Developing a header for a website

first thoughts doodled in a sketchbook

I took the elements from the first sketch and laid them out again

Redrawn and painted in watercolour

Here is a recent illustration to be used on a website. I find that often I can lay out my first ideas in my Seawhites sketchbook while sitting in front of the telly, and these will end up being the basis of the finished piece. Here you can see the development, from first thought to final artwork.

Planning a family portrait

initial sketch in my Seawhite sketchbook

The finished portrait

Here is one of this year's commissions. The layout and colours are planned out in my sketchbook and I then have something to show to the family and make changes as necessary. It isn't always easy to tell how heights compare for example!
The sketchbook has cartridge paper which absorbs the paint quite differently and dries quicker. It makes the paper crinkle and the paint puddles. I love the effect this gives but it would look a bit too bumpy in a frame. The final painting is made on very thick Bockingford watercolour paper. The paints are the same in each case, Winsor and Newton artists watercolours.

Developing a painting of The Swan pub, Lewes

the sketch in my A4 Seawhite sketch book

drawn out at twice the size on heavy Bockingford watercolour paper

base colours added

and then the colourpops! the finished painting

Here is the development of a recent painting ready to be exhibited at Chalk Gallery, Lewes.
The Swan pub, sits on a busy junction at the top of a hill in Lewes, on one of the very old routes out of town. Once a blacksmith worked behind the pub, and beer was brewed across the road.

A comission for a present

All drawn out and ready to colour in

Watercoloured!

I am regularly painting house and family portraits to be given as presents. These often include pets or toys...and this one included a whole host of them!