Rufus & Aubergines

Aubergines - Acrylic Inks and Watercolour 

Rufus - Acrylic Inks and Watercolour

I have discovered the joys of using acrylic inks as a drawing tool "sewn into" the form using washes. I absolutely love combining blue (cobalt magic colour), red (scarlet magic colour) and pink (process magenta) at the start. It pushes you out of your comfort zone and a predictable finish right from the get go. It is an exciting way to work, very immediate and forces you to find solutions en route. It is very important that the line describes the subject - its personality - not just outlines it. A must for the courageous draughtsman!

Hare in the Headlights

Watercolour

This painting deserves a special mention. I had great fun capturing his alarmed expression and getting involved in the energetic washes that hint that he might run off at any moment. I could have sold him a number of times over at my exhibition. Ruth, I hope you enjoy him for many moons to come.

Solo Exhibition

I would love to see you there.

Silent Witness & A Friendly Encounter

Silent Witness: Acrylic Inks, Acrylics and Oil on Canvas 60cm (w) x 91cm (h)

It has been 9 years since I had my first big solo exhibition and it is incredible to see how one's style and approach evolves over that time. The question is, has it evolved enough and is it exciting to view?  Oh, the perils of being an artist! It has been challenging and rewarding over the past year trying to see things differently. It is not as easy at it seems to step out of one's comfort zones and take the time to play and experiment. Time is precious. I had very strong feedback regarding my "blue painting" when I opened my studio doors in July. It was my first real play with medium combinations and style mixes. It combines drawing, designing with shapes and a defined focal point, usually painted in oils. 

I embarked on a few more in this style. Each painting seems to develop its own personality en route. I have had fun putting collages together - snippets of French life. Besides telling a story, they are also exercises in colour and design. I am looking forward to the feedback in November when I have my exhibition.

A Friendly Encounter: Acrylic Inks, Acrylics and Oil on Canvas 65cm (w) x 54cm (h)

A Star is Born

Oil and Acrylic on Canvas. 60cm (w) x 73cm (h)

I have been working on a series of bigger oils over the past few months whereby most of the painting has been done with palette knives. It allows me to be expressive and deposit large areas of fresh, vibrant paint. Surprisingly, it has not hindered my progress, as I have been able to work from day to day without worrying about wet layers. Movement certainly interests me as well as capturing a mood or atmosphere. Texture is also achieved using this method of painting.

Bonjour Indeed!

Watercolour and Acrylic Inks. 32.5 (w) x 27.5 (h)

I could do painting after painting of these characters. Their expressions are almost human. Again, this is a study using watercolour washes and loose acrylic lines drawn with a dipping pen.

Chateau in Salviac

Watercolour & Acrylic Ink. 24cm (w) x 32 (h)

We decided to investigate what the brocante at Salviac (the Lot) had to offer and discovered this jewel in the centre of the village. The gates were open indicating that there were items on display inside the property. It had such a lovely feel and the garden was intimate and mysterious. I am so enjoying using acrylic inks at the moment so the result was very colourful indeed.