Starting Something New

It's been a few weeks since I've been able to get back in my studio. After a bit of a clear out the remaining boxes are back on the shelves, the printing press has been re-installed, ready to go and the desk is clear for painting to begin.
My first task is a bit of a mammoth one...to lay the first layer of ink down on my Puffins print.
Imagine a rectangle of white and you're pretty much there, followed by a transparent powder blue...followed by a blend of blue/pale blue to finish off the sky.

Ready for an evening of carving

With the white background already done, I spent the evening carving out the white on the puffins. Just to make life easy I marked out everywhere I wanted  to keep crisp (and it helped me sort out which direction the feathers were going).

The palest blue

Now time for the ink. Try as I might this photograph does not show the right tone of blue. It is very pale but in real life it looks a lot bluer. The idea of making it so pale is simple enough. I want to lay a blend over the top to give more depth to the sky.

Inked up and ready to go

Twenty prints later there is the emergence of Puffins. It was a good day in the office as the composition is looking OK. Once this little lot has dried out, the next challenge will be to get the blend to balance....

Just visible - pale blue Puffins

The End of the Trail 2017

Well, it's been the end of a busy few weeks focusing on the Arts Trail. Thanks to all of you who made it to our venue. Once again it was a great event with lots of interesting artists to look at. Hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did. Here are a couple of paintings you might recognise...

Ascending Light

Dawn Rising

Now I am looking forward to the next few weeks of pottering around the studio and playing with a few ideas that I have had.

My Puffins reduction lino cut is top of the list as well as some relief printed cards. There are paintings to be done for the Emsworth Artists Summer Exhibition and a few experiments into textile printing. Oh and if I get the time I will be having a go at collagraphs. Sounds a lot but can't wait to get started.

Emsworth Arts Trail 2017

What a great day to have an Arts Trail. We've been relaxing in the spring sunshine and talking to all those who have been making their way around the Arts Trail. This was the set up this morning just before we opened.

Looking good in the sunshine

Geometric Textile Design

Check out the chair! My son's art project is slowly taking shape. Can't wait to see how this develops.

A few extras!

We're looking forward to tomorrow as many people are bringing their partners back to have another look.

Series of Nine; Paintings 8&9

At last the series of nine small paintings has been finished and is ready to hang. All the large paintings are also ready to hang and the studio is well on it's way to being emptied.

As usual now that everything is packed away I want to get on with new work and start preparing canvases ready for painting. Inspiration always strikes when I can't get on with anything...I will have to stick to the sketchbook for now.

'Rippling Stream'

'Crashing Waves'

Series of Nine; Paintings 6&7

With one week to go paintings are starting to take a turn for the better. Here are the next in the series of nine small paintings.

'Through the Gloom'

'A Break in the Storm'

There's still a huge amount to do with my studio still needing to be cleared out. Ideas and experiments have had to be put on hold for the moment while large paintings are being finished off.
Next year the 'artists studio' will be part of the show as I am going to leave studies and sketchbooks out for folks to browse through...the thought of emptying everything out again is getting way too much!

Series of Nine; Paintings 4&5

Here's another taster of what is to come on the Arts Trail....

'Night Light' and 'Wake' are part of the nine series that I will be hanging together.

'Night Light'

'Wake'

Painting and planning is furiously continuing as the Opening is only in a few weeks....and I still have to clear out my studio (and tidy the garden).

Arts Trail - Sneak Peak Preview Event

This oil painting will appear in the Sneak Peak preview tomorrow night to promote the Emsworth Arts Trail 2017. Small pieces of work will be displayed by all participating artists and makers at the Brookfield Hotel, Havant Road, Emsworth for one evening only. (7- 9 pm)

The event is free and all are welcome so if you are in the area pop along and see what everybody has been up to this year!

'Light on the Horizon'