#41 'Vinaigrette Bottle' 4x6"

With each painting I do I try and challenge myself, whether it is with composition, colour, being outside...today I decided to do my first pattern on my subject. There was a pattern on the bottle but I took it sa a starting point. I painted the pattern first (so there was no going back with putting it in!) See pic below. I did the basic leaf shapes and then at the end painted lines over the leaves to bring them to life. 

It reminds me of Raol Dufy, an artist I studied at art school, he put illustrative lines over colour.

I also was brave with the background colour, using a strong, dark blue-violet, which makes the bottle pop out! I'm happy with how this turned out.

#40 'Emsworth Harbour' 4x9.5"

I stood on the mud flats as close to the water as I dared. I checked the tide times and  knew I had a good 2 hour window before the water would be lapping at my ankles. 

It was bitterly cold again but I was dressed for it with ski trousers and thermals, hand and feet warmers tucked into my shoes and fingerless gloves. 

This board I had been saving for an occasion, it was one I'd made out of ply and muslin, a perfect panoramic shape for capturing the sweep of the tidal water.

I painted the little boats in first, see the pic below and then the mud flats, there wasn't much sunlight so hardly any shadows, when a peep of sun came I put in the water. 

I enjoyed the experience and although bitterly cold and exhausting it feels worthwhile!

#39 'Three Little Jugs' 6x6"

I found these jugs in a charity shop yesterday. A great find as they were all small and complemented each other in their blues and creams, I like the varied shapes as well. 
I kept the colour palette limited to give it harmony. I also painted a ground colour using mainly Burnt Sienna, you can see it showing through the brush strokes, the ground colour gives a unity to the whole. I'm sure I'll paint these little jugs again!

If you have signed up for my posts to be delivered to your inbox, it seams its rather hit and miss as to whether you receive it or not I don't have control as to whether it happens. If it's stopped working try signing up again. Sorry and I hope you are enjoying my work :-)

#38 'Old Copper Teapot' 8x8"

A tough subject, I usually don't have trouble mixing a colour, in this painting I mixed lots of options as there are many colours that make up this old teapot.
The oxidation on the base of the pot gave me the the colour idea for the background. 
The shape of the shadow is interesting and I moved my light to make sure it fitted within the composition.
This is one of the most complex still life daily painting I've done so far and I'm happy with the result :-)

#37 'Orange Studies' 4x4"

I started the top one on a natural coloured board but decided I would do two studies at the same time to experiment with background colours, composition and to compare with a white ground and a coloured ground (see pic below)

I was aiming for the orange to be luminous and fresh looking. I did this by using very little white in the orange mixture and keep the brush strokes to a minimum. The two coloured backgrounds (white/blue & green) give a different feel to each painting.

I haven't cut up and painted fruit or veggies before so it's a good start.

#36 'Little Jug' 4x4"

I have had the 'lurgy' the past few days, bad cold and cough with no painting. So it's good to get back to it today.
I like the shape of this little jug, reminds of something in the Dutch masters time - Vermeer, 'Girl with the Pearl Earring'.
I tried a different board today, no white primer, instead a clear primer to show the original colour of the canvas wrapped around the board. It was a joy to paint especially with the light colours it really showed up. This was one of those paintings that evolved it's self, with a little help from me!

You can see the raw canvas board showing part way through the painting.

#35 'Comice Pear' 6x6"

One for my students, we will work on planes (surfaces) of a subject and harmonious colours. 

It was surprising how yellow the pear was, you think a pear is green so to truly see it I cut out a little hole in a piece of paper and looked at the pear, this isolates the colours, so you are not distracted with other colours around it. It helps to see what's really there not what you think is there!
I like contrasting bright colours, I originally wanted to put the pear with a blue background, but changed my mind once the pear was done I felt it need harmonious russet colours.
I also enjoyed the slightly different composition, having the corner and sides, it gives a sense of space.

