#115 ‘Sunrise Vik, Iceland’ 8×8″
I was back in front of the church looking down on the rocks at 5am for sunrise, which happened a lot faster than sunset the night before. I didn't have time to paint the rocks in first. Instead I quickly mapped in the shapes and got to work on the sky. The...
#114 ‘Sunset Vik, Iceland’ 8×8″
I stood in front of the church at 8pm, it was my last painting of the day. Being higher up it allowed me to see more of the sea which reflected the evening colours.I put the rocks in first which gave me some structure to work around. - Dark and silhouetted. It felt a...
#113 ‘Vik Church, Iceland’ 7×9.5″
I was standing a little way up a mountain to be eye level with this church. I thought it had an alpine feel and is actually very typical of Icelandic churches. I simplified the scene and focused on the bits I liked - the contrast between the white building and...
#112 ‘Dyrholaey, Iceland’ 20x30cm
Thursday I completed 3 oil paintings in one day! That's my record so far:-) I will post them all today....I decided to make the very long trek on the rock stacks beach to the other end to get a different view, see pic below. It was early...
#111 ‘Evening Light Vik, Iceland’ 5×10″
We drove around for a while trying to find a new view of the area. We went up the coast quite a few miles and found this deserted beach to paint on. It was nearly 7pm and I had a 20 minute weather window of sky and light, then the grey clouds came over....
#110 ‘Vik Beach, Iceland’ 8×10″
I did two more paintings yesterday from the Vik village side, where you see more of the rocks I thought they looked a bit like teeth! I tried a more textured surface board and after a smooth board it felt strange and I didn't have enough paint on...
#109 ‘Reynisdrangar Vik, Iceland’ 7×9.5″
I completed this second painting in the afternoon. The light changed half way through with the sun coming out which enriched the colours and contrast. I walked down the beach it was hard going in the soft back sand and my gear. I liked the stacks smaller and at...
#108 ‘Reynisdranger Sea Stacks’, Iceland’ 20x30cm
I did two paintings yesterday, this was the first on such a dramatic beach at Vik, with black sands and sea stacks jutting out of the water, the seas were huge with crashing waves. Such an inspiring place to paint :-)Vik is on the south coast of Iceland...
Painting in the rain! Iceland
I thought yesterday was bad, today was WET!I started painting in the rain thinking I could muster through it. Husband left to photograph and I was left to battle. The rain was driving and my board and palette was wet within seconds. I kept wiping it...
#107 ‘Arnarstapi Cliffs, Iceland’ 20x30cm
The elements were against us today, still on the Western Peninsular we found this spot and within 10 minutes of painting the rain and mist came in, felt a bit like Cornwall! It was tricky as my view partly disappeared! And the rain was blowing in my face and eyes. My...
#106 ‘Skardsvik Beach, Iceland’ 8×10″
First Full day in Iceland, we are on the Western Peninsular. The Weather forecast was cloud all day but the sun came out on this beautiful beach called 'Skardsvik'. The colours were like the Caribbean, I absolutely loved panting it! The cliff and rocks are unusual...
#105 ‘Beach Huts, Hayling Island 2’ 9×12″
These huts look simple but are deceptively tricky to paint, it was a struggle painting with lots of wiping off and angst! It’s the biggest board I’ve worked on to date. I wanted a long thin one, but my order for them hasn’t arrived yet. I like the line of huts but...
#104 ‘Hayling Island’ 8×10″
I was so lucky with the weather and light. The colours were gorgeous, and I loved the contrasted sandy spit with the deep turquoise blue sea behind. I used fast thinly painted strokes to cover the board quickly, then go in with thicker paint over the...
#103 ‘Morning Light, Emsworth Harbour’ 8×8″
The sun was sparkling on the water, directly behind this red boat. I quickly set up and by the time I sketched it out with my brush the sun had moved and it was no longer behind the boat! I carried on anyway and got the main shapes in especially the water....
#102 ‘Crabbing at Langstone Harbour’ 8×10″
This is my kind of subject! I love painting water, buildings, people and the evening light was fab too. I painted this view back in 2000 when I first starting painting properly and I haven't painted it since. It used to be something I'd see daily when coming off...
Summer Workshop no.2 at Frensham Little Pond
We had a lovely day yesteday at Frensham Little Pond. A good spot to draw although we were lucky it wasn't raining, the wind was wipping up from the water and quite chilly. My students worked really hard on drawing what they saw, ready to use the information...
#101 ‘Paddling at Tilford Bridge’ 8×8″
This is a known spot for families, grest for splashing around in the River Wey. I got to the bridge early and had an hour painting before anyone else arrived. These two boys with their grandma turned up and they were straight in the river. I initially thought oh dear...
