you doing?") so once I get my stuff sorted it will be service as usual, probably after the weekend.
Yes I have tales to tell, pictures to post, and lots of catching up to do, so till then, whatever your art - please enjoy it responsibly!!!!
Paul
Friday 12 February 2010
Acrylics
Hi again - me back for the 3rd time this week!
It's OK, it really is me again! Another couple of things that have crept into my head recently, and I had forgotten to pass on are these 2 little items.
Firstly, I read a few months back about primarily American artists who like to use heavy brown paper for using watercolours, and Gouache paints on. If I recall correctly there was some kind of debate as to how easily acquired these painting booklets were - they were becoming somewhat elusive. The deep and mid-toned browns this sort of paper provides gives a unique base for some wonderful works, and it needn't be expensive.
Some purists prefer to buy ready made booklets of this paper to carry out into the field with them or wherever, and it is possible to track some of these down, but, for a fraction of the outlay, you can still buy the good old fashioned wrapping paper - primarily from the post office that will do just as good a job. You can use this paper in your own individually sized pieces, or if feeling crafty can make them into your own personal booklets. If you want to be even more adventurous - then why not use the inside of some cardboard boxes found in everyday use? My gouache paints imparticular are being tried out on this method.
My second thought concerns acryilics. Since I have been back painiting and have discovered acrylics which were never around "when I we're a lad!" I have always used Reeves Acrylics, even after trying several other brands, and been very pleased with their results on my work. All of my finished acrylics on my web pages are done using them. Results on my style of work have been so good that I recommend them, as at the top of the blog. But recently I have seen another brand which seems to have revolutionised this form of medium, so I have bought a small set and am going to have a go with them. Once I have had a couple of attempts with them, I will let you know my thoughts on them.
There is no way that I would jump ship purely for the sake of it, or for "fashionable" reasons, but if something really improves your work, or the way you work, then it would be foolish not to have a try with it and find out for yourself.
So, whatever your style of art - then please enjoy it.
Paul
It's OK, it really is me again! Another couple of things that have crept into my head recently, and I had forgotten to pass on are these 2 little items.
Firstly, I read a few months back about primarily American artists who like to use heavy brown paper for using watercolours, and Gouache paints on. If I recall correctly there was some kind of debate as to how easily acquired these painting booklets were - they were becoming somewhat elusive. The deep and mid-toned browns this sort of paper provides gives a unique base for some wonderful works, and it needn't be expensive.
Some purists prefer to buy ready made booklets of this paper to carry out into the field with them or wherever, and it is possible to track some of these down, but, for a fraction of the outlay, you can still buy the good old fashioned wrapping paper - primarily from the post office that will do just as good a job. You can use this paper in your own individually sized pieces, or if feeling crafty can make them into your own personal booklets. If you want to be even more adventurous - then why not use the inside of some cardboard boxes found in everyday use? My gouache paints imparticular are being tried out on this method.
My second thought concerns acryilics. Since I have been back painiting and have discovered acrylics which were never around "when I we're a lad!" I have always used Reeves Acrylics, even after trying several other brands, and been very pleased with their results on my work. All of my finished acrylics on my web pages are done using them. Results on my style of work have been so good that I recommend them, as at the top of the blog. But recently I have seen another brand which seems to have revolutionised this form of medium, so I have bought a small set and am going to have a go with them. Once I have had a couple of attempts with them, I will let you know my thoughts on them.
There is no way that I would jump ship purely for the sake of it, or for "fashionable" reasons, but if something really improves your work, or the way you work, then it would be foolish not to have a try with it and find out for yourself.
So, whatever your style of art - then please enjoy it.
Paul
Wednesday 10 February 2010
Pen & Ink
Good morning to you all across the World!
I hope you are well, and while I have not been able to post for the last 2 weeks, I hope your sketching is coming on leaps and bounds!!! You have been doing some - I hope?
The last 2 sessions of the Life Drawing Group (LDG) I have been to I have taken my ink pens, using just them for the first Monday, and in a combination with some watercolours for the second Monday which was this week. Having gone through quite a selection process of deciding which materials etc to use since joining the LDG, I thought I had all the final decisions made - but alas no.
The initial poses are very short, but it's good to get loosened up, ready for the longer ones. This now means only one thing - and it does not include mixing paint for a 1 minute pose! So pencil or ink pen for these it is then. In addition I have decided not to draw the full body instead deciding to mainly go for the top half of the body, which will give me slightly more time to try and get a decent sketch done. When a pose has been done to my liking, and there is time to spare, I use this time to practice the bits we normally miss or take for granted like ears, hands and feet. Hopefully these will pay off and I will see an improvement over the weeks and months.