#34 'Lisianthus' 5x7"

These flowers were in my bouquet I had on for Valentines day :-)
I like the wispy delicate buds and rich deep flower heads. I had a go at drawing it before thinking it would work as a coloured drawing. But the colours were so wishy washy compared to oils I had to then have a go at painting it! 
I kept it very simple with the detail of the flowers but emphasising the purple colours and using a light touch with the creamy buds.

Painting beginnings ....

#33 'Happy Valentines Day' 6x6"

I brought this rose for my husband for Valentines Day. It's the first time I have painted a rose, it's not easy but I enjoyed it. Its called a Naomi rose, with soft velvety petals.

I painted it being totally unsure as to how it would turn out, I used lots of rich reds layered wet into wet paint. I'm pleased with my first attempt and look forward to doing more. Possibly soon as I had a pretty bouquet from hubby today :-)

#32 'Large Mint Teapot' 7.5x9.5"

I elevated this teapot to see the squat rounded shape. It was fun to paint, broad painterly brush strokes and the gorgeous mint colour. 
I changed the board 3 times before I was happy with the preliminary drawing. It needed to fit the parameter well. It's on a canvas with a 'ground colour' already applied and dried - see pic below. I will use some more ground colours especially with light subject colours as they really show up well and it brings a unity to the whole as small parts of the ground colour show through.
I went for a strong dark tone of purple for the background, I wanted the lovely shape of the teapot to stand out.

Beginning stages of the painting...

#31 'Pine Tree, Devils Punch Bowl' 6x8"

A glorious weather day! It was wonderful to be out and painting in the Punch Bowl (Surrey.) Rather chilly though and as I'm not used to working outside yet it takes me ages to do even a small painting 6x8". I was there two and half hours and by the end I couldn't control my brush with the shivering! 

New things were tricky like the sunlight shining on my board and distorting the palette colours so I stood in my shadow. I had my back to a path which was very busy with dog walkers and people enjoying the sun. I found it a little distracting especially as they could see my painting form the path, I wanted to say 'don't judge it yet, it's not finished!' 

Doing this today it makes me realise how much I still have to learn with painting en plein air (outside) but it gives me impetuous to do more!

#30 'Strawberry Cupcake' 6x6"

I brought this tasty looking cupcake from a local cafe in Haslemere called Mirabelle. 
I've never painted something like this before, and it was a challenge! Getting the detail without loosing the freshness and making the colours work together as a whole. 
I am pleased with the outcome and a bonus I get to eat the cupcake now with a nice cup of tea!

I just wanted to show you my new easel 'small board holder'. It's perfect! My husband has been busy and made this for me. It prevents shadow overhang as you can see the top of the easel and I can get to all of the board without the easel getting in the way.  

The VIDEO of how I painted #29 Bramley Apple

This is the video I shot yesterday while I was painting the Bramley Apple. It's just under 4 minutes long and shows me doing the painting from start to finish. (A speeded up version)

I've never done this before, one of my students encouraged me to try. I hope it gives a glimpse into how the painting developed. Let me know what you think of it!

I will be doing more painting videos. (With the help of my husbands editing skills :-)

#29 'Bramley Apple' 6x6"

This cooking apple is another one my students will tackle. We will focus on the Edges, Shadow and Background. 

I propped the apple up high so I could see the shape of it - lovely and fat. I wanted to convey the weight and size, especially compared to the 'Little Braeburn' I did a while ago.

I have decided to film some of my paintings, the progression of how I put the paint onto board and see the painting grow - it will be a speeded up sequence. I set up the camera today to have a go, it felt a little daunting with it over my shoulder watching every move! About 30 mins through my battery ran out! So I charged and came back to it. I will put the edited video on here once it's done. My husband is kindly helping me with it.

My palette of earthy colours.

