27. GD Warm-up

Pen and ink, A3

I've been doing a graphic design short course.  As a warm-up, we were asked to illustrate the title beneath the square in the space above.  My fellow students were from many different countries so it was so interesting to see the different interpretations of the phrases; for instance, the 'country house' could be anything from my stately home to a little cottage with a fire, etc.

26. Good Friday

 

Acrylic and emulsion on lining paper, 8ft x 20ft.

 

We painted the figures separately and stapled them so we could remove them, leaving the crosses empty for Easter Sunday.

 

I'm pleased with how my two figures came out.  (I drew them in the large church hall but painted them mostly on my kitchen floor.)  It was extremely painful to paint the crown of thorns - I should have expected that!

 

 

I was almost badly caught out as I cut the figure below about two inches too short!!  His left hand should have been sitting just above the crossbar with his right hand in the middle of it.  It didn't look too, too bad though.  Phew!

 

25. Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday Views

 

This was the backdrop we prepared for our Maundy Thursday service.  The left-hand cross was prepared for the non-repentant thief, hence the symbolic dark cloud.  It's difficult to separate my bit as we all worked on various parts.  However, look at the wood-grain.  Our team member, Bernice, came up with the idea of painting natural grain and she painted the bulk of it on her hands and knees copying the pattern from one of our lovely old doors.  Great work!

.

 

This is what it looked like while we were on the floor in the hall checking it would fit together properly.

24. Cross from Palette Knife Scrapings

 

This was created from the remains of paint on my wooden palette (which you can see peeping through bottom left).  We'd been doing the Easter backdrop so crosses were on my mind.  I'll also post my contribution to the backdrop.



Christine's Pestle and Mortar

 

 

This is an acrylic painting by Hertfordshire artist, Christine Spence, done on Pebeo canvas board. It's either 30x30 or 40x40.

 

Once a month or so, a few of us meet together in Essendon for an art workshop with her.  Essentially, it is a watercolour workshop but she covers everything from design, composition and drawing through to painting.  Throughout the year, she covers dry media (pencil, charcoal, pastels, etc.) and wet media (watercolour, inks, acrylic, oils, etc.) as well as concepts and techniques.  She runs three-day summer schools each year which allows you to immerse yourself in art for three solid days. (Warning: includes homework! LOL!)

 

I first joined the group about 15 years ago, although I had a four-year gap due to a job that required me to work every Saturday.  Some have attended even longer than I have but new faces are always welcome.  Although we work hard (as it's a workshop, rather than an art club), her studio at Flint Stable has become a monthly sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of life!  Thanks Christine!

 

(Yep! That was an unashamed plug for our teacher!  Hope you don't mind.)

23. Collage: My 20 of the '30x30' Challenge

 

Leslie Saeta asked us to compile a collage of all the work we had submitted to the '30x30' challenge - it's a really good idea.  I created this using Photoshop Elements.

 

Once again, thank you Leslie and thanks also to all my fellow artists who have inspired and encouraged me.  Happy February!

 

22. Jamaica: Bluefields Beach, Day 30

 

Seascape, oil on panel, 5.5" x 6".

 

Well, it's Day 30, the final day of Leslie Saeta's '30x30' challenge but I could only complete  20 paintings - several posted in haste before rushing off to work.  I am so glad the challenge ended on my day off as it's given me the chance to spend a couple of hours on this last piece.  Before going any further, I must thank Leslie for setting this challenge and encouraging us through it; I have learned so much more about painting and also about what is possible!  Thank you also to each of you who took part; I am in awe of your fabulous artwork.

 

We pass Bluefields Beach going to and from Montego Bay and I find I have to take yet another photograph of it every time so I have a few images from different angles. 

 

I also love photographing and painting the coastline around Black River, St Elizabeth (where my late parents lived) - there are several beautiful beaches in JA.  I have just completed a 36"x48" (portrait format) painting from some photographs I took of Negril Beach back in 2005.  My cousin recently sent me some amazing photographs of Port Antonio and surrounds (the eastern side of Jamaica) which are gorgeous additions to my supply.  The great thing about painting JA is that the required colour palette is much brighter than the one I use for UK scenes so it helps me forget it's cold, grey and wet outside.

 

 

 

21. Happy Day

 

Digital iPad painting using layers in ArtStudio.

 

So many people are having a rough time at the moment.  This is to cheer you and wish you a better day today.  <3

 

20. Hasty Apple

 

Still life, oil pastel on Pebeo canvasboard, 4" x 4".

 

Knocked out in haste.  :)

 

19. Jamaica Beach Study

 

Seascape, oil on panel, 4" x 4"

 

I like doing these little studies using the many, many photos I have taken of beautiful Jamaica over years.

 

18. Munsell Colour Chart

 

Oil on panel, 4" x 4"

 

This is my preferred colour scheme in all media.

17. Winnie for Poppy

Digital iPad Painting.

This is a quick and sketchy iPad painting based on a large acrylic painting I did for a Christmas gift for a little girl called Poppy.  This was done in haste so the poppies are floating out of the picture.  Tut! Tut! :D