January - February 2013

The challenges this month went over to February and were not as many as usual. However a friend asked if I could paint a scene from Tuscany where she spends time in the summer. I was very grateful to do so. While the weather was cold and dull here I was enjoying the Tuscan sunshine that the picture exuded.

I enjoy still life pictures, but had to add a little extra.

We have been to Roussillon several times over the last few years and this challenge was very enjoyable. However, I can't believe how pale I made the wall of the Marie, it should have been really bright. I may work on it and bring it up to the more vibrant tone 

it should be.

This is the ammended painting - more colour, less insipid.

December 2012

This is the last post of the year. There are fewer challenge sites at the moment, so maybe I will be able to spend a little more time on the challenges that come up.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year, looking forward to 2013 and all that it brings.

November challenges

This first challenge was from Paint and Draw Together. I painted it in oils. The reference was rather dark and I tried to work on disappearing edges. Alas I think it lost some of it's vibrancy, although this was probably my favourite this month.

This was the first challenge this month from Studio Atelier Still Life. Painted in acrylics.

A Day Not Wasted posted this Eagle owl, I just had to work this one in pastels. The only thing I would change would be a bigger mouse!

The last challenge this month was another Studio Atelier, of Clear Water Creek, at first I felt it was a bit overwhelming, but as I got into it I rather liked it. I do not work very often on landscapes but I began to feel quite comfortable with this as I worked in oils.

October Challenges

 The first painting this month was for Studio Atelier, an acrylic depicting autumn colours.

 This painting was not in fact one of the challenges, but I loved the subject. It was from a photo of Lee's on the A Day Not Wasted site. He had posted several photos from his trip to Ireland this summer. The challenge was the youth waiting for his part in a film production.

The last one this month was an orchid which again I had used acrylic, but think a watercolour version would have given it more fragility. 

The challenge site was Paint and Draw Together.

Summer selection

During the summer my friend Pearl and I visit different locations to draw and paint. This summer has been quite wet and cold so it was quite a challenge!

This selection of pictures are pen and wash.

The first picture is located at Nymans a rather nice National Trust property.

We found this location by accident. We had stopped for a pub lunch and low and behold , this wonderful scene behind the pub,allowing the boats to moor up and stop for lunch.

 This is another National Trust property. Batemans - where Rudyard Kippling spent time.

 Wakehurst, Sussex - an important place where seeds from all over the world are stored.

 Sissinghurst, Kent - quirky tower and beautiful gardens.

Finally for this post  - Alfriston , a really quaint village where my husband and I spent a few days of our honeymoon many years ago.

August challenges

This was the challenge posted by  Paint and Draw Together.

I painted this in acrylics and it turned out a little better than I expected, so I was quite pleased as I am a little warey of flowers .

A beautiful Swiss cow posted by A Day Not Wasted. Again I painted this in acrylics.

Two week July Art holiday in Provence

My husband and I were on a two week art holiday,  I painted he read books.

The first village we visited was Lourmoran

A man was tending his vegetable plot so I just had to put him in.

Saignon was another quaint village, these cars (2CV's) are very typical of all over France.

The village of Rustrel offered another opportunity for a picture.

The end of the first week. We sat among the lavender with Mont Ventou as a backdrop.All this weeks work was done in oils, which because of the heat dried extremely quickly.

 The second week. This time no oils, pen and water colour.

The view from the hilltop village of Murs. This was done as a drawing exercise.

The church along side the chateau at Murs.

We went on to Menebre, and back to one of my favourite media pen and wash.

This really tickled me - a door saved just in case....It looks as if it has seen better days , but is still worth saving - found in the village of Viens.

Also in Viens this multi coloured car turned up just as we we about to leave just had to add it to the others I had worked.

It was a great holiday,and so much to see.