Talking photos of paintings really highlights any weaknesses, typically for me dark accents that are too strong and so “jump” out of the picture. The other challenge is to make the surface of the painting attractive with varied and interesting brushstokes. I really enjoy moving the oil paint around so I need to convey that…

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Weather forecast says light cloud – but it still looks dark and gloomy out there. I have spent the morning in the studio working up compositions from colour sketches, drawings and photos. If the composition is right the painting will almost “paint itself”. If not I have often resorted to sawing bits off the panel…

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Summer is fading fast but it just means Autumn is on the way,  my favorite time of year. I have been out catching the last of the wheatfields.   I have also taken the opportunity to improve the photos I take of my paintings.  I just use a point and shoot camera.  Setting them outside…

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I paint most days but every few months there are times when it seems a challenge. Normally it is not because I don’t want to, but because I convince myself that I cannot do it.  I should prehaps let you be the judge of that. I have two strategies to get going again that tend…

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Out this afternoon painting wheatfields before the farmer crops them.  I think it will make a good basis for a larger studio painting.  I can play around with light and darks on the ground caused by the clouds. In the photo the bug stuck in the sky proves it was really plein air Here is…

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It was a dull day yesterday so decided to do a quick sketch in the garden rather than go out.  Good practise in sorting out closely spaced tones. The warm colour in the foreground is burnt grass from the heatwave a few weeks ago. I have been thinking whether I should varnish my paintings.  It…

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Slowing getting back into the swing of standing in fields waving my brushes about.  This one was at my default painting spot that I can walk to in 20mins.  Just tree, water and sky but it changes every day

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Long time since last post  – not stopped painting but “stuff” gets in the way of  the blog and painitng outside.  Working from home due to Covid-19 and spending 10 hours at the computer  is not conducive to wanting to spend more time at a screen.  Anyway getting out a bit more now and enjoying…

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I am off work this week so planning to go out every day with the paints.  As the week has gone on the heat and the dust as gradually bleached out all the colours.  I have never been to the South of France but I assume the air is much clearer so the colours remain.…

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It has been rather a struggle to get out painting over recent weeks.  The rain does not normally worry me, but the general greyness does sometimes dampen my enthusiasm. Any hint of the sun and I am off!  I have been tempted to try painting a few sunrises/sunsets. I alway thought they look rather naff,…

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