Thanks for those who have called worried about my health.......... I am fine! I have had an uber busy week completing my Law studies for the CAB [soon advising at Malvern] and working through Notans [Black-grey-white] for my Virtual Art Academy studies............. and it is mother's 80th on Tuesday too.
I will get back into the painting pattern next week - lots of composition studies - and Richard Logan has explained the best way to sign my works............... thanks Californian Guy ;-)

'Valentine Rose'

                     NFS

A late night paint after work, this time on a 6'' x 6'' linen board. Last night I made an attempt, but resorted to rubbing and scraping it off - roses are harder to paint than I thought.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/Challenge/A0521172-6041-46C3-ABFC-2D2003BFB28D?guid=0703FC5A-9F48-4908-8734-B9EF332D84F8



'Ten Cherries'

NFS

Today's painting was an 80 minute paint session - 10 minute per cherry - this is Carol Marine's Challenge for Daily Painters - mine is now submitted, just have to wait and see if it gets posted :-) .............. and it's been accepted! http://www.dailypaintworks.com/Challenge/1A9D96CC-C3F6-4EA1-AC8D-F0634F8C2369?guid=0703FC5A-9F48-4908-8734-B9EF332D84F8

'Bits and Bobs'

NFS

Lots of studying today......................... painting tomorrow ;-)

'Moment of Recognition'

NFS

'Student Friendship'

NFS

This is a colour study looking at the values of different hues. The subject matter shows my friend Bren, my dog Cap, and me on the coastal path heading towards Padstow. Our student friendship has lasted since Uni days, when we worked hard and played hard - and continue to do so.

'Padstow Palace'

NFS

This study is from a photograph taken when I visited Cornwall in 2009. Padstow is where Rick Stein has his fish restaurant - just above the boat - on the left. I was taken by the beauty of the boat and the small harbour. We were lucky on our visit, it was a beautiful day in early summer, so not many people around. 

I just mused about having the palace of a boat moored, to wine and dine at Rick Stein's - my type of heaven - fresh fish and good wine  :-)

'Rock Pool'

NFS

This is the same study - what a difference adding ultramarine and removing mars black makes to the palette - and I feel that it has a more 'marine' quality to it.

'Brown Kelps'

NFS

Today's painting is very much a 'brown rock pool' study. If you ever wondered why the 'Old Masters' paintings look so dull and dark - here is an illustration of a painting completed with a similar limited Earth pigment palette. I painted this piece using just yellow ochre, burnt sienna, mars black, and titanium white. For the botanists amongst us, there are kelps and serrated wracks to the right ;-)

[If you click on the painting it will enlarge and reveal my brushwork]

'Birds and Binoculars'

NFS

Today I have blogged another drawing rather than a painting - a composition of eggs, bird books, binoculars, and that glass of dry salty sherry ;-). May all my Blog followers and family have a good weekend - could be a good one, it's so nice and bright for a change.

'Watch those Birdies'

NFS

A late night paint in an extended palette......... and a bit of a struggle. Apologies for the shine on the canvas - oils still very oily ;-) Just want to say thanks for the enthusiasm Coleman's artshop gave me today for my Blog, and a big thank you to all my followers.

'Beautiful Bees'

NFS

A little study from a photograph using the vivid primary palette again [cadmium yellow, ultramarine, quinacridone red, white]. Such pretty little birds - tomorrow they will be painted again in a larger palette of colours, to reveal their true beauty.

'Behind the Painting'

NFS

I am putting in a still life drawing today instead of a painting. Drawing and painting and very different from each other - drawing provides the parameters or lines for form - it is the skill of the painter to translate a 3D illusion of form from hues, values and brushwork. This is my challenge ;-) a step away from drawing glassware diagrams too!

'Sweeter Cherries'

NFS

A study using the same pigment palette as yesterday, with the addition of viridian. A simpler subject and a better grip with the hues - now I shall eat my lovely dark cherries ;-)

'Halo Cat'

NFS

A study in acrylics from the last time that I was painting regularly - this was a very special little tortoishell cat [Halo] who just loved cockles and would hide under beds just to be 'roly polyed' out. I will get painting tomorrow with fresh paint ;-).



'Secret Garden'

NFS

Today I have been wrestling with another simple palette painting [a copy of yesterday's paint in a more vibrant palette], so to break the element of repetition I am posting a lovely door in the centre of Malvern. This is a monochrome of 5 values completed in acrylics. I am thrilled that the artist Raymond Logan is going to add me to his american listing of daily painters :-) I will start to sell paintings from May 2011 and exhibit locally, but for now it is back to my studies and 'raising my game' as a painter. For my 'painter followers' if you click on the image it is linked to the original and will enlarge for you to inspect my brushwork.

'Nuthatch Hideaway'

NFS

This is a very special part of my daily hillwalk, more especially in the spring, when the lovely nuthatch nest in the tree trunk on the right. They nest in the carved out holes, where branches have long been removed. This is a painting using just 5 dull primaries for the palette.

'Café Lady'

NFS

This is another acrylic painting  ............ a 'Hopper' 5 value observation. I completed this last year as a VAA study. It worked, and I'm very fond of her gaze [small 1 hour study on a linen panel in 5 values].

'Forwards to Spring'

NFS

This is an acrylic painting using colour to turn form.

'Blue Shoes'

NFS

Playing with colour/hue and form today, down to some serious painting tomorrow................................;-)