Painting VENICE by Judi Whitton

Just announced a new book, her third, by Judi Whitton. I had intended to go straight into a review but this has been delayed so here are brief details. A review will appear soon.

Softback. Approx. 91/2 by 10 1/2 inches 96 pages £24 plus £3.20p postage- Watercolour Publishing 

Briefly this is about painting in Venice packed with advice on where to paint and how to paint. More information can be obtained from www.watercolour.co.uk or e-mail Judi at judi@watercolour.co.uk

This book is self published and is a limited edition. I will have a lot more to say about it soon.

Watercolour Paintings (9)

Here are the latest paintings I've selected. Artists well, known, indeed World famous, and not so well-known. Hope you like the selection.

Fealing Lin the fabulous American/Chinese artist

Milind Mulick - brilliant colourist -enough said!

Catherine Rey. I've recently become aware of this artist and I like her work very much.

Andrew Borg

Burhan Ozer - another great artist of the current era.

Another from Catherine Rey

David Poxon

David Taylor - one of the top Australians

Diann C Benoit - always interesting

Dusan Djukaric

Edo Hannema

Gerard Hendriks - one of my favourites

Jon Whorf

Jonathan Kwegyir Aggrey - an Internationally acclaimed young African artist

Kaye Parmenter - I met Kaye some years ago when she had an exhibition at a gallery in Wells, Somerset

My aim is to have a mixture of styles just to show the huge variety achievable with watercolour. I admire many of these paintings but in general my personal taste runs to paintings of a realistic nature with a loose approach. I also am addicted to colour.

Giraffes

I managed to finish the `Giraffes' painting with a minimum of fuss, which is how I like it. Others may consider it unfinished but I'm not keen on `finished' paintings, preferring to leave something to the imagination. Interesting animals to paint, the main problem I encounter is being able to do a looser painting when the intricate markings lend themselves to a more realistic approach. There is also a tendency on my part to use small brushes, which is something I try and resist.  

"16 x 12" Arches Hot Press 140lb

Colours were  Schminke Translucent Brown (Pbr41), Cerulean Blue, Ultramarine Violet (PV15), Quinacridone Gold (Daniel Smith), Quinacridone Rust (Graham), Burnt Umber and Raw Sienna.

Avon Valley Artists - New Season

The AVA is now back with our Autumn/Winter schedule, meeting as usual in St Mary's Church Hall in Saltford Village.

`Down the Lane' -16" x 12" Centenaire 140lb not

The official opening of the new session was actually two weeks ago but this was the first occasion I was able to go. Overall  the results were not very exciting as we are yet to get into our stride but that's only my personal opinion. My own effort fits the `unexciting' comment and I did approach it with little enthusiasm. Nothing more to say really. This week the subject is wildlife but I'm not sure if I'll be able to go as I have an appointment at the health centre - nothing serious I might add.  If possible I shall go even if a little late.

Latest Paintings

This was painted at the AVA session last Thursday - my first attendance for three weeks - with a subject of `Flowers'. I combined the purple of the flowers with a green background so it is rooted firmly in complimentary colour. Using compliments is a good safety-first approach because, as far as colour goes, you can't really go wrong. 

Hollyhocks 16" x 12" Centenaire (Great Art) 140lb not

The main theme was purple and green - compliments. I used Daniel Smith's Quinacridone Purple (PV55), which I think is still exclusive to them. The green is Sap Green from Graham, the yellow Gold Ochre (PY43) from Winsor & Newton. There is some red, either Coral Red or Quinacridone Rose (PV19). That's about it. The purple was used in various strengths to give variation and when the initial washes were dry I added some darker colour. I think I added some Ultramarine to the purple for the very darks..

Brushes were my usual array of Isabey 6228 plus 6201 retractables in sizes from 4 to 8.

Just to finish here is a `work in progress of `Giraffes'. 

Giraffes 16" x 12" Centenaire

I will give more detail (assuming you are interested) if and when finished

Another Shot at Nora

Realising my previous painting of `Nora' is pretty poor I had another shot. This is a difficult one as her face is framed by long tresses which I have chosen not to accentuate, due to my difficulty in doing them justice. 

`Nora' 16" x 12" Centenaire (Great Art) 140lb not.

I think it better than the previous attempt but don't feel particularly pleased with it.

Brushes were my usual Isabey and Escoda, and similar colours to previously.. 

Watercolour Paintings (8)

To start off September here is another batch of paintings by (mostly) well-known artists, including some of the giants of watercolour, but also including some younger up and coming artists..

Bev Jozwiak

Ewa Ludwiczak

Another from Bev Jozwiak

Burhan Ozer

Gerard Hendriks - I love this guy! As well as a terrific artist he's a lovely bloke.

Famous People by Charles Reid

David Taylor

Eugen Chisnicean

Trevor Waugh - I attended three workshops with Trevor in my early years. One of the paintings I did on the last one hangs on my dining room wall and I often think it one of my best. I suspect I've since  regressed, especially recently when painting hasn't been a priority. 

Jem Bowden very Seago/Wesson like.

Jonathan Kwegyir Aggrey- an excellent young African artist - he got married recently.

Karen Sinson

Lui Yungshen

Milind Mulik - a bit different to most of Milind's usual work, rather more detailed.

Trevor Chamberlain- the doyen (along with John Yardley) amongst British watercolour artists.

Vickie Nelson

Winslow Homer - an American legend.

I hope this selection is of interest. Certainly it shows several different approaches to watercolour and includes paintings, as already stated, by some of the `giants' of watercolour.