Painting outside

 On several occasions I have painted outside but not often. I have been anticipating to do this, but also thought I should try it... So after reading some tips on painting outside I took the time and went for a walk with a rucksack filled with some basic kit.

I found a bench and a quiet spot and made two paintings: the first was a bit strict and precise, and the second one was more loose. This is the second one:

And this is my view for the drawing, I like the lines in a landscape, and the different stages of foreground, center and background. Also winter times show the contours of the trees in a beautiful way.

But after an hour I got cold, so I tried to dry my painting on the fence, and then hiked back to my bike.

Will I go again? Yes! If only because there is still so much to learn :).

Keep going

 Each face is different, and when I see a tilted head or a certain look that speaks to me, I like to try to capture it. Just as this ballpoint sketch on a small piece of paper:

I've been working on all sorts of different things, some Youtube studies on landscapes, working on a larger landscape on canvas, and making little portrait drawings. Creativity has to found you working is a quote I once read... so better take that pencil or brush and see where you end up...

Little pencil portrait

Last weekend my studio was open for 2 days, I display my latest artwork, the cards which I do not sell online, some handmade gift packages and so on. In the meantime I am working at my desk. This weekend I sold this little pencil portrait, it was purchased as a gift for someone. It makes me so happy to be selling my artwork, so it can be seen and enjoyed.

Wishing you a good week!

Open Studio

 On March, 6 and 7 I am opening up my studio for local visitors. Spring is in the air so it is nice to welcome people to the studio. It is open from 11-16 on Friday and 11-15 in Saturday. Please contact me for more details.

I'll be presenting creative DIY packages, greeting cards, small art and accessories, all handmade by me.

On the table

This is the latest piece of work on my desk, a horizontal landscape with acrylics on paper. It is a landscape from the heart, and probably based on one of the many landscape views I see during my walks. I like the endlessness of meadows and flat land, it gives room to breathe. This abstract approach of painting also gives room to the viewer's imagination and thoughts, which is unsubconsciously one of the reasons I think why I paint... to let the viewer be transported to another world. 

Abstract blues

 This time some abstract work: I enjoyed working with these colours and seeing the result. I used some sgraffito as well. I wanted to try out this Fabriano paper (it is perfect) and used some yellow, blue and black for this. The outcome is very lively and surprising, the only thing is: what to do next? Do I leave it like this because it is lively, or do I continue with other layers? I have not decided yet.

Little portrait

This week a little drawing by Rembrandt was sold for 27 million, a sketch of a lion. Well preserved, framed and taken care of. I was thinking about this when I made a little portrait drawing of a girl, with a French Conté pencil. All the little sketches tell something about the maker, they have value. And when you have become famous they are immensely valuable :).

It was a small girl on a random picture in a brochure, but I wanted to capture her look, a bit innocent and dreamy. I love the soft touch the Conté adds.