Figure drawing (1) July 26 2010

Charcoal on paper approx 12" x 9"

Figure drawing (2) 26 July 2010

Charcoal on paper approx 12" x 9"

Life study 22nd July 2010

Acrylic on hardboard 12" x 12"

This was last night's studio painting. I worked on a board I had already prepared with a ground of grey (ultramarine, raw umber and a touch of white). It's a really nice background to paint flesh colours onto and I have prepped a few more boards in this way in readiness. Two hours is not long but maybe long enough to learn something about the human form. There is no doubt that working from life you see "more colour" - and it's also thoroughly fascinating to do (well at least that's my current response but as Hockney says - dont take any notice of what an artist says, just look at what he (sic) does.

Figure study 19th July 2010

Acrylic on hardboard 12" x 12"

I have worked a bit on this since first posting. However, it's not easy to do that when the model is no longer in front of you.

Tableau vivant (re-worked) figures garden house surreal

This painting has been sold


Oil on board 30" x 30"
All the time I was in Paris my mind kept going back to this painting. I knew it needed working on but not scrapping. The basic idea I liked. It was the mood of a kind of stilted awkwardness I had not captured or conveyed in the original posting (see 21st June). Now it seems the time of day is unclear but it doesn't matter to me. The man has gone and his card table has gone with him. The women are posing a challenge to us and maybe to each other.

Giverny hollyhocks II (re-work) france giverny monet floral garden

Pastel on paper approx 9" x 9" £45 British pounds plus postage & packing - £3.50 to UK; £7 to rest of world

I've reworked this since first posting it to give it more depth and to unify the whole picture making the background as significant as the flowers.

Hollyhocks on the road to Giverny France Giverny floral Monet garden

Pastel on paper approx 10" x 6" £45 British pounds plus postage & packing £3.50 to UK; £7 to rest of world

I have taken off my previous post of the pastel drawing I did in Monet's garden because I was disappointed with it (I should never have had the impudence to think I could ape the Master). Instead, as a memory of Giverny, I have used my reference photos to re-create the abundant hollyhocks which lined the old path I walked from the town of Vernon to Giverny, Monet's home. It was a beautiful walk with many garden flowers to be seen on the way and the sky was as blue as blue. I have more photos of hollyhocks so I may do a few more of these pastel studies as I have little time at the moment to do much else in the way of painting. I know floral studies are not really what people expect of me but my museum visits in Paris encouraged me yet again in terms of not worrying about keeping to the same themes or styles all the time - if you study Degas for instance you will find that to be so true.

Boats on the lake, Bois de Vincennes Paris, France, lake, woods

Ink on paper approx 10" x 6" £35 (British pounds)plus postage & packing (£3.50 to UK; £7 to rest of world)

My last day in Paris. I decided to walk from Place de Bastille to the Bois de Vincennes via the "Promenade Plantee", which is an old railway line - some under pass and some over pass, which they concreted over about 20 years ago and did some beautiful planting on either side to complement the foliage already there.
The rowing boats on the lake were a gift to sketch.
Sorry there is a greeny cast to the image. I took the photograph under some trees actually on site. I have just de-greened it a bit but see it is still peeking through.

The kitchen window paris france old window apartment

Pencil on paper approx 10" x 7" £35 British pounds plus postage & packing of £3.50 to UK; £7 to rest of world

The apartment has been tastefully restored. It has generally a modern feel but some original nineteenth century features have been left such as this old window in the kitchen.

Rooftops of Montparnasse Paris France buildings

Pen and ink on paper 10" x 5" £35 British pounds plus postage & packing of £3.50 to UK; £7 to rest of world

Had a lovely weekend with my daughter and partner who came to visit me here in Paris. This morning I am off to the Picasso museum but before leaving I did this quick sketch of the rooftops - the view from my apartment window.
ps: I actually did this and posted it Monday morning (5th July)but it seems Blogger works in Pacific time and posted it as Sunday?

The Auberge Ravoux auberge ravoux auvers sur oise france van gogh

Ink on paper approx 10" x 7" £35 British pounds plus postage & packing of £3.50 to UK; £7 to rest of world

Today I took a trip out to Auvers sur Oise which was where Van Gogh spent the last few months of his short life (he died aged 37). I visited the tiny attic room at the Auberge Ravoux where he lived during the summer of 1890. Vincent took his own life during those summer months and he is buried in the graveyard up above the village. It was really sad to be there and humbling, thinking of all the Vincents in the world today and how we prefer to ignore them until it is too late. He was happy in Auvers and wrote to his brother Theo that he was painting well and with luck he might get an exhibition in a cafe soon. That brings a lump to my throat when I think of his work now in the greatest museums of the world it reminds me how weak we are and how we need to aim for far greater understanding of each other whilst we are alive, in the here and now.
I did this quick sketch from the cafe opposite the Auberge Ravoux whilst sipping an iced tea. Here's to you Vincent. Hope you're painting the heck out of em wherever you are.