Portugal 2018

I was delighted to be asked to return and paint in Portugal at the Villa of David Bachmann. This time we a small group of five. Johnny Walsom, Valerie Pirlot, Tim King, David and me.
We arrived in Faro and went straight to our first location which was Praia dos Tres Castelos, just West of the Praia da Rocha town beach.

Against the Light, Praia dos Tres Castelos

The next painting spot was at Ferragudo, I had a failed attempt at the harbour and moved on to paint a quickie from the car park

6" x 8"

After a rather splendid lunch , Valerie and I went round the corner to the beach area where we were both drawn to a little group of fishermen by the huts , so we settled to paint them.

Fishermen at Ferragudo

There wasn't enough time for a second large painting so I settled for another little quicky

6" x 8" Ferragudo Beach

The next day was wet and windy so, Valerie, Johnny and I went off to the fish market to select subjects for a still life. It was hard to explain to the very helpful lady that we did not want our fish gutting but it was worth the effort

Durada 8" x 10"

Sardines 8" x 10"

The next day was much better so we went to Praia Dona Anaon

Praia da Dona AnaOn

Praia de Camillo

Valerie, Johnny and I climbed down loads of steps to get to the vantage point but it was worth the effort.The next day was departure day and rainy again so I picked some lemons from the garden and painted those before I had to pack and leave.

A Week at Dedham Hall

It is always a pleasure to teach at Dedham Hall in Suffolk. I often get people coming back and over the years many of the students have become friends. This year I had 10 lovely students. Two had never been to Dedham before but very soon fitted in the routine.
We start on Saturday afternoon with a cup of tea and some of Wendy's delicious cake at 4pm when we all introduce ourselves and I have a quick chat about the week to come.
On the first evening I always give a talk and demo in the studio.

Clouds at Blakeney, demo. 14" x 16"

Sunday is always busy in town so we stay in the grounds of the hall, there is so much to paint there one really needn't venture further afield. I started everyone off with a quick demo of the glasshouse

Glasshouse at Dedham Hall  8" x 8"

Monday we took advantage of the good weather and went to Woodbridge. It's been a few years since I took a group there. I'd forgotten how good it was. I did a painting while I was waiting for the group to look around and decide what they wanted to paint. The tide was out but coming in fast, by the time I'd finished 1/2 hour later there was no mud to be seen.

Woodbridge 14" x 16"

I planned to go to Pin Mill so that evening I gave a demo on painting the barges which I hoped we would see there.

Barges at Pin Mill 14" x 10"

Demo at Pin Mill

I don't get much chance to do my own painting at Dedham so I often will go into the studio before breakfast. here are two of the paintings that I got up early to paint.

Cherries and Imari bowl 8" x 8"

Quimper jug and Asters with Satsumas 8" x 8"

The weather turned on us a bit on Tuesday so we went to the river to paint before rain set in. Most managed to get at least some sketching done. I got a quick demo of the cows before they disappeared

and then they were gone!!

Study in White 12" x 12"

Another evening I gave the above as a demo to illustrate light against dark in a still life. I thoroughly enjoyed painting this in spite of all those ellipses I had to deal with.

The week seemed to pass very quickly and all too soon it was time to clear the studio and set up the final exhibition. I like to take time and care over this , to display the students work at it's best. There certainly was some good work done. At 6.30 Jim & Wendy come over with drinks for out little PV and after dinner we all head back into the studio where I go round each persons work and give a constructive appraisal. This for me is the hardest bit as I try to be encouraging yet honest without upsetting anyone - so far I think I have got away with it . We'll see if they come back again next year!!

Visitors From Holland

Last Wednesday my dear friend Corry and husband Ted paid us a visit.Corry had a painting in the Artist exhibition at Patchings. So on Thursday we went to the show. So many artists offering their wares and there were demonstrations in every media. The exhibition itself  was a very high standard as usual. Corry was delighted to win a prize for her pastel of a new born calf. Well deserved too.

It was a good day out and I can home with a new supply of Rosemary brushes and Michael Harding paint.

