Thursday 12 August 2010

Painting in the Garden


I have been feeling a little 'out of sorts' earlier this week, and I think it's because I've been spending too much time in front of the computer, dealing with admin and publicity, and not enough time actually drawing. So, I took myself in hand yesterday. It was a sunny day: I turned the computer off and took my sketchbook into the garden.


Inspired by a recent trip to the Millennium Gallery (Watercolours in Britain: Tradition & Beyond), I thought I'd try again to get my head (hand?) round paint - don't know if you've noticed, but most of what I do has always been drawing, not painting.

Of course, no sooner had I finished faffing about, setting up all the bits and bobs I might need (sketchbook & paints, pen, radio, suncream, sunhat, phone, jam-jar of water, cup of coffee...) than the sun went in and it started to spot with rain. Grrrrrrrrrr.


It proved to be one of those irritating in-and-out sort of days but, between the cursing and bringing stuff repeatedly in from the rain, and then back out again, I managed these 2 little paintings I was quite pleased with.

13 comments:

granny grimble said...

Paints make a welcome change from pens, pencils and pastel.Strange that they all begin with 'P'!
I like the shadows on the garden wall very much, and can't wait to see the pond in the flesh so to speak!

Mary Lou Rosato-Caine said...

I just love your style Lynne, and these 2 pictures capture my heart. I am glad you escaped the computer for a while-- crazy how plugged in we all are :) I was just telling my nephew, about the early days of the Mac, and a thing called a "mouse" back in the day. I remember my girlfriend coming by after a day of working on the computer(graphic art) saying I was working with a mouse today. and we would both laugh at the thought of her working with a mouse!
Keep doing what you do I love your blog!

Lynne the Pencil said...

Thank you both - what lovely feedback.

Know what you mean Mary Lou: I can't believe that when I first started illustrating, all I had was a portable typewriter to do my admin on!

sea-blue-sky & abstracts said...

They're lovely paintings too - I especially like the first, for the colours and light and shade.

Unknown said...

I am glad the sun stayed out long enough for you to capture those wonderful shadows splashing down the wall in that first picture.

Caroline said...

Two delightful sketches - love the depth of colour in the pond. I'm amazed you accomplished so much with all the toing and froing!

Lynne the Pencil said...

Thank you - yes, me too! I felt quite grumpy at the end if the afternoon, but next morning, looking again at the paintings, I knew it was worth it.

Phil Toodle said...

These are lovely. You've given watercolours a new dimension that I don't think I've seen anywhere else. More, more!

Lynne the Pencil said...

Wow - thanks Philip!

Vivien said...

I like these very much - portrayals of individual places.

Ira R said...

Beautiful and beautiful! I especilly love the top one.

Kelli said...

Omg. I love your style!! The "pond" picture is beautiful. I love how the colours mesh together. I wish I was a bit better at art. Especially watercolours. They are so pretty looking when other people do them!!

Love your stuff!!

~Kelli

Lynne the Pencil said...

Thank you Kelli. Stick with it: the first one I did that day was dreadful, you get better the more you plough on!