Preparing For Departure Too Chiang Mai - What Painting Materials Shall I Take??.. May''s watercolour posted.. Aprils Watercolour Draw Winner.. March''s Watercolour Draw Winners Response..
After that I'm going to need my bed for a good 12hr sleep! Of course your can fly direct from Gatwick to Bangkok but it was much more expensive so I went for the cheaper option of a longer stop over. For those that are interested in costs the flight was £490 inclusive of taxes.
What Painting Materials To Take
The essential items I need to start painting are ....
Paper Paints Stretcher Board Pencil
I have given it a lot of thought about colours, which would be the best combination of watercolour paints to take with me. My Selection is listed below.
Virdian Cobalt Blue Cerulean Blue Naples Yellow Cadmium Yellow Raw Sienna Raw Umber Burnt Umber Cadmium Red Magenta
Watercolour Paper
I will be painting on Arche 1401b not surface watercolour paper and when I eventually run out I will have to source local paper.
Chiang Mai is Thailand's Arts and Crafts capital. I know from research they make high quality hand made paper. I'm really hoping to find some watercolour paper that is hand produced. If I'm unable to find I know they have an art supplies shop in CM and I will just use whatever they have available.
I will post soon after arrival, including video and paintings worked there. Thanks for reading!!
May's watercolour posted
Please check my blog for this months watercolour, sorry about the late posting I've been so busy getting ready for the coming painting trip.
Also below is a comment from this Aprils watercolour winner!!
Dear Partick brilliant news that I have won the Cornish Fishing and Gear Scene. Had this been one of your E-bay works I would definitely have been bidding on it. To actually get it for free is an amazing bonus. It will soon be hanging in my little home in Spain alongside the others I have bought from you. I am looking forward to admiring it with Sangria in hand. Thank you so much!
Aprils Watercolour Draw Winner April's watercolour draw has been drawn. I'm waiting a response from the winner and as soon as soon as they have replied more details will be posted. If there is no response within seven days I will make new draw.The painting for May will be posted here within the next two days!
Keep an eye out after the 14th May as I'm taking a painting trip to Thailand for a few months. The Monthly watercolour draw will still take place, and there will be lots of watercolours of different aspects of Thai life.
I will also post video of all the beautiful painting locations and demos too!
March's Watercolour Draw Winners Response
This months winner was from Edinburgh. After a delay of a week in getting the painting to the winner due to fog, so no flying in the Islands. I have just received this response below.
hi Patrick, thank-you for the March painting it is beautiful, in all my favourite colours. I just loved this one when I first saw it but never hoped I would own it, the scene is so tranquil I want to be there, you have captured it perfectly. I shall proudly hang it in my sitting room.thank-you again
Have a go at this sky painting demo then email me the results and with your permission we can post them here and get some feedback....don't hold back get painting!!
Subscribe to my watercolour updates and be automatically entered into my monthly watercolour draw. March's painting will be drawn on April 30th. This is a genuine offer to art lovers to win an original piece of Cornish art. Thanks for all those that have subscribe so far and shown an interest in my work.
March's Watercolour Draw Winner
March's watercolour draw has been drawn. I'm waiting a response from the winner and as soon as I heard back from the them more details will be posted. If there is no response within seven days I will make new draw.The painting for April will be posted here within the next two days!
The updates have been quite this month I've been busy getting my gallery ready for the coming season here in the Islands. This month there will be plenty of postings and demonstrations so keep your eye out for my updates in your mail box.
Storm Pictures March 10th 2008, St Martins, Isles of Scilly
Lowertown, St Martins, Isles of Scilly
I took this picture around 7am this morning about 1hr after high water at this time we were getting gusts of around 60mph (for those with more accuratemeasurement's please correct me) Click the images for larger picture
Looking Towards Roundisland Light House St Martins Isles of Scilly
Lowertown Beach Looking Towards Highertown St Martins Isles of Scilly
Goats Point St Martins Isles of Scilly
Below tells you a bit more about St Martins taken from our Bed & Breakfast brochure if anyone would like to discover this beautiful Island then please email me.