#28 'Orange on Blues' 6x6"

This painting is for the oil painting course I run, it's their next lesson after half term - Orange and Blue Complementary Colours. My students will do a similar painting and some colour mixing see chart below.
I did an orange back on Daily Paint no. 2 I had a look at it when I'd finished this painting to compare, this one is much richer and more vibrant, and generally more confident :-)

#27 'Two Boats, Emsworth' 6x8"

I met a friend in Emsworth, Hampshire today so I took the opportunity to paint this morning. Shame about the weather! Windy and drizzle. 
I tried standing with my pochard but my head was above the sea wall and got the brunt of weather so I tucked myself down and perched on a stone.  I should have checked the tide times as the sea went out quicker than I was painting it! I quickly put the sea in around the boat while it was still there. The flat light was difficult to pick out the tones. 
As the drizzle got harder my palette became soaking and the paint was congealing in the water! My board also got wet and was resisting my brush strokes. Not Easy!! But there were moments I really enjoyed like the two swans that flew straight over my head honking, and just being by the sea was great :-) Definitely go back there as there is lots of painting fodder.

#26 'Bramshott Chase' 5x7"

This is my first landscape outside for a very long time! Painting 'en plein air' is not something I'm practised at and it's my mission to change this! 
I was desperate to do a landscape after lots of still life's. My usual method would have been to use an sketch I'd made outside and then (in the comfort of the studio) paint a large long winded painting. 
Today was so different. It was biting cold the wind was whipping into me, I had so many layers on I could barely move my arms to paint! I felt like I left my skills and sense in the studio so hard to think when the elements are battering you. The light changed quickly as I started painting so I put in the intense roof and shadows and remembered how the sky was (as it soon was grey.) I did think half way through why have I chosen a complex subject to begin with! I had made a small drawing last summer of this scene, it's just up the road from my studio, so I was a familiar with it. (see below)
After nearly an hour I had to go home, frozen but pleased. Grateful my efforts didn't result in a disaster!  I plan to do a lot more outside painting, hopefully not all tough conditions like today.

This is my little 'Pochard' (easel with palette), which I've not used before. I used a limited range of colours: Ultramarine, Cadmium Yellow Lite, Cad Red, & Cobalt blue (the 'Primaries.)

Daily Painting #25 'Little Red Teapot' 6x6"

Broad brush strokes on a little pot! I enjoyed painting this, I mixed a few tones of red before I started and then went for it, making every brush stroke count. The red, white and blue combo really zing.
I found this teapot on eBay, I will have to control myself with buying more colours!

Daily Painting #24 'Open Iris Flower' 4x4"

My Mum and Dad in law are coming for Sunday lunch. I wanted to get a little painting in before they came and before we started cleaning the house! 
I lit the flower but I ended up turning it off half way through as it made it too complicated with the lights and shadows. I tried not to fuss it too much as there were lots of fiddly bits but so I simplified with strong brush strokes. Maybe it would work on a bigger scale. I will try some other flower heads soon.

Daily Painting #23 'Lemon on Blue' 6x6"

I decided to be bold and put a strong blue against the yellow, I love this colour combo! I really tried to observe the different colours and tones of yellows, I wanted it as rich and zingy as possible.

This is the 3rd time I have painted a lemon, the 1st time was on 'day one' of my daily painting, I can see progress which pleases me :-)

Daily Painting #22 'Blue Milk Jug' 6x6"

A simple still life so I could focus on one object. I liked the reflections, shapes and colours in the jug. The board I used was rougher than usual which gives a looser finish. I tried not to 'clean it up too much' and leave the fresh brush marks visible. 
I found this jug on eBay - its from the 1960's called Woods Ware pottery and its the Iris Blue colour. I have already brought teacups and a little yellow jug in the same range... :-)

Daily Painting #21 'An Iris Flower' 4x4"

It was good to try the iris again, a close up small painting. Easier to focus on the colours and tones when there is just a single flower. I had 'learnt' the subject yesterday so it was familiar today and therefore a lot easier. I enjoyed using the rich violet colours and dashes of yellow.

