meldrum art
We sailed to Finland and Åland last year. Such wonderful memories exploring the small islands and being blissfully alone for days on end.
This watercolour titled, Summer in Åland is 36 x 26 cm. Click the thumbnail below to see the full-sized image.
I took myself out during the week to paint plein air. The sun was shining and it might even have been 10 degrees but I’m not sure. I brought extra leggings which I put on quite quickly as it was very cool in the shade of the building next to the water’s edge.
It was interesting how the paper and watercolour pigment behaved in the cool conditions, it was very different from my time in India or even the studio. I found that the pigment was not absorbed by the paper as easily. It wasn’t a big deal, I adjusted quickly and enjoyed my two hours by the water.
Sweden being Sweden most people left me alone which is good considering we are in the middle of a pandemic. A few were curious but they kept two metres away.
I am so looking forward to painting plein air more often now as the temperature is rising and the sun is higher in the sky. The days are much longer too.
I have bought a van that I am going to convert into a studio plus camper. I will publish a post about this exciting project during the coming week.
If you would like to see the full sized image please click the thumbnail below.
I am trying to paint everyday and I want to be challenged so that I can learn and develop. The original photo reference I used was snapped while I was walking along the coast in Bangor, Northern Ireland. This wasn’t a strong composition to begin with but I liked the shadows and the angles created by the pathway and tree. I had a go and this is the result. Like all of my paintings there are somethings I like and there are thing I am not to fond of.
Tomorrow is another day and a new challenge awaits.
Click the thumbnail below to see the full-sized image.
I have painted this Groomsport scene before in one of my sketchbooks. Today I felt like playing around with lights and darks so I chose this to basically practice or play, I can’t remember my mood when I started. It’s a weird time with this Corona virus threatening us all. The most important thing for me was just to paint something. I didn’t want to just spend Monday reading the news and surfing on YouTube.
For the watercolour enthusiasts out there this watercolour was painted on Saunders Waterford 300g Fine grain and the size is 36 x 26 cm. Click the image below if you want to see the full sized watercolour.
Yeap, I wasn’t totally happy with this watercolour so I was forced to chop it up so that I could enjoy it. I’m a happy butcher now. It’s best to love a whole painting of course but sometimes one has to be brutal.
Click the thumbnail below to see the full sized image.
I visit Northern Ireland twice a year usually, my family live there in Bangor not far from Belfast. I grew up in the South so I have no connection except my family. I enjoy taking the coast road from Bangor through Groomsport and ending up in Donaghadee, a lovely harbour which used to be the main port for the voyage to Scotland many years ago. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/eDVfUXbGwwEKaUpt5
This watercolour is 26 x 36 cm and is titled, Donaghadee Sunset.
Click the thumbnail below for a full sized image.
I have a friend who loves to sail. I gave her this watercolour birthday card, it is a memory of her sailing much faster than I to Åland last year.
One of my many New Year Resolutions was to improve my figures in my watercolour paintings. We all basically always look at the head first and so it’s not very good if the face feels amateurish. This is why I am going to portrait classes every Tuesday now, I wan’t to improve and I don’t want my paintings to look amateurish!!!!!!! 🙂
These watercolours are about A5 in size.
In my latest video I build a mini field easel. I found a small wooden box in the local hardware store and it inspired me to have a go. Have a look at the video to see how I got on.
#minifieldeasel #fieldeasel #homemadeeasel