seascapes

Today in class we had a go at painting some impressionistic seascapes! After looking at work by Alfred Sisley and Andre Derain, we used short brushstrokes to try and give the impression of a gentle, relatively calm sea. We went on to create choppier seas but I didn't manage to get any pics! The plan is to follow up this up next week by looking at how Van Gogh represented different surfaces, textures and materials by using a variety of brushstrokes.

peg dolls

As part of their 19th century studies, the children made peg doll characters. They were each given a peg and a page of hints/tips as to what might make good arms, how to do hair etc. The figures that returned were fantastic. They were all different. Clothing had been made from fabric scraps, paper or even just painted on. Many had obviously enjoyed the parental touch but that is very much a positive - interacting, helping with their childs homework can only be a good thing. I love the big, baggy shorts on the footy player !

recent sketch

Managed to do a quick sketch today. A couple of ladies enjoying a spot of afternoon tea at a genteel establishment somewhere 'in town'. Played around with the shadows on the picture - they're deliberately meant to be 'not quite right'. Am thinking of painting up a version. What do you reckon?

perspective

Today we painted some small studies of tonal (aerial) perspective. We started with a very pale grey mix and then just added more black for successively darker tones. We didn't use any water as it would have made the paint too thin. I love the texture of those hills in the last picture.

new folksy items

Have just listed 3 pieces of art in my Folksy shop. The only thing is - these are all wearable!!
They are all mixed media pieces on 5x5cm canvas board, each with a regular brooch fastening bonded onto the back.
They look great whether they are being worn or displayed on the dressing table.
Would love to hear any comments.

brass band

The evocative strains of a brass band can always be guaranteed to draw a crowd. The pomp, spectacle, and rousing tunes serve to tug gently at the heart strings of most northern folk. Despite the demise of the mining & textile industries, many bands are still in existence. A village fete would not be complete without a stirring soundtrack provided by the local brass band.

20x20cm, mixed media on canvas board.

on a roll

Another painting - with a bit more going on than 'normal'.

'Card Players'

13x18cm, mixed media on canvas board.

painted up

Delivery boy picture completed.

13x18cm, mixed media on canvas board.

on the go

Half term at last. Tidying, sorting and catching up with paperwork but hopefully finding time to do a few paintings. Currently on the painting table;


Following the bicycle theme of the last few weeks - a delivery boy, obviously enjoying the chance to be out of the shop for a while.

completed

'Pithead'

13x18cm, mixed media on canvas board

Update: This piece is now listed in my Folksy shop. Two paintings have recently been sold (!) - please feel free to check out the remaining stock!

in progress

Currently on my painting table;

looking closely

Because we didn't get very much time to do observational drawings at the museum last week, today I took in a bike for us to draw. The one at the top is mine, the rest are by the children. I think they've looked very closely and have included an awful lot of detail. The middle one was drawn looking at the bike from an oblique angle - not bad for a 7/8 year old!

We did them in pen on cartridge paper, so no opportunity to rub out mistakes. They were encouraged to look at shape, proportion and relative position ie. where once piece of the bike was in relation to another bit!