Mrs B's Vlog Number Two:

 I've just uploaded my second art studio vlog on You Tube.

This one's a bit longer, and I chat about arty shenanigans and show you my studio log book.

If you'd like to pop over with a cuppa just click on the picture.....see you there chuck x

Studio Log Book...

At the start of lockdown last year I decided that I wanted to keep a 'studio log book' (this sounds a little bit grand I know!)

It's been so helpful to keep a note of colour mixes and the little discoveries that can be made when you paint a picture.

Im really going to try and keep this up, do you keep some kind of record of your creative work?

 

Back In The Studio...

 

Things have been pretty busy around these parts of late, my teaching has started again and I've been organising new bits and bobs for my shop in time for the Christmas run-up (eep!)

But after a while that familiar twitchy feeling creeps up on me and I know that I have to get out the paints and do something that's creative.

I had no plans for this painting but I had primed a panel ready because I knew that I would have to splash some paint around soon or I would go 'pop'!

I really enjoy making little Instagram stories as I paint, which really surprises me because I'm not one for being in front of a camera.

I think that it feels different though because I'm just talking and the camera is pointing at the painting as it develops - it really seems to keep me company as I'm perched on my rickety stool for hours on end!

For the majority of the time this was a definite 'Papa Bear,' but the bear's expression and personality kept shifting all the time (which is another reason why I love Instagram stories so much, because you quickly forget how the painting used to look).

One head scarf later, and she's really a force to be reckoned with - a true Matriarch!

I've still got lots to do, but I have thoroughly enjoyed painting this bear and I'm having such fun experimenting with lots of different media.

Wishing you a very creative week chucks X

PS If you'd like to see some of my (rather rambling) Instagram stories, I've saved them as highlights here.

Harlequin...

I've just finished this painting and I've enjoyed every minute of it.

I have spent a lot of time on the background and it's at this point that I could really overwork it.

During this very strange time I have decided just to paint whatever makes me happy and it's been very interesting to see what has emerged!

I love how the colours of the painting seems to run down onto the easel - there's over twenty years of paint build-up on that poor easel!

I think that I'll use Harlequin for A4 prints, and maybe some other bits and bobs for when my shop opens again.

Hope you like him!

X

Catching The Wave...

It popped into my head the other day while I was in my studio, that painting is a lot like surfing (I do apologise but I'm not sure if that is a metaphor or an analogy)???

Before I go any further, please do not think for one moment that I am a surfer of any kind - if my toe touches the sea I literally shrivel up in a hypothermia-induced panic attack! 

However, my hubby loves to surf and it brings him as much joy as art does to me.

Surfing isn't all about the big wave or the flashy move, and neither is painting.
You have to paddle for a long time and wait patiently for the waves to come. You have no control over this and the only thing that you can do is to show up and be there.
Painting is the same, it's the layers that take hours to build up, the work that will be covered by the more defined marks in the end. It's knowing that although it might be you holding the paint brush, you're not really in control - it's a two way thing.
Surfers are 'dancing' with Mother Nature, sometimes she shows up and will join in, sometimes she's washing her hair.
Painters are creating with... I'm still not sure 'who' to be honest... but I call her the Universe, and again, sometimes she will play and guide the brush marks and happy accidents, and sometimes she's got better things to do!
Sometimes a surfer will ride that big wave and the buzz will last for days, and sometimes the paint just flows. Once in a while it feels like you could literally chuck a bucket of paint at the canvas and the image will appear like magic.
When the Universe isn't being so generous with the old creativity vouchers, you have to hang onto those precious times and have faith that it will return (without getting too philosophical I guess that is the spiritual part of creativity in all its forms, and that is why we carry on even when it's difficult).
Sometimes we suffer the 'wipe-out' and a whole day's painting has to be literally wiped-out because it's just not damn good enough and that's the most valuable lesson of all.
It proves your resilience and faith, not only to yourself but to the Universe. You have to look her straight in the eye and say 'this isn't going to put me off, not one little bit, I'll be back for more don't you worry chuck!'

I hope that you are finding solace in creativity in whatever form brings you joy, my poor hubby can't go surfing at this present time but he'll be back out there when he can.
Sending much love X

Icarus' Sister...

I've really got the painting bug again and it's been so lovely to be back in the studio again.

As soon as I'd finished my last painting I was on with this one.

The beginning always takes a long time as I've no idea what I'm going to paint, I really love working that way.

I've also really enjoyed making little instagram stories as I'm painting, it's such a useful way to see how the painting has progressed and I love reading the comments as I'm painting.

These are the 'zombie' stages where she looks a bit scary!

It's useful to work on a dark background as you can build up a wide range of tonal values just by wiping into the acrylic paint.

