Here then is my latest video up on my YouTube Channel, and mostly about getting figures into the landscape. So for beginners - if you are painting a street scene, try and get at least one figure into the scene. In this video I talk about my practice technique for figures.
Venice, Italy, 15" x 11"
A smallish canal in Venice and a fairly typical scene with figures and small boats. Quite a loose picture done with my three colour palette and a bit of fun trying to connect all the different shapes - the background - the boats up the canal side and the figures almost as one. Just a minor bit of the use of white gouache on the railings on the bridge.
Painted on Saunders Waterford, Cold Press 300 gms
Just to show what it's like painting outdoors in the UK in summer, here's my second effort in a town local to me, Malmesbury. So a quieter spot this one and meant to be a study of the end of the church, some tomb stones and a tree casting shadow. But as the painting progressed, a fine misty rain came down and spoiled the show...
Painted on Saunders Waterford, cold press 300 gms paper - not waterproof paper but damned good!
A recent plein air painting in central Malmesbury (a very busy road junction and apologies for the background noise) and a big thanks to my ca merman Mel!
Painted on Saunders Waterford, cold press and 300 gms. Size is 15" x 11".
Venice, Italy, 15" x 11"
A fairly recent painting of people in Venice which I videoed but have not published yet on YouTube. What do you think? If I posted it, would it be interesting maybe as a subject for getting people into your landscapes? Let me know and I can post the video. I think this is up the Arsenale end of Venice and the far bridge just melting into the background. So it's open to a public vote with your comments below or email me.
Painted on Saunders Waterford, Cold Press, 300 gms
Sidmouth, UK, 15" x 11"
The fourth and final plein air painting from my recent trip and a painting done in the Fore Street in the middle of town. Probably the busiest street in Sidmouth, all pedestrianised and plenty of shops and nice bunting across the street which adds another dimension to a street scene looking down the road. Of course I have included some different sized figures as well.
Painted on Saunders Waterford, Cold Press Paper, 300 gms
Sidmouth, UK, 15" x 11"
My third painting of the day and plein air painting right in the middle of Sidmouth on the High Street or Fore Street, not sure which. Quite a busy spot, but I was lucky to take a position located by a street busker so I sort of lead on where he led off so to speak. A fairly simple composition this one looking down the street, with strong values (the sun was lovely) and some diagonal shadows.
Painted on Saunders Waterford, Cold Press, 300 gms
Sidmouth, UK, 15" x 11"
The second painting from my recent trip with the Bristol Savages. This is the river Sid which meets the sea just beyond the foot bridge. What attracted me to the scene was the lovely warm cliffs rising up from the pebbly river bank and its reflection in the river. Over on the right hand side, I kept things fairly loose.
Painted on Saunders Waterford, Cold Press, 300 gms
Sidmouth, UK, 15" x 11"
One of my efforts from a recent outing with the Bristol Savages. Our annual 2018 outing this time was to Sidmouth, Devon, UK. The weather was brilliant - although changing light conditions in the morning were quite challenging. So this painting was a study of a few boats at the mouth of the river Sid. The Sid flows out to the sea next to some cliffs on the east side of the town. An enjoyable contra jour painting.
Painted on Saunders Waterford, Cold Press, 300 gms.
Watercolour, 22" x 15"
Once a year at my painting group, the Bristol Savages, we organise a "Palette and Piano" event. So the format is 3 artists paired with 3 pianists and over 20 minutes the artist paints with some matching music. I was very lucky to be playing along with the great Allan Schiller. I chose the subject and went for a snow scene - a figure with dog walking in the snow and leaving some footprints. So 20 minutes to do a painting and watched by 90 guests! - No pressure then!
Painted on Saunders Waterford, Cold Press, 300 gms