'KISSES SENT'

It is always great to see one of your paintings, framed and up in someone's home!  This is one of the large scale black and white abstracts I did when participating on an on-line course tutored by Jane Davies.  It was done on A1 paper and consisted of many layers of acrylic paint applied in a variety of ways.  It is called 'Kisses Sent' and I sent it to near London in a cardboard postal tube!

I was emailed the photograph - I don't remember any pink being in the pic - must be a reflection!  Anyway, it is now framed, hanging in a stairwell of a maisonette, and loved by the home owners...

BOOKS TO READ

These two books are to read and enjoy, not to admire the pictures, as there are very few!  They were recommended during the on-line courses I have just taken with Jane Davies.  Both give insights into the practice of making art and how to find your own way of working.  Some of the observations are obvious when pointed out and I found myself saying, "how true;  of course; that's why I feel the way I do; I never thought of it that way"!

In the Cat Bennett book which sub text is '50 Ways to Paint a Pipe' - a reference to a small painting of a pipe by Rene Magritte - she suggests exercises and practical ways to develop your art.  Both books inspire and inform.

 

FINAL SAMPLES

The on-line course with Jane Davies is finishing.  I have posted my last samples - a series of abstract landscapes using acrylics and oil pastels. They are all large - (33 x 23.4 inches) and are on paper.  Next step is to do some large abstracts on canvas or board...

ABTRACT LANDSCAPES

Here are some more samples from the on-line course I am taking with Jane Davies.  I have used large paper (33 x 23.4 inches) with acrylics and other media.  This time I was investigating abstract landscapes with a definite horizon line and atmosphere created by layering with transparent and opaque paints.  The line divides the work in two.  I treated each half differently but they had to relate to each other.  I changed the position of the horizon line in each.

EXPLORING PATTERN

For these large samples (33 x 23.4 inches), I have been exploring layers of pattern of various scales on top of backgrounds that have layering and depth.

EXPLORING SHAPES

I am continuing to work big - all of these are on A1 paper ((33 x 23.4 inches).  These latest samples, from my on-line course, explore shapes onto a background that has depth and layering.

I like the contrast between the bright and more subdued colours, and the sharp and soft edges of the shapes.  I had a love/hate relationship with each one as they went through their various stages.  I kept adding layers until I achieved a result that I could live with!

ATMOSPHERIC ABSTRACTS

Still on the red and green theme, these last two samples are double the size - A1 (33 x 23.4 inches).  Reds and greens were mixed with black and white and each other, to obtain a range of subtle colours.  I have used acrylics and oil pastels.  On the first one below there was a lot of scratching through to show underneath colours and on the second one, droplets of surgical spirit were dropped onto layers to reveal some of the colour beneath.

MIXING RED AND GREEN

When red and green are mixed together they form muddy neutrals.  With this next set of samples I used these neutrals together with black and white, and small amounts of red and green, to make abstracts which are hopefully atmospheric and interesting.

My favourite is the first one, which, to me, looks like a landscape on a stormy day!

RED AND GREEN

Here are my latest samples.  I am now working in colour - the complementary colours of red and green.  I have used acrylics and oil pastels on A2 paper.  Each one uses a different ratio of red to green.  It is interesting to see that the red comes forward and the green recedes.

These aren't colours that I have often used on their own.  I do like the effect - the two colours vibrate off each other to make an exciting combination. This can be found in nature - think of the stunning sight of a green field full of red poppies!

 

SIX SAMPLES

Here are the final six samples for this session.  All these pieces are on A2 size paper.  I love working in black and white, but for a change, I shall be pleased to do the samples for my next session in colour!

 

BLACK & WHITE BIGGER

These two samples are done on A1 paper (23.4 x 33 inches).  I enjoy working larger.  The only problem with working larger is the practicalities. You need quite a bit of space.  I tend to work flat but a spare wall would be good to put them up so you can view them at a distance.  This size is manageable but I want to work larger!