Step Two

Step Three
The distant hedgerow and trees were rendered and the cottages were developed further, using the same colours as in Step One.

Step Three

Step Four
The remaining masking fluid was removed.

Step Four

Step Five
The painting was progressed to completion by adding the trees and further details to the cottages and foreground hedges.
To achieve this, Raw Umber and French Ultramarine were added to the other colours.
The addition of these colours enabling me to capture the darks without loss of transparency.
For further Step By Step demonstrations please click here.

The completed Watercolour

Quotation (25th October 2005)

"God invented the giraffe, the elephant, the cat. He has no real style. He just goes on trying things."

Pablo Picasso
(1881-1973)

Latest eBay buy!

I have been looking for an old watercolour box for a long time and was lucky to find this Edwardian one on eBay!
It's in great condition, obviously well looked after.
It takes pride of place in the studio and will be cherished

Tonight's Sky (20th October 18.05)

Quotation (18th October 2005)

'It just wouldn't be a picnic without the ants'

Author Unknown

Winsor's Words of Wisdom .1

Apparently, cats dislike walking on gravel and pebbles, so by surrounding your plants with either, would provide protection?!?!

Oh how I hate gravel!

Winsor and the gravel

Recent Additions to the Gallery

If you would like to view the most recent additions to the 'Gallery' section of my website, please click on the following link: Recent Paintings

Hallam Art Group Workshop 9th October 2005

Thank you for making me so welcome, it was nice to see everyone again! I hope you enjoyed the watercolour demonstration, below is the finished painting after adding a few more details and developing the 'darks' a little.
If you would like to ask anything, please don't hesitate to contact me. I look forward to seeing you all again in 2006!

The Gate, Beckhole

Quotation (11th October 2005)

'Ars Longa Vita Brevis'

A Latin quote literally meaning "art is long, life is brief", widely used by Roman writers and orators, including Horace and Lucius Annaeus Seneca (4 BC - AD 65) who famously used it in De Brevitate Vitae, but generally attributed to Hippocrates (460 - 370 B.C.) the Greek physician, speaking of medical practice: "Life is short, the art long, opportunity fleeting, experiment treacherous, judgment difficult."

A famous poem of Chaucer begins by alluding to this sentiment: "The lyf so short, the craft so longe to lerne, Th'assay so hard, so sharp the conquerynge, The dredful joye..." -- Geoffrey Chaucer, 1382, "The Parliament of Fowls"

William Morris, 1834 - 1896 ( poet, novelist, Socialist, artist and key figure in the development of the Arts & Crafts movement), incorporated the quote into a 'settle' he made for his home 'Red House' in Bexleyheath, South East London.

Starsailor at the Irish Centre, Thursday 6th October 2005

We first saw Starsailor when they supported U2 at the millennium Stadium, Cardiff in July earlier this year and knew we'd like to see them again!

The Irish Centre, Birmingham was the venue for last night's concert and although full to capacity at 600, compared with 60,000 at Cardiff, there was no shortage of atmosphere. As one guy in the crowd kept saying, 'they rocked'!!

As with all these more 'intimate' gigs, you always get to meet great people, so hi to you Gerry, Karen and Jane, sorry we won't be able to join you in Newcastle, but Leeds here we come!!

Unfortunately Jeepster won't be playing support at Leeds, we really enjoyed them. Listen out for 'Heart on Fire', ( maybe their first single? ) Hear it on www.jeepstermusic.com.

James

Starsailor

Starsailor

James

What about 'The Pussy Cat of Sleights'?

The Angel of the North

No matter how many times I pass this sculpture, I still find it truly amazing!

Quotation (4th October 2005)

'To get a job where the only thing you have to do in your career is to make people laugh - well, it's the best job in the world.'

Ronnie Barker
Comedian
(1929-2005)

Painting with Acrylic

I thought I would have a change and paint with Acrylic, I haven't used them for about 15 years now and really enjoyed the challenge of using a different medium.

The photo, ( Mark Knopfler of the band Dire Straits), was one I had been looking at for a long time and seemed to lend itself to Acrylic.

There are a few more subjects which may benefit from the same technique, which might be suitable for the 'Little Picture Show'?

Mark Knopfler

Joke Of The Week? (1st October 2005)

Sorry, 'just had to share this!

Donald Rumsfeld is giving President Bush his daily briefing.

He concludes by saying: "Yesterday, three Brazilian soldiers were lost in an accident.?"

OH NO!" the President exclaims. "That's terrible!"

His staff sit stunned at this display of emotion, nervously watching as the President sits, head in hands.

Finally, the President looks up and asks:"How many is a Brazillian??!"


(courtesy of Gavin Esler's Newsnight)