King Louie

King Louie

24 x 31cm

Watercolour / Gouache

I put the final touches to my private commission 'King Louie' on Friday at the opening of the Guildhall Arts Centre in Bristol. I was one of the artists demonstrating their craft in the gallery spaces as visitors manoeuvred around us. Unfortunately the scan above was done just before I took the painting Bristol so their are a few things missing which can be seen in the original (which is not in my possession). The original has a slightly more detailed tapestry and the contrasts in the kings skirt (if that's what it's called) are heightened.

As usual with this type of piece I produced a sepia under-painting and then began glazing colours but maintaining the details underneath. As a finishing touch I added gouache on the smoke from the brazier and the odd highlight on the fur, throne, hats and silver egg.

Iconic Britain 2013

I had an email recently containing this link for a new painting competition perfect for any realist painter. Iconic Britain 2013 is looking for iconic images of Britain, it could be buildings, landscapes, people or culture so long as it British.

Progress, progress, progress.

 Two more days left to finish, I'll go into more detail about the process once it's completed.

'The Art Of Storytelling' Exhibition At The Pound Arts Centre

I've been helping to put this exhibition together for a while now and finally it's ready to open. The private view is tonight and I cannot wait to hear what people have to say about the work on display. There is also a large stock of prints alongside the excellent originals all of which are available to purchase.

For more details click here.

Louie The Lion

Here's the next painting I have planned which needs to be finished in two weeks. I hope to make a start tomorrow.

The Bristol Art Prize - Call For Entries

The Bristol Art Prize is a new competition set up by the people who have been running the Bath Prize for the last few years. The Bristol Prize looks to be even bigger, anybody can enter and if your work is selected you have the opportunity to be part of a massive exhibition at the Guildhall in the centre of Bristol. The main award is a purchase prize for £5,000 and I believe more awards will be added to the website very soon. Entry deadline is Sunday 8th September.

Why not take a look - www.bristolartprize.co.uk

'Settling In' & 'A Winter's Guest'

Finished, scanned and packed all ready to be shipped.

A Winter's Guest

Watercolour / Gouache

24 x 31cm

Settling In

Watercolour / Gouache

24 x 31cm 

Hedgehogs Progress

I've made a start on the next in my series of whimsical-animal-based-fantasy watercolour paintings (I need to think of a better title).

I'm really trying to push the warm and cool colour relationships in this painting and I'll have to be careful when I'm painting the snow, I've never been much good at that.

Badger Progress

I've started the colour work which is just about all you can see as my mobile phone camera is too blurry.

Badger Underpainting

Here's a little under-painting I completed today. On to the colour tomorrow.