Blog

I've decided to start a numbered series of small paintings as I need a format to focus on experimentation and learning rather than composition and 'the whole picture'.

There might be a Clementine series!

Oil on Panel

6x6 inches

Click here to bid

This is a borrowed composition from a Gregg Kreutz painting, his has a cup to the left but I like the painting so much I couldn't resist the 'borrow'.

Click here to bid

Click here to bid

My painting 'Blue Jug' is now available to buy at Daily Paintworks using their bidding system.

Click here to make a bid

One of the questions I have yet to answer is do I go with thick luscious paint or a more dry brush approach.
At the moment I am leaning towards thick paint.

When I started with oils, about a year or so ago, I started by laying a thin layer of linseed oil to the canvas which at the time was a matter of convinience - I had no idea how to handle medium, if I needed or wanted it. So laying it on the canvas seemed a good solution.

Since then I have been trying various methods

*no medium

*medium mixed into my paint piles on the pallette as suggested by David Leffel

*adding meduim to paint when I felt I needed it.

I have also tried quite a few different mediums but did not feel satisfied with any of these methods and so decided today to go back to laying the medium on the canvas before painting.

I did this sketch in 15 minutes this morning and now that I have moved on from when I first tried it I can see it's benefits and is possibly the way forward for me. I used an equal mix of Stand oil and Linquin as used by Jos Van Riswick.

I'll be using this method as from now with various mixtures of mediums and hope this is an important step in my progress - time will tell :)

This is the result of my third lesson with Daniel Edmondson. As with lesson two I am not that happy it but it is a study and I am not that concerned with it's final finish, more what the picture is meant to teach me.

I will though from this point try to finish lessons to a standard I am happy with before deciding it is complete.

Trying to find a way to apply the paint that is natural to me. This may sound strange but you have to try different methods before you find it. Although this is very much a study I think it told me much.

Made a nice find the other day via Daily Paintworks the Artist Rita Curtis. Really nice approach and very easy on the eye.

I'm currently pondering what to do next. I have made some photos of still life and picked these three. I'll do all three, not sure which one first though :)

I generaly work from both the still life in front of me and a photo, sometimes just the photo. Working with both is ideal as you can zoom in on the photo to pick out the details, be it colour, tone etc.

This is the result of my second lesson with Daniel Edmondson. Although I am not completely happy with the result I have learned much from the study.

Daniel sends you a link to an online video demonstration of each lesson, with photos of the original set up. This is a very convenient method for learning as you can take in the lesson at your own pace. Daniel explains everything he does, colour selection and why he is doing things. He also talks on wider aspects of art and methods.

I find it an excellent way to learn and Daniel always answers your questions sent to him by email. Daniel's lessons can be compared to buying a DVD on the market but with these three extra benefits

1. You can communicate with Daniel direct and he will reply - you cannot do this buying a DVD

2. Having purchased a few DVD's myself Daniel explains what he is doing better than any video I have yet seen.

3. You can build a relationship with Daniel as your tutor.

Daniel offers a great product and service for Artists wishing to learn at their own pace and with the convenience of studying from home.

Might have found a good place to take photos of my work, this one came out pretty good.

Struggling a little with finding the right place to photograph my work. If anyone has some good tips please share them :)