Ripples and Reflections

Another little demo, in monotone, from my recent course at Boscombe. The ripples have the effect of elongating the reflection. 

'Controlled Wash' demo

Here's a demonstration painting from the last day of my most recent course at Art Holidays in Dorset. When I can, I like to use the ,controlled wash, watercolour technique, as described by Jack Merriott in his book 'Discovering Watercolour'. The first wash is applied to wet paper, the colours being allowed to blend wet-in-wet on the surface. While the wash is wet, the paint can be moved around and allowed to create a soft, foundation wash. Once it has dried, a further wash or two can then be applied to dry paper.
This method of painting creates an atmospheric feel to the whole painting, and that first wash influences whatever transparent washes you place afterwards. It's a really good technique for depicting sunny scenes, as here.
I usually stretch the paper beforehand but here I simply used masking tape around the edges of a quarter sheet of 200lb Bockingford.

'Step Outside'

The August issue of Leisure Painter is now in the shops, which includes part two of my article: 'Step Outside'.

Painting on Exmoor

Just returned from a few days on Exmoor, tutoring at Shorland Old Farm. The weather was, well, very British summer time, but we did get to paint outside a couple of times. Everyone had a go at painting the farmhouse and I managed to paint this demonstration during the morning.

New Article in Leisure Painter

The summer issue of Leisure Painter is on sale, containing part one of my article on painting outdoors. Part two will be in the next issue.

'Highcliffe Castle'

Just returned from my 'Dorset Sketchbook' course at Art Holidays in Dorset, in Boscombe. Had some decent weather this time round. This is Highcliffe Castle, which I painted in my pocket sketchbook. This was once home to 'Mr Selfridge'.