Painting at Malmsmead Exmoor

Yesterday I posted a demo painting from a recent painting holiday on Exmoor (Alpha Painting Holidays). I thought it might be interesting to show a photo of the scene (above), plus a couple of my group. The photo above shows the bridge plus a ford, which I didn't include in my demo.

Above: Ah, the concentration. A very popular subject, as you can see.
Below: While we painted, the ford was in constant use, either by cars or horses. Luckily for us, the river was pretty low, otherwise we might've got a little damp.

'Stone Bridge at Malmsmead, Exmoor'

Well, my last outdoor painting course of the year ended 2 weeks ago. We had a great few days painting on and around Exmoor, and this was one of my onsite demo' paintings from that trip.
This little stone bridge spans a narrow stretch of the Rive Exe, at Malmsmead. We had great weather for the duration of our trip. I did this painting in about 45 minutes. The light and shadows move pretty quick, which means that onsite paintings have to be simplified in order to get the gist of the scene before it changes completely.

'Watercolour Demonstration Painting'

I was tutoring a painting course at Art Holidays in Dorset last week. This was one of my evening demo's, a rocky scene in Torquay. It's one of those spots you can paint many times and it'll always look different. I'll be back there again next week for another painting break.

'Cretan Landscape'

I painted this watercolour yesterday. It was a reference sketch for a demonstration painting I did for Brixham Art Society last night. The sketch is 1/4 Imperial size (11x15"). I did the small painting to work out my colours and tones for the demo'. The demonstration painting was twice as large and, although I was pleased with the result, it's always a bit of a rush and I'm talking/answering questions while I work. So, on this occasion, I prefer the smaller, first version.

Spring Exhibition at the Kitchen Gallery, Cockington

I will be exhibiting my watercolour paintings, alongside other members of Torbay Action for Art (TAA) at the Kitchen Gallery, Cockington Court. The exhibition runs from 8th-21st March, although my own paintings will not be on show until Saturday 15th.

Admission to the exhibition is free.

'We Want You!' for a new BBC art series...

The BBC is looking for amateur artists for a new series on painting. Details are sketchy at the moment. However, from what I've heard, this is going to be a competitive series along the lines of such current programmes as the 'Bake Off' show.

So, if you're an amateur artist in the UK and would like to apply, follow this link for more details.

Good Luck!

Demonstration for Teignmouth Art Society

Did a demonstration on Friday night for Teignmouth Art Society. 'Still Life with Glass' was the subject, so I took along a few jars & bottles. One of the members also brought along a few items and, from these, I selected that lovely blue jug. Like many clubs these days, they had their own camera/screen, so the people in the cheap seats can also see what's going on. I did this one in about an hour and forty minutes, from blank sheet to finished painting.

Thanks to Felicity Hughes for the photo of me in mid-demo.