Acrylic demo's at March

These two acrylic paintings were done for the March art society. 
Both are on canvas board and are 14' x 18'
It's a while since I last used acrylic paints. They are very useful for layering up the colours, something I have been trying out more with my oils of late.

Norfolk Beach from a sketch

 I completely lost this first one half way through and had to scrape back quite a bit then carried on with the palette knife. Was quite pleased with it in the end. A good example for the group of how not to give up on a painting.

Brancaster Staithe from the Common, from oil sketch

 The light was very bad in the room we used and only when I got the picture outside could I see how strong the colours were. I used the knife a lot in this picture, something I haven't done with acrylics before. I found it worked well.

Sleaford Allotments

What a grey day to go painting, I didn't care as I was meeting up with my dear friend Haidee for a catch up lunch and a bit of painting.
Was so good to see her again, we couldn't believe that it had been last November when we last organised a 'paint out' in Brancaster.. After our delicious lunch of goat's cheese tart at the Heckington Farm cafe we headed off to the allotments for a spot of painting. They were massive and very well kept. We had a good walk round before deciding on our spot to paint. We stayed near each other so we could continue to chat.
We both have a very different approach to a painting. Haidee has a very good eye for composition and homes in on a subject where as I tend to take on the bigger picture. We were serenaded by a little Robin that continued to sing his heart out all the time we were painting. This was punctuated by a very noisy turkey not far away. The turkey looked to be missing a few feathers and was quite a character, he found his way into Haidee's picture. I chose a view of the river, liking the close colours and flat light.

The River by the Allotments

 The light didn't alter much all afternoon which made a nice change from rushing to capture something like a sunset. The only thing that stopped us in the end was the fact it was very cold and getting dark. After saying goodbye I drove home with a big smile on my face.

The Compost Bin

Snow at Last

I've been hoping for snow. Especially during my paint out in January challenge. Well, it finally arrived so got out there as quick as I could before it disappeared again.
The roads were very icy so I didn't go far.
The sun came out as I got there creating wonderful colours on the snow but I could see a big wall of cloud on the horizon behind me.
I managed three before the snow finally caught up with me and prevented any more painting.

Misty Sun on Snow

Towards Whaplode Church

More Snow on it's Way

30 Paintings

Well, I did it. Painted outside every day this month.
A big thank you to all of you for following my progress and for your comments

All the paintings from the 30 days will be on show at The Lincolnshire Gallery, Spalding Common, throughout February

All for sale at £190 and I am donating 30％ of all sales to the charity for MS

30 in 30

 What have I learnt?
 I know now that, if I can do it in freezing temperatures, rain and strong winds then - well I've got no excuse.
Working with a limited pallet has been helpful and having to work so quickly to capture the moment has made me faster and looser in my brush work
The one thing I had hoped for was snow and as I type this, it's snowing heavily, if it settles then I shall be out there.

A big thank you to Leslie Saeta for getting the ball rolling. Visit her blogspot  to see some of the other 1000 artists that took part in the challenge

Day 30 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days

I've always fancied painting the little White House that you can see from the A16 as you go over the river. Today I parked up and went along the bank. I had to walk a fair way before I got the view I wanted. It still wasn't what I'd hoped for but there was no way I'd walked all that way for nothing. There were loads of snowdrops in flower and even the odd daffodil, I decided against putting them in.

White House by the River Welland

Day 29 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days

We've had an earthquake, rain, sun and snow in Spalding today.
Frank told me not to go out as it was sooo cold and he noticed me limping - I never was very good at doing what I'm told!!!
I was disappointed that the snow hadn't settled but there was still a dusting. I had to work quick, my paints were suffering from the freezing temperature and I was losing light fast.  I had just finished the sky turned a fiery red. I so want to work on this.

Sunset, Moulton

Day 11 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days

Every time we come and visit Adam and Wanda we go for a walk along the Basingstoke Canal just down the road and I've always wanted to paint it. Well, today was the perfect day for it. The family went round the park whilst I painted. Just as I'd finished they arrived with a welcome coffee.

Basingstoke Canal, Frimley Green