Time flies

12 x 9 inches, oil on hardboard panel

SOLD

I can't believe it's been so long since my last post! 

For various reasons I haven't got a lot done in the last three months and some of the work I did I was so unhappy with I either painted over them or banned them to the dark recesses of the cupboard. It became that I couldn't finish a painting: they just dragged on and on and then I gave up on them.

I'm sure this happens to all artists at some point and we have to try and battle on but giving up is not an option.

I also couldn't think of any new ideas; it was quite a dark time ...... but I am fighting through it and am working on a few new ones that I hope will put me back on track (to be posted sooner rather than later ... I hope!).

This was a re-visit of a few of my favourite props and, unusually for me, cropped into the bargain.

I have been using Michael Harding Titanium White 2 recently and love it. It is made with linseed oil and dries faster than the Winsor and Newton I normally use which used to hold back any glazing I had to do over it. It also seems to avoid 'beading' when glazing over it which was another problem I had before.

I also use their Dammar Glaze Medium in preference to W&N Liquin now, it dries over night and has a nice tack for painting wet in wet where the Liquin feels more greasy and colours don't sit on top of each other so well.

I  have also been using Artfix L84C oil primed linen and highly recommend it. I has a wonderful surface to paint on and smooth enough for fine detail too. It just feels so good! BUT ........ it is very expensive!

I will post another painting within the next few days :-)

New paintings on eBay

Thank you everyone .. all the paintings are now sold.
I can't say that I am happy with the new eBay pricing structure and have signed an online petition against their 100% commission increase (they even charge commission on the postage you charge now!!!!!). There must be a better way ;-)

The Musician

16 x 12 inches oil on Gatorfoam panel
SOLD

OK! Last one for today. This was a commission for the owner of the Martin Committee trumpet shown in the painting (as played by the greats). I was asked to do this by his parents as a birthday gift and they suggested adding the hat and suitcase because they had really liked the ones I had done previously).

My first trumpet painting and probably my last (way too much fiddly work ;-) but I did enjoy it.

Three Grannies

12 x 9 inches oil on Gatorfoam panel

Granny Smiths, my favourite apple (and Neil Hollingsworths too I believe), always good to paint and they don't take as long as lemons, so another plus in their favour ;-)

Lemon in the Balance

8 x 8 inches oil on Gatorfoam panel

Another trompe lemon. These are heaven and hell to paint and every time I ask myself why I do it!!! It can be difficult to make these work but I guess you will be the judge if it does ;-)

Lemon and Green

12 x 9 inches oil on Artfix oil primed linen panel
SOLD

Wow! I didn't realise how long it's been since the last post so I'll post a few today. I have been busy doing a few commissions but I didn't post them because they were similar to others I have done (as requested by the clients) so I didn't want to send everyone to sleep ;-)

I have been making my own panels with Artfix L84C quadruple primed linen (expensive!!) and Ampersand hardboard. The linen is amazing to paint on, very smooth and the paint goes on wonderfully for each layer (way better than acrylic primer), I would really recommend it.