The second painting of my Jeff Lynne (of ELO) obsession.

More portrait paintings in the Portrait gallery and New Paintings.

Never before has so little taken so long to paint! I'm exhausted. Another new subject matter for me and a new style. It's all about the journey, why make it easy! The paper is also new to me (Saunders Waterford 140lb Hot Pressed, which has a slightly yellow tinge to it). 
​
​More portrait paintings in the galleries, Other Painting Subjects and New Paintings.

​Whether using tracing paper is cheating or not has been a hotly debated argument amongst artist since...well, since it was invented probably. 

Here, I am going to suggest ways in which tracing paper can be used as an aid - and none of them involve tracing from a photograph to reproduce it as a watercolour painting. 

I bought some aperture cards yesterday without much idea how I would use them. Today however, I've been going through old paintings, failed paintings and this years experimental paintings and discovered endless card making possibilities. See below! Pictures taken with a camera in poor light - sorry, I'm no photographer.

The original hedgehog painting has now sold. It is available as a Limited Edition print by clicking the link.

I was brought up on a diet of Beatrix Potter books, perhaps that's where my love of hedgehogs comes from.

​I haven't seen one shuffling about in the garden for years, despite the piles of wood and other debris lying around. So, I did a bit of research (Googled it). Numbers are in decline, which is a shame, and it's not yet understood why.

Other examples of my wildlife paintings can be seen in the Animals and Birds gallery and also in the gallery of New Paintings.

Louise Morton set herself the goal of recording the family farm in watercolour. I caught up with her over lunch and asked her to let us know how she's getting on. Here's our interview, including a few of the many paintings Louise has produced.

Other portrait paintings in watercolour can be found in the gallery Other Painting Subjects.

For further examples of my paintings go to galleries:- New Paintings, Other Painting Subjects and Landscapes. I wasn't sure which gallery to put this in so I've put it in three!

The inspiration for this painting came from a painting holiday I, and four other artists, went on to Limoux, in the Aude department of France, in 2013. During our stay we visited the Abbaye de Saint Hilaire.

​Other examples of my flowers and fruit paintings can be seen in the gallery.

I run Watercolour Workshops or Taster Days from my studio, providing tuition for up to six people.

Whether you are a complete beginner, or a more experienced artist, I can tailor the day to suit your needs ensuring you get the most from your time.

These small original paintings will be available to buy shortly, if you are interested please contact me. More examples of my flowers and fruit paintings can be seen in the gallery.

"Thank you so much for a really lovely day. It was perfect. Great company, great food and even Robert thought my painting looked good which, of course, is down to you. Thanks again and we will be back (if you'll have us!)". MH

If you are interested in joining a watercolour workshop or weekly class below is a list of the basic equipment needed. I hope it is helpful.

Original paintings, Limited Edition Prints and Greeting cards will be on display in The Blue Room at The Bell Inn, 10 St James's Street, Castle Hedingham, Essex, CO9 3EJ throughout September.

My new paintings have been reproduced as Limited Edition Prints. In many cases the Edition has been Limited, by me, to 50 or 100 prints adding to their uniqueness and value. Each one is signed and numbered by me. They cost £35, framed, and will be available from The Bell Inn during September.

Alternatively, if you would prefer to frame them yourself the cost of a Limited Edition Print is £25 mounted, ready for framing. 

They are available to buy via my website (by clicking the image in any of the Galleries) or contact me directly if you wish to collect them in person.

Prints can be ordered in many standard sizes. Here on my website I have listed print sizes as fitting a 10" x 12" standard frame.  If you would prefer a smaller, or larger, size please contact me.

I am often asked which brand of watercolour paints to buy. I never normally deviate from my usual brand, Winsor and Newton, however, artist Jen Oldknow has done a very through product review for Jackson's Watercolour paints which you may find interesting.

I have done a product review for Maimeri Watercolour Paints which you may also find useful.

My palette (pictured above) contains six colours of paint. To find out what they are and why I chose them read my article entitled "Because Life's Complicated Enough".

Do you stick to one brand of paint or do you have a mixture of brands in your palette of colours?

Eleanor

Years ago I used to paint "plein-air" all the time. These days I rarely venture away from the comfort of my studio, which is a shame and something I've been working on rectifying of late. 

The Society for All Artists asked me if I'd be willing to do a product review for MaimeriBlu watercolours.

I was sent a set of five, 15ml tubes to test. The colours sent were:- Cadmium Yellow Deep, a rich opaque colour with an orange bias. Cadmium Red Light, again opaque with an orange bias. Cobalt Blue Light, a semi opaque colour, and two earth colours; Burnt Sienna and Burnt Umber both semi opaque. 
(Right to left in the example below.)

I thought I'd reached the end of my recent bird series/obsession until I remembered my desire to paint another robin. This will not be the last of them, I have in mind to paint a robin pulling a worm from the ground.

Other examples of my bird paintings can be seen in the  Animals and Birds gallery and also in the gallery of New Paintings.

The photograph below shows the first stage of my watercolour painting Fireworks at Carcassonne. By clicking the "read more" tab you can see the painting process from the initial sketch, made on location, to the final stages of the painting. 

More of my landscape paintings can be seen in the gallery, Landscape Paintings and in the gallery of  New Paintings.

Other examples of my bird paintings can be seen in the  Animals and Birds gallery and also in the gallery of New Paintings.

More of my landscape paintings can be seen in the gallery, Landscape Paintings and in the gallery of  New Paintings.

Thank you to everyone on Facebook who suggested names for this painting. I liked all of them but finally settled on "Discovered" as there is a rather startled looking Red Grouse, bottom left.

The subject matter was chosen to reflect the panoramic views that The Pheasant enjoys, but with some artistic interpretation to allow for as many different watercolour techniques as possible to be included. 

Fortunately the weather was good (better than it looks in the photographs) and it was a very enjoyable day. James provided us with home made biscuits with our morning coffee as well as a delicious two course lunch with wine and coffee.  

This was the first time some of the artists had painted, and I have never tutored a workshop "en plein air" before so it was a new experience for us all. I was very impressed at the speed with which everyone picked up some of the more difficult aspects of painting. Everyone went home with two finished paintings, and hopefully some new found skills that they can put to good use in their gardens or on holiday.

If you would like to receive information on future events, or you know someone that might, you can subscribe here. 

Finally, during July, my original framed paintings, framed prints and cards will be on display at The Pheasant.
Address: Gestingthorpe, Essex, CO9 3AU. Opening times: 12-2:30pm and 6:30-9pm.

Eleanor

More criminal birds!

Following my 'trip down memory lane' with my painting of a Blue Tit on a milk bottle I have been looking at, in order to paint, more of our native British birds.

Other examples of my paintings are available in the gallery  Animals and Birds and also in the gallery of New Paintings.