Days 29 & 30

Satsumas in Brocante bowl

Saturday was not such a good day in Sommieres weather wise but it was market day. This I have to say is a serious market. The whole town has stalls in the streets and squares. At one end of the town is a very large open space that becomes the place for the Brocante, the second-hand and antique market. Felicity and I found this delightful bowl so I bought some satsumas to paint in it as rain was forecast.

It did rain and after painting the blue bowl we then painted Julie's jug which was a birthday present from Tom & Mary

Julie's jug and Satsumas

This was painted in very gloomy light as we liked the natural light from the doorway.
First time I'd painted bread and cheese - will have to do that again.

Day 30
Much better weather so I went and painted in town again.

Lunch Time, Sommieres

This needs a bit of work on it, I painted in the shade looking into the sun and the buildings came out far too yellow.

It was good to finish my 30 day challenge in France. I shall make a collage of all the paintings I did there but also I need to put my 30 day collage on Leslie Saetas blog page along with all the other artists that took up the challenge - see next blog 😉

Day 24 0f 30

Lemon and Lime 8" x 8" oil on canvas covered board

I have fallen behind with my painting a day. I am not going to beat myself up about it because sometimes other things are more important like, having three granddaughters for the day. To be honest I did have time when they left but I was exhausted.
This painting was started yesterday morning but had to be abandoned to take the dog for a long walk as we were visiting friends for the day. I finished it when we came home at 7.30. It has a certain looseness about it which is probably explained by the fact that I was not the driver yesterday!±!!

Day 21 of 30

Going Out 5" x 3"  oil on canvas covered card

Playing catch up here as I have been rather busy. I managed this little subject just before going out last night. A simple but fun painting to paint.

Day 14 0f 30

'Gourd Company' 8' x 8"  oil

These little gourds are quite complex in colours . The dips are naturally darker and a different colour, the problem is to convey this while at the same time changing to tones to represent shadows to give the whole thing form, they also have little splodges of colour on them, difficult not to make them look spotty - eggs are easier!!

Day 12 of 30 Three Sunflowers

Three Sunflowers. 8" x 8" oil

I couldn't resist having another go at the sunflowers. Having painted just the one yesterday, I painted three today and feel that the flowers are a little looser . 

I think I am generally happier with this but it maybe a tad on the small side. Perhaps a larger board would loosen me up even more?

Day 10 of 30

Peaches on an Indian Dish  8" x 8" Oil

This was a hastily painted subject as we had our two lively (but lovely) grandsons staying with us. I snatched 1/2 an hour with they were allowed to play on an IPad.
I liked the perspective of looking down on the  subject. I felt that the fabric added a complimentary interest to the picture. This is something that I would like to explore more.

Day 9 of 30 or even more lemons

Lemons on Blue background 3" x 5"

Still exploring different colours for painting lemons. Would have liked to do a larger painting today but we have two lively grandsons on a sleepover.

Day 8 of 30 or More Lemons

Lemon halves 3" x 5" oil

                                     

In spite of my first impression looking at the lemons I didn't use any lemon yellow paint in the lemon painting.

Gold Green and Cadmium Yellow were the main colours. Mixed with white and sometimes a touch of Cad Red I was able the mix the colours I wanted.

Day 7 of Thirty, Playing with Yellow

Lemons 3" x 5" oil

Today I decided to try out some different yellows I had lurking in my box of paint tubes.
I found that Green Gold by W & N makes for an interesting colour in the shaded part of the lemon. I also used Cadmium yellow deep, Old Holland Golden green Deep, Michael Harding Yellow Lake, a touch of Cadmium Red and Flake White

Day 6 of 30 or why you should paint eggs

Eggs 8" x 6"

I put a couple of eggs in yesterday's painting and it made me think what a perfect thing they are to paint.

If you have never painted an egg before then, you should.

Here are some of the pros

1. you won't spend ages drawing it

2. It's a gentle curve so you can practice blending tones

3. You can paint several in a short space of time

4. You will have to look carefully for subtle colour changes and reflected light

5. Because it's not a big subject it's easier to experiment with edges, try blending and smudging 

6. Try using minimal brush strokes 

7. Play with different colours in background 

And then there are the possibilities of the cracked egg - I think I could go on but I won't because it time to paint eggs !

