Carol Singers on Cliffe Bridge, Lewes

Here is a detail from my picture I painted back in that week of hot sunshine (probably the only one we had) back in the summer. This has been produced as a Charity Christmas Card for SASBAH and is now being sold in several Cards for Good Causes outlets. The original is framed and ready for the next exhibition at Chalk Gallery.

the Wheatsheaf, Fitzrovia

Here is the latest pub...I am making decisions now about the passers by and the punters.
my cyclist is a bit small compared to the people on the pavement..so I need to adjust this before I go in with the pen and make them permanent!
I have been a bit slow this week, but spent a lovely day in London with one of my daughters on Thursday, eating our way round Borough Market and ending the day with the presentation of the Shine Awards by a big design and branding agency which my clever daughter won! She now has a guaranteed placement when she leaves University next year, doing what she enjoys most. so exciting!!

Eastbourne Bandstand Christmas Card - available online

http://www.eastbournebandstand.co.uk/my-account/merchandise/

The Bandstand Christmas Concert, Charity Christmas Card for SASBAH can now be bought online from the above website!

The Old Shades

The Old Shades has sold. Thats two London pubs this week. I am glad that I have a giclee print of both of these because I have enjoyed having them up at home...need to get to London and get painting pubs for me again!
Gaia that follows my blog suggested I try a windows background. So I did it today...I like it Gaia thank you!

A walk on the prom, Hove

well...all done.
I enjoyed the beach huts, think I might go back to them soon. Got a few ideas for more beach hut life!
But next to the pub...

Taking away watercolour colour...

From ultramarine to cobalt...I painted my blue beach hut, to set off my ladies orange dress and the pushchair hood. But the lively granulating ultramarine looked a bit too dark and busy for me. I dwelled on this one overnight...and decided to remove it in the morning. with a careful bit of brushwork with clean water and some kitchen towel I could remove most of the blue paint. when the damp paper had dried I went back with a cobalt blue which sat more smoothly on the paper. I feel happier about that now! Not much more to do...some background windows and walls...

Colours on the seafront

Having fun with the first washes

and the turquoisey greens bring the beach huts forward

Shadows help the beach huts to sit down firmly on the ground. 

Now for more colours to the rest of the huts. but what colour to choose?...

A new look for the blog

Last night I sold the painting of the Black Friar. I feel a bit sad as I have enjoyed having him around!!
anyway, as it has gone, I thought it was time to change the background to the blog. Bye Friar!

I think that the new background might be a bit TOO busy!! will keep experimenting....

Drawing in progress

well...I have penned in all the windows, now I am working to the front to the family - still in pencil at the moment. Struggled a bit with pushchair and legs as I was using my imagination for those. still got to get the little girls feet and shoes right.

I love the rabbit! think I want to do the rabbit as a little picture on his own...

At the moment it looks like the picture is all about the building at the back. Hopefully when I add the paint and nice bright colours for the people and the beach huts, the houses will sit back a bit...

or shall I go to the pub

Another sketch for another pub. I am looking forward to getting started on this wonderful old pub in Londons Fitzrovia. The Wheatsheaf was once the haunt of the literary types such as Dylan Thomas and George Orwell, so they may just have to be visiting!
Not sure which painting to start first now, this or the beach huts. Maybe I will just do them together.

plans for a Brighton family

Here is a very rough sketch for my next painting. I love the way that watercolour paint puddles and blends on the sketch book paper. Its not as absorbent as my watercolour paper so it wrinkles and puddles, which leads to those lovely cauliflowers!!
The clothes will change a bit, a seagull will be walking with them, and the pushchair wheels are the wrong way round, but other than that I will pretty much stick with this plan.

Church Street finished

I have finished the painting of Church Street...ready for a London pub next...

Church Street coming on...

More colours..more flowers...and the horse is in. Not much left to do, but this bit always takes the longest! 

SASBAH Charity Christmas Cards 2012

The cards have been printed, and are now available to buy at the bargain price of £3.50 for 10 cards with all profits going to the charity.  I think they actually earn about £3 from each pack sold which is fab, they must get a really good deal from Judges, that do the printing.
I know that the Lewes ones will be for sale in the new Cards for Good Causes shop in Fisher Street and also in the Brewers Arms. Not sure about the Eastbourne ones, will try to find out...

Progress of Painting the Pub

 First washes...some splashes of masking fluid on the cobbledy building next door helped it to sparkle. I needed a very pale cream for the pub. chose lavender for shadows.

 I went for a peachy colour for the woodwork upstairs, with a pale mix of orange and pink. Chocolate Browns downstairs, and for the dog!

Things start to come alive when the reds and greens go in, and shadows on the pavement. Still got to draw the people behind the windows...and the horse....

All drawn out at another Brighton pub

I have been having fun drawing imaginary customers and passers-by at another Brighton pub.
Still decisions to be made behind the windows (will the Black Horse be upstairs or downstairs?)
But..for now I am ready to splash on the paint - woo!
Love the old Brighton cobbled-front building on the left.
 I noticed that the large window and diamond pattern lights above the doors is quite similar to the ones at Casa Don Carlos in the Lanes. I wonder if it is a Brighton style?

Plumpton Signal Box for Christmas

And here is another of the images I have been making into cards...our rare, still operational, signal box here at Plumpton

Lewes Castle for Christmas

Here is one of the images that I have been glittering and making in to cards....

Christmas is coming...

The glitter sessions have started!....
A sparkly diversion from drawing thismorning....