Portrait Practice

9 x 12, oil on panel

"Jane's Sister"

I am in a weekly portrait study group now. I have sat for two sessions and been able to paint for two. This is my second painting since I have been with them. This elderly woman is the sister of one of the other artists. She kept on falling asleep and changing positions (all of our models are voluntary and not paid) but I managed to get a likeness and somewhat of an interesting composition out it.

Just as with my en pleine air practices lately, I am finding working from life much more rewarding and I know that it will educate me whenever I do need to work from references rather than life. One of the biggest lessons is to get the main shapes and placements down fast and solidly as the model (or nature if outside) will tend to change as you go along.

Judit Varga

Judit Varga Ceramics that are so different and intriguing. Check out her site: http://www.juditvarga.net/Squares.html#

Roos Schuring

I am taking inspiration from an amazing artists these days. Her name is Roos Schuring and she is from the Netherlands. If you like pleine air work with a passion she is it!! Simple. Dynamic. Energized. Mysterious. Truly amazing work. I hope that she doesn't mind that I shared a couple of her works here. I invite you to check out her blog and website listed below.  I bet you fall in love with her work too.

http://roosschuring.blogspot.co.uk file:
http://www.roosschuring.com

Starting to do Plein Air Painting

In the Middle of the Park

5 x 7, oil on linen panel

I have started en plein air painting (painting outdoors). I have been putting it off forever but, as I follow so many artists whose work I really like, I cannot get away from knowing that they paint en plein air. The current day masters all say to do it. So I have finally begun. I had put it off because I didn't want the pressure of time as the light changes and I didn't want the pain of getting all the equipment ready etc. and setting up in all weather conditions. After only a few days, in chill and drizzle, I may be hooked. What a crazy time of year to start painting outside.

Hiding After the Chase

5 x 7 oil on linen panel

Catch the hint of "my" cows under the trees. They had just been mini-stampeded by an unruly terrier. 

I do like the color that is ending up in these en plein air paintings. I am learning why so many love to paint this way.

Pair of Trees

5 x 7 oil on panel

Across the pasture on the farm where we are living here in England are these 2 trees that seem to stand guard over the acres. The trees like these each seem to have their own personality cause you cannot find 2 that are the same. After finishing this painting I headed to the store to buy a camping stool cause sitting on the ground killed me.