Direct Painting

Encouraged by some other artists seen recently in cyberspace (Kathryn Law and Jennifer Young in particular) I decided today to get right back to basics and paint direct from life. Well sort of - in the first case, and giving in to the overwhelming demand to see what I was up to last week on my trip out into the great Outdoors, I have posted this pen and wash sketch made below an overhanging escarpment at a quiet spot along the Calderglen. I wasn't too sure of this sketch at first because the watercolour washes bled into the non-permanent ink too much for my liking blackening the otherwise clean colours. However, I am at least pleased with the vitality of the drawing and saw it as a good subject for painting "alla prima", which is not the same as painting 'en plein air' but not a kick in the pants off it!

Pen and watercolour on paper, A4: 'Escarpment'. Drawn on location sitting in the sun (to begin with!) as it spilled through a gap in the trees, and looking up to my left. I was using this new Stylo liquid fountain pen which I thought made a great drawn line but unfortunately isn't permanent. I enjoy this activity very much - all on my lonesome, far from the madding crown, communing with nature. It could, however, have been a lot warmer especially after the sun moved round behind some trees and plunged me into sub-artic fast-freeze mode!

Oils on board, 40x30cm: Having worked out what colours I would need and spent some time mixing these on the palette this little painting was made with as many single, and final, strokes as I could with no messing around if possible. This was completed within the target one hour and while I am pleased enough with the outcome, and ecstatic that I got painting again, I think it could be a lot better. I have in my mind's eye where I can and want to take this, but that will need to be another day. In the meantime.....

Oils on cardboard, 15x20cm: "My Little Yellow Pot". In order to paint properly direct from life I set up this little still-life in the studio using a favourite blue piece of material and my little yellow pot with some carnations recently consigned to the compost bin but resurrected (appropriately enough on Easter Monday) for one last hurrah! I think this is possibly the very first time I have painted to this small size and I am glad I tried it because it was such a simple and pure pleasure. It's not that it was easy or anything as it required as much concentration as anything else I have done, but it always felt manageable and also only took me 1 hour.

So that's it for today - any observations welcome.

Caio!