I am entering a competition to paint a flower or flowers that are backlit. I started painting this hibiscus from a photograph I took some time ago while holidaying in Scotland. I will share the completed painting once I finish.

Which painting next?

Wondering which photograph to use as reference picture for next painting. Your suggestions?

New studio space

With more paintings being created, my wonderful wife suggested that we convert the little used dining room into a art studio. I have more than double the space I had before allowing easier access to the different media I am using with better storage.

Toketee Falls Oregon

My latest painting is of Toketee Falls in Oregon. I finished it on Christmas Eve as a present for a good friend of the family. She is a Massage Therapist and wanted a waterfall for her massage room. Canson Mi Teintes 160g using Rembrandt, Faber Castell and SoHo soft pastels. I enjoyed painting for myself and for the present it was. Your comments are welcomed.

Through The Trees

Good afternoon. I've not blogged for a while but have been working on a piece for a competition I have entered.

Monet Cafe Art Group Facebook group is running the competition during November. The group owner Susan Jenkins, has uploaded some stunning fall photos, you pick one to use as reference and add your finished work to the album.

I chose a photo that was looking up through some gorgeous color fall trees.

I changed up the art materials I used this time. I used Rembrandt soft pastels and Canson Mi Teinte paper. I'm not sure whether it was the pastels or the paper but the pastels laid so much better on the paper than my previous materials.

This is the original photograph all copyrights to Susan Jenkins:

I may use another of her photographs and enter again I am undecided.

Fall By The Lake

Good afternoon.

A few weeks ago I attended a local art class where we were instructed on a fall painting. I wasn't happy with the result so decided to repeat it at home:

I moved out of my comfort zone and decided to do a larger image. This painting is 11 x 14 inches.

I used Faber Castell and Mungyo Gallery soft pastels on Fabriano Tiziano paper. I love the way I have captured the reflections on the water and how the gorgeous fall colors compliment each other.

While browsing a local art store I purchased some Canson Mi-Teintes paper to try - just to see if there is a difference from what I currently use.

Big new this week - I have received my first commission. I am going to be painting the 3 dogs of a couple my wife dog sits for. I am excited and apprehensive at the same time as I have only painted for my own pleasure until now!

Shih Zhu

Good afternoon, Those that know my wife knows she is the crazy Shih Zhu lady. We have 3 of our own plus Penny our rescue girl and she dogs sits for others.

So when she asked me to do this painting I had to oblige. 

I followed along with a Colin Bradley tutorial but now have the confidence to add my own techniques to my work.

I used Faber Castell Pitt pencils (as these give more definition than soft pastels) on Fabriano Tiziano paper.

He looks a little like Paddy one of our Shih Zhus and in the future I may repeat this using one of our dogs as a model.

Chicago Skyline

Good afternoon, Over the holiday weekend I spent some time in my studio and completed a new soft pastel painting.

This time I did something different I painted a night sky using Faber Castell and Mungyo GalleryMungyo Gallery soft pastels on Fabriano Tiziano paper.

The skyline started as a template cut using a Cameo die-cutting machine and I then traced this onto my painting filling it in with black pastel. I added a faint light around this to emphasize the buildings.

Last night my wife and I had some rare adult time and attended a exhibit reception of 2 wonderful artists, Anita Sams mainly uses colored pencils and has some amazing life like botanical images. Cheryl Gould paints in watercolor and her woodland painting have so much depth and unbelievable detail that I could stare at them for hours.

Cairn Holy

Good evening, Since my last post I have started using another medium, soft pastels.

 After watching tutorials I decided to have a go at painting a picture (using these) taken in Scotland during a family vacation.

The area is near Carsluith and the picture is of Cairn Holy which is a series of two neolithic tombs. The legend is the Isle of Man was birthed from there.

My wife took pictures as I painted:

I used a mixture of Faber Castell and Mungyo Gallery pastel brands and Fabriano Tiziano paper which I feel gave a good result for a first attempt.

Thanks for stopping by, this weekend I am working on a new painting...... more to follow!