Hellebores and Figs

I really enjoyed painting this little study, it has many of the elements I never tire of painting; glass with all the distortions and reflections, the never ending challenge of trying to portray the delicacy of flowers, and fruit with the colours and textures they offer.  I have added the initial ebauche used to establish the composition for those of you who like to see something of the process.

Blue pitcher with clementines

I found this enamel pitcher on Ebay ... a great find that I couldn't wait to paint.  It did not hang around long and sold straight off the easel.

Citrus with apples and Carafe

 This pastel has made it through the pre-selection for the Pastel Society. Only time will tell if it manages the final hurdle. Fingers crossed.  Some photos of my process can be seen below....

Survivors

I called this painting 'Survivors' because these little beauties managed to push through and bloom on top of the rubbish heap in the front of our cottage during our two year re-build (after a fire). Isn't nature wonderful!

Old Dog

​I kept the title of this painting deliberately ambiguous.  Read into it what you may!

Crab and Lobster Stall

This small plein-air study was painted several months ago when the weather was somewhat warmer.
It depicts a crab and lobster stall at Wells next-to-sea, on the north Norfolk coast.  I am somewhat of a rookie with plein-air but this subject suited me because I enjoy painting figures. I am hoping to do a lot more of these studies, having organized my clothing and art materials to allow me to paint in all weathers, and locations.  It is going to be my new challenge for 2017.

Ray of Sunshine

This portait is a pastel of the Steve​ the skip driver (and drummer par excellence) who emptied and delivered skips for us after our house fire.  I approached him with a certain amount of trepidation; it was the tatoos and mohican that were the initial attraction but as soon as we spoke I could see his warmth. I hope I captured something of that.....

Born to be mild

I am delighted that 'Born to be mild' has been selected for the Royal Society of Portrait Painters' Annual Exhibition.   Two years ago, we were still reeling from the shock of our cottage being destroyed by fire.  We lived on site for the 20 months it took to rebuild and 14 skips of rubbish were removed over that time.  Steve came to deliver and collect skips and ended up modelling for me :-)
I think I made lemonade from those lemons....

Narcissi in blue jug with white carafe

Spring is feeling almost sprung here in Norfolk today.  Narcissi, daffodils and crocus seem abundant ... it lifts the spirit! :-)

Conte of Tom

This is a conte study of Tom completed in a single sitting during a drop-in life session I have been running for the past few years.  We meet fortnightly with the intention of working on one pose for the morning.  This was drawn on canson mi-teinte paper (smooth side). 

Peeled, sliced and jarred

This pastel is one of three I have been lucky enough to have selected for the Pastel Society annual open exhibition.  The Private view is tomorrow at the Mall Galleries and I am very much looking forward to it! :-)

First Born

The final painting for my five day challenge. This is a special for myself and daughter Tori Young ... 'First born' shows father Ben with his first born, Jago Young :-) He is now 20 months old so we need to capture him again!

Fortune Cookies

Day three of the challenge and this small oil painting 5x7 'Fortune cookies' seems an appropriate choice for the week of the Chinese New Year. I was born in the year of the monkey and this is also the year of the monkey ....

Soak

Once again, one of my favourite models Neeley, was ​the subject for 'Soak' .  It was a fun pastel to attempt due to the wet skin and the bubbles in the bath.  Neeley has such a tranquil beautiful demeanor that anything else is down to her!

Elevenses

​This is the second painting of my five day challenge to post a painting each day.  (see my facebook page Liz Balkwill Paintings to see more.)  I am once again throwiing down the gauntlett to anyone out there who would like to be nominated to continue the challenge. 
This was the first pastel I got accepted at the Pastel Society annual exhibitiopn (Mall Galleries).  It is several years ago now, but as this year's exhibition opens two weeks today and I have three new works showing, it seems rather apt!

Maurice

This is a portrait of Maurice who taught me during my art school days.  Although almost four decades have passed and he is now over eighty, he doesn't look a great deal different and is still passionate about painting. 
As soon as the Spring arrives we will resume the Thursday painting excursions .... :-) 

Narcissi in brown bottle

We are fast approaching the end of January and Spring is just around the corner, well almost!
I thought this cheery little oil painting of Narcissi in a brown bottle would fit the DPW challenge quite well, the place we all look forward to being is ...... Spring! :-)
I painted this on gessoboard (ampersand) which is now available in the UK, thank goodness.  I really like the surface, and it is so good not to have to prep all those boards.....

Breakfast Tray

A small oil study that fits the DPW 'Breakfast challenge'.  It has sold to a friend who said this is the breakfast that he and his wife enjoy every morning now that they are both retired. Can't be bad eh?

Oil sketch of Tom

This oil sketch of Tom was painted at our first session back at our weekly portrait group. As I arrived a bit late I had approx two hours working on it. These are my progress shots and a snapshot of the sitter from my viewpoint.