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I’ve finally completed my first assignment (‘September 2023 – Drawing in the landscape’)! I went to Titirangi Beach, which is a small, calm beach near where I live in West Auckland, New Zealand. I did the sketches on two separate days. On the first day, I went in the late afternoon. It was raining on and off, and it got very cold, so I only managed to do three. I went back another day (again in the late afternoon) and managed to do two more. I really enjoyed using multiple media on each image, which isn’t something I’d normally do. Across the five sketches, I used different combinations of watercolour, white gouache, water-soluble pencil, compressed charcoal, Golden High Flow acrylics, Derwent XL sticks, and brush pens (black and grey). I’d never used gouache, Golden High Flow, or the Derwent XL sticks before. I loved using the Derwent sticks—and brushing water onto some of the media (Derwent sticks, charcoal, and brush pens). All in all, a lot of fun! Note: The reference image, which I think I took with a slight fisheye setting on my phone, makes everything look further away than it was.

I’ve finally completed my first assignment (‘September 2023 – Drawing in the landscape’)! I went to Titirangi Beach, which is a small, calm beach near where I live in West Auckland, New Zealand. I did the sketches on two separate days. On the first day, I went in the late afternoon. It was raining on and off, and it got very cold, so I only managed to do three. I went back another day (again in the late afternoon) and managed to do two more. I really enjoyed using multiple media on each image, which isn’t something I’d normally do. Across the five sketches, I used different combinations of watercolour, white gouache, water-soluble pencil, compressed charcoal, Golden High Flow acrylics, Derwent XL sticks, and brush pens (black and grey). I’d never used gouache, Golden High Flow, or the Derwent XL sticks before. I loved using the Derwent sticks—and brushing water onto some of the media (Derwent sticks, charcoal, and brush pens). All in all, a lot of fun! Note: The reference image, which I think I took with a slight fisheye setting on my phone, makes everything look further away than it was.

by | 12th September 2024

I've finally completed my first assignment ('September 2023 – Drawing in the landscape')! I went to Titirangi Beach, which is a small, calm beach near where I live in West Auckland, New Zealand. I did the sketches on two separate days. On the...
I’ve finally completed my first assignment (‘September 2023 – Drawing in the landscape’)! I went to Titirangi Beach, which is a small, calm beach near where I live in West Auckland, New Zealand. I did the sketches on two separate days. On the first day, I went in the late afternoon. It was raining on and off, and it got very cold, so I only managed to do three. I went back another day (again in the late afternoon) and managed to do two more. I really enjoyed using multiple media on each image, which isn’t something I’d normally do. Across the five sketches, I used different combinations of watercolour, white gouache, water-soluble pencil, compressed charcoal, Golden High Flow acrylics, Derwent XL sticks, and brush pens (black and grey). I’d never used gouache, Golden High Flow, or the Derwent XL sticks before. I loved using the Derwent sticks. And I loved brushing water onto some of the media (Derwent sticks, charcoal, and brush pens). All in all, a lot of fun! Note: The reference image, which I think I took with a slight fisheye setting on my phone, makes everything look further away than it was.

I’ve finally completed my first assignment (‘September 2023 – Drawing in the landscape’)! I went to Titirangi Beach, which is a small, calm beach near where I live in West Auckland, New Zealand. I did the sketches on two separate days. On the first day, I went in the late afternoon. It was raining on and off, and it got very cold, so I only managed to do three. I went back another day (again in the late afternoon) and managed to do two more. I really enjoyed using multiple media on each image, which isn’t something I’d normally do. Across the five sketches, I used different combinations of watercolour, white gouache, water-soluble pencil, compressed charcoal, Golden High Flow acrylics, Derwent XL sticks, and brush pens (black and grey). I’d never used gouache, Golden High Flow, or the Derwent XL sticks before. I loved using the Derwent sticks. And I loved brushing water onto some of the media (Derwent sticks, charcoal, and brush pens). All in all, a lot of fun! Note: The reference image, which I think I took with a slight fisheye setting on my phone, makes everything look further away than it was.

