Arundel Castle - Acrylic on Canvas

This was a perfect painting day - no wind, hot, few clouds, a whole day to paint and good company. I stayed with friends who are based just outside Arundel. They know it so well and Pauline was the one who showed me this unusual view of the castle. It was a real challenge but absolutely fabulous. I loved the way the castle loomed above the trees. I do have a thing for turrets, and then there was an almost separate scene consisting of the boathouse, restaurants, boats and water in the foreground. A valuable section as it broke up the greens and added extra interest to the picture bringing movement and people into the scene.

I decided to use Acrylic as it is a fast drying pigment. It is not usually my first choice of medium, but I got on so well with it that it has re inspired me to use it on other plein air adventures.

The Lovell's then bought this painting which was a great achievement and I am thrilled to bits.

Thanks for a super day!

Bright Botanical

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This is another one of my 'pouring' exercises using irises and of course the tulip, which provides the valuable pink that breaks the overall purple colour way. I used a bit of clingfilm in the background to enhance the texture. The colours are bold and powerful. I tend to paint these sort of paintings at the start of Spring.

Woodland

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Trees are on my list of favourite subjects to paint as some of you know. This is an unusual grouping of colours bordering on warm undertones. There is a slight acidic feel to the greens. But overall, it creates its own magical atmosphere. I used quite a bit of gouache alongside watercolours in this painting.

Magical Forest

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This painting started off as a pouring exercise, which means that the 3 primary colours (soft yellows, pinks and blues) are literally poured over the paper to create the light source and ethereal atmosphere before one even puts brush to paper. Watercolour layers are then added to create more form and then the whites are rescued using white gouache and watercolour combinations. The effects are always strong and dramatic. Love it!

Bill Bellsey - A Portrait in Oils

I was commissioned to paint Bill a few years ago. It was one of those paintings that came together quickly and made sense from the beginning. I enjoyed the colours and I loved the pose.

Eileen McHugo - Portrait in Oils

I loved painting this portrait. I had known Eileen for about 7 years when I painted her. She had been coming to the Tatsfield Art Group and I had been tutoring her for that time. I loved her wise face and colouring. She was incredibly feisty - she had many stories to tell so painting someone like her is always fascinating. I was entering the BP portrait award competition so I had asked Eileen if she could sit for me and I did not realise that she would pass away soon after the painting was finished so her family now have the painting.

Sheila Saunders - A Portrait in Oils

Sheila used to come to my watercolour and oil classes. We became good friends and she sat for me a few years ago. She always wears bright colours and she wore beautiful scarves.