Day 5 of 30

Pancakes for tea. 12" x 12" oil

Decided to take a break from painting flowers today. I had these lemons in a bowl which were the inspiration for this picture 

Day 4 of 30 in 30

 

                                              Cosmos flowers 8"x 8" oil 

I had to rush this one this morning as I was taking some paintings to London today. Because I was in a rush I had to look extra hard to get the shapes and spaces right. It maybe a bit rough but I quite like it.

I now am playing the waiting game to see if any of my paintings are accepted for the Discerning Eye exhibition. Eek!!

Day 3 30 in 30

Cosmos 8' x 8' oil

Well, I thought I enjoyed painting the Marigolds but these are even more fun. They are self sets in my garden from last year. I will definitely be spreading a few more seeds around in Spring.

30 in 30 Day 1

Leslie Saeta has once again invited artist to join her in the challenge '30 in 30' where artists paint and post their paintings on her blog for 30 days. I have joined in a couple of times before and find that not only is it a good discipline and motivation but it is also fun to see the work of the other artists around the world. This year there are over 1000 artists taking part.
To see their work go to Leslie's blog 

This is the first one for me

Imari Bowl with Grapes & Satsumas 8" x 8" oil

I love painting this Imari bowl . It isn't just the colour but I love the shape too. It goes so well with various fruit.

Plums, Hellebores and Muscari

Plums, Hellebores and Muscari 8" x 8" oil

This is about the last of the Hellebores and Muscari so I thought I'd better get another one in quickly. I must remember to start painting them earlier next year. They are so delightful to paint in fact I think I will plan ahead and plant more.

Helebores & Lime

Helebores and Lime 8" x 8" oil on canvas card

Helebores are amongst my favorite flowers and I have been meaning to paint these beauties for ages.
I missed the white ones again this year, must make more of an effort in future.
I also love painting (and eating) figs so snuck one in for fun.

Workshop at Norfolk Creative Arts, Grimston

 Fruit in Blue bowl - 8" x 8" oil on canvas board

Last Friday my lovely painting pal Penny German came to stay over en route to her painting workshop in Norfolk. The plan was to get a bit of painting in but I just happened to mention that we have a very good retail outlet nearby - need I say more??? We did talk a lot of arty stuff later over a few glasses of wine, which was great.
I asked if she minded me joining in on the workshop which was on still life painting - no problem , so I packed my gear and we set off in convoy the next morning.
The Norfolk Creative Art centre is very well appointed. Hans had provided easels, lights, paints and brushes . the building is an old school so the room is spacious and very light. We were welcomed with a delicious fresh coffee while Penny set up the still lifes.
Once the group had arrived Penny demonstrated the technique of grisaille - a method of painting in grey monochrome. very useful for sorting out your tones in a still life. I enjoyed working this way and couldn't wait to start putting the colour on. 
Lunch was a delicious home prepared meal provided by Hans followed by pudding and all dished up in the spacious dining room/gallery.
The whole group really enjoyed the day and everyone including a complete beginner produced some great work under the guidance of Penny.

Penny German
Norfolk Creative Arts 

Day 5 0f 30 Odd Mug

Can't even think where I bought this funny looking mug, I've had it for ages. I just love it's quirkiness and colours. I think it's Dutch, definitely hand thrown and painted. If it looks a funny shape - that's because it is - honest!!

Odd Mug 8' x 8" oil on board

Day 2 of 30

I set this up yesterday not thinking that I'd have a chance to paint but managed to do it in between separating boisterous puppy and extremely boisterous five year old. Not the most relaxing painting experience!

Plums on Green Dish 8" x 8" oil on board

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         I love this dish and have always meant to paint it, the plums were the perfect partner for it                                                     

Life's a Bowl of Cherries

Before I eat the cherries I decided to have another paint of them. This arrangement is a bit more formal. I had to include my tube of 'Rose Dore Madder Lake Antique Extra' Old Holland paint.
I love the names they have.

Life's a Bowl of Cherries 6"x 6" oil on linen panel

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