Fish Quay

A welcome trip out with the other founder member of the Reformed Reprobates Painting Society to North Shields Fish Quay. After bacon buttie breakfast we headed onto the quay where I chose this view to paint. Actually there was a lot more in front of me than appears here, but I am trying to edit and simplify as I paint. One of my many faults is trying to get too much in a scene and destroying the immediacy of the piece by overworking. I haven't been too successful here but it's another lesson learned.

Otherwise a good day out and an evening listening to wonderful Irish music with another of our pals who we are determined to recruit to our little painting team.

Fish Quay - Oil on canvas board 12" x 10"

Another Irish Memory

A great holiday with some great people and also the opportunity to make a couple of pictures. This is the second, a view up the lane from the house where we stayed. In the far background, the Reek (Croagh Patrick), a constant in Mayo. Again, it could be improved but maybe a little progress again with better recession and a little more vibrant colour.

Along the Lane - Oil on canvas board 12" x 10"

Drumcliff

Just returned from a relaxing week in Ireland attending a music festival and sharing time with family but also managed to get in a bit of painting time. After my last post I felt the need to get outside and try to improve my plein air work, but as is often the case finding the time in a decent painting spot with consistent lighting is very difficult. The last PA work suffered from my lack of consistent decision making about what lighting I wanted to depict. Again I think this work suffers from similar inconsistency and unsure decision making. However, I think there is a bit of improvement in this piece, particularly in terms of establishing back, mid and foreground. So hopefully a bit of progress this week.

Drumcliff - Oil on canvas board 12" x 10"