Wednesday 30 July 2014

WHEN A PAINTING COMES TOGETHER

I haven't been blogging for a few days.  The reason, I have been painting!!
Sometimes I do my pre-painting sketches and mull over which composition I prefer, whether the tones are okay, etc. etc.  It is a process that drives me a little nutty. Why?  Simply because, I am putting off the actual painting process.  I am sticking in my comfort zone, sketching, popping things into my journal, looking up references and to be honest, PROCRASTINATING!!

Well, I decided to set myself a time limit for this painting.  I had a good idea of what I wanted - tried mixing a few colours on scrap paper, did one preliminary sketch and simply got stuck into the painting.  It flowed from my brush - the colours worked, the brush strokes were free and exciting.  I enjoyed every moment of this work.  At the end I was satisfied , a feeling that is definitely rare in my life.  

I have learned a valuable lesson which I would like to share with you.  Set yourself a time limit and start painting.  You would be amazed at the freedom this gives you.  You don't have time for fiddling and correcting.  So what if it isn't perfect.  You will have enjoyed the process, I promise you and maybe a pleasant surprise at the finish.

Have fun painting.

 

   

                                               FLAMINGO VLEI

Monday 21 July 2014

ENDANGERED WILDLIFE

I have been thinking so much about Endangered Wildlife today.  I have just posted one or two of my paintings on Wetcanvas relating to the subject.  I don't want to go into the horrors  carried out on these wonderful animals.  I think we are bombarded with so many photos and television documentaries showing graphically these atrocities.  It almost makes us immune to the pain caused.  I believe this immunity stems from a natural protective instinct by  our brains to preseve us from the agony .

For this reason, I would like to present to you the beauty rather than the horror , so here are some of my paintings for you to enjoy.  Perhaps these will encourage you to explore the  wonderful world of Wildlife.









These are just a few and if there are any of you out there who would like to share your experiences in the world of wildlife,  I would love to hear from you.

Saturday 12 July 2014

WORLD CUP BRAZIL

I am still busy with my sketches of characters both on and off the field.  Tomorrow night all Germany will be celebrating or mourning.  I hope it will be the former because watching dozens of men in our community walking about with faces down to their Lederhosen, is not a pleasant thought.

GOOD LUCK GERMANY



ONLY GOD CAN MAKE A TREE

When I was a small child, my grandmother would play this song on her piano. It was my grandfather's favourite poem.  He loved trees and his farm reflected that love in the beautiful willow trees he planted along the river.  

I loved those trees and would spend hours reading beneath their drooping boughs.  When it was hot, my cousin and I would use the branches to swing from one side of the river to the other our legs dragging along in the cool water. 

On a recent bicycle trip around the lovely Bodensee in Bavaria, I was enchanted by this old willow.  It reminded me of my childhood and I had to put both poem and sketch in my journal.  Lovely to share that with you.




 TIP :  It's a good idea to sketch trees in winter where one can see the
           underlying structure more easily. 

Thursday 10 July 2014

TIP FOR THE DAY

Today we have a rainy day with short bursts of sunshine.  I know as artists that being stuck inside means checking out reference sketches or photos or maybe painting a still life.

Why not try something new.  I used masking tape and taped a landscape format with it on my sitting room window. You can use a portrait format, square, long , even a round porthole - anything you like ! I now had a view through this window of the roofs above our village .  You can either sketch your own particular view freehand or tape a piece of paper over your masking tape window and trace what you see.  The light shining through your paper will make the outline easy to follow. 

Then , just to make things more interesting, paint everything you see through your 'window' in its opposite colour on the colour wheel - in other words, its complement.  

Hope you give it a go and have fun.

Wednesday 9 July 2014

BRAZIL IN TEARS

I have never really been interested in Soccer or football as it is called here in Germany.  

I grew up in a sports crazy family.  Both my parents were excellent tennis players, my Dad played soccer for his province and swimming was a daily joy for the family.  Being typically South African, rugby and cricket and tennis were our favourite spectator sports.  The only one who ever watched the soccer was my Dad

Whoever would have believed that I would be sitting in front of a television set at 10 pm and watching the Germans and Brazilians play each other.  Granted, it is the World Cup!!  What a game it was!  A totally bizarre semi-final , to put it mildly.  The first goal was fun and so was the second and I yelled my head off in delight at the 2 - 0 lead of the German team.  By the time they had kicked the 7th goal, I was feeling desperately sorry for Brazil and hoping they would at least get one goal (which they did - thank goodness).

Which brings me to the point of my next Art Escapade.  I have decided to push the boundaries and today I will be filling my journal with the faces of defeat and victory.  The emotions of the players and the spectators reflect the intensity that they feel about this World Cup.  I will attempt with line and wash to capture some of these expressions.  Wish me luck. 

Watch this space.

Hope you are all having a good day. Take care.