My longer pose time was taken with a combination of ink and watercolour, some coming out OK and others not so, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Not every session will be a good productive one in terms of quality of work, but it is never a waste. As long as you can see your own faults, and think about how to correct them, then it has been a good session, and that's a big part of what counts.
Whatever your art, until next time - enjoy it.
Hopefully some scans of my recent works will appear over the weekend.
Paul
I hope you are well, and while I have not been able to post for the last 2 weeks, I hope your sketching is coming on leaps and bounds!!! You have been doing some - I hope?
The last 2 sessions of the Life Drawing Group (LDG) I have been to I have taken my ink pens, using just them for the first Monday, and in a combination with some watercolours for the second Monday which was this week. Having gone through quite a selection process of deciding which materials etc to use since joining the LDG, I thought I had all the final decisions made - but alas no.
The initial poses are very short, but it's good to get loosened up, ready for the longer ones. This now means only one thing - and it does not include mixing paint for a 1 minute pose! So pencil or ink pen for these it is then. In addition I have decided not to draw the full body instead deciding to mainly go for the top half of the body, which will give me slightly more time to try and get a decent sketch done. When a pose has been done to my liking, and there is time to spare, I use this time to practice the bits we normally miss or take for granted like ears, hands and feet. Hopefully these will pay off and I will see an improvement over the weeks and months.
My longer pose time was taken with a combination of ink and watercolour, some coming out OK and others not so, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Not every session will be a good productive one in terms of quality of work, but it is never a waste. As long as you can see your own faults, and think about how to correct them, then it has been a good session, and that's a big part of what counts.
Whatever your art, until next time - enjoy it.
Hopefully some scans of my recent works will appear over the weekend.
Paul
Monday 25 January 2010
A Starry Night?
Hello everyone - how's things?
First off, a new follower who has taken time to join since the last post is - Freya - whom I welcome and thank, appreciating your efforts, plus the cheeky threat that you may even get round to reading the blog. That just fills me with encouragement - hahahahah!
After my last post which featured a Van Gogh, I thought about making the dubious link between a second work of his - Starry Night and tonight's Life Drawing Group. This is the second of his works that I have done, and is also on a 24"x18" stretched canvass, wrap-around painted and is not framed or mounted etc. I did it using acrylic paint, maybe 2 years ago at the time of writing, and must readily admit - it was a lot harder to work on than I imagined!
On first looks, this seemed a reasonably straightforward piece to do - few swirls etc, but with all truly great Masters, they are a lot harder and more complex than you ever initially thought.
First off, a new follower who has taken time to join since the last post is - Freya - whom I welcome and thank, appreciating your efforts, plus the cheeky threat that you may even get round to reading the blog. That just fills me with encouragement - hahahahah!
After my last post which featured a Van Gogh, I thought about making the dubious link between a second work of his - Starry Night and tonight's Life Drawing Group. This is the second of his works that I have done, and is also on a 24"x18" stretched canvass, wrap-around painted and is not framed or mounted etc. I did it using acrylic paint, maybe 2 years ago at the time of writing, and must readily admit - it was a lot harder to work on than I imagined!
On first looks, this seemed a reasonably straightforward piece to do - few swirls etc, but with all truly great Masters, they are a lot harder and more complex than you ever initially thought.Nothing worth it's while is ever easy, and that is exactly what I discovered working on this, but I also learned how to understand his style of painting a little, and now appreciate this type of work that much more.
So there you have it - two great paintings by one truly great artist (his - not mine!), but I hope you have anjoyed my attempts at his work.
It is something that anyone can actually have a go at. You don't have to be an expert at anything artwise - just find a work you like (hopefully a simple one to start with), look very closely and study it before you attempt anything, then just go for it - nothing ventured nothing gained is the phrase. One saying a TV artist always used - "If you get a painting or sketch wrong, what does it matter, what have you done except waste a piece of paper?" I am sure you will enjoy it, and learn into the bargain.
Oh - and the link with tonight's Group? - I hope it's a "starry night" as far as my sketching goes!
Whatever your art - enjoy it. Until next time,
Paul
Thursday 21 January 2010
Van Gogh
G'Day (I'm in Australian mode!)
No new followers of the blog since last time, so none to mention ............................
