Preparing for a new painting

I don't know about you, but I tend to do a few sketches and notes for some of my paintings, particularly when it comes to a Canvas, be it oil or acrylic.  Sometimes it is just a case of being able to follow a photograph I've taken and not have to jot anything down on paper, but on other occasions it does take several attempts to throw the ideas around.

This is especially the case today as I am going to be doing an acrylic that only measures 12" x 12" (approx 35cm x 35cm) - being that it is small plus Square makes it all the more restrictive.

I have a photograph as it happens.....

as you see, this would naturally go on a Landscape shaped canvas, so this is where my notes and sketches will help a lot.

Firstly I did a coloured sketch using my Inktense pencils

1.   I want to make the most of a dramatic sky  - You will see that the photograph has a lovely clear blue sky, but that would be rather ordinary in this piece.

2.   Making the drama in the sky, means I need to move the horizon line down to below half way.

I have also done a pencil and some ink sketches - mainly to get the angle for the river (it needs to take the viewer into the painting).

 

I may even end up making the horizon even lower, but I'll almost have to judge that as I do the painting....which I will be starting very soon....and yes, there will be a blog post about it, regardless of how it turns out.

My altered book....

On several blogs recently I have come across Altered Book's - here's the Wikipedia reference to the idea.

Anyway, me being me, I had to give this a go.  Fortunately I came across a second hand Book Shop recently where I found this childs book, made of card, so should be tough enough for painting on.  It measures 31/2 X 31/2  (that is 9cm x 9cm) which I first coated with some Daniel Smith Watercolor Ground and when that had dried gave it a layer of Grey Gesso.  This is the surface I started to paint on using Atelier Interactive Acrylics.

Being that these will be miniature paintings I used appropriately sized brushes - yes very small ones!

Here's a little video to show you it so far -

and for those of you who cannot see the video, here are the two paintings

Dunkery Beacon, Exmoor

Croyde Bay, North Devon

When I have completed the remaining pages I will do an updated blog post.  I am thinking at the moment that perhaps I'll do a Giveaway with this little book - names in a hat sort of idea.  I'll finish the book first, do another post and organise that.

Sunset over Woolacombe

I am still doing paintings for the upcoming Gallery when it opens next month.  This time I have headed for the sea and a sunset.  I wanted to give this painting a pastel feel....

This measures 20" x 15"

this has now set me off on a whole new set of paintings, well ideas anyway, all I have to do now is get on with them!

Have a great weekend

 

Think I have a theme going here

well, over the past few weeks I do seem to have concentrated on paintings of Dartmoor and Exmoor, and why not - both beautiful places with some of the most dramatic views in this part of the West Country.  Again, I have used the Atelier Interactive Acrylics -

I have called this painting :   "Sunset against the Storm - Exmoor"

Measuring 16" x 16"

Haytor on Dartmoor

I have finally finished another Atelier Interactive Acrylic on canvas.  This time I have chosen a sunset of the Tramway on Haytor, Dartmoor.

Here's the Link to show you where it is on the map

The tramway was built in about 1820 to move the granite from the quarries for building houses, bridges etc (in fact it employed about 100 men), but closed around 1858 in favour of cheaper granite from Cornwall. 

the painting measures 20" x 16"

Moorland River

Still using Atelier Interactive Acrylics, but this time taking the painting into a different style.  This view comes from various photographs I have of Exmoor, plus from our drives across the moor....for me it sums up Exmoor.

measuring 12" x 9"

I must say that the more I use these Interactive paints the more I like them.  

Work in progress

Just thought I would add this post, of my latest Work in Progress.  It shows Bideford Bridge in North Devon.


There are buildings but because of the distance I won't detail them - after all you wouldn't see window frames or curtains at that distance!....so basically, the buildings are little spots of paint...how easy is that!

Using Atelier Interactive Acrylics it measures 16" x 11"

As I say, it is a work in progress, think I'll leave this to dry so far
and take another look at it in a couple of days time with 'fresh eyes'

Dartmoor view

Sometimes painting out of your comfort zone is good for you -  I have been working on an acrylic landscape which, although not quite finished, I thought I would add to this blog.  It has taken me away from my usual paintings - a change is as good as a rest as they say.

On this occasion I have used Atelier Interactive paints and a moody view of Dartmoor

Well, I did warn you it was out of my comfort zone.  I'll add a little bit more to it, possibly put some people walking.  Overall, I am quite pleased with it and I do intend to use these Interactive paints again....one day!