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! 

Postcard Tombola for St Peter & St James Hospice

On Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th November I will be taking part in the Chailey and Newick Painting Group art exhibition at Chailey Parish Hall. As usual there will be framed and unframed original paintings, artists greetings cards and lots of cake!
these postcards have been painted for the Postcard Tombola, to raise money for St Peter and St James Hospice.

Ice Skating at the Royal Pavilion, Brighton

from pencil to pen

the first colours go on, setting the scene

lots of colour and lots of skaters...spot the extra cat!

It's Christmas Card time again! ...well actually I am running a bit late and many artists completed their cards months ago!
I visited the Royal Pavilion in January this year and was inspired to recreate the scene for this year's SASBAH card. I tried to put in some recognisable Brighton faces from past and present, do you recognise anyone?

SGFA Draw 16 at the Menier Gallery

A lovestruck Romeo

the old tobacco shop, Haymarket

On 4th October Draw 16 opens at the Menier Gallery in Southwark, London, and I am excited that these two paintings have been accepted for the exhibtion.