Earlier this week I posted that recently I made a sale of one of my works - and seeing that the photograph of it has now been located, I can now tell you a little more about it, so please read on below.
It is one of my acrylics, painted with Reeves Acrylic paints on a pre-streatched canvass measuring 24"x18", un-framed or mounted, except with the sides being painted in sort of a wrap-around style. The whole thing was one of the first I hade done using my now much beloved Rosemary & Co Shiraz acrylic painting brushes, and as such, has a sort of special sentimental appeal to me.
But I paint to enjoy, and hopefully sell one or two to go buy some more paint and maintain the cycle - so away it goes.
Although all I basically did was try and have a go at copying the Master - I really did enjoy working on it, and had a great time looking, trying out and working in the ways of a great painter.
No expert as I am at all, but looking at Van Gogh's use of colour, and the way he uses his strokes etc really appeal to me and to millions around the world. As you may have read on other pages on here - I love the use of big, bright, bold colours. Maybe this bloke goes some way to accomplishing that!
Last piece of this blog is also good news - just how much can we all stand? As an addition to this sale I have also received two commissions; one to paint a scene of Whitby Harbour, the second to include Whitby Abbey for a "Born again Goth". How's that for a challenge and a bit of variety? There are no stipulations as to size or which medium to use, but be sure you will all be among the first to hear once it is decided!
Whatever your art - please enjoy it.
Paul
No new followers of the blog since last time, so none to mention ............................
Earlier this week I posted that recently I made a sale of one of my works - and seeing that the photograph of it has now been located, I can now tell you a little more about it, so please read on below.
It is one of my acrylics, painted with Reeves Acrylic paints on a pre-streatched canvass measuring 24"x18", un-framed or mounted, except with the sides being painted in sort of a wrap-around style. The whole thing was one of the first I hade done using my now much beloved Rosemary & Co Shiraz acrylic painting brushes, and as such, has a sort of special sentimental appeal to me.
But I paint to enjoy, and hopefully sell one or two to go buy some more paint and maintain the cycle - so away it goes.
Although all I basically did was try and have a go at copying the Master - I really did enjoy working on it, and had a great time looking, trying out and working in the ways of a great painter.
No expert as I am at all, but looking at Van Gogh's use of colour, and the way he uses his strokes etc really appeal to me and to millions around the world. As you may have read on other pages on here - I love the use of big, bright, bold colours. Maybe this bloke goes some way to accomplishing that!
Last piece of this blog is also good news - just how much can we all stand? As an addition to this sale I have also received two commissions; one to paint a scene of Whitby Harbour, the second to include Whitby Abbey for a "Born again Goth". How's that for a challenge and a bit of variety? There are no stipulations as to size or which medium to use, but be sure you will all be among the first to hear once it is decided!
Whatever your art - please enjoy it.
Paul
Wednesday 20 January 2010
Brushes
Hi there.
Not long since the last post (a day or so), therefore no new followers to welcome. I have been lucky having reached so many up to now, therefore I'm not downhearted.
What I am upbeat about though, is that after working my first children's art group of the year, I also got to enjoy my first adult group meeting too after an hours break for tea etc. YESSSS! - it felt good to pick up the brushes once again in anger - so to speak. It's alright using them whilst "home alone", where you can practice or potter about, but to use them properly in the company of other artists - amateur or not, is always a good thing.
One of the main benefits of being part of an informal group is the friendly banter that goes on, helping to lift and lighten anything that you may be nervous or uneasy with. There are times when you need to be alone, working solitary to ensure your maximum concentration, but also times for the help that you receive from people who see things you are working on, or perhaps struggling with, from a different angle, but still with an artisitc "eye". Last night was one of those nights, and I received help from everyone in the group, they all contributed positively to my latest project - a real team effort. Never be afraid or shy to ask!
My current project is an acrylic, and invloves me using my favourite brushes for this medium - Rosemary & Co's Shiraz - a really nice synthetic bristled brush that holds good quantities of colour but is responsive enough to your every touch. I like using these a lot, and amateur as I am - I highly recommend them.
Not enough time for me to post about my recently sold work, but I promise it will be in the next one, I just need a little more time to sort one or two bits out, so, whatever your art - enjoy it!
Paul
Not long since the last post (a day or so), therefore no new followers to welcome. I have been lucky having reached so many up to now, therefore I'm not downhearted.
