Pastel sketch of Jennie

This is my effort for the second sitting with Jennie at the scout hut. Rather than taking a painting over two sessions I decided to change medium and 'go for it' again. When you know from the outset you are going to have several sessions on a portrait the approach is different. It has to be one thing or the other or we lose it ..... that is my excuse anyway:-)

Life study of Sandra

This small life study was painted on Tuesday morning at our fortnightly life painting session. The model was Sandra a lovely young german girl (I have not done her justice). The paint is still fairly wet so I had a bit of trouble with glare when taking the photograph.

Pastel demo of David

David stepped up to the plate, when I asked if he would be prepared to sit for me during this demo for the Thorpe art group this morning. He thought he was coming along to watch until I pounced:-) I think you will agree he has a great face, not only that, he is a lovely man, which helped to make the whole experience, a very pleasurable one! These are the photographs of the demo taken at each model break:

Preserved Fruit

This is my second still-life using some of the goodies we were given at Christmas . This time I have worked in oils; I often paint a pastel and oil version of a similar set up. Now this is completed we can consume the fruits of my labour!

Oil sketch of Jennie

Jennie modelled for us at our regular morning session at the scout hut. I thought that her cap and the neckline of her top gave off a bit of a 'sixties babe' vibe. It was her first ever modelling session (she can usually be found at her potter's wheel) and I think/hope she enjoyed the experience as she has agreed to sit again next week. This is how the sketch progressed, once again I chose to used the limited palette of Ivory Black, Titanium white, yellow ochre and cadmium red, although I did have some transparent red oxide on the palette for the grisaille.

Framed and ready to go

This pastel 'Unfurled' is framed and ready to go to the 'Works on paper' art fair to held in London 5th - 9th February. If you are in London at that time and you are passing....

Citrus jarred

This pastel caused quite a bit of 'dust up' at home. My husband thought that citrus inside the jar was a little bizarre but that the pastel redeemed itself a bit as the peeled clementine was ok...... oh well, you can't win 'em all :-)

Pastel sketch of Paul

We had a second sitting with our model Paul at the scout hut this week. I decided to do a pastel sketch and changed position to keep myself on my toes:-)

Oil sketch of Radka

This is another oil sketch using the restricted 'zorn palette' using four colours; Ivory black, white, yellow ochre and cadmium red. Painted from life in just over two hours.

Sake cup

This sake cup has been on loan for me to paint and it is time to return it to the owner. I will have to hunt one down on ebay so that I have my own! This pastel is destined for the 'Art on Paper' art fair, held in London in the first week of February. Fingers crossed it finds a home :-)

Oil sketch of Paul

This oil sketch was painted from life (approx 2 hours) during my first session this year at the scout hut. Our model was Paul who had a great face to capture. It was my first outing using my new easel, which arrived a few days ago from the US. I am now the proud owner of a Soltek and looking forward to producing some good work to do it justice!

Preserved

It has been a while since my last post and although we have done a far bit of socialising and entertaining over the festive period, I haven't been totally idle in the studio either. I have been busy working on a couple of portrait commissions, but as they are both a surprise for the recipient, I am unable share them with you yet. It seems that almost every year ay this time we recieve gifts of preserved fruit in jars of varying shapes and sizes. I quickly whisk them off to the studio and they are not allowed back to the kitchen until they have worked hard for me :-) 'Preserved' is hot off the easel today. I am concentrating on producing pastels at the moment as I need to have a body of work ready for the 'Art on Paper' art fair in London early next month. Watch this space!