The following day Corry & Ted went to Norfolk to stay for a few days. .I Joined Corry on the Saturday to go and paint at Felbrigg Hall

Felbrigg Gardens 8" x 8"

The Dove Cote. Felbrigg 8" x 8" oil

The gardens were full of visitors but I managed to stay tucked in out of the way. I returned home early Sunday morning (before either Corry or Ted were up) as Frank and I were visiting friends in the North of the county for lunch. I managed to sneak into the studio first and got another painting done for my forthcoming exhibition.

Monday morning I was back on the road for Norfolk. Corry and I went to Blakeney as the tide was high 

High Tide, Blakeney

From here we went to Wiveton Hall of the 'Normal for Norfolk ' fame (BBC series) I painted chickens whilst Corry painted Chloe 102 year old mother of Desmond, the Halls owner.

Wiveton Hall, chickens. 8" x 8" oil

Tuesday was much cooler. Our first stop was Salthouse. I had to tape my pallet to my easel as it was so windy 

Salthouse 10" x 12" oil

Coffee time took us back to Wiveton Hall. It was very busy as the TV program had aired the previous night. We met Chloe and Charlotte walking back from the cafe and made arrangements for us both to paint her.

Corry managed a brilliant portrait in between her nodding off. I chose to paint the sleeping position as it was more constant 

102 year old Chloe enjoying the sun

Charlotte that cares for Chloe liked the picture and as she was such a kind and generous lady I gave her the painting. 

I look forward to going back to paint at Wiveton. I was made to feel so welcome. Looking forward now to the next episode of Normal 4 Norfolk 

Demo for Peterborough Art Soc

This 14" x 18" was the oil demo that I did for Peterborough Art Society a couple of weeks ago. 

Pin Mill boats. 

Morston Group

Every year for the past 12 years the Sheringham Art group have hired the village Hall at Morston in Norfolk for me to run a two day workshop for them. In the early days we would have 15 artists attending but due to ill health of many members, numbers have dwindled so this was to be the last year.

High Tide, Morston

I always start off with a demo to get people in the mood, I try to get people working on the quayside to paint but most prefer to remain in the Hall. I managed to get down there for a bit myself first and it was a beautiful high tide.

Low Tide, Morston

I have enjoyed teaching and getting to know this group and will miss them. I have decided to hire the hall myself for the same period next year and to invite artists to join me with the emphasis on Plein Air

30 in 30 Day 27

Cloud perspective, Pin Mill 8' x 10' oil on cotton covered card

Phew, got back into the studio today, again, didn't have much time as I had visitors, went into town to choose a carpet and shopping and then a couple of visits to Dad.
This is only a small painting but it was painted with a small brush which is why it probably looks a bit busy. I was fascinated by the way the clouds receded into the picture giving strong lines of perspective.

30 in 30 Day 18

Barge at Pin Mill 12" x 12" oil on canvas board

This painting took about an hour. I wanted to work quickly to avoid the temptation of blending too much. The photo reference showed the strong outlines and structure of the clouds and I wanted to capture this with my brush strokes. I used a flat no.6 brush from the Rosemary & Co Ivory range for most of the painting, this again inhibits the temptation to fiddle. The limited pallet creates a harmony within the picture.

30 in 30, Day 10

Evening Sail, Blakeney, 10" x 12" oil on canvas board

Following on from yesterday where I blended the colours, I decided to go for a more colourful subject. Still blending , I used a lot more colours. I liked the colours I was able to mix using Michael Harding's Brilliant Pink

30 in 30 Day 3

Back Lit Clouds, Pin Mill 8" x 10" oil on cotton covered board

From a photo reference taken last year. The clouds were perfect for painting and I did several studies while I was there but needed more time to capture their form properly so worked this on up in the studio today. It may well become a larger painting at some point as I enjoyed the challenge of capturing the feel of the day. This picture took about 1 1/2 hours to complete.

An Experiment

I had two very similar subjects that I wanted to try. I decided to try out two different colour schemes.

I put the two resulting pictures on my https://www.facebook.com/moteeuwart/ yesterday and asked people that follow me which one they preferred, Blue or Grey. The result was really interesting. I would have thought that a more colourful picture would have got the vote but it is definitely the Grey.
It also goes to show the power of FB and how useful it can be to artists. It is not always about getting the 'likes'. I do find it very difficult to judge my own work.

I have since 'played' with the 'Blue' picture and knocked back the Blue - I prefer it now too.