What I am upbeat about though, is that after working my first children's art group of the year, I also got to enjoy my first adult group meeting too after an hours break for tea etc. YESSSS! - it felt good to pick up the brushes once again in anger - so to speak. It's alright using them whilst "home alone", where you can practice or potter about, but to use them properly in the company of other artists - amateur or not, is always a good thing.
One of the main benefits of being part of an informal group is the friendly banter that goes on, helping to lift and lighten anything that you may be nervous or uneasy with. There are times when you need to be alone, working solitary to ensure your maximum concentration, but also times for the help that you receive from people who see things you are working on, or perhaps struggling with, from a different angle, but still with an artisitc "eye". Last night was one of those nights, and I received help from everyone in the group, they all contributed positively to my latest project - a real team effort. Never be afraid or shy to ask!
My current project is an acrylic, and invloves me using my favourite brushes for this medium - Rosemary & Co's Shiraz - a really nice synthetic bristled brush that holds good quantities of colour but is responsive enough to your every touch. I like using these a lot, and amateur as I am - I highly recommend them.
Not enough time for me to post about my recently sold work, but I promise it will be in the next one, I just need a little more time to sort one or two bits out, so, whatever your art - enjoy it!
Paul
Tuesday 19 January 2010
Recent Events
Hello - quick tea-break for you!
A new member since last time is Rosemary - and I thank you Rosemary for taking the time to register as a follower - I appreciate it. There are a few other people who are also trying to join as followers, but seem to be having trouble registering, so we may have some new friends in a few days time. I am trying to do what I can to help them, but I hope they are patient, persevere and my "help" pays off!
Last Monday the Life Drawing Group was not on, so that was that, and I was not well enough to go to the 2 kids groups and the adult group I attend locally. So, no art groups - no genius to work that out!
Yesterday it was unsure if the same Life Drawing Group was on or not, and I was the only one from our group who could make it, so I decided not to go, especially seeing as I'm not in possession of a phone number. This afternoon I start back at the kid's art group, and tonight I am looking forward to the adults group too!
So there you have it - short and sweet, so to speak. Don't worry though, I will get down to the next posting soon, with news of a sale! Yes - I do sell some of my works now and again.
Until next time - whatever your art - please enjoy it.
Paul
A new member since last time is Rosemary - and I thank you Rosemary for taking the time to register as a follower - I appreciate it. There are a few other people who are also trying to join as followers, but seem to be having trouble registering, so we may have some new friends in a few days time. I am trying to do what I can to help them, but I hope they are patient, persevere and my "help" pays off!
Last Monday the Life Drawing Group was not on, so that was that, and I was not well enough to go to the 2 kids groups and the adult group I attend locally. So, no art groups - no genius to work that out!
Yesterday it was unsure if the same Life Drawing Group was on or not, and I was the only one from our group who could make it, so I decided not to go, especially seeing as I'm not in possession of a phone number. This afternoon I start back at the kid's art group, and tonight I am looking forward to the adults group too!
So there you have it - short and sweet, so to speak. Don't worry though, I will get down to the next posting soon, with news of a sale! Yes - I do sell some of my works now and again.
Until next time - whatever your art - please enjoy it.
Paul
Thursday 14 January 2010
Sketching Part 3 Then!
Hi everyone - hope you have a few moments to spare!
Luckily the blog still continues to grow, and I'm really excited about it, with new followers who have taken the time to join since the last posting being - Bailey, JackT and Jenny - thank you all for joining and I really do appreciate your support.
The last couple of posts I have been, to be honest, a little worried about, thinking that they might have been a bit on the long side, so this one is going to be shorter - on purpose. By making it a little shorter it will give you all the chance to get your sketching practice well and truly running, and for one lady who is lagging so far behind already, to eventually get started (she knows who she is, but we don't mention names to purposely embarass folk, do we J.. whoops, almost let slip).
So all I really intend doing on this posting is to further show you what I mean by the use of shading, and how it can enhance your sketches. Below I have posted 3 sketches - done as I have told you before - light pencil, then ink pen over when you are happy with them, then lift off the pencil with the soft putty eraser. These are not my originals - I never lay claim to anything that is not completely mine, but they do show what I mean quite well. Simple lines can help dramatically, but also note the lack of a background leaves them "floating".
Well I hope this is enough to help guide you along what I am trying to explain. A simple line can show, on this occasion, the woodwork of the handles, and then the criss-crossed lines showing differing levels of shading, tone and texture all go to complete the subject. Now imagine these done with a background, be it on the floor as if they were standing upright, or with back shading, as if leant up against a wall etc.
