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"

Spring painting, garden inspiration and some sketching.

To plant a garden is to have an endless source of inspiration, when you like to paint.
I have been busy creating both a front and a back garden here in my new Scottish home. I have not been so busy, that I haven't had time to paint.
Once the work is done and the plants are growing, I take some time to sketch and to paint. This way, not only do I work in my garden, but I take some time to enjoy it also. Physical work is good, as is feeding the soul. Gardens and painting do both for me.

The painting is from my front garden - and I call it "Spring"

and the sketches come from my back garden, which is still being created. You can follow that progress, if you'd like to see it, HERE

Sketch one is a metal trellis of leaf and birds and two was the beginning of a trollius (globeflower) . That will have to be finished another day, because the sun was so hot, the paint dried before I could complete my wet-in-wet washes!
Both will eventually become fully worked up paintings - these quick sketches are pleasurable to do and help me decide if I want to go further with them. 
Saunders Waterford paper was used throughout. I like my sketch paper to be the same as my painting paper - and Saunders suits me down to the ground!

Until the next time, happy painting, happy sketching, happy gardening!

Kingswood Hotel, Burntisland, Fife

On a trip to Burntisland in Fife, I had the pleasure of having Sunday lunch with friends at the Kingswood Hotel. Staff and management were very kind and helpful.
I had arrived much earlier than my friends, so I took a coffee and biscuits into the garden, which was simply delightful. Within the garden was a little building, not in use, but surrounded by greenery, so enchanting that I had to make a little painting.

Meet Kingswood  and make up your own story of who lives behind that red door!

PS: Sunday lunch was delicious and highly recommended!

Paisley, the puppy.

Where I take my paintings to be framed - Elite Framing, Cupar - the owner has a new puppy - the most delightful little girl - Paisley.

I couldn't resist having a photo sent to me and a little paint up...

Paisley

Hope you enjoyed seeing her, too! 

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!

Snow Day, a painting of glass and figures.

I love Snow Globes. Shake them all and all the "snow" falls softly around the figurines encased in glass.
At Christmas time I have a few that are specific to the season, which come out solely at that time. This year I took some photographs and decided to paint one.

The one I selected is represented here in "Snow Day"
So called because the little girl isn't at school, but being read to, by her friend, the Snowman.

Snow Day

Painted on Saunders Waterford paper, 140lb Rough. 

I hope you enjoy seeing it.