#100 ‘View from my Studio Window’ 5×7″
Yippee! I have reached number 100 daily paintings. I had big plans for my 100th picture but it turns out to be this little oil sketch I did from my studio. But still with the same thoughts - carefully observed from life, small and in one day.If you are...
#99 ‘Beach Huts, Hayling Island’ 4×15.5″
A hot day standing directly looking into the sun but worth it! Really enjoyed painting these beach huts, and on the panormic format. A lot of the beach huts were in shadow so I had to hold back with using saturated colours but still managed to get some turquoise and...
#97 ‘River Wey, Farncombe Boat House’ 8×8″
Some paintings flow and are easy others don't, this was a stop start struggle and pain! I am still unsure about it, but thought I'd share it anyway. You can tell the bits I enjoyed which were the boats. I wondered around for a while trying to find a composition I...
#96 ‘The Barns, Tilford Green’ 8×8″
I felt inspired to go back to the area we had our summer workshop this week. Some of my students were drawing this view and I thought that's what I'd paint if I was here. I really liked the dark barn and the light roofs silhouetted against the range of green foliage...
Summer Workshop on Tilford Green
I did this drawing at the weekend in preperation for the workshop I was running today for my students. Set on an English green with old buildings, a pub and barns and a great sunny day, so lucky with the weather. The workshop aim was to produce drawings that will be...
#95 ‘Westminster Bridge, London’ 8×10″
9,000 steps I took carrying all my plein air kit around London yesterday! You've got to be fit to do this outdoor painting lark 🙂 This is a different view of the same subject I have previously painted, also different light and weather. It was cold, the wind was...
#94 ‘The Bridge Tavern, Camber Docks’ 8×8″
I was visiting my Mum in Portsmouth so I did a painting while I was there. Camber Docks is an interesting area with old buildings and lots of fishing boats and reflections. I have painted one there before in April.It was quite hard to decide how much to...
#93 ‘Tower Bridge, London’ 8×10″
I wanted to make the most of being in London especially overnight. I persuaded my husband to get up at 5am (after the concert the night before!) and we heaved our equipment through London to the Tower Bridge view. It was a gorgeous morning, calm with great light...
#92 ‘Big Ben & Houses of Parliament’ 8×10″
My sister kindly brought us Lionel Richie concert tickets in London (he was amazing!), so we made the most of our overnight stay and I did 2 paintings.This one I painted Sunday afternoon standing on Hungerford bridge. I have never painted in such a busy thoroughfare,...
#91 ‘Early Morning Staithes Harbour’ 8×10″
An early start on the final morning I completed half of this before I drove home. I liked the dark tones and a touches of bright sunlight coming through.I finished the painting in my studio the next day. It was a challenge to keep the plein air freshness of working...
#90 ‘Three Boats, Staithes’ 8×10″
These boats are so typical of Staithes North Yorkshire area. I like the colours and the flash of pink flowers. I initially got caught up in the view and up the cliff/bank on the other side of the water are lovely red rooved house and sky. I drew it in but...
#89 ‘Fishing Boat, Staithes Harbour’ 7×9.5″
I painted this on Saturday afternoon, bright sunshine and a busy beach. Lovely to be amongst the children playing in the sand and the dogs rushing into the sea.Love this boat especially the coloured buoys catching the sunlight. It was quite windy so I depicted it in...
#88 ‘Staithes Beach’ 7×9.5″
Second painting in Staithes on the Plein Air workshop. Love the little red boat so much so I painted it another 2 times after this!Blocking in the dark tones first gives a good backdrop for the sunlit boat house. Also careful to observe the sand colours - not just...
#87 ‘Staithes, The Beck’ 8×8″
I had an amazing 3 day Plein Air workshop up in Staithes, North Yorkshire. A wonderful teacher, Haidee-Jo Summers and I loved being immersed in painting to eat drink and sleep it 🙂 Also lovely to talk to other artists and exchange tips.I produced 6 painting over the...
#86 ‘Sunflowers’ 6×6″
Love the vibrancy and sunshine feel to these. They could be in the sunbaked Mediterranean but sadly not! I was unsure about the centre area before I painted as it seamed so dark and boring but looking closely when I was painting it there are so many vairations...
#85 ‘Rose in Bloom’ 6×6″
A beautiful rose, I don't know the name of, I like the full rounded head and two tone petal colours. Really difficult to paint! There is a tendency to get lost in the layers of complex petals - simplifying! But still getting the essence of it.The photo has a bit of...