Just in case you were wondering, they are old style peat cutting tools - now you can sleep!
Until next time, whatever your art - enjoy it.
Paul
Luckily the blog still continues to grow, and I'm really excited about it, with new followers who have taken the time to join since the last posting being - Bailey, JackT and Jenny - thank you all for joining and I really do appreciate your support.
The last couple of posts I have been, to be honest, a little worried about, thinking that they might have been a bit on the long side, so this one is going to be shorter - on purpose. By making it a little shorter it will give you all the chance to get your sketching practice well and truly running, and for one lady who is lagging so far behind already, to eventually get started (she knows who she is, but we don't mention names to purposely embarass folk, do we J.. whoops, almost let slip).
So all I really intend doing on this posting is to further show you what I mean by the use of shading, and how it can enhance your sketches. Below I have posted 3 sketches - done as I have told you before - light pencil, then ink pen over when you are happy with them, then lift off the pencil with the soft putty eraser. These are not my originals - I never lay claim to anything that is not completely mine, but they do show what I mean quite well. Simple lines can help dramatically, but also note the lack of a background leaves them "floating".
Just in case you were wondering, they are old style peat cutting tools - now you can sleep!
Until next time, whatever your art - enjoy it.
Paul
Thursday 7 January 2010
The Great Pencil Case
Greetings - just hang on while I tie up the iceberg!
Customary as it is for me to firstly offer a welcome to new followers, here are the names of those who have joined since the last post: Jenny, Ian and ......... a Weasel?
Right, as you all munch your way through the last of your end of year rations, your turkey stew, broth, soups etc, I'll try and get down to writing part 2 of The Great Pencil Case - snowfall permitting of course (well there is Global Warming on you know).
Last time we went through all the mountains of gear needed to start sketching, and seeing as you have now got your pocket bulging full (yeah - right), lets try and make a start. Holding the pencil as described previously, we can now start to make our marks, but please remember that each mark you make really needs to be quite a light one - for 2 reasons. Firstly, if you make a mistake it's easier to erase using your newly acquired putty eraser. Secondly, if you wish to paint your sketch afterwards, then the lighter the marks, the less likely they are to show through on your finished work. Of course, if you want to be just plain awkward - then you can always go round your coloured in sketch when it's done with a permanant ink pen (only joking, I do it with a lot of mine) making them into essentially cartoons.
We are hopefully now making marks on paper (high fives alround) and are starting to put together some shapes. There is little I can do regarding your subjects or the lines and marks you draw to initially portray your subject. A lot of it is all down to practice, and looking at your subject. I mean not just looking, but really LOOKING at your subject. If you have it, time spent studying what you are looking at - the lines, the shapes, is well spent but once you have done what you are happy with, then try and add some interest and character to your work by using varying degrees of shading. You do not have to simply shade everything the same tone of grey, but by using subtle marks you can achieve quite a lot. Simply following the lines or curves of your subject when shading will enhance it too.
Try doing one area of your shading by using the pencil on its side, and make diagonal marks, but keep them close together. That gives you a light tone - good to start with. To increase the depth of shading, go over the same area with, again, diagonal marks, but in the opposite direction - basically ending up with a criss-cross effect. By experimenting with this effect, you can achieve quite a surprising amount of varying shadings. Remember - each "layer" you put on, makes the area that bit darker, and there are usually some areas that need to be really dark, so just go ahead and press down a little harder than you normally would to achieve this. It may sound complicated at first, but as they say - a picture paints a thousand words. It may well do, but we are sketching here so may have to make do with a couple of hundred!
To help you with your sketching, never be afraid to have a go at drawing simple shapes. Things like boxes, balls, cylinders, cones etc are, if you look carefully, what a lot of objects are simply composed of, and by getting to grips with these simplified shapes, your sketching will improve. Also don't forget to include any shading, running it in the direction of the curve of a ball etc - and it will look twice as good!
Now - you are feeling really confident - right! No? Ah well, it's early days yet, so don't worry. But, when you feel happy enough, then go for a set of drawing pens, and have a go with them. I use black Pilot Pens of 4 varying thicknesses: 01, 03, 05 and 08 sizes. Use them as you do with your pencils, the only difference being that you cannot erase them, but don't panic - by not being able to, it can really help give you the confidence to tackle your chosen subject. Plus, on a little cheat line, once you have done something you are really pleased with in pencil, then you can always go over it with the pens, then erase the pencil! Cheat ye not - it's called "Artisitc License".
