'Maude and Mildred'

 NFS yet

Fiona's chooks are real stars to capture with the brush. I just loved this pose where the birds really want to know what I am up to, and yet need the comfort of companionship for safety. This is added to by the flick of a comb to really focus in on me. Maybe time away from the palette, and my reading thinking time, has made me more perceptive again? 

'Chooks on the Move''

 NFS yet

I have been struggling with 'a creative block' in my painting, so thank you to those who surround me in my daily life - the paints are back on the palette. I think perhaps setting myself the task of painting 'to order', is one that I have found difficult. However, the plus point is that I am detached from them, and I know that they are for selling.

Thankfully the chickens next door are always there to amuse me with their antics. They are now moving 'free range' with the good weather, and are appearing on the track and in amongst the vegetation outiside my kitchen window.

Let's hope I will post a better show in the month of  May :-)

'Rooster'

NFS yet

What a heat haze kind of day........ up in the woods today I saw 2 mini grass snakes, already hatched from their leathery baked eggs.

My youngest brother said that Rooster 2 had lost its way, possibly due to my long painting session yesterday - comments taken on board, he wouldn't have been a seller, so he has been re-worked today. A remodelling is something I don't normally do. Paintings just 'stay in' or get painted over, so I am learning to re-model.

The heat and the thought of getting to the tip on Monday with vegetation,' meant an option to 'clear the garden' took over from my 'hens painting' I will settle to that one once the evening cools, and oils are not sliding all over the place. If you want to see the detailing of the rooster's head, you can do this by 'clicking on the painting'. It is a 6x6" linen panel with oils.

'Fiona's Chooks 2'

NFS yet

I am sure that many painters go through the battles of confidence and self worth, which can hold them back from fluidity with the brush. I have been struggling with these issues, and my low self esteem for some time, and have in recent months fallen into the trap of 'how others see you' and 'their critical analysis of personal worth'- thankfully my close friends have seen this and buoyed me up this week :-)

Now... back to painting - the colours are not really 'true' sadly - they are more saturated, and a bit harsh [6"x6" paintings on belgian #15 linen with wood support]. I have 10 chooks paintings to do for my mini exhibition.............. so will be painting night and day for a while. Just as well I paint Alla Prima - all in one go.  They will be put on the wall of Bonne Bouche in Colwall sooooon promise! and will let you know when.

'Exaggerated Saturation in the Hills'

NFS

A very very quick post-work study exploring the effect of reducing the saturation of the middle and distant planes, whilst raising the saturation of the foreground. I must say that the luminosity of the subject matter has increased - maybe not to the requirement of sunglasses ;-) Tomorrow I am back to work on Composition - I will use my' chook studies' for this one. These are my VAA coursework assignments on small 7''x5'' linen boards.

'British Camp'

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This was an exercise in exaggerated atmospheric perspective based upon a photograph taken at dusk on November the 5th last year. Yes the three lines are three figures gazing towards Gloucester ;-). Tomorrow I am repeating the exercise in exaggerated saturation - perhaps sunglasses will be required? Time to clear the subtle hues off the palette.

'The Aldbourne Circular'

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Last weekend I chose to go on a 12 mile circular MTB ...........what I didn't account for was the steep rutted ascents and bumpy descents ;-) ....but the weather was wonderful and it was great to ride in such an ancient landscape...... .http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/Ridgeway/uploads/Aldbourne%20Circular%20Route%20Leaflet.pdf. Tomorrow I shall be up on the hills sketching and taking pics for my 'Malvern Hills' series - I do prefer landscapes with people.

This chalkland study was so different from the familiar sharp rock faces of the volcanic Malverns, and the beautiful mountains of Wales. I have tried to portray the unusual hazy heat of a hot spring day in England....... yes really!

For new 'followers' remember that if you click on my paintings you will see my brushwork and use of colour.

'Fiona's Chooks 1'

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Thank goodness the creative energy has returned ;-) This is the first of many studies planned to produce a series of paintings to be exhibited at Bonne Bouche in my home village. The chicken's are really David's chickens - and over the years roosters have caused Fiona many self defence moments at the washing line. She is happy for me to call them 'Fiona's chooks' as long as it is just the chooks............. their beautiful rooster a Rhode Island Red -Welsummer cross is due for the chop or transfer to a new flock for genetic reasons [let me know if you'd like him].

'Colour and Brush Strokes'

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This evening's study - after so much coursework in black and white - was a little bit of light relief - if not quite complete on the right hand side ;-) Whilst away from my Blog I have enjoyed conversations with my second cousin and other family members, to understand about 'what I see' and 'my painting style'...................... which has helped me to understand what I want, and also given me a sense of direction.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/Challenge/85FF8737-76BA-41D3-8E22-4154DA1CC422

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'

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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'

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

'Moment of Recognition'

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'Student Friendship'

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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'

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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'

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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'

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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'

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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'

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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.