Good times.  Early May, the sun is out; now just listen to that blackbird sing.  And the swifts have arrived – for me one of the most joyous occasions of the year. It was absolutely great to be back out with a group of local painting friends this week too. Townscapes the subject, and the attractive […]

Back in the ‘studio’, encouraged no end by rain. I’ve painted this scene before, but in a different ‘mood’.  The sky, that is, not me.  In fact, the sky here was based on a photograph I took in Bristol a couple of weeks ago. People ask me about my skies so I thought I’d (try […]

Often I will prefer to avoid a situation where the sun is coming from behind me (possibly from right or left in addition, but principally from behind) for 2 main reasons. Firstly, the sun will be fully on your paper and palette, except for when your own shadow moves over it. Both these things create […]

Hooray, the sun was out on Good Friday, and so we got out to make the most of it. I was passed by many likeminded people, especially dog walkers on this stretch of the river Avon just west of Keynsham lock. This was my first plein air venture of the year.  I had in […]

Autumn trees in sunlight, a new demo piece in development. This is a work in progress. I’m preparing a new demo composition, for one I’m giving to an art group next week. The ‘final’ picture here still needs some sorting out in terms of colours and more, so I will be re-working it (take 4!), […]