This sketch has some shading around its base,
On the other hand - this feather doesn't have any. Maybe it's because it's because it's lighter than air! Something like this you may just get away with, but you must always try and use something to physically anchor your work down to a surface, as nothing floats round in real life.
Customary as it is for me to firstly offer a welcome to new followers, here are the names of those who have joined since the last post: Jenny, Ian and ......... a Weasel?
Right, as you all munch your way through the last of your end of year rations, your turkey stew, broth, soups etc, I'll try and get down to writing part 2 of The Great Pencil Case - snowfall permitting of course (well there is Global Warming on you know).
Last time we went through all the mountains of gear needed to start sketching, and seeing as you have now got your pocket bulging full (yeah - right), lets try and make a start. Holding the pencil as described previously, we can now start to make our marks, but please remember that each mark you make really needs to be quite a light one - for 2 reasons. Firstly, if you make a mistake it's easier to erase using your newly acquired putty eraser. Secondly, if you wish to paint your sketch afterwards, then the lighter the marks, the less likely they are to show through on your finished work. Of course, if you want to be just plain awkward - then you can always go round your coloured in sketch when it's done with a permanant ink pen (only joking, I do it with a lot of mine) making them into essentially cartoons.
We are hopefully now making marks on paper (high fives alround) and are starting to put together some shapes. There is little I can do regarding your subjects or the lines and marks you draw to initially portray your subject. A lot of it is all down to practice, and looking at your subject. I mean not just looking, but really LOOKING at your subject. If you have it, time spent studying what you are looking at - the lines, the shapes, is well spent but once you have done what you are happy with, then try and add some interest and character to your work by using varying degrees of shading. You do not have to simply shade everything the same tone of grey, but by using subtle marks you can achieve quite a lot. Simply following the lines or curves of your subject when shading will enhance it too.
Try doing one area of your shading by using the pencil on its side, and make diagonal marks, but keep them close together. That gives you a light tone - good to start with. To increase the depth of shading, go over the same area with, again, diagonal marks, but in the opposite direction - basically ending up with a criss-cross effect. By experimenting with this effect, you can achieve quite a surprising amount of varying shadings. Remember - each "layer" you put on, makes the area that bit darker, and there are usually some areas that need to be really dark, so just go ahead and press down a little harder than you normally would to achieve this. It may sound complicated at first, but as they say - a picture paints a thousand words. It may well do, but we are sketching here so may have to make do with a couple of hundred!
To help you with your sketching, never be afraid to have a go at drawing simple shapes. Things like boxes, balls, cylinders, cones etc are, if you look carefully, what a lot of objects are simply composed of, and by getting to grips with these simplified shapes, your sketching will improve. Also don't forget to include any shading, running it in the direction of the curve of a ball etc - and it will look twice as good!
Now - you are feeling really confident - right! No? Ah well, it's early days yet, so don't worry. But, when you feel happy enough, then go for a set of drawing pens, and have a go with them. I use black Pilot Pens of 4 varying thicknesses: 01, 03, 05 and 08 sizes. Use them as you do with your pencils, the only difference being that you cannot erase them, but don't panic - by not being able to, it can really help give you the confidence to tackle your chosen subject. Plus, on a little cheat line, once you have done something you are really pleased with in pencil, then you can always go over it with the pens, then erase the pencil! Cheat ye not - it's called "Artisitc License".
OK - as promised - I will try and include more pictures this year - so here are 2 examples of what I have done - initally sketched in pencil, then gone over with the ink pens when I was satisfied with them. Note the crossed hatch shading to try and give it some simple depth and shape.
This sketch has some shading around its base,enabling the image to look like it is anchored
down to something - not floating in air.
It's important to do this with your work too.
On the other hand - this feather doesn't have any. Maybe it's because it's because it's lighter than air! Something like this you may just get away with, but you must always try and use something to physically anchor your work down to a surface, as nothing floats round in real life.So, there we are - you are both happily sketching away like there's no tomorrow filling book after sketching book with all manner of subjects. And you know - that's one of the beauties of this. A good sketchbook is like a visual diary; an old friend to dip into again and again; something that gives you deeper memories as each sketch is your own, and you remember it all the more as you have taken time to really sit and look at your subject. Photo's are often very good, but a good sketch of which you are quite rightly proud, is even better!
Until next time - whatever your art - enjoy it!
Paul
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