Hitting A Wall!

I’ve been working on and off with these 5 paintings for a few weeks and I’ve hit a brick wall with them! I deliberately set out to work from my imagination rather than from life, which is what I normally do. But I’m stuck – where to go with them now? Should I go representational?Continue reading “Hitting A Wall!”

Having A Rummage.

I was having a rummage through all my portfolios the other day, looking for something important that I never found – I’ve probably put it somewhere “safe” which means it’s on the other side of the Multiverse! But I discovered all sorts of things I’d forgotten about, including these 4 sheets of sturdy cotton ragContinue reading “Having A Rummage.”

Inspired By The Dinner Party: Hatshepsut

I’ve hit a creative block! It happens. I’ve found that a useful way to deal with it is to do some technical exercises in my sketchbooks until I’m unblocked. I was having a bit of a reminisce and remembered going to see Judy Chicago’s Dinner Party in London way back when. I can’t remember whereContinue reading “Inspired By The Dinner Party: Hatshepsut”

National Gallery On My Telly: 3.

Another drawing from Tuesday’s televised life drawing session from the National Gallery in London, drawn from my settee. These two models held a 20 minute pose which wasn’t long enough for me to get the basics of both of them. The lower one is lying in an awkward position on the lap and it was really difficultContinue reading “National Gallery On My Telly: 3.”

National Gallery On My Telly: 2.

Another drawing from last night’s televised life drawing session from the National Gallery in London, drawn from my settee, I could happily do this more often. This model held a 14 minute pose and I drew with conte crayons in black, sanguine and white into a spiral bound, A3, brown paper sketchbook. Working onto a light brownContinue reading “National Gallery On My Telly: 2.”

Triples: Blocks and Lines.

I added some juicy colours to my 5 paintings of “Triples”, blocking in tangerine and green, and did some more linear work on their facial features, building them up gradually. The idea came originally from the triple goddess of Celtic mythology, The Morrigan is one of her legends, but with a modern twist. I’m using Somerset paper (300 gsm, 56Continue reading “Triples: Blocks and Lines.”

Triples: Orange Snakey Bits.

Carrying on with my “Triples” paintings today, I’m trying to do a bit each day, working on all five. I’m painting onto large sheets of Somerset paper (300 gsm) with lovely deckled edges. I prepared the paper first with acrylic gesso to seal the surface and give it some extra strength. I’m not fussed aboutContinue reading “Triples: Orange Snakey Bits.”

More Triples.

I did a bit more work on my 5 paintings, each of 3 women or girls. The idea came originally from the triple goddess of Celtic mythology, with a modern female gaze from me. I’m enjoying working on 5 paintings at once, I’ve never approached my work in this way before. I’m using Somerset paper (300 gsm, 56 xContinue reading “More Triples.”

The Triples Again.

I did a bit more work on my 5 paintings, each of 3 women or girls. The idea came originally from the triple goddess of Celtic mythology, but I don’t want to get too bogged down in legend, I want to create a modern and personal response to the ancient imagery and stories I grewContinue reading “The Triples Again.”

The Triples.

I carried on with my large paintings on paper, 5 at the same time. I worked on top of the pink foreground I’d blocked out with a Dioxazine Purple wash, sketching in faces and bodies of women and girls, in threes, triples. It’s a very basic starting point. I’m working entirely from my imagination, noContinue reading “The Triples.”