Daily Painting #20 'Iris Flowers' 10x8"

These flowers took me ages! So much so Matte, my dog asked for food and attention while I was taking the photo of the finished painting, see pic below. 
Tricky subject again, next time I'm doing a simpler one! I thought the Iris flowers looked a bit like butterflies. I struggled with the background colour, I chose a muted yellow and it looked horrid so I scraped off and put on off white, it's better but it looses some of the spontaneity. I haven't really painted a bunch of flowers before, lovely colours and I will do more...

Daily Painting #19 'Bananas' 10x8"

This was a difficult subject to tackle. I started it on a square board - as many still life's work better square but changed it to landscape as it wasn't working. I mixed many colours and tones of yellow. I'm pleased with the subtle changes of tone to describe the banana shape. Although it was challenging I was totally focused and enjoyed it. I wouldn't have tried this subject at the start of my daily painting, so it feel like progress :-)

Below is my palette and the colours I mixed as a starting point...

Daily Painting #18 'Little Braeburn' 4x4"

This a the smallest painting I have ever done. And it caused me quite a lot of angst! The aim was to make the brush strokes as loose and confident as I could, without going back and fussing it. The hard bit is to describe the shape and details without loosing the painterly feel. During most of the painting I thought this isn’t working, I'm glad I persisted though as it turned out ok!

Daily Painting #17 'Orange Pepper' 8x8"

A different style composition. I enjoyed painting with these colours, it feels like I've brought a little taste of the Mediterranean into my winter studio! I worked on getting the undulations of the pepper sides without just putting a line down to describe it.  It was also fun to work a bit bigger being 8x8" instead of 6x6". 

I was out early this morning, I did a quick sketch of a view across Bramshott Common, nr Haslemere.  I see this view everytime I walk my dog and have been wanting to capture it for a while. At this time of the year the sun rises just behind the two trees. I will go back and do a painting outside when the weather is right.

Daily Painting #16 'Mixed Baby Peppers' 6x6"

I took an overhead view as I wanted to see the shape of the peppers. I lit it from behind so the shadows were towards me. 
When I first started the daily painting I hadn't really done still lifes before and two elemements I found the hardest were composition and shadows. Today I enjoyed painting the shadows, seeing lots of colours and reflected light from the peppers. 
Before I start to paint I use my viewfinder to look for an interesting compostion. Here is a photograph of what I could see...I muted the yellow background a little as it was too bright and overpowered the little peppers.

Daily Painting #15 'View from our Bedroom' 6x8" Oil on Board

My first landscape Daily Painting! These are Larch trees, a deciduous pine, lovely shaped branches, with rich orange against the winter sky. I have missed painting landscapes and really enjoyed this one. 
I usually have Classic FM on for company in my Studio, painting this there was silence apart from the birds singing and my animals snore! Matte, my dog was in the bed and Miffy shown below was interested in my palette!

Daily Painting #14 'Two Plums and a Saucer' 6x6" Oil on Board

It takes a while to set up a still life I'm happy with, up to about half an hour of changing objects, moving them around, and different eye levels, and then what size and shape board to paint on.

This painting I'm looking down on the subject, which I've not tried before. I enjoy mixing and painting the two different plum colours.

One of the things I'm working on is having a loose and painterly style, which I found harder on this small board of 6x6" something to practise!

Daily Painting #13 'Blue Jug' 10x8" Oil on Board

I want to keep experimenting with each daily painting and not have a set formula I stick to.  So today I tried out 3 background colours (painting them in), a radical red, yellow and the one you see. The muted colour seamed to work better and not compete with the blue jug.

Every painting seams to go through the stage of pain! With thoughts of  abandoning or wiping the board clean and starting again. I had that a lot with this painting, until near the end when it came together and I'm relatively happy with it. It does remind me of Greece, the colours, the shape...

Daily Painting #12 Tea Cup Study 7x7" Oil on Paper

I painted this as an aid for my students for our oil painting class next week.

Using brown and blue - (Burnt Sienna & Ultramarine) mixed together makes wonderful colourful greys.

We will be working on a loose style and a thin application of paint.