Ashford Visual Artists are exhibiting wonderful work at the lovely Godinton House near Ashford.  Plenty of wonderful artwork to buy and see as well as lovely gardens.  Well worth a look.  

I love this little Japanese looking mini mono print.  One of a series of mini mono prints I am working on.

5th week of life painting at Adult Education.  I decided to stand in a different place in the room and see how that went.  It was a bit of a squash but once everyone started it was good.  The concetration in the room was palpable.  I prefer it that way to begin with and then I feel the room settle, to carry on with the pose.  Today was concentrating on cool tones which in its nature commands a limited palette.  I found this a really enjoyable exercise as I told myself to address the models face before the body and the effect is a more finished peice of work.  There are weaknesses which given more time I would address ( the legs ) but the effect is a more pleasing finish.  Half term so no class next week.  Painting without brushes next time.  

Fourth week of life painting class. Concentrating on on tonal range.  I ran out of time so I was unable to address Sharon's face, which affects the overall effect of the painting.  I hate rushing and I probably needed another week on this pose and that would have suited me.  But I may never finish a painting in the time given of 2 hours.  Oh well .........back to the drawing board.  There are things that I think work in the painting such as the arm and given more time I think the painting could have been more resolved.

My old school which used to be called Garret Green.  

This is the model Sharon.  This painting is a 3rd week painting from the life painting course I am taking.  Trying to get to grips with blocking in tone.  I think this discipline is extremely good and even though I have said it before, feeds into all other artwork that I do.  I was almost hyperventalating when I started as I thought I could not do it. But once I had pushed through that feeling I settled to paint and accept what came out on the painted surface, rather than doing the painting in my head.  I am really enjoying the pain of painting. Does that make me a bit mad?  ......Yep!  Pose is over two weeks so the painting will change next week.. 

New work for October 2015.  Pictures are a bit dark ........but you get the overall effect :)

Well! ........I am really enjoying this life painting class.  I struggled with this pose and the proportions are not right, but the painting was transformed as soon as I put the background on.  Phew.  Better try acrylics next week ....see if that makes a difference.