Opening time at the Cinema

sketched out plans 

all drawn out and ready to paint

all done

There is an old cinema, The Orion,  in Burgess Hill which has bucked the trend and still shows films, but its future is under threat from a big multi screen that is due to be built nearby.
I have a vivid memory of queueing for this cinema with my sister on a hot day in the school summer holidays, waiting for the doors to open, and hoping we would get in. We would probably have had a box of smarties or fruit pastilles, bought from the nearby sweet shop on the way.
Here is the day, reimagined in pen and watercolour.

Sunshine and Sunflowers in France

first plans in sketch book

drawing out on thick watercolour paper

finished painting

sunshine and sunflowers! detail

Here is the development of a commission from last spring, to bring a little sunshine to the blog (especially as I am working away on snowy paintings at the moment!)
this couple love to walk and cycle on holidays in the Vendee, France. The sunflowers were a joy to paint!

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.

Duke Street Rendezvous

initial sketch

from pencil plan to ink

ready for colour 

 finished!

 In the vacated home of Choccywoccydoodah a wonderful little coffee shop with gallery has opened up with three floors of art by local artists and lots of edible treats too!

I love the building with the decorative plaster work, the growling lions on the pillars, the awning and the tables outside, all present a really inviting view.

It would be nice to paint this at night time too, with the glowing fairy lights. Ah well, a project for another time!

Painting the Mayflower Pub at Rotherhithe

drawn out in ink...love the clean white paper ready to paint!

first colours, earthy and fairly monchrome

blue sky brings in some cheery colour

ooh that black contrast helps, and the first bright splashes of pink and yellow

all the colours on...I may have missed a few spots. has it come alive?

I have really enjoyed painting this historic little pub on London's river bank. I have roots in this area, and so do so many people across the world! The Pilgrim fathers began their journey from the steps beside the pub, fishermen calling at Londons docks could call in and buy a stamp, and my ancestors build barges just yards away.