Dylan 4

This the fourth and started out as just  a black and white underpainting but I like the monotype and started adding more and more detail until it was finished. Although the others are fine this is the one I like the most. Its the expression, just makes you smile.

Dylan 3

Number 3 is a closer view heavy crop. When I started to paint this I thought of it rotated to the right with the hair down the right side and I'm still not sure which I prefer. Some really   lovely colours in the face with this one.

The fourth "small piece of card"

I enjoyed the last little study so I did another. a bit of a break from the normal detailed work.

And yet another "small piece of card"

Someone wanted to know why I hadn't finished their portrait and the reason was I couldn't decided how to do the background. So to make up I did this little study.

Dylan 2

This is the second piece in this series. I'm quite pleased with it but not as much as number one. I think that may be due to the composition or the angle of view. Either way its not a bad bit of painting.

Dylan 1

I thought I would do a series of portraits based on one person trying to capture different facets of their personality. This is the first and whilst its a reasonably good portrait I already thinking its going to be a failed project. I think I'll end up with four or five nice portraits that show nothing of personality. Watch this space.....

Doyle

My painting of Mr Doyle which has taken about 12 months. Basically something else cropped up and it took a while to get back to it. I used a similar background to the one I used on Elena and I'm sort of getting a bit fed up of it. All in all the composition of these paintings and character doesn't work for me now. it surprising how you develop as a artist.

Little Jug

I've recently been looking at still life paintings and photographs and thought I’d quite like a go so I did this. It's only a tiny piece but it actually took quite a bit of time. Like all paintings the most difficult thing is to decide when to stop and I’m still not sure with this one but here it is. 

Ensnared

Did this a few weeks ago now and I am really pleased with it. Not too sure about the blur on the lower flowers but apart from that I think it really works. I'm particularly pleased with the composition and palette. I hope to have a few more produced when I can get some more reference photos. 
Lots of people sneer about painting from photographs but its the best way for me. Perhaps if I had been formally trained things would be different!

RBSA Prize Exhibition 2016

Once again I entered another exhibition this time with two paintings. This one and 'Waiting'. I was so pleased that both were selected and then I was informed that I had  been awarded a prize, the first prize! So I'm absolutely thrilled that I was awarded the GMC First Prize last night at the @rbsagallery for their 2016 Prize Exhibition. It's an honour to be exhibiting among such wonderful artists. Thanks again to the model Sarah - there's so much more going on behind these eyes..

There are some amazing pieces of art at this exhibition. Look at these :
RBSA Prize Exhibition 2016

Atonement 3

The final piece of this series. Not too happy withe the flowers but the rest is ok.

Atonement 2

Number two is finished but still not happy about the rose. I think its too dark. If I get time I may go back to change it but things are busy now.

Atonement 1

Finished the detail and the background.
10 in * 9 in oil on board.

Atonement 3

Final colour added now back to No 1 for detail and background.

Atonement 3

Second day at this and I think its going well. However I can see that the flowers could be quite a challenge.

Atonement 3

Start of number 3 with TWO hands!

Atonement 2

Final blocking in with a red smudge to show the rewording of the rose. It still needs lots of work but I'll sort that out after its dried a bit.

Atonement 2

Base colours for the hand finally in.

Atonement 2

Another couple of hours - so slow!

Atonement 2

Only a few hours here but it is slow going. Shame about the blue haze but its only from an iPad.

Atonement 2

Started the second one and I can already see that this is going to be a little more challenging.

Atonement 1

Third day at this and the basic colour is on. Now I need to make a decision about the background and add refine the details. So as theres a decision, and it needs to dry, I'll leave it a bit and get on with another in the series.

Atonement 1

Second day at this piece. I'm now not sure of the background which originally I wanted to be quite dark but I quite like the white.

Atonement 1

As I'm hoping to get together a website I thought that I would start to use this blog for its original purpose and post more rather than just have finished pieces. I was in the process and painting another piece for the "Old Gits and Young Things" series but to be honest I was getting a little bored. Hence I thought that I would have another go at hands which are fascinating me at the moment. This is the start of a series of three and its painted direct without any under painting. After one session - oil on gesso board 30cm by 23cm.
More to follow.

BP Portrait Award 2016

At the moment I am so interested in hands so I choose this painting to enter into the BP Portrait Award 2016. I'm quite leased with most of it but not the hair, a bit clumsy, but it is a challenge. Another rejection I'm sure. 
Model is the very talented Sarah.


Update - well, suprise, surprise it didn't even get past the first round. Not really sure what to do next with that exhibition.