"In the Pink"

"In the Pink" - watercolour approx. 8" square

This is one of the pictures I have managed to get finished and framed, ready for the exhibition which starts this Sunday.

Image - "Terminus" - artist Lloyd Washington

Rose in progress

I've made a start on the watercolour roses, using a methodical petal by petal approach. The problem with working this way is that the end result might look a bit disjointed. Let's hope I can complete it without any disasters - I would hate to have to start again at this late stage.

Chaos in the studio

Still trying to get work completed for the October exhibition.  I decided to start two paintings of the Japanese anemones - one to be fairly loose, the other more controlled, my reasoning being that I'd have two chances at getting one worth framing.  I wasn't happy with my background attempt on the loose one (pictured below), although I may try and solve that at a later date.

Japanese Anemone - temporarily abandoned!

There is also a collage "simmering" on the sidelines - it is almost there, I just need to bring all the elements together.

Collage bits and pieces

..... and to add to the chaos, I have started another watercolour floral from this rose sketch.

Roses - pencil sketch

At least I will have three titles to add to my entry form - with a few days grace to finish the pictures to fit!

Flower sketches

With an exhibition deadline looming, it's time I got down to some serious work.

At this time of year my garden is a mass of Japanese anemones, despite my repeated attempts to keep them somewhat under control.  They are lovely, but I don't want them to take over at the expense of all my other plants.  Strange that when I pass a well-rooted plant to interested friends, they don't seem to have any success getting them to establish in their gardens.

Anyway, the outcome is that I have plenty of blooms to sketch in preparation for a watercolour painting.

Pencil sketches

Sketching in the park

Last Wednesday was the final outing of the local summer sketching group.

I am sure there will be opportunities over the next couple of months for me to capture a few more plein air drawings.  Meanwhile, I have to get my act together and get some work completed and framed for the Autumn Exhibition of the Guild of Wiltshire Artists next month.

Lydiard House - pen and wash (approx. 4" x 5")

Plant Sales - pen and wash (approx 4" x 5")
The wonky wheels are entirely my own design!