Once the eyes are painted in you can start and see the character forming.

I used masking tape to create neat edges for the background shapes.

Balancing the composition as a whole is the part I really enjoy, it's a bit like playing chess (if I knew how to play chess that is)!

I'm quite pleased with the pastel palette and the dark greys...

now onto the next painting!

Have a fab weekend chucks X

I Think I've Finished...

I (think) I've finished the painting, 

I've really enjoyed this as I've had quite a long break from painting and I've been itching to get back to my trusty easel.

My little studio buddy kept an eye on things and is always there to tell me when a tea break is needed!

There is nothing better than peeling off the masking tape and revealing a clean edge!

Yum!

Balancing the composition always takes longer than I'd planned, but it's good fun (and infuriating sometimes!)

Icarus And The Moon

'What if Icarus was a woman

and

the sun was the moon?'

Acrylic and mixed media

I challenged myself to make regular Instagram stories to show the progress of this painting ( I also waffled on about things like Midsomer Murders and cheese toasties!!!)

If you'd like to see the painting as it progressed in the studio, you can find it on my Instagram page in the Painting 1 and 2 Highlights folder.

(Please excuse my Northern accent!)
X

Could it be Icarus?

A few days ago I started a painting, and quite a large one at that.

I haven't been able to paint for a few months now and I was itching to start.

As usual I didn't have a plan as to what I was going to paint, but this time I recorded little stories on my Instagram account as I painted, and so I thought I'd put the screen shots on here so you can see the sequence of events.

I sometimes begin to photograph or film when I paint but after a few minutes I get caught up in my little bubble and all the steps in between aren't recorded, but this time it felt like I was just chatting to a friend as I worked and I really enjoyed myself.

I wiped on the acrylic paint with a rag and then dripped water onto it, wiping again with the rag.

A figure appeared quite quickly...

The idea of an 'Icarus' girl began to unfold when her hair became dishevelled and she started to look a little bit annoyed!

This is the bit I love, even though it's nerve-wracking!

'Cutting in' around the face really makes it stand out but it can go very wrong if the colour isn't right!

I worked a bit more on the flesh tones, added feathers in her hair and burnt wings, a transparent pink glaze warmed up the skin a little.

I wiped on transparent pink acrylic over the right hand corner with a rag and then softened the glazed area with one of my favourite large bristle brushes.

I'm hoping to finish her next week, sorry to leave you in mid air!

I've saved all the stories on my Instagram (you can find it in my 'painting highlights) if you'd like to hear me waffle on about painting, my broken boiler and garlic bread!!!!

Playing Around...

Last weekend I had a brilliant arty day with my friends.

We were chatting, laughing, eating nibbles and chocolate, (lots of chocolate!) and all the while I was painting here and there.

I set up my paper, (it was a pretty big piece of wall paper lining paper,) on two ironing boards, and every now and then (in-between mouth-fulls of goodies,) I'd do a bit of painting...

No plans.

No pressure.

Bliss.

And by the end of the day I had painted a whopping big abstract!

I could see traces of Cornwall (especially Marazion with its lovely windswept beach. Cornwall often seems to pop up in my abstract paintings.)

These four compositions have been arranged from the large painting using my (very basic) Photoshop skills.

I'm toying with the idea of making these into prints for my online shop?

But the most important thing about this painting for me is to remember to just 'play' every now and then, and see what happens...

Painting A Queen...

A couple of days ago I had the painting-itch,

the fact is I haven't painted in a while, and if I don't get the brushes out, I can get a bit mardy!

I managed to take a few photos along the way, (although there are some big gaps I'm afraid, as I get pre-occupied!)

As with all my paintings, I never plan what the piece will be about, as I really enjoy working it all out as I go along.

All of a sudden she demanded a crown...

Her eyes took the longest time to paint...

I'm not yet sure if there's a story, (I think that I can feel one formulating in my head!)

I hope that you enjoyed painting alongside with me!

Have a creative weekend chucks x

When Rabbit Girls Dream...

As I'm sure I've mentioned before, when I begin a painting I never know how it will turn out.

I thought I'd share some photos of how 'When Rabbit Girls Dream' evolved...

I'd prepared the background the day before, I love that stage of a painting, just throwing paint around without a care in the world!

(Before this face emerged, it had been a dog, magpie and many other things before she began to appear...)

A little hair style tweak...

but I really wasn't happy with her eyes, something was wrong.

She wanted a nap!

I think she seems much happier now!

Now to block in some tonal variations... and there needs to be a little bit of something at the top of the composition.

I love painting in the negative spaces and see the image clarifying.

Time to step back, have a think and a cup of tea...

A little bit of balancing in the background and I think she's done!

Hope you like!

Wishing you a very creative and merry weekend indeed chucks x