New destination

 SOLD!

The making of this painting took some time. I first prepared the paper, then started on something, which I did not like, too busy. Then weeks later I looked at it again, and started painting intuitively, putting the colours down and seeing what it needed. I instantly liked it much more, I took another critical look, added some highlights and then it was finished. And now it is sold, to someone who instantly liked it. That is just the best way...

Most paintings I sell through studio visits, but in my Etsy-shop you can also find paintings. It is for me an easy way to place pictures and get it out there to be seen. This way I sold a set of paintings to Alaska some years ago... I mean I still cannot believe it...

ART needs to be seen and enjoyed.

Loose landscape

Artwork on my desk last week, an acrylic base and then painted and drew, using Caran d'Ache Neocolour II. Really enjoyed the loose touch:

 Hope to be doing this more often :).

OPEN Studio

 This week May 8 and 9, I open up my studio for visitors. I have new cards to show, some small art pieces and also this new landscape painting:

My workspace consists of my studio, a large teachingroom and a garden. I always make it into a sort of little shop and gallery so I can show what I have been up to.

My studio is open from 11-16 hours, contact me for more info. Wishing you a good week!

More Sketchbook Revival

 A lesson I really liked in the Sketchbook Revival Challenge was the one by Debbie Mackinnon. She illustrated how to sketch outside and take the tree shapes as a base for a composition. I like the loose style. So first I prepared the pages with some watercolour base, then sketched the trees into a composition and then concentrated on lights and darks. Here you see the beginning and the end result.

It reminds me of a Spanish landscape with hills in the distance.

I also made some notes and a quick sketch as a reminder to practice this more often:

Some results

 This week is also Sketchbook Revival week, and I'd like to share some results:

I did not have much spare time, but when I did start one of the assignments I really enjoyed it. Being taken into a creative prompt really focuses your eyes on the paper in front of you. And looking back on the pages, they are inspiring prompts. Now onto the next ones!

The start

 The start of a new painting. An image in a documentary of an older woman chatting from her window interested me. Especially in Mediterranean countries this is a common way to spend your time :).

So here I am using charcoal to make a composition sketch, to get dimensions right. I am going to use acrylic paint, and I am working on thick paper suited for this. Maybe later on I will make a version on canvas. First, I want to study this. And I like paper, because it takes less room to store. I use common dimensions so it will fit a standard frame, this is 50*70 cm.

I am curious where this will end... you never know until you try.

Fruit trees

 Ah, the Plum fruit tree is showing its first flowers, a beautiful sight. We are having some sunny days and slowly bees and butterflies are taking a look in the garden. 

So I am spending quite a few hours outdoors, and am preparing for the Sketchbook revival, collecting materials and paper. Maybe next week some results?