More progress on the lilac painting

When I start working on a painting I have a clear vision of how it will turn out. Often what is missing from the vision is a line of sight into how long it will actually take me to develop the piece. This one of those kinds of paintings.


A full sheet watercolour in the level of detail I aspire to is time consuming - no way around it. It is clearly work. Knowing that I am almost always pulled in by the complexity of a subject. It has to be a challenge or I will not tackle it.

This painting is for all intent and purpose, a monochromatic work rendered in detail – and I think still painterly. I started with a good outline drawing and finessed and filled in as I went along. In the initial stages, a friend saw the work and asked me to do a similar piece as a commission. The hiccup was – there was a tight deadline and I would have to set aside the full sheet paining in order to make that deadline. Yes, more shades of lilac.

And so, I completed a smaller version called “Lavender Lilacs” for my friend. And then to return to this piece you are watching the progress of. At about the half way point I felt discouraged – as I normally do at this stage. The sheer amount of lilac I have been working with coupled with the desire to see more progress, well…..

And so now I see the progress and am re-excited (is that even a word?) by the work and am steadily working towards its completion. I have reverted back to singing and dancing as I work along – and hope to have it completed by August 7th. Fingers crossed. I will post when it is complete.

Plein Air painting with my daughter Jenn

We braved the sun and heat and took the watercolours outside.  The first painting I did (8 x 10) is a little stiff - takes awhile to get the cob webs out when you paint outside.  The second painting of one of our grapevines  is a little larger and more free, so I feel more more satisfied with the results.  A freer style as we were racing with a rain shower. Raing and work on paper - well really mix.  On damp days like this was, it is difficult to get crisp lines

Painting in St Andrew's this weekend - Artists-by-the-Sea, July 10th & 11th

So this delicious fella was the guest of honour at our Farther's Day Dinner earlier this year.  We cooked up quite a batch - and I photographed every stage.  I see the next series of paintings to follow.  I said red - gotta see see some other colour than lilac for a few days!  Artist's by the Sea have asked us to bring with us a few small pieces to get the auction started while we are all out painting in the community.  So, this is one of my small pieces to get tthe day started.

well - progressing nicely

Well - I have been painting a good part of yesterday and today.  It is just the georgous sunshine keeps calling me to go outside! And on the East Coast - you have to grab the sun when it shines.  I am getting excited to finish this one though - have so many more to start working on. It's almost funny - I started to draw our pansies and set it aside, all the same colours.  May need to paint hmmm.... reds?