by | 12th September 2024

I've finally completed my first assignment ('September 2023 – Drawing in the landscape')! I went to Titirangi Beach, which is a small, calm beach near where I live in West Auckland, New Zealand. I did the sketches on two separate days. On the...
First oil painting in a few months, I must admit. A view i visit often. I painted it plein air, let it sit facing backwards for a few days, and painted over it completely today at home. There were some trees in the foreground, in real life, that I just could not seem to render, so I gave up. I painted very quickly and tried to quit when I could see i was fiddling…

First oil painting in a few months, I must admit. A view i visit often. I painted it plein air, let it sit facing backwards for a few days, and painted over it completely today at home. There were some trees in the foreground, in real life, that I just could not seem to render, so I gave up. I painted very quickly and tried to quit when I could see i was fiddling…

by | 10th September 2024

First oil painting in a few months, I must admit. A view i visit often. I painted it plein air, let it sit facing backwards for a few days, and painted over it completely today at home. There were some trees in the foreground, in real life, that I just could not seem...
A stab at in pastel of a Joan Mitchell painting. This was really difficult as her marks are so gestural, intuitive and free. I might have been more successful if I had used paint. The freedom of marks are so important almost like calligraphy, then the history of layering paint over on top again and again, intense reworking and reworking, then editing over it all ‘with white. It made me really look and I may have another go with oils. I wonder how long it took her?

A stab at in pastel of a Joan Mitchell painting. This was really difficult as her marks are so gestural, intuitive and free. I might have been more successful if I had used paint. The freedom of marks are so important almost like calligraphy, then the history of layering paint over on top again and again, intense reworking and reworking, then editing over it all ‘with white. It made me really look and I may have another go with oils. I wonder how long it took her?

by | 8th September 2024

A stab at in pastel of a Joan Mitchell painting. This was really difficult as her marks are so gestural, intuitive and free. I might have been more successful if I had used paint. The freedom of marks are so important almost like calligraphy, then the history of...
I’m sharing the work I did following the most recent lesson about transferring from the sketchbook to canvas. These are painted on paper rather than canvas, but I used the same methodology. It was a very interesting exercise, and I also used ultramarine which is a colour I wouldn’t normally include in my colour palette. Any comments gratefully received.

I’m sharing the work I did following the most recent lesson about transferring from the sketchbook to canvas. These are painted on paper rather than canvas, but I used the same methodology. It was a very interesting exercise, and I also used ultramarine which is a colour I wouldn’t normally include in my colour palette. Any comments gratefully received.

by | 7th September 2024

I'm sharing the work I did following the most recent lesson about transferring from the sketchbook to canvas. These are painted on paper rather than canvas, but I used the same methodology. It was a very interesting exercise, and I also used ultramarine which is...
I’ve just joined and was keen to get stuck in. My first assignment was to draw and paint out doors in a landscape that had meaning for me. I suffer from fibromyalgia which makes painting outside tricky. It was only the 2nd time I’ve been out on my own without help. I sat on a log and somehow managed to balance my equipment on it. I used a selection of media. Unfortunately as I was about to start using the coloured pencils I found in my father’s studio – probably 50 years old it started to rain. I decided my watercolour already had plenty of water in it and headed off for a coffee.

I’ve just joined and was keen to get stuck in. My first assignment was to draw and paint out doors in a landscape that had meaning for me. I suffer from fibromyalgia which makes painting outside tricky. It was only the 2nd time I’ve been out on my own without help. I sat on a log and somehow managed to balance my equipment on it. I used a selection of media. Unfortunately as I was about to start using the coloured pencils I found in my father’s studio – probably 50 years old it started to rain. I decided my watercolour already had plenty of water in it and headed off for a coffee.

by | 31st August 2024

I've just joined and was keen to get stuck in. My first assignment was to draw and paint out doors in a landscape that had meaning for me. I suffer from fibromyalgia which makes painting outside tricky. It was only the 2nd time I've been out on my own...
Reproduction of Euan Uglow ‘Spanish Townscape with Church Tower’ 1952, Segovia. The original is in oil this attempt is in watercolour. The image is in my book ‘Euan Uglow the complete paintings’ unfortunately I have failed to find this wonderful painting on the web to point you to it. I dare not publish it because of copyright!There is a distance photo I will put on my Instagram account in due course. Please take my word for it that the real image has more subtle changes in tone than I could achieve. Nevertheless a great exercise in studying the complexities of a master painter, thank you Louise for the video tutorial.

