37. Summer School Colour Studies

 

Watercolour, A3

Sennelier Oil Pastels on Clairefontaine Pastelmat, 7" x 9.5"

 

On the last day, we worked up some of our studies back in the studio.  The oil pastel study was just something I did on a whim, with no intention of showing it, but I actually like its looseness so I've posted it here with the others.

 

36. Summer School Sketches

On the first day of summer school, we practised drawing and painting reflections as that would be the theme throughout.  On day 2, we drove down to the canal-side at Ware and sketched and painted there.  The weather was superb so it was a lovely day all round.

35. St James's Park Workshop - Sketchbook

 

5B pencil, A5

Watercolour, A3

After lunch, we crossed the road to St James's Park and did quite a few sketches there.  The couple in the foreground appeared to enjoy being the focus of our attention.  They put on various poses and actually held them for a while!  The girl had either one or other foot in the air at any one time - they both looked very comfortable.

34. Green Park Workshop - Sketchbook

 

Watercolour, A3

 

 

 

I attended an excellent one-day workshop run by Paul Banning at the Mall Galleries.  I had met Paul before at an RI exhibition so was delighted to be able to attend his workshop.  He is an excellent draughtsman who agrees that you need to be able to draw to give your image a good structure, even if you paint loosely under or over it.

We walked down to Green Park and set up in front of Buckingham Palace.  I walked about a bit and found these sculptures at Canada Gate.  I had to get used to using watercolour again in its pure form but it's the medium I first learned with so it felt natural after a while.    (I painted in the building and foliage later on.)

33. The Coast on Coasters

 

Seascapes, acrylic, 4" x 4"

This is a set of coasters that I painted for a good friend's birthday as he never has anywhere to put his coffee mug!  :)

The images (clockwise) are: Bluefields, Frenchman's Cove in Portland, the view from the restaurant at Idlers' Beach Hotel in Parrottee (that's my nephew down on the beach).