What's On My Drawing Board?

The preliminary drawing for a watercolour of Cotton House in Marlborough College of course, I can't believe you didn't get that!

Peacock Arts Trail 28th Sept - 6th Oct

I'm getting all geared up for my open studio.

I have over 100 pieces of art, all available to buy at seriously low prices. I will be tweeting individual pieces regularly so you can get a flavour of what I have to offer so please follow me @chrisdunnillos to be in the know.

I am based at the Pound Arts Centre, Corsham SN13 9HX, next door to Penney Ellis and Claire Baker who are also taking part. My opening times are:

Sat 28th    10.00 - 17.00 (I will not be present but you will get to meet my wife, Suzanne)
Sun 29th   10.00 - 16.00
Mon 30th  10.00 - 17.00
Tues 1st    10.00 - 17.00
Wed 2nd   10.00 - 17.00
Thurs 3rd  10.00 - 17.00
Fri 4th       Closed
Sat 5th      10.00 - 17.00 (I will not be present but you will get to meet my wife, Suzanne)
Sun 6th     10.00 - 16.00

Link to Peacock Arts Trail website

Night-time Reading

My wife was browsing through my website yesterday, it didn't take long before she started to exclaim, "where's the mole in the library?"
"What do you mean?" I replied.
"You know," then she gave me that look I only get from her when I'm being particularly dense. "The painting of the mole in a library, it's not on your blog."
"Isn't it?"
"Well, I can't find it"
"Oh, I thought I'd posted that already." I'd better point out I have a notoriously bad memory.
"You'd better do it before you forget - again."
"Yes dear" 

Surely not many married couples can have this conversation, normally it's where are the car keys, or have you put the bin out. However I'm glad Suzanne spotted my lackadaisical approach to blogging, so after a lengthy build up here is that mole in a library painting

Night-time Reading

24 x 31cm

Watercolour / Gouache

The Orator

 The Orator

Watercolour / Gouache

24 x 31cm

Hot off the easel, watercolour painting finished and scanned this morning! 

I had a bit of trouble with the values in this painting. I have attempted to increase them on Mr Toad while letting the background level out slightly in the hope that the main character will stand out sufficiently. Now, that's not easy to do when you have an open fireplace crackling merrily in the background as it forces you to develop contrasts so the flame look suitably bright. A lesson learned I think.

In terms of process I did the usual sepia watercolour under-painting, glazed local colour then worked the values in watercolour. Finally I added mostly highlights with gouache but I did darken his velvet lapels with a deep brown umber gouache paint.

The Orator - Work In Progress

I have to put this aside for the next few days but I finally think it's starting to come together.