Day 19 of 30

Norfolk Sunset 16" x 20" oil on canvas £690

This is bigger than I am used to recently. It was painted over two days in the studio from an earlier painting that I wasn't entirely pleased with. I'm much happier with this and have asked for it to replace the earlier image in my book. Hopefully the book goes to press tomorrow so not sure when release date is yet - I expect I will let you know 😉

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 

30 in 30 Day 30

                                       Sunset at West Beckham 14" x 18" oil on canvas

My final painting for the 30 in 30 challenge. I think I have learned a lot about colour mixing for skies which is as well because - I have been asked by Crowood Press to write a book on painting skies in oils. I wasn't sure at first but having spoken to a few artists that have been published I decided to go for it.
Most of the last 30 paintings will be  featured in the book along with step by step demonstrations. In all there will be over 200 illustrations and I am delighted to say that some of my favourite artists have contributed to book and I will be featuring work by Roos Shuring, David Simons, Mary Gilkerson, Mari French, Louise Balaam, Peter Barker, Brian Ryder and John Stillman.
I still have a few thousand words to write but I am getting there and hope to send the draft off to the publishers next month.
No doubt I will let you know when it goes to print

30 in 30 Day 29

Ludham Sunset 8" x 10" oil on cotton covered card

This was painted from a photograph taken by my friend Kate in Norfolk. It is another example of a graduated sky. The colour changes were so subtle yet there was so much colour in the sky. You could hardly tell where the colour changes occurred. Unfortunately I decided to put in the tree thinking it would give more depth but I ended up loosing one of the best parts of the painting.

30 in 30 Day 28

Cloud Study 10" x 12" oil on canvas board

Sometimes its useful and time well spent doing a few cloud studies. This enables you to experiment with colours and techniques without the worry of spoiling a painting.
In this study I used Cobalt Blue, Mussini Bluish Greys 1 & 2, Cadmium Red, Titanium White and Cadmium Yellow.
The Blue area was painted first using Cobalt and a touch of Blue Grey 1. The background cloud was a mixture of Cobalt, Blue Grey 2 and a touch of red. It was lightened at the edges with Blue Grey 1. The lightest area is a mix of white with Yellow and red added to warm it up and finally the darkest cloud was scumbled over with Blue Grey 2 and Cobalt Blue and Cad Red

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 26

Clouds at Happisburgh 16" x 20" oil on canvas

Another from the archives. Couldn't even get at my brushes yesterday. Frank was painting my studio, bad timing but it had to be done. Just had a new window put in (double glazed 😄) At least I was able to get into the office which is where I spent the day in between walking dog, appointment, shopping and visiting Dad .
16" x 20" oil on canvas
East Runton

30 in 30 Day 25

Cumulus at Burnham Overy Staithe 14" x 18" oil on canvas board

Well, we've had thick fog all day, plus I have been rather busy with my project. (to be revealed at the end of the month)
So, I have dipped into the archives for this one which will be part of the project.
I love these big fluffy clouds, so sculptural.

30 in 30 Day 23

Frost & Fog 8" x 10" oil on cotton covered board

I loved the colours this morning as the fog rolled in across the field.
I've not tried painting fog before. I have to say it was a bit of a challenge. I hope it is foggy again tomorrow as I would like to try this again, don't think I quite got it.

30 in 30 Day 22

Mare's Tails, Happisburgh. 8" x 10" oil on linen covered card

This beach on the North Norfolk coast is actually pronounced 'Hazeboro' . yes, I know - go figure.
Anyway, it makes a good subject. The wispy 'mare's tails' were blowing towards me and reflecting in the sand.
I dipped into my cache of paints and pulled out an old favourite Unbleached Titanium. This I used for mixing the sand colours and found it to be a good mixer with Kings Blue Deep for the sky colour. It was also with white for the clouds, especially with Permanent Rose for the cloud shadows.

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 15

Suns Rays, Moulton 12" x 12" oil on canvas board

This was one of those skies that you couldn’t stop looking at. It changed all the time and with my camera I was able to catch it at its best.

To make this painting work a really dark sky was needed. Old Holland Blue was chosen for it’s deep rich colour. The cloud cast shadows making the suns rays radiated out in to the sky in a fan like pattern

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 8

Broken Sunset Vapor Trails 8" x 10" oil on board £90

There is still some work to be done in the foreground of this painting. I loved the colour of the vapour trails left by the passing aircraft, the purpley blue looked magnificent against the orange of the setting sun 

Demo at Wokingham

Cley Mill 14" x 18" acrylic

Had a great trip down to Wokingham Art Society a few weeks ago. There was a massive turn out and the group were very friendly. I did an acrylic demo of Cley Mill which I managed to knock off the easel and spill water on just as I'd finished it!! Here is the 'repaired' painting. Member Sam Dauncey gave me a lovely write up on their web site and a step by step account of my process. Follow the link to read it
http://www.wokinghamartsociety.org.uk/4_Archive/…/Teeuw.htm…