HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY FOLLOWERS, FRIENDS AND ALL OTHERS WHO VISIT THIS BLOG.

Happy Xmas and a Prosperous New Year

May I wish all my followers and all others who visit this blog a most Happy Xmas and Prosperous New Year. Given the parlous state of the world with conflict and devastation affecting large parts of mainly poor countries this appears a vain hope but we have to remain optimistic. 

Avon Valley Artists last meeting of 2015 with mulled wine, mince pies and sausage rolls - plus a few other goodies. Not everyone is in the photo, there were 14 of us altogether.

16" x 12" Centenaire 140lb (300gsm)

We altered things slightly this year in that members painted first thing - choosing the subject, apart from our trio of Robert, Yvonne and Jan who organized the refreshments.  This is what I produced in about an hour. I had actually drawn the subject previously so was able to start painting immediately. This took about an hour. Yes, I know I rush things but that`s just me. I have a fear of being too deliberate and losing the spontaneity of watercolour, which to me is the charm. I will take longer but never more than two hours at the most.

Colours used were few. The darks were various dilutions of Ultramarine and Transparent Brown (Schminke -Pbr41)). Diluted Transparent Brown along with Raw Sienna also featured on the face and neck which was the first thing I painted, followed by the hair. When I paint the face I do stray into the hair area rather than have a very abrupt line



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My Latest Paintings.

The following paintings were done at Avon Valley Artist sessions. We meet weekly on a Thursday at Saltford Church Hall. I don't post them as good examples of watercolour paintings - just my work. Please don't compare them with the regular gallery of paintings I post on here!

This was done as a "Xmas " subject. 16" x 12" Centenaire (Great Art) 140lb (300gsm) not.

I was taken by the original guide photo - cute.

16" x 12" Centenaire 140lb (300gsm) not

The subject was `clothes and drapes! As you can see I stretched the imagination to cover that but we are allowed considerable licence. Just as well as I was scratching my head for days wondering what to do. I normally `google' the subject, then go to `images' and see what results.

Actually I am quite pleased with the results. Each painting took no more than an hour including a loose drawing. The dogs were fairly straightforward but the main problem I had with the lady was getting the colour of her clothes right as they were a shade of lavender. The resulting colour, while nowhere near 100% accurate, is close enough using Ultramarine Violet (PV15) in various dilutions. Attempts at mixing reds and blues were less successful. You can buy a premixed colour called Lavender from one or two makers, but that would be a luxury which wouldn't see much use.

My usual brushes, Escoda travel types up 6 to 8 and Isabey travel brush 6.  

Watercolour Paintings (12)

To start off December here is another selection of watercolour paintings from a variety of artists, some well-known, others less so. I hope you like them. They certainly illustrate the wide range of techniques, subject matter, use of colour and different styles out there. Food for thought to all us aspiring artists, although at my age it's more a case of preventing the rot setting in - just joking well maybe....To be able to paint like many of these artists!!!

Robert Wade - the Australian Master!

Cao Bei-an. An Asian master!,

Ithan Parmaksiz

Marie-christine Tintane

Calle Posse

Frederic Lurquin

Ann Blockley

Alex Egan

Ektarina Ziuzina

Fabio Cembranelli

Gerard Hendriks -the Dutch Master.

David Drummond

Nilsamai Watercolour

Gerda Mertens

SEE INDEX JULY 2014