Finally finished - I think. If nothing else, this project has opened my eyes to the possibility of painting more formal gardens with their ready-made structure and reflecting ponds. I might persue this idea because the pure English landscape becomes too dominated by green for my taste during the summer months.

Sorolla's Garden

A bigger challenge than usual this one. This 24 x 30 canvas of Sorolla's garden in Madrid is based on a photograph by Lubranco. I dont normally use other peoples photos but I couldn't resist this one. Because of the nature of the Creative Commons Licence, which forbids me to sell it, this painting is destined for my studio wall.

Garden Against the Light

As the title suggests this was painted contre jour but, although it gives the sensation I was after, there is something that I'm not quite sure about yet and I can't put my finger on what it is. I will live with it for a while in the hope that it comes to me.

Paint making gets the thumbs up

I mentioned recently about starting to grind my oil paints. Not only I have found the process really enjoyable but I'm impressed with the results too. Yes there is more variation in the consistency of the colours compared to those prepared by comercial manufacturers but I haven't found that to be a major problem. Some of my colours have actualy turned out to be noticeably brighter than there commercial counterparts (Cerulean springs to mind). Alright, it can be a bit time consuming and I can understand the danger of it being another distraction from painting but, on the plus side, I have noticed that I'm now less weary of putting huge blobs of colour on my palette because of the much lower costs and the knowledge that if I run out I can easily prepare another batch.

Near Thoresby Hall

The sun was out today and so was I. After a couple of hours searching for a subject this morning without any luck I was making my way back home when I stumbled on this subject. It was painted on a 14 x 16 canvas covered panel over about 3 hours during which time I met some lovely people. All in all a great day. If you are one of the people I met - hello again

Towards the Mill Pond, Tickhill

This quickly painted 10 x 8 oil panel is the first painted using my new home -ground paints. The main interest here was the variety of hues in the water. great fun trying to keep up with the ever changing patterns of light. I think with these type of studies you need to map out the main patterns quickly and then stick to them.

Late in the Day

I have not put my brushes away, honestly! Just to prove it here is one I'm working on at the moment. This is a 20 x 20 oil on linen. The frame doesn't mean that it's finished - I often put a piece into one of my stock frames as the work in nearing completion. This helps me judge how far to take the piece.

Whilst I'm on the subject of frames, I am awaitng delivery of all the equipment and materials that I need to start gilding my own frames. This, along with grinding my own paints, is something that I have wanted to get into for some time.