In the days when we could travel

Oh my, is it really a year ago that we went to Penzance.  Little did we realise at the time that things would change so much.  The thought of going away for a short break seems a distant dream now and we really have no idea when those days will return.  They will, of course, but a lot is in the not knowing don't you think.

I had a very nice reminder of that trip to Penzance on my facebook newsfeed.  Seeing the photos took me back there on a trip down memory lane...it was worth the visit.   We had a lovely time plus I got to do some plein air painting.  As you will see from the image below, the sun was out, but Oh was it COLD, hence I'm wrapped up (and I was still freezing)....

I completed the painting indoors at our accommodation, that didn't matter, having spent time plein air I kept that with me, memory stayed in place as it were, and I was able to continue with the painting as though I was actually still there.   (Can you see the Diva in the photo above?...No, not me!!!).

completed painting....

and it 'Sold' as soon as I put it online.  That was a boost, as someone else can enjoy this scene and for me, even looking at the completed painting, I can remember every brush stroke - and no I didn't put the 'Diva' into the painting!

note: the view was Godrevy National Trust - here's a link about it.

Oil on panel

Following on from last weeks post with me selecting an art panel and preparing it - I have now painted a snow scene.  Think it is easier to show you than me rambling on...

Here's a Speeded-Up version thanks to Timelapse - although there is no sound to this one....

(just click the pic)

However, if you would like to see a realtime video, with sound, that’s here....

(again, just click the pic)

The reason I chose a magenta pink ground for the painting is to get a warm vibe against all the snow - although most of the background is covered with Oil paint, that warm glow shows through. As I said in the video, I will be adding detail to this painting in a couple of weeks time, but not much, just a few 'tweaks' here and there.

Etsy shop

Admittedly I've said this before, but I have an Etsy shop - an Online Presence as they call it. 

I get on fine with being Admin of my shop, however every so often I take it upon myself to do a Slideshow of the current artworks in my shop.  This is where the fun starts and, probably because I don't often try slideshows, but each time I come back to them I've completely forgotten how to do one.  

For some reason the technology gets the better of me and I flounder about pressing random buttons.  I know there are handy little Apps for iPad/iphones but I really want to do this on the computer.   The other day I must have spent an hour going backwards and forwards, in the end I gave up.   Then I thought, I'm going to do this.  

So without further ado, here's my effort of a Slideshow - Plus - music....that was fun as I didn't want the generic music, enough said.   

(just click the pic below)

Wonder if I'll remember how to do this the next time!

Art Panel and background

 The start of the painting is a bit of a process.  In fact more work goes into the 'Preparing' than the actual painting itself.

In this case, I'm Selecting the Art Panel and Choosing the background colour

I generally know what size art panel I want to use for any given subject, but sometimes there are decisions to be made on the tone of background needed.

Firstly, as you will see in the short clip, I went for a blue background, but then changed my mind, and went for magenta/pink.  That seems very BRIGHT for a background, but once the oil paint is on, the background will only show through slightly, whilst giving the overall painting a warm theme.  There is reason to my madness - the subject will have Cool colours, so the Warm tones will balance that out. 

It all makes sense - honestly!

Here's the video clip - me choosing the correct art panel and then the background colour 

 (all whilst trying to hold the iPhone to film  - sorry about the wobbles - as always click the pic)

I will be videoing the whole process through to a completed painting over the next week or so.

❆❆✯❆❆

New Year - New Hopes for 2021

HAPPY  NEW YEAR 

 EVERYONE FOR

2021

Clouds

 Morning skies can vary so greatly can't they.  Last week the eastern sky was like this when I woke up

I joke not!   It really was this vibrant.

Obviously this came with the old saying

"Red sky in morning - Shepherds warning"

And it stood by it too - we had Storms - and I really mean STORMS!

However today, although cloudy, we are hopeful of a calm end to 2020

The sky to our west, over the Atlantic ocean, looked to be brewing something up, but they often clear away and there seems to be enough bits of blue to

"Make a sailor a pair of trousers"

The clouds looked a perfect reference material for future paintings, 

so I captured them to file for later use.

Our area has been stepped up to Tier 3 from midnight last night, but for us personally, nothing greatly changes.  We can still go for walks with plenty of space to stretch our legs - the main thing is everyone pulling together and try to get over this worldwide virus.  Slowly, gradually, we will all get clear of this.

Now lets tackle 2021 head-on

No matter the medium....

...there is something enjoyable about putting the first strokes of paint onto canvas and watching the scene appear.

Looking for inspiration

A recent walk along a local lane

and a little video - (well, it is just over 5 minutes actually)

 to find some art inspiration.

Added the video to my  Ann Hyde - Painting Diaries Youtube channel

Yes, I did find some art inspiration along the way.

So if you want to 

☞ click the link here

and walk along with me

~ there's no voiceover, just footsteps - this is simply a quiet walk in the countryside

and concludes with some Exmoor ponies ~

 

Okay, surely someone hasn’t thought this through....