progress of a painting for Leeds castle Christmas card

plans in my sketch book

pencil drawing following my rough sketch

nice and tidy with pen

the snow comes alive with blue shadows

all done!

and dusted! (with glitter)

Last year I painted a greetings card for Leeds Castle, featuring the queens and King Henry VIII among others, and following that a Christmas card was needed.
I took the same view, altering the angle slightly so that the fairground and Christmas market could be seen across the moat. some of the same characters are in the winter scene, but with additions of course.
Both cards are now for sale in the Leeds Castle shop, and the Christmas card is all glittery : )

Hisbe - an independent supermarket with a big heart

loosely sketched, first washes, creates a lively painting

the finished painting on thick paper with more attention to details

Brighton means seagulls of course!

This painting of Hisbe - (How it should be) painted for a Brighton themed exhibition at Chalk Gallery
the supermarket liked the lively sketch too, and it will be appearing in some of their advertising soon.
All the good food at Hisbe is locally sourced and sold with love.

The Picture House _ The Duke of Yorks Cinema, Brighton

initial sketch of the cinema in my sketch book

now all drawn out and ready to paint

Finished! can you spot the film directors?

The Duke of Yorks cinema in Brighton is an iconic building that is one of the oldest, continuous running cinemas in the country. Those stripey legs are a landmark!

For my people relaxing and discussing film, I chose some film directors and local supporters of the cinema.

David Lynch, Stanley Kubrik, Ben Wheaton, Nick Cave are there among others, also represented are Violet Melnotte-Wyatt, the actress that had the theatre built, and Brighton arts club Joseph Longhurst, painting the old Longhurst brewery, that was there previously, owned by his father Henry Braddock Longhurst.

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.

A big family gathering for a picnic in the park

planning the painting, mustn't forget anyone

the finished family portrait, just a few changes from the sketch

A family portrait is such a personal gift, and this was one big family! I had lots of photographs to work from and worked out a way to fit everyone in to one big picture in my sketchbook. Once the family were happy with the sketch I went ahead with a larger version on heavy watercolour paper.
This one measures just over 60cm across.
Happy Birthday to the Dad of the family, I hope that this is a good surprise!

LyndseySmith: Inifinity in the North Laine - steps to a painting...

LyndseySmith: Inifinity in the North Laine - steps to a painting...: initial sketch in A4 Seawhite sketch book drawing out on heavyweight Bockingford paper drawn out in pen, bigger and ready for co...

Inifinity in the North Laine - steps to a painting

initial sketch in A4 Seawhite sketch book

drawing out on heavyweight Bockingford paper

drawn out in pen, bigger and ready for colour

I usually start with the colours of the building

grounding helps, and I decide on a sky and shadows

its the last details that take the longest

Infinity Foods stands on a corner of the North Laine in Brighton, a busy buzzy area that is great for a wander, and something to eat. Exciting shops, always something different. And plenty of seagulls!