Tuesday 29 May 2012

Faded





Faded - Illustration Friday

A comfortable pair of faded jeans, who hasn't owned a pair of those?

Saturday 26 May 2012

Sketchbook Pages




Some sketches of my favourite places, you've probably seen before here on my blog.  Why do I like to sketch the same view?  The answer is very simple...there is usually a very nice bar opposite with comfortable seating and a bit of shade!
The top sketch is a windmill at the saltpans near Trapani.   It's a beautiful spot on a natural lagoon with small islands as a backdrop.



The Hunting Lodge in the Ficuzza woods is another favourite and yes another little bar opposite.


This time we got to have a look around the inside of the old house and hear how it was used for 17th century 'racey' parties!  








Tuesday 22 May 2012

Sight





'Sight' for Illustration Friday.
This little snake was on my terrace and I had to get close up with my camera to pick up the details of his face.... my sight just wasn't good enough. (I can hear many of you shouting at me not to get close to the snake, but I think he was fairly harmless)
He looked at me and I looked at him, I think perhaps his sight was better than mine?  Fascinating  the way the markings around his eyes made them seem much larger and more frightening.

Saturday 19 May 2012

Playing with shadows
























I'm still playing around with my people and their shadows.  I painted this one in watercolour onto damp paper just to see what would happen.  I painted details in when it was dry and this one is closer to the effect of the bright light I saw on the day.  
The little girl seemed to be enjoying the shadows too, making shapes with her hand!

Thursday 17 May 2012

Walking Past


















I was sitting watching people walk past on a pathway when the late afternoon sun came out and  made fantastic shadows.  I took some photos for reference and I'm hoping to put them all together in one big painting.  This is a little practice watercolour sketch but the painting will probably be in oil.   I can't decide whether to put in the simple background of  doorways or leave it very simple.  Ideas?

Monday 14 May 2012

Federica



Oil 30x40cms

Every now and again I manage to finish an oil painting, this one is a portrait of my Italian niece Federica.
She has the most beautiful eyes which just had to be painted, I chose to frame them with the gold scarf. 
Perhaps you can tell she is a very lively young lady!




Thursday 10 May 2012

Strawberries are Everywhere





It's true, it's that time of year when strawberries  are everywhere and I love eating and painting them, but sometimes they get eaten before I can paint them!

Our group exhibition at a restaurant has been getting some publicity in local papers...fame at last!

My painting looks ok in black and white I think?

In this article we were likened to the 'Charlie's Angels of painting'.....I really don't think so!!!



Monday 7 May 2012

Peppe, Pasta and Paintings!




I still find it difficult to sketch people if they don't keep still for a few minutes.  I was getting very frustrated when fortunately my friend's husband agreed to sit and pose for me.  So thank you Peppe!

My art group friends and I will be exhibiting for a month at 'La Sovarita' Restaurant, Marineo.  Please pop in for some pasta or pizza if you're in the area (that's tempting isn't it?) and have a look at our art too!






Thursday 3 May 2012

Jump!





'Jump' for Illustration Friday.
I don't know if this counts as a jump but I'd love to know how fish, dolphins etc manage to leap out of the water.  Do they build up speed first?  I'm sure there's an explanation!

Tuesday 1 May 2012

Inside My Sketchbook




I haven't had time to paint this week but I have managed to slip in a few sketches.  This a tower which is the original part of the villa where we had our exhibition.  I sat and sketched this from the window of a beautiful room much to the interest of everyone.  I took two of my old sketchbooks and left them by my paintings... many people stopped and looked  and enjoyed them.


This sketch of roof tops was from high up.   I also took loads of photos and I hope to make a bigger painting from them and my sketches.  The smoke from a nearby bakery chimney added a bit of atmosphere!



I slipped into the art museum in Palermo and this is the Spanish Gothic doorways inside.  Students from the city's school of tourism were giving free tours so I took them up on it.  The young man that took me round very bravely explained everything in English even though I'd  admitted to speaking fluent Italian.  I thought he might need the practice...am I cruel?