Lovely end to a bad start

Today, I had planned a local day out in the Romahome. I am getting it ready for the trip to Suffolk. The day got off to a bad start. I packed supplies and made sure Alf's new seat and safety harness were working. I had to adjust the driver's seat, and of course, it was stuck in the back position used by someone else. In adjusting the seat, I strained my back. 

I  was ready to give up and had a couple of hour's of self-indulgent woe-is-me. Then Alf reminded me that he hadn't been walked yet and was itching to do zoomies. We set off for the nearest walk with an all-day-food pub. The Millstream, on the banks of the Purwell, and backing onto Walsworth Common.

We parked in the overflow carpark across the lovely wooden bridge and parked under the trees.

After a short walk on the Common, I left Alf in the shade, tied to the rear seatbelt strut. I went into the pub to order lunch and was a little irritated to learn that I needed a table number. The waitress did not have the flexibility of mind to enable me to have lunch delivered to the Romahome.

I selected a table and gave the number with my order. I then took my lime and soda back to the van for 10 minutes, before colleting my meal and carrying it back. 

First meal out this year. Eating alone is not one of my favourite things, yet it happens every day. Most of my friends are part of a couple, and family live too far away to have regular meals with them.

It can't be helped, and yet I still find it a regular reminder that Eamonn has gone.

After lunch, and returning the plate to the table, Alf and I had a longer walk, completing a full circuit of the Common without meeting anyone else. Remarkable for the Saturday of Easter Weekend.

Alf loves the Common. We haven't been there for a while, thanks to all the rain and cold weather. There were lots of zoomies, testing the water in the stream, inspecting the pond, and rolling in really interesting stuff.

Alf's recall remains very good. Despite his agenda, he heads back to me as soon as I call or whistle.

So, after a really bad start, the day turned out quite nicely. On the way back home, I popped into the local shop to pick up some afternoon treats and chicken for dinner.

Painters Online

 

I found a website that is to painters what Ravelry is to stitchers. It allows you to keep track of what you have finished, including the details about the painting methods.

Watercolours to date 

Acrylics to date 

I'm surprised, and pleased, at the feedback given by other painters. It has allowed me to develop my own style in a non-judgemental virtual space.

Flood at Bateman's Tower, Brightlingsea

 Started 10th January, finished 28th February 2023

This is probably the most difficult piece attempted yet. The sky was full of movement, and the sea was stormy and threatening. In the midst, stood Bateman's Tower, black against the sky and solid and stalwart against the rage of the sea.

I started by laying down a blue background for the sea and sky, and sketching in the main features.

From there, I concentrated on the sky and horizon.

Building the sea was great fun, using different brushes and techniques for the waves and sea patterns.

Adding the Tower and promontory on which it is built was challenging. Where was the sea? Is that railing and other items on land?

More depth and movement added to sea and sky, final details on the Tower, and it's ready for varnishing.

Whiskey 1966

I found an old canvas that had been started last year. Gesso soon wiped the image and I started a second version of the watercolour of Whiskey. 

This time in acrylic.

I used very different colours, trying to give the impression of the image emerging through a time wormhole. 

The final version reminds me of the mid 1960s and episodes of Doctor Who.

Murphy and her toy.

 The Daughter wasn't keen on the first painting of Murphy. The breeder had taken the photo and Kate wasn't keen on it.

So I painted a second one, from a photo Kate had taken. It was quite challenging, especially the toy in the mouth.

Kate said I'd captured Murphy's eyes, when I showed her the finished watercolour. She showed no interest in owning it.

The painting looks very nice in this location.

The Light

This watercolour was chosen as a suitable image for an old frame I wanted to use. At first, it looked as though it was going to work really well.

That was before I realised that the watercolour paper was not long enough to fit the frame.

I cut a canvas to fit the frame and added a top and bottom to the image. 

I was going to use a mount, but realised that it would cut too much off the width of the image of the Lighthouse. So I continued the light upwards, and the shadows downwards, to fill the space of the frame. As my daughter pointed out, the unframed version was a much finer image.

The Southwold Schooner

 

The 3-masted schooner is a regular visitor off the Blyth Estuary at Southwold. I wanted to capture the joy of seeing it appearing through the mist and dropping anchor.

As the painting progressed, it became more and more geometrical. This is the first time I followed the shapes in the image, rather than the emotions it evoked. 

Even the breaking wave has a mathematical feel.

Launch a Memory

 

When the RNLI wrote inviting me to remember Eamonn on a new  Shannon Class Lifeboat, to be launched at Wells next the Sea, I didn't hesitate. The invite came in time for Eamonn's birthday, 2021. 

The Duke of Edinburgh was launched in September, and made its way to Wells in October. 

Day 1 20 October 2022

I started an A5 watercolour of the still from the video of the boat's arrival at Wells at the Get Painting group. It is the first time I've attempted to paint an object. Given my lack of drawing skills, I was worried about if I could capture the spirit of the lifeboat in action.

Day 2 23/10/2022

I let the colours do the work and filled in the details right at the end.

Rather pleased with the way it turned out.

Murphy

 When I was a child, my Dad's nickname for me was Murphy - or Spud. He used to take me to watch Manchester City play. A footballer who once played for the team, and England. William Murphy (23 May 1894 – 11 June 1975), often known as Spud Murphy, was an English footballer who played as a winger for Manchester City, Southampton, Oldham Athletic and Tranmere Rovers.

I was thrilled when Kate told me the name of her new puppy - Murphy.

Looking at the photos the breeder sent, I noticed a similarity with my dog, Whiskey.

Day 1 

I decided to try a watercolour in a similar style of that I'd used for the portrait of Whiskey

Day2

It didn't quite turn out as planned. 

Day 3

Bold strokes of colour served for the outline and wavy coat.

Day 4

The features needed a more detailed approach.

Finished and Framed - 16/10/2022

Found the perfect frame.

Whiskey

 My first dog was bought as a birthday present to me in 1963, after my sister was married.

He died in 1970, just before we moved to the South of England.

He was my best friend throughout my teenage years.

I wanted to depict Whiskey's fun character, so added colour to the original photo, to use as a prompt.

Really pleased with the finished watercolour. Attempted a pop-art type cartoon.