January 2nd, 2007
The image quality of the latest iPod is way better than I was expecting. So much so that I was able to use it as reference for a small watercolour. Normally using digital images would mean printing out references, but that’s a whole load of trouble getting the colour balance and saturation of the image [...]
December 30th, 2006
Less technology in my life is proving to be a good thing. Although it has been so necessary in the past, technology can help you lose touch with genuine creativity. All too often the ideal technological solutions become the quest rather than the creative endeavour itself. Process surmounts purpose.
These days, the Palm tends to stay [...]
December 24th, 2006
After posting the rough watercolour sketch of the volcanic rocks in the sea at Pedra Furada, Madeira (last post, below), I plucked up the courage to put up the rest of the drawings and sketches I did while out there, on my Flickr account.
These works are highly personal, produced [...]
December 23rd, 2006
Yes, that place is real and no, there has been no enhancement to that photo. The area so stunned me that I had to sit and sketch it there and then (the sketch is to the right - click to view large version) - sketching always provides a more personal and intimate experience of the [...]
May 13th, 2006
Having been distracted at a critical moment by a piece of stomach-growlingly tasty fresh buttered toast being placed under my nose*, I allowed the initial Ultramarine wash to dry just a little too much which meant it refused to behave properly with the following Ultramarine/Burnt Sienna wash of the lower part of the sky (see first image)…. While the washes were drying I experimented the next stages on the failed piece just for a little practice.Following the washes - once fully dried - the distant trees were added (light mix of Ultramarine/Burnt Sienna) and some foreground tone built up.
May 12th, 2006
These days it is a matter of re-learning the techniques I once knew and developing new ones - it take a lot for me to be satisfied with my own work, but it is a fulfilling adventure.The image above is a section of the first proper watercolour I had done in, possibly, ten years or more (I am terrible with assessing the passage of time, but suffice to say it’s been a while!). I was surprised to come out of that painting session on a beach in Portugal, with a decent handful of satisfaction - at least the sky kinda turned out as I wanted it.The new book, although covering the basics of washes and paint application techniques, is written by an artist whose style is very similar to my own aspirations.