January 2009: 'TIDE, up'
After a break from the studio' here is my first painting of the new year, a fresh and vibrant boat scene. Completed in one quick sitting, I like it a lot and hope to continue in same palette with some new canvasses and subjects.
'Tide, up' January 2009
Portraits, 'Linda'
Again this Year, as in Studio Pages 2008 I would like to complete a number of portraits. For sight training, drawing and general discipline I find great exercise in these studies. Again my aim is to capture each individual with as little brushwork and economy as possible.
Introducing my pretty sister in law, Linda-
After initial pencil sketches I applied some quick washes of yellow, orange and brown, a palette I had in mind for this portrait. I proceeded to break down the blocks of colour with some simple brushstrokes keeping tight to my favoured pencil sketch and photo which are pinned to my easel. As the painting developed and a likeness began to come through I applied some deeper hues. Later I began highlighting areas of importance with black and white strokes before tidying up and signing off!
'Linda' January 2009 NFS
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February 2009: 'Art Demonstration'
I had the pleasure of exhibiting, painting and discussing my work with a live audience earlier this month. I had been kindly invited by 'Greystones Art Group' to give a demonstration. I brought along a 'slice' of my studio, easels, paint, palettes and a bunch of canvasses each at various stages of completion. Among them were a 'Still Life' loosely sketched and a 'Tree Frog' which had its first layer of paint applied.
I worked on the Still life mixing up a palette of complimentary Blue and Orange applying a 'quick wash' and covering the whole of the canvas. At this early stage I am free to experiment and play around with colour and light and composition, building a blurred image of the envisaged finished painting.
On this Canvas I am demonstrating the more focused application of paint after the initial washes and preliminary sittings. I pay particular attention to 'Black' and 'White' paint which I place beside certain colours to compliment and exaggerate.
Here a quick sketch and wash catches an idea which came to mind earlier in the week as the rain was bouncing of the studio windows.
On this canvas I have forgone the 'wash' and carefully, but still quickly, applied the background to a seascape. I have also placed some Green, Brown and Black strokes which looks alien at this early stage, but should make sense when completed.
I hope to finish these Canvases in the coming weeks and will upload there progression on this page.
Portraits, 'Paul Flynn'
In the Summer of 2008 at a group exhibition, fellow artist Paul Flynn' sat for me during a quiet moment. Noticing some interesting features I scribbled down a reminder to paint him in profile. As I knew Paul would be attending this Demonstration I made a start on his portrait the day before hoping to complete it on the night in situ. I actually finished it on the first sitting.
Preliminary sketches. Palette of Blues and Purples.
From start to finish.
'Paul Flynn' February 2009 NFS
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March 2009: 'Art Demonstration Update'
I have been working steadily over the last month starting a bunch of new paintings and completing the 'Still Life' and 'Frog'.
Continued where I left off completing my wash of basic Orange and Blue. Correcting and highlighting as I build up layers of colour from background to foreground. Adding detail and adjusting tone.
Again continuing where I left off I have begun to work the frog towards the front of the painting. Feeling the background was too busy I replaced the 'Dark Green' block of colour with an 'Apple White' creating some needed space on the bottom of the canvas as seen in finished painting-
'Blue And Orange Still Life' February 2009 'Hanging Around' February 2009 Sold
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April 2009: 'Carly'
Painted my dog this
week, celebrating her 11th year:
"In the world which we know, among the different and primitive geniuses that preside over the evolution of the several species, there exists not one, excepting that of the dog, that ever gave a thought to the presence of man".
~Maurice Maeterlinck
'Carly' April 2009 NFS 'Happy Birthday!'
Art Demo, 'Seascape'
Completed the Seascape which I began at Greystones in February.
'Galway Hooker' April 2009 Sold
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May 2009: 'Fox'
Started off the year with the painting 'Tide, Up!' which experimented with blues and complimentary oranges. Here is a similar study:
'Fox Cubs' June 2009
Title: 'Froglet 2009'
Dimensions: 0.6cm
Medium: Frog On Finger
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June 2009: 'Negatives'
I took a break from painting this month and returned to the black and white Ink drawings and negatives which I developed last year (The Rabbitt And The Camel). Here are some new subjects which I completed this month-
'Standing Nude' July 2009 'Nude By Window' July 2009
'Stick 'Em Up!' July 2009
Plan to continue through the summer in this idiom. I have reams of past drawings which I will rework and upload on completion.
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July 2009: 'Untitled'
"All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child". Pablo Picasso
Childs' rough sketch 2009 Progression-
'Untitled' May 2009
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August 2009: 'Cock Fight'
Starting as a doodle this idea soon took 'wings' -
'Cock Fight' August 2009
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September 2009: 'Negatives'
Here are some samples of a new collection of work which kept me occupied this summer:
'Dancing Forms' September 2009 'Dancing Forms' February 2007 Sold
This is from my original painting of February '07 Studio Pages 2007.
'Minnows A' September 2009 'Minnows B' September 2009
I Like the economy and simplicity of this set of two 'Fish'. Below, homage to 'Vincent'
'Sunflowers' September 2009
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October 2009: 'Summers Stroll'
Here is something quite different which again started as a doodle and continued to a finished Canvas. I have detailed the progression from charcoal through each loose layer of paint. It in no way reflects our summer just gone!
'Summers Stroll' September 2009
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November 2009: 'Winter Showers'
Tweaked by the dreadful weather this month I returned to a canvas which I began last February.
Palettes of Blues, Greys and Purple above. I want to keep this painting very loose and so need to paint quickly- Dampening the back of the canvas to stall the drying of the Acrylic paint.
From start to finish.
'Winter Showers' November 2009
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December 2009: 'Summer Showers'
In the middle of painting 'Winter Showers' another picture came to mind which I got into straight away! Changed the composition slightly, the colour palette dramatically and came up with this-
'Summer Showers' November 2009
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Seasons Greetings
Click on links below to view Studio Pages from past years)
