'Shadowed Skink'

NFS

Lots of studies for shadows, values, and hues......... inspired me to paint this little skink. It is an interpretation of a photograph taken in Zambia this year.

'Nocturne'

NFS

I have been busy studying light, clouds and skies this week...... brushing off my physics knowledge and applying those principles to a new brush and oils ;-)

'Bella of South Kensington'

NFS

This is a line study, and the last of this series on composition. Walking from the tube to the Royal Marsden I pass this lovely statue to Bella Bartok. So the composition of lines just had to include him. It is also an analogous split complimentary palette of colours I would not normally choose, but the poster on the side of the telephone booth was bright yellow and it was this which had drawn my eye.

'Dart Lines'

NFS

A painting showing an interrelationship of line between the soft lines of the landscape curving down to the water, against the hard lines of the man made steps + rail + tables + lamp. I was using up paints left on my palette and actually enjoyed painting with the browns and the greens :-)

'Cool Blue Dart'

NFS

Lunch on the Dart about twelve days ago, and a quick photo lead to this study. The 'Narnians' of Totnes would say that it was dull and grey that day :-) and it was, so I took the liberty of raising the key of the painting. This is a quick study for 'graceful line' and my VAA studies.

'Newport Creek'

NFS

This is a large brush study against the clock. It was a 30 minute study, and instead of 'fiddling with form' I focused more on large masses, light, and atmospheric perspective, using a limited palette - and it worked for me ;-)

'Catamaran Park'

NFS

This is a quick brushwork assignment to evoke perspective. I emphasis the 'quick' ;-) element. I used a very old photograph of just the boat masts since they made an interesting pattern just like tree trunks. It was also fun to have thick creamy paint to move around the canvas.

'Cool Feet'

NFS

This is a brushwork study for my VAA course derived from a photograph taken by my husband on the day I paddled around the Diana memorial. It was a wonderful experience in the heat of the day to walkover the amazing computer cut granite. There were so few people there that I wasn't prevented from paddling through the granite ripples, ebbs and flows. The study focuses on the contrasts between water and flesh textures :-)

'Cherry Trio'

NFS

A quick study today using a large size 8 filbert on a  7" x 5" linen panel. Yesterday I blocked in a very large panel using a 12 which had lain unused in my brush pot for more years than I care to mention. My studies at the moment focus on use of the brush - this one is to describe form.

'Green Clouds'

NFS

This was painted with an analogous colour harmony of orange + yellow + green. An interesting exploration and a reminder to plan your palette and mix values before ploughing in :-) 

'Hillside Track'

NFS

This is a split complementary using yellow and green hues with a red-violet to create the 'muds' for the track and the rocks. Strange to have a pale green sky! but somehow it works ;-)

I have used another study of Corot to inspire me to pick up the brush.

'Inspiration'

NFS

I have been thinking and pondering about this piece of work, without actually settling down to study. This is a balanced secondary harmony using the hues orange, green and violet. Corot used values with precision and so I will be using his paintings as a focus for these palette studies.

'Back to oils'

NFS

I have been busy using different media, and now return to the challenge of oils and my Virtual Art Academy studies.

A composition study of Edgar Payne's work 'Brittany Fishing Boats'

'Oriental Brushwork'

NFS

This study was painted from the Tanyu Kano period 1602-1674 Gako Senran book of drawings. My paintbrush was dipped in oil paint mixed with medium [to make it more fluid] then placed flat on the paper to create flat lines or 'dragged curves'. Using this piece, whilst carefully observing the original, I was amazed how this brilliant Master had used a few simple lines to convey so much about a windy day.

'Brushwork Studies'

NFS

This is the start of a series of  'Brushwork Studies' for my VAA course. These are little oil paintings on paper developed from copying the linework of that Great Master Rembrandt. I am learning that every so often I must take time out to think and rewind my 'creativity spring'............. to be able to concentrate hard and produce satisfactory work in my paintings - those that reveal thought and energy, not mere photographic replicas. Just in time to post some for August............. thank goodness!

'Coastal Blues'

NFS

After yesterday's post I thought that the rocks had a 'sameness' about it and the water had lost its former illusion of movement, and had become too patterned. After an evening lifting potatoes in the garden, and getting bitten by midges - I decided to have another go with the paint left on the palette - so here it is, another exploration of lost and found edges................. in reality it is much softer blues - but this was an early morning photograph. Have a good day............. this is for my work colleagues................ and of course everyone of my 'Blog Followers'.................. may it be a good one  :-)

'Malvern Hill Edges'

NFS

This is just a quick 30 minute study, which makes British Camp look like an alpine ascent - artistic metaphor coming into play I think for its historical significance! I am now studying Brushwork and Colour with the Virtual Art Academy. Here is an adventure with lost and found edges.................. someone in my family didn't like the dull version - so this is bright and more 'morning light' for 'Up with the Skylarks'. Tomorrow I am having a 'lost and found' study on the rocks........... from my previous post :-)

'Coastal Swell'

NFS

This is painted using just 2 brights [1&2] - small flats - to give texture to the rock forms. The focus of this composition is repetition with variety. I am happier with this simpler style, limited palette, and more painterly quality to the brushwork................. back to reading about Paul Henry.........

'Passive Padstow'

NFS

This is another version of 'Padstow Palace'. Here I am trying to create compositional Active and Passive areas using brush strokes, colour/hue, and values. Now time to think about my next assignment 'Repetition with Variety'........................ time to ponder about that one, and look for inspiration from Paul Henry, or the Glasgow Boys.

'Up with the Skylarks'

NFS

I am having a hard time with my painting identity - the balance between fluid painterly brushwork and precision. I am still very much in the exploratory phase and trying to get the blend between the two just right. Many canvases are ending up in the bin or painted over - for risk of being too cramped I just decided to 'get on with it'............... and stop 'bimbling about'.

This painting is for my Art studies - the assignment called for Composition with Variety. I have tried to achieve this with colour, form and brushwork............. and I'm actually quite happy with it............. :-)

The inspiration was an early walk with my collie on the ridge, when the only life about were the skylarks, rabbits, me, 'Cap'................... and the morning sunshine...... wonderful.

This post should show my brushwork a little bit more clearly if you click on the painting.