Book news, a painting in progress.... and a quick sketch.

Good morning friends!

I've been a bit lax on the painting and blogging front this week... with a good reason. I've been making the final changes to my novel, All in the Leaves! It will be going off to the publisher this week - and should be out for sale by the end of the month!
It's very exciting.

So, what I have to show you this week is a work in progress and a quick sketch I made as I was waiting for the sky wash to dry.
The work in progress was inspired by a favourite poem of mine, by G.K. Chesterton, called The Donkey. You can read the poem HERE

In these four quick sketches, I worked out my placements for all the parts, so it would feel like a cohesive painting.

Having decided on number two, I drew the picture and started on the washes; painting the sky, the mountains, the blood red moon, the river and the first layer on the field,

then I painted the figs on thorn, some reflections, the colours on the fish, and some of the background trees.

Here's the quick sketch I made whilst waiting for the sky to dry:

The painting has been left at this point, because the novel took over - I'll show you the rest of the stages next week, because I should get to finish it on the second half of this week.

From next week, I should have time to visit your blogs- and I am so looking forward to that relaxation and enjoyment. I never knew how much time and energy writing, editing and polishing a book would take. I don't regret it, but would like a few more hours in each day!
Hope you have a good week.

Happy Endings, a work in progress

After having read the book "Night over Water" I wanted to pick a scene to paint for the Book Challenge on Painting Friends.

But the scene I fancied - the plane flying at night, I couldn't find a copyright free pic of the plane. As the planes no longer exist, I doubt I ever will.

There was a love triangle in the novel and a surprise element made it work out for the best - and as this was a luxury voyage, I decided to paint three glasses of pink champagne and call it Happy Endings - and chucked in the cherry as the surprise element .

The drawing

The masking

Areas painted with new gamboge, followed by a mix of Winsor red true and Quin red. These were done to give me a feel of where I was in the painting. I'll be painting light to dark with the rest :)

More to follow another day :)

Work in Progress

This is my latest work in progress.
Background washes have been done, the first and second wash on the body of the lion done.
I'm quite pleased with him so far, I think he's looking good.
I'm hoping to do some more to him tomorrow - and maybe finish him at the weekend.
I haven't thought of a name for him yet.. I'm only hoping he won't end up a Clarence!