The Sansevieria Series: II

In this version, I used watercolour and a medium called aquapasto, made by Winsor & Newton.
When used in conjunction with watercolour, it increases the viscosity of the wash - and the resultant effect is like painting with oils.

For someone who can't use oils, this is a fabulous medium.

Sans II

Talullah

Today I am delighted to show you my latest dog painting.

She will soon be winging her way over to the USA.

The darling Talullah.

 11" x 7"
painted on Saunders Waterford paper, using Winsor & Newton watercolour paint.

The Evolution Series, a collection of primates

When I painted the first of these primates, a good friend suggested I should called the painting "Evolution" .

I liked the name and it also inspired me to paint a couple more, using different techniques. So here you have the complete "Evolution Series"

I hope you enjoy them.

P3

 P2

P1

Painted on St Cuthbert's Mill Saunders Waterford 140R paper, using Winsor & Newton paint

A bright new year and The Colours of Paisley

Wishing all of my blog followers a bright new year.

I have a few paintings I couldn't show before Christmas, so I'm starting the New Year off with those.
The first is a painting of the most beautifully mannered, friendly Rottweiler I've met.

The Colours of Paisley

Painted on Saunders Waterford 140lb rough paper, using Winsor & Newton paints.

I See You ... yes, I do!

I See You

My lovely little boy.. Paddy.
Love it when he has his "laughing" face on, and the bright colours enhance that feel of lightness and happiness. My precious boy.

Paper: Saunders Waterford 140 Rough
Paint: Winsor & Newton
Size: 15" x 11"

Place: On my wall!

Relax, blow some bubbles - and paint!

This is a painting I made to go in my new reflexology room here in Fife.

I wanted the colours to say calm, the bottles to spell out the message of "relax".

The bubbles were painted to remind the viewer of a time when they knew no worries. How many of us have blown bubbles? I have and had a whale of a time blowing, then chasing them before they popped!

The bubbles include some small paintings showing what I do to relax.
Being at a loch, being by the beach, gardening, reading, painting and of course, reflexology! 
Have I included your favourite way of relaxing?

Relax

For the painters amongst my viewers, the paper is Saunders Waterford, the type is 140lb rough, and the size is a quarter sheet. The paints are Winsor & Newton artist quality.

A mischievous little sprite

Here in my painting world, I sometimes get little "fancies" of what I'd like to paint.
Because I don't paint solely to commission, I can happily indulge myself - and this is what I've done here.

A mischievous sprite, whose background details are made of stylised leaves, trees and bark, ( you might have to look closely) this is Tink

Painted on Saunders Waterford 140lb rough paper, using Winsor & Newton paints, Graphik line painters, Schminke Aqua Bronze "rich gold". Size 15" x 11"

Painting with Charles Evans, via Watercolours in a Weekend

Recently I bought a book by Charles Evans, called Watercolours in a Weekend.
Although used, it was in good condition - and I had no other books by Charles, so I decided to purchase it. Aimed at beginners, to encourage them to pick up a brush, I nevertheless bought it and decided to paint the projects.
My reasoning was, it never hurts to go back to basics, does it?

So, here's the book..

There are nine projects in total, within the book.

In between days out, working around the house, garden and visiting my soon to be workplace, I have painted three projects so far.

Walking with Charles

Painting with Charles

Charlie's Beach

The book so far - is it suitable for beginners? Oh, absolutely! It's written in such a style that it feels quite possible to pick up a brush and paint a picture. For Saturdays, you have painting exercises to do - and on Sunday, using the techniques you've learned, you paint a complete picture. I have only shown you my completed pictures.
For someone like me, who has painted for a while, was it worth picking up?
Absolutely, again! It reintroduced me to a way of working that I haven't used for a while - and in doing so refreshed my ability. It made painting someone else's picture fun. That's quite a knack Mr Evans has - he makes painting fun.
At any stage of painting ability - isn't that what picking up a brush is about?

I have some paintings of my own in the pipeline now, but I will undoubtedly come back and tackle the remaining six projects in the book.
As ever, I used Saunders Waterford paper, and Winsor & Newton Artist Quality Paints.

Have fun with your painting, too!

Wedding Day

Good morning friends!
I have been painting some, and enjoying the new house and countryside too.

Here's my latest watercolour painting, painted on Saunders Waterford paper and using Winsor & Newton Artist Quality paint.

Wedding Day

I hope you enjoy viewing it. 

Still Waiting

I couldn't wait to get stuck into my new DVDs and one of the books I bought at the All About Art event.
Watercolours Unleashed was the first book & Dvd combo that I devoured from cover to disk!

Then I had a little experiment, all of my own...

and this, Still Waiting ... is the result.

Painted on Bockingford High White, it's a quarter sheet in size, and it was created using watercolour, Winsor & Newton inks, FW acrylic ink and W&N Texture medium...

oh it was fun to do! I hope it's fun for you to view...

A Seaside Garden

On one of our recent camping trips in our folding camper, we visited the coast.
Whilst there, I saw this beautiful garden - not what one would normally expect for a garden, but it felt just right, in that location.

So I took a photo - and now it's painted.

A Seaside Garden

For the painters amongst you, the paper is Saunders Waterford 140 Rough and the paints are Winsor & Newton Artist Quality watercolour.
The painting is 15" x 11"

October, the Big Draw and Happily Ever After

In October, the Big Draw events happen.
If you're in the UK, you can see the list of free events HERE

I always try to do at least one drawing in October.
It helps keep my eye in - and truthfully, you get absorbed in drawing to the point it's almost meditative.

This year, I wanted to do a portrait - and the very lovely Miranda Dickinson,author and singer ( website HERE ) said that I could use her photo as a reference.
So I drew this portrait of Miranda's mum and daughter, hoping that I could capture the feeling of love and ease, between the two generations.
For those of you who know Miranda, you will also find the title of her latest release in the pile of books...

Happily Ever After

For the curious amongst you, this was done on Winsor & Newton paper, Medium Cartridge 70lbs, using a Derwent Graphic Designer pencil, Grade F.

As always, this can be found, along with all my other paintings and drawings, on my gallery site Pat Elliott Paintings - HERE