Cadaques Backwater

This painting is of a not so well known view based on a photo I took while on David Taylor's workshop in October.  It was remarkably hot for the time of year and I was attracted by the light on the road and the tranquility of the view.

Cornish Boats

My latest effort which I did at art club.

Sunny Brantome

Here is my latest effort and the photograph which I used. The photo was given to me by Paola Reviglio, an Italian lady who attended the same David Taylor watercolour workshop in Spain during October this year.

Me painting at Port Lligat

This is a photo a friend took of me painting the thumbnail sketches shown in an earlier posting below.

The Beach at Cadaques

This is a painting I did while on David Taylor's Workshop this October. It is the beach outside of our hotel. Not a great painting but I did this live in about an hour, it provides me a memory of the good time I had with many friends. I hope to go back sometime.

Thumbnail Sketches of Port Lligat, Spain

Here a 3 thumbnail sketches of Port Lligat (Dali's House) in Spain. Each one took me about 20 minutes to do. The idea is to take these home and convert them into full sized paintings. David Taylor (the workshop's artist) recommends doing these rather than try to do a full sized painting. It was a hot day but I'm pleased with the sketches.

Boats at Cadaques

Another painting of boats at Cadaques

Red Umbrella in Brantome

Did this last year, Brantome in the Dordogne.

Cala Palafrugell - Catalonia

My attempt at a JZ, painting. This is another unspoilt resort in northern Spain, not far from Cadaques. Well worth a visit if you are in the area.

No More Sailing Today - Clevedon

I painted this in 2011, my friend Judy liked it and so I gave it to her for her birthday. I quite like it too.

Wet Day in Paris

Did this painting sometime ago, also did a portrait version which I sold. I plan to keep this one.

Gracias Alvaro

This is my version of a painting by Alvaro Castagnet, I attended his workshop in Girona in 2011.  He taught me what art and watercolours are all about and the difference between art and illustration. He said "plan slowly paint quickly, use the yin yang effect of dark against light, hot next to cool, hard edges next to soft edges." 
It was only 6 days but very important to me. If you want to see some of his amazing watercolour paintings then visit his web site at - http://www.alvarocastagnet.net.

Sailing Boats at Cadaques

Recently sold this. It is a painting of the fantastic Spanish town of Cadaques in Catalonia. I have been here twice on art workshops and it is full of character and quite unspoilt. This painting was based on some photos and a postcard. I don't like selling some of my paintings especially if I think they are one of my better ones - and this is one I like. 

The Winding River

Another painting I did this year when Lin was in hospital. Not my best but I like the river meandering into the distance.  If you click on the image you get a bigger view. 

The Lily Pond

This is a painting I did last year based on the approach used by my favourite artist - Joseph Zbukvic. I did it shortly after I returned from his workshop in Spain. I have tried to use the same techniques he shows on his DVD but apply them to this composition which is based on Bennett's water gardens in Weymouth but with some modifications. He makes it look so easy but it isn't.

Sunny Street in Paris

Another street scene which I really like to do, the problem is they are difficult. You have to make them interesting and indicate some shapes to fool the eye e.g. the cyclist and the motorcyclist. This is what makes realism painting so difficult - they are real-life subjects but in fact they are only two dimensional. You have to create the depth, the light and the interest by how you paint the subject matter.

Look at the View

A recent painting, not particularly well painted but it's all good practice ready for the masterpiece I will do one day!

Quiet Day Fishing

A painting of a river scene in the Dordogne.

Thornham Harbour, Norfolk

This is a painting of Thornham Harbour in Norfolk. It won my local Frenchay art competition which gave me some encouragement.

Late Afternoon Traffic

Here is a street scene which I called late afternoon traffic. Street scenes are very difficult as they are complicated and require a lot of simplifying.

Pero's Bridge - Bristol Harbourside

Here is a recent effort, it is of Pero's Bridge at Bristol Harbourside. Not easy as I had to simplify a complicated scene. The background buildings I made too dark but I'm pleased with my attempt.

A walk by the River

Here is a recent painting of a river scene. I find myself increasingly attracted to these type of subjects. They are much easier to do than street scenes.