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Oil on panel

6x6 inches

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I have not had too much time to paint this week hence mainly small sketches. I used liquin light gel on this sketch, still not sure which way to to go with meduims but experimentation is the only way to find out.

Oil on panel

6x6 inches

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I thought, if only as an excuse to blog, I'd run a series of Artists that have influenced me in either the way I want to paint or to be a painter in the first place. These posts will be short and to the point.  These are personal views and I am not trying to make judgments on any Artists or statements on art, just what they mean to me.

Camille Pissaro

Pissaro is solely responsible for me wanting to paint in what I would call the impressionistic end of realism. I saw his paintings at the National Gallery and knew then and there I wanted to paint in a loose style. I much prefer oil sketches to finished oil paintings in many cases. I am not or want to be a photo-realist.

'Fox Hill, Upper Norwood'

1870, Camillie Pissaro

This painting told me all I need to know about the way I want to paint. I think it would all too easy to start painting in a very realistic style and I often have to stop myself going down that road. This is something that will develop over time  I want to paint 'paint' more than I want to paint objects but I need more experience to express this as I would like.

Oil on panel

6x6 inches

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Oil on panel

8x6 inches

Click here to bid and view larger

As mentioned previously I will be painting landscapes this year and intend to paint plein air for small sketch work that will be for sale in a similar manner to my still life paintings. I will use these sketches to produce larger work.

As a statement of intent I have joined the UK Plein Air Society. I do not plan to get involved until I am happy my work will stand up in front of their group of Artists but I will certainly involve myself with the society in the future. I have just ordered myself a Pochade Box  so will soon be able to get out there and paint the many paintings  around me and right on my doorstep - can't wait!

Oil on panel

8x6 inches

Click here to bid and view larger

Oil on panel

8x6 inches

Click here to bid and view larger

I am overwhelmed by the feedback I am getting from Artists and Collectors. Your encouragement is making me concentrate on the quality of my painting more than without it. As a newcomer I do not feel I deserve this feedback but it is certainly very welcome. 
 
I have sold my first large painting which I only hoped to sell but had no confidence it would. 
 
You know who you are and I thank you, without you I am an Artist with a cupboard full of paintings.

Oil on panel

6 x 6 inches

Click here to bid and view larger

Oil on panel

6 x 6 inches

Click here to bid and view larger

I think I am now well on my to knowing how I want to paint. Lots to learn yet but my personal preference is emerging.

Oil on panel

8x6 inches

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You'll notice I have started to add detail pictures of my paintings which I hope you will appreciate. You can see these pictures with zoom if you follow the bid link.

Oil on Panel

6 x 6 indhes

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Oil on panel

6 x 6 inches

Click here  to bid

I'll be sending my next newsletter tomorrow now, went to see 'War Horse', painted this and now time for sleep :)

Oil on stretches canvas

16 x 12 inches

Sold to a collector on my email list

Oil on panel

8 x 6 inches

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This is my first landscape and is from a quick sketch and photo from a walk I did last week in local countryside. I will increasingly do more landscape work in 2012. Once I have little more experience I will work plein air but for the moment I will use pencil sketches and photos.

I still have my cold which is likely to have provided this pictures mood and title :)

Oil on panel

8x6 inches

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I have a heavy cold at the moment but have painted this to try and take my mind off it, not easy between catching up on sleep and the shivers :)

I have just added a page to the site listing some of the feedback I receive from collectors.  I have contacted some who have allowed me to publish their comments, thank you, you know who you are :)

It also links to those I receive on Ebay.

You can see the page here

I have not received any negative feedback yet but there is plently of time for me to get it wrong somewhere :)

This is the block in my cold prevented yesterday. This layer sets the general arrangements and tones but some things may change as I go. There is no concern over accuracy of shapes at this stage.

This painting is 16x12 on stretched canvas. I expect to complete this painting over the coming weekend and will be made available to those on my email list first before going on ebay. If you think you might be interested in buying this painting please join my email list by signing up for my newsletter.

Please note the price for this painting will be approximately £250 but I have not set the price yet.

Oil on panel

6 x 6 inches

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I have developed a decent cold during the day which has prevented my achieving what I had planned.  I had planned to finish the first layer of a 16x12 inch painting but that will have to wait until tomorrow, assuming I don't wake up with the flu :)

These baby madarins will feature in the 16x12 painting. They are very small and very sweet to taste.

Oil on panel

8 x 6 inches

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Just about to go into town to look for some potential painting subjects. I also did some walking in nearby countryside recently for the same purpose. Will post about both trips soon.

Some of you will know that I have been taking online lessons with the Artist Daniel Edmondson. Daniel's lessons have accelerated my learning to such an extent that I have decided to not continue with his lessons - which is meant as a true compliment to his lessons.

My personal opinion is that I need to find my own way from now on with a view to finding my own style. I am independent by nature and we all need to decide what we think is best for ourselves - does not mean it is advice for others to follow.

Any of you following my progress who would like some real and valuable guidance should sign up for his lessons. I have a page dedicated to his lessons which you can read here.

I would like to thank Daniel for his lessons and guidance which has been a major contribution to my learning and enjoyment of painting.

Oil on panel

8 x 6 inches

Click here to bid

Oil on panel

8 x 6 inches

Click here to bid

Oil on stretched canvas

14 x 10 inches

This is the completed free commission painting won by a collector on my email list. This painting was extremely useful to me and although I am far from satisfied with it, it has taught me much.

I plan to paint at least one large painting this month which will be available for sale when complete.

I will be offering another free commission to a collector on my email list in February, so if you would like a chance to own a similar painting please sign up to my weekly newsletter.

Happy New Year to you all

Oil on panel

8 x 6 inches

Click here to bid