#84 ‘White Rose’ 6×6″
I had one of those days today. I went to get a rose for this painting and was so excited and focused on getting one I forgot to pay the car park. I didn't remember until I saw a parking fine on my window, very upsetting! So upset I then got lost on the journey...
#83 ‘Reflected Watermelon’ 6×8″
It's been so busy I haven't had the time or energy to do any painting. But I was itching to do one so I got into my studio by 6am this morning which gave me time to focus and work on this painting before any Open Studio visitors arrived at 11am.I put the melon on tin...
#82 ‘A Bowl of Cherries’ 6×6″
I enjoyed the previous cherry painting so I thought I'd have another go. I haven't done this in the past as I was scared to try and repeat something that was successful but decided to go for it and I'm pleased with the result. Lush colours and shiny cherries!I chose a...
#81 ‘Reflected Cherries’ 6×6″
Loved painting these cherries! So luscious and shiny, I ate some while I was painting too.I haven't tried using tin foil to reflect a subject before, it's an idea from an excellent daily painter called Carol Marine it works well and adds a challenge and interest while...
Preparing Boards & The Studio
It is the longest I haven't painted during this year and I miss it, I'm itching to do one! I brought some cherries a few days ago and started to set up a composition but focus when I knew I still had loads to prepare tor this Saturday.My studio is now ready for the...
#80 ‘Clematis’ 6×6″
A sunny morning, I was going to find somewhere away from the house to paint but as I was going through the back door this flower stopped me. Beautifully sunlight from behind, I wanted to capture the vibrant yet delicate petals. One thing I've learnt with...
#79 ‘Gorse Cottages’ 8×8″
This house is a few doors away from us. I was drawn to the sun drenched blue pots bursting with flowers. I cropped the door to make it a more interesting composition - and to emphasis the bits I really like! I started painting the pots first they were fun to...
#78 ‘Wisteria’ 8×8″
I experimented with this painting. I used a different board called: Ampersand, it has a super smooth surface, unlike the medium textured board I usually use, which means the paint goes on easily but sometimes slips off and doesnt even make a mark! You have to get the...
#77 ‘Citrus’ 6×8″
I enjoyed painting these colours, fresh and clean. I liked the shadows - so much in them, also the harmony of colours and the challenge of a cut in half fruit, first one I've tackled! You have to really question what colour is that? And also tone, yellow is tricky as...
#76 ‘Peppers’ 5×7″
I wanted this to be well observed but painterly. Rich complementary colours go well together. One for my students to try :-)The title I did want to call it was: 'I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine', but it seamed a bit of a mouthful! When I was painting it...
#75 ‘Morning Shadows’ 8×8″
Being inspired by the weekend workshop, this was an early morning painting in a allotment. I've not been to an allotment before and it was quite lovely, especially at this time of the year. It was huge with over 100 plots based in Compton, Surrey. Sadly it was locked...
#74 Tide Coming In’ 7×9.5″
This painting I did on the second day of the weekend workshop I just did in Harwich. I was working on shapes and being looser with my mark making. The tide was coming in very quickly, I had to move all my gear up the beach several times as the water was lapping...
#73 ‘Pink Rose’ 5×7″
I am buzzing from an amazing painting weekend! It was at the Old Bank Studios in Harwich, a great set up for painting courses (lovely lunches too!)Haidee-Jo Summers ran the workshop, she is a wonderful plein air painter, I feel very inspired and full of new...
#72 ‘Teetering’ 6×6″
It was a late finish for this painting today as I went to the framers to start framing some of my work ready for the Surrey Open Studios starting June 4th (not long!)I am pleased with how this one turned out, I wanted to try painting glass and I saw the yellow and red...
#71 ‘Sunrise, Frensham Little Pond’ 7×9.5″
I was up painting early at 5.15am for sunrise, it was still and peaceful at Frensham Little Pond. Hardly any movement on the water (until the dogs jump in and the ducks swim by :-)I am pleased with the reflections, I painted it all in downward soft strokes. The sky I...
#70 ‘The Boathouse, Winkworth Arboretum ‘ 7×9.5″
I'm not complaining but gosh it was hot out there today! A great spot next to the lake with the geese were really going for it with their honking! To get the best view of the boathouse I was quite far away from it see pic below, I put the surrounding trees in to...
#69 ‘Garlic Bulbs’ 5×7″
I put a strong spot light to the side which gives a blue-violet shadow for half of the garlic, it also accentuates the bulbous shape. I painted in a really dark background mixing a blue-black and brown-black with the 3 primary colours. It felt quite scary putting...
My plein air experiences, insights, battles and painting life blogged as often as I can.
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