Good to be back!

 

Marker pens

Hello everyone, sorry I’ve been away too long.  For personal reasons I was unable to indulge in my painting for quite some time.  But now I’m back and experimenting with quick sketches.

I decided that I would face my fears as in try sketching buildings.  I like quirky and the wonkier the better.  Some have been quite successful and some not so, but it’s all been a learning curve.

I know what I want to achieve, but I’m not quite there yet.

Here are a few… the good, the bad and the ugly.  You choose which is which! lol 😂 

Pen and wash

Pen and ink

Ink

Marker pens

All completed in less than 60 minutes.  There are some bits I like, some I really dislike, but above all I have really enjoyed getting the sketchbook out again!

Enter The Shadow Witch

Page 2 of my Journal 2012.

Enter The Shadow Witch who shows no mercy.

Again this is in mixed media and was lots of fun to create.

Journal 2012

First day of the New Year - Happy New Year Everyone!

This is my first creative project for the New Year - I still cannot believe it is 2012! I have been having fun with mixed media. Using oil pastels and watercolours and ink (of course!).

This is the beginning of my journal and it is to be a special journal (hopefully) as I hope to add to it as often as possible throughout the year.

Experimenting with different mediums has always been a favourite pastime of mine. I enjoyed choosing the colours for this and the process of creating it. It's great fun.

Walking in the Snow

Inspired by Kate Greenaway (and my daughter's family!), I painted this in watercolour and ink.

I hope it snows for Christmas.... but only briefly. :)

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

Just a few cards I painted for Christmas - may love and laughter fill your days this Christmas and throughout the New Year. HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Love from Sharon x

Lovely Lily

Watercolour on HP paper 16" x 12"

Spent all weekend painting - how lucky am I? The most wonderful time which made me wish so much that I had more time to paint, but alas bills have to be paid so it's back to the day job!

I am fast discovering a love of painting florals. Not only do you get to enjoy the visual beauty but you're also surrounded by such heavenly scents.

Obviously, this one doesn't really fit with what this blog is all about... making a painting within 60 minutes, but I really needed to show this just to prove that I can actually paint something decent.

My pride has had a dent recently and I'm feeling a little unsure of my ability to paint so every little success boosts my failing confidence and self esteem.

I hope you enjoy this one.

Self Portrait - Pouring Method

Just experimenting here with watercolour - thought I would try the pouring method to see what I could do with it in portraiture. I think I need more practice!

I am pleased with the hair at this stage (must admit the painting looks better in real life) but I felt I might need to add more of a fleshtone to the face as presently I look kind of bruised. I may do more to it tomorrow, we'll see.

As for likeness.... well, it's getting there I feel, not quite made it yet though. :)

Update - after adding more skintone - I have a slightly healthier glow now!

Sunflowers Quick Sketch

Watercolour sketchbook

Just couldn't resist going back to my old favourite Sunflowers. A quickie in the small sketchbook, but it cheers me to look at them. Sunflowers are so uplifting.

Don't worry I haven't forgotten the portraits, back to them shortly. :)

After Charles Robinson

My version of Alice in Wonderland - not quite as good as Charles Robinson's but it was so lovely to use the inks again. I was pleased with this result.

Sometimes the hardest thing in life to learn is when to stop, when not to keep pushing but to hold off and allow the currents of fate to flow freely.

Unfortunately, even at my age I have not learned this lesson and did not know when to stop. I used watercolour in a very heavy handed way to add just a little colour and in so doing (to my mind) I spoilt the picture with a messy background.

Ah well, maybe next time I will take more care and just cease.

Teddy with Cookies

Teddy with Cookies ink and watercolour

Yes, it's Teddy again, this time he has cookies to hand just in case he gets peckish! Whenever I am unsure of what to paint Teddy is there, he is definitely my favourite subject - he is part of my comfort zone and I love him. Now I just need to feel as confident with other subjects.

After Walter Crane

Ink and watercolour in A4 sketchbook

I find myself really enjoying copying illustrations and it is giving me a lot of good practice - I am learning so much.

Because I used my sketchbook for this one the watercolour wash in the background did not work so well, (a white background would have been cleaner) but I am happy to have the practice.

I have learned that sometimes it's best to leave things well alone.

Positivity wins the day and determination to improve both my art and my outlook is paramount to progress.

Hunca Munca - after Beatrix Potter

Ink and watercolour wash 7" x 7"

I really enjoyed reading the stories of Beatrix Potter to my children and now I enjoy painting some of her little animals just for good practice. They are so delightful and Hunca Munca is one of my favourites.

Here she comes with her dustpan and brush to clean up the dolls' house.

After Arthur Rackham - Alice in Wonderland

Ink and watercolour on hot pressed paper 12" x 9"

Caterpillar: By the way, I have a few more helpful hints. One side will make you grow taller...
Alice: One side of what?
Caterpillar: ...and the other side will make you grow shorter.
Alice: The other side of what?
Caterpillar: THE MUSHROOM, OF COURSE!

Wonderful stories and Arthur Rackham was a great illustrator. It was so much fun doing this. I thought I would have trouble drawing Alice, but she actually turned out OK after all.

The Three Bears

60 min Ink and watercolour on HP paper 12" x 9"

This was a study of the three bears from an illustration by Arthur Rackham. I just adored the hairy Papa Bear.

I find it easy to do inkwork and it's definitely fun to use along with the watercolours. They can be intriguing and finished quite quickly, it makes a refreshing change from the large oils I am working on right now.

I am enjoying trying the challenges posted on WetCanvas especially the ones in the Classical forum and Arthur Rackham is the inspiration this month, his illustrations are becautiful and I find them very interesting so expect to see more soon!

Downham Station, Bill Peet style

Pen and watercolour 12" x 9"

I have wanted to paint Downham Station for some time and there are better views of it, but I thought I would have a bit of fun and do it in Bill Peet style illustration. Of course this would have to be my idea of Downham in the early years :)

The train would have been brighter but I foolishly used non-waterproof ink... and of course it ran!

I just couldn't resist incorporating that lovely horse and cart. Just love this kind of fun work.... it's sort of where my art journey began when I started drawing pencil cartoons for my kids. Fond memories.

Pirates

One more After Howard Pyle - Ink and wash

Really had fun with this. I must admit there is something about ink and wash that is really compelling and this is all helping in my practice.

Sorry about the image, the sea is actually not pink in the real painting, but the scanner is not too good at keeping the colours true.

Searching for treasure is quite appealing, but true treasures are often found in unexpected places and not at all what you might think - for instance they have nothing to do with financial gain. Look harder for the things that truly warm your heart and make your soul sing.

Toyota Aygo

25 min wc pencil and watercolours in sketchbook

A few minutes to spare waiting in a car park, what else to sketch but a car? My son recognised what it was immediately which was comforting. I must be getting better at cars... maybe.

Waterfall

Ink and watercolour 14" x 10"

Be like the waterfall.... overcome all obstacles in life to reach your destiny.

Secret Messages

30 min tree study watercolour in sketchbook

My imagination got the better of me when I spotted this tree.... such a handy place for lovers to leave secret messages. Ah, I'm such a romantic!

Teddy with Sunflowers

60 min Ink and wash

This is one of the preliminary studies I did in ink and wash before working on a similar set up for a large oil painting.

I really like teddies and this is one of my favourites - of course the had to be teamed with my favourite flowers too.