"Nova" the Horse

"Nova" oil on 8x10 board, framed

Her name is Nova well loved and looked after, she is quite young, black and full of energy. The photo was taken by my client on an I phone.
I phones are definitely useful for so many things, including photo's but it does take a little imagination to paint a good crisp image especially inside a barn with hardly any colour.
I think the painting turned out OK though... the eyes always help!
Nova was distracted when the shot was taken as another horse was making it's way to the stall close by.

Babs

A "Rose" Painting

"Rose" oil on 8x10 board

The first of a series of rose paintings, I want to learn about petals now, what a difference from fur!

This one was from a birthday card, but the next are from very well done photographs.
A whole new experience!

Babs

Apples & Eggs: a study in oils

Copy of "Egg Basket by Henri-Hoirace-Ronald Delaporte" oil on 8x10 board

Another study from Paint & Draw Together
A study from an old master painting it was fun to try and get the light to balance against the dark background, unfortunately the basket was not one of my strong points, and the eggs were more difficult than I thought trying to get the shadows and light right all in all another good practice piece loved the bright colours.

Babs

Let Sleeping Dogs lie!

Sleeping Westie oil on 8x10 board

He's a bag of energy all day but certainly takes his nap seriously.
Babs

Red Setter

"Red Setter" oil on 8x10 board

Red Setters, especially this one, have beautiful colouring, a mish-mash of red tones that to me are very appealing. 

The eyes desperately want to "get on with it!". 

I couldn't resist painting him against the blue blanket he seems to be enjoying.
Babs

Watercolor - Painting or Paining?

For Christmas we were given an unexpected gift, a set of watercolour paint!

We have both talked about water colour painting on an off for a while, and here we were with no excuses and decided to try them as soon as we could..

Having all the equipment necessary to start a few days ago we got down to business and worked on our first project I picked some roses. and came up with this:

I am so used to painting with oil paint and realized trying this new medium is certainly a very different technique from what I am used to. I found the paint thinning to hardly a colour and building the petals slowly hardly using the brush and waiting for parts to almost dry before applying similar colour to mix into the petal.

Next my favourite subject, a doggy:

I realized you have to have a different mind set from painting with oil. I managed after a fashion to complete the picture but knew by the end of it my patience had been slowly draining and concentration certainly giving me a hard time. I thought it would be a good idea to show the work I did, but, now at least if I decide to continue, like anything you want to do when it comes to creativity is practice,
Practice ,practice so hopefully watch this space !!

Babs




I tried using watercolours about 8 years ago and after much splashing came up with this:

Last week I used a photo of some hollyhocks resulting in this:













And today a photo of a water-lily led to this:

Watercolour paints are so different than oils it is like learning another language, You have to rely on the paper colour to capture white, it is impossible to predict the results when painting wet on wet. But somehow the process is quite relaxing.
I suggest if you meet anyone who paints with watercolour bow your head and give due respect.

John

"The Eyes have It"

"The eyes have it" 8x10 oil on board

Boxer dogs can be strange looking creatures, but they are always a joy to paint, and this fellow has such trust and inquisitiveness in his eyes I just had to capture that feeling.
I hope I did!
Babs

Fishing on Shadow Lake

"Fishing on Shadow Lake" 14x18 oil on canvas

What a challenge this was, people, inflatable boat, reeds that defy logic, reflections, whites that glow... I could go on and on, but today I said enough!

I started this about a month ago, and then Xmas shopping and Xmas came and it just sat there on the easel mocking me, but today, first time this year, out came the brushes and on went on the paint.

Darken the darks, correct the boat, highlight the girls.

Now I deserve a good lunch. Let's see if I can keep my hands off it tomorrow!

Happy New Year!
 John