Reproduction of Euan Uglow ‘Spanish Townscape with Church Tower’ 1952, Segovia. The original is in oil this attempt is in watercolour. The image is in my book ‘Euan Uglow the complete paintings’ unfortunately I have failed to find this wonderful painting on the web to point you to it. I dare not publish it because of copyright!There is a distance photo I will put on my Instagram account in due course. Please take my word for it that the real image has more subtle changes in tone than I could achieve. Nevertheless a great exercise in studying the complexities of a master painter, thank you Louise for the video tutorial.

by | 22nd August 2024

Reproduction of Euan Uglow ‘Spanish Townscape with Church Tower’ 1952, Segovia. The original is in oil this attempt is in watercolour. The image is in my book ‘Euan Uglow the complete paintings’ unfortunately I have failed to find this wonderful painting on the web to...
My effort at transcribing a section of Monet Wisteria painting. In the spirit of Monet I painted over an earlier painting some of which is still visible. The painting underneath was an earlier attempt last year to copy his Waterlilies palette. I just set out the pure colours and mixed as I went along for 20 mins.

My effort at transcribing a section of Monet Wisteria painting. In the spirit of Monet I painted over an earlier painting some of which is still visible. The painting underneath was an earlier attempt last year to copy his Waterlilies palette. I just set out the pure colours and mixed as I went along for 20 mins.

by | 20th August 2024

My effort at transcribing a section of Monet Wisteria painting. In the spirit of Monet I painted over an earlier painting some of which is still visible. The painting underneath was an earlier attempt last year to copy his Waterlilies palette. I just set out the pure...
Hello, I have only recently joined here (so I’m still absorbing the techniques Louise teaches) but I wanted to post a recent painting. I painted this work yesterday and welcome feedback. I painted it en plein air, but felt it was flat and too polite! I wanted some drama, so I recollected a recent dramatic sky that I had photographed and then tried again. I feel that I was trying to think my way through the painting, rather than trying to get into a flow state. I know it needs more attack and energy. Thanks Philip

Hello, I have only recently joined here (so I’m still absorbing the techniques Louise teaches) but I wanted to post a recent painting. I painted this work yesterday and welcome feedback. I painted it en plein air, but felt it was flat and too polite! I wanted some drama, so I recollected a recent dramatic sky that I had photographed and then tried again. I feel that I was trying to think my way through the painting, rather than trying to get into a flow state. I know it needs more attack and energy. Thanks Philip

by | 19th August 2024

Hello, I have only recently joined here (so I'm still absorbing the techniques Louise teaches) but I wanted to post a recent painting. I painted this work yesterday and welcome feedback. I painted it en plein air, but felt it was flat and too polite! I wanted...
Sketch from a sketch – it’s too hot (42deg) to even think about painting outside so this a remembering of early summer & lots of green with foxgloves. Gouache to see how many layers I could paint with it….it took a very patient while waiting for paint to dry before adding more, wiping it off, adding more, drawing with oil pastel. Good fun & a big experiment

Sketch from a sketch – it’s too hot (42deg) to even think about painting outside so this a remembering of early summer & lots of green with foxgloves. Gouache to see how many layers I could paint with it….it took a very patient while waiting for paint to dry before adding more, wiping it off, adding more, drawing with oil pastel. Good fun & a big experiment

by | 13th August 2024

Sketch from a sketch – it’s too hot (42deg) to even think about painting outside so this a remembering of early summer & lots of green with foxgloves. Gouache to see how many layers I could paint with it….it took a very patient while waiting for paint to dry...