St Martins is the third largest and most northerly of the five inhabited islands that make up the Isles of Scilly. It is two miles long and half a mile wide and is home to about 95 residents. The islands are renowned for their beauty, peace and tranquillity and St Martins is especially known for its unspoilt and uncrowded white sandy beaches and varied landscape, from the far stretching sand flats to the rugged cliff tops at Daymark.St Martins has a wealth of activities to suit all interests. The crystal clear waters encourage a variety of water sports including canoeing and diving with qualified instructors from the Island’s Diving Centre. Boating is a way of life here and visitors can either hire their own boat or enjoy daily excursions to the four other inhabited islands. Also available are fishing trips, tours around the uninhabited islands, trips out to Bishop Rock Lighthouse, and the excitement of following the ‘Dolphin’ and ‘Galatea’ as their crews compete in the twice weekly inter-island gig rowing races. The breathtaking views, beautiful wild flowers and exotic plants make walking a pleasure and bird walks can be enjoyed with an RSPB guide. Sporting facilities on the Island also include an excellent tennis court.The Scillies are an artist’s paradise and a wide variety of arts and crafts are produced in studios on every island. St Martins has two art galleries and a gift shop. Other facilities on the Island include a Post Office, a bakery, a first class hotel, a family friendly pub and a tea room
The village of Frigiliana, and particularly the historic part is a village of unparalleled beauty. The architecture recalls the pure Moorish style while respecting changes through the centuries. Thankfully, the people who live here enjoy showing their love for the town by their actions. They can be seen constantly white-washing their houses and cleaning their corners of the cobblestone streets and passageways, keeping them spotless in the same way as has been the custom for centuries. In the spring, the courtyards and patios and terraces are overflowing with flowers, which turn a stroll through town into a sweet-smelling dream.
All artist should take a trip to Tuscany the light and colour is perfect for the watercolourist. When I have the chance I love to travel to Spain and Italy, lets up the chance will come around again soon!
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San Gimignano is a busy tourist town, acting as a magnet to daytrippers from all around Tuscany as well as those choosing to stay longer in this attractive little town . There are a handful of museums and galleries, but the town's main attractions are its architecture and atmosphere. The unique collection of towers and the winding lanes make it a charming destination for those seeking the heart of Tuscany.
Original watercolour of St Ives in Cornwall. This is work brings back the feel of summer. The colourful fishing boats waiting to the sea to return, the reflections in the wet sand really sums up one of my favorite places to paint. It's a haven for artist and tourist alike.
St Ives Webcam The Island Positioned on the NCI Coastwatch lookout on The Island, three cameras giving excellent views in three directions across St Ives Bay.The first points directly across St Ives Bay with views out to sea.The second looks towards the East towards Carbis Bay and Godrevey beyond.The third faces West with views of The Island and the coastline beyond.
Subscribe to my watercolour updates and be automatically entered into my monthly watercolour draw. March's painting will be drawn on March 31st. This is a genuine offer to art lovers to win an original piece of Cornish art. Thanks for all those that have subscribe so far and shown an interest in my work.
My second watercolour draw has taken place with a winner from Cirencester. The winner has responded to my email and seemed delighted with the painting. There paiting will be sent tomorrow by Royal Mail Recorded Delivery. I will post there email after they have recieved there painting.
If you go too http://www.watercolour-blog.co.uk/ you can see March's painting. The draw for March will take place on the 31st. Good luck and thanks for your continued interest in my site.
Febuary's Watercolour Draw winner!
February's watercolour draw has been drawn. I'm waiting a response from the winner and as soon as I heard back from the them more details will be posted. If there is no response within seven days I will make new draw.
The painting for March will be posted here within the next two days!
This was a quick study taking less than 40 mins. I was really pleased with the out come the work. Only the essentials have been put down on paper but still you get the sense of form without drawing every leaf and petal.
I really enjoy this style of work, somtimes I can labour over a painting for hours and hours but the finished work would not be as pleasing to me as this finished study. Hope you enjoy too!
With this watercolour I really wanted to get the richness of the deep colours in the headland, this time of year the colours are deep earthy reds and browns with purple hues. I wanted to achieve an impressionistic feel to the work using expressive brush work in the sea.
Sold
Cape Cornwall - Cape Cornwall is situated in the far west of the Penwith Peninsula and is the only Cape in England. Until the 18th Century it was thought that Cape Cornwall rather than Lands End was the most westerly point. The headland is owned by the National Trust. The area is rich in wild moorland, birdlife, ancient farmlands and spectacular Atlantic cliffs. The Cape is on the South West Coastal Path with walks towards St. Ives or Lands End. There are many sheltered valleys to explore within the area, in particular Cot Valley and Kenidjack Valley. Both valleys are famed for their rich birdlife, flora and fauna. A climb up the Cape headland to the stack offers panoramic views of Lands End, Sennen Cove, the Brisons rocks and the Isles of Scilly.
the painting arrived yesterday - it is wonderful! I can't wait to get it framed and hung on the wall I have been telling my husband that it is the pair of us taking a walk on the beach after being down the Levant Mine! Thank you so much as well for the lovely card and your kind works - that will be framed also! I still can't believe that I was lucky enough to be drawn as the prize winner. Once again thank you so very, very much for the painting. with kind regards and best wishes.
This is a quick explanation on how I painted this painting. If anyone is interested in knowing more about it please feel free to ask questions, I am more than happy to answer!
This was a relatively quick watercolour of a group of small cottages here on St Martins. I wanted to get the feeling of heat and light in the painting. It was a quick sketch then the first wash went on the sky, I used Cerulean blue. Then straight into the forground trees and bushes with a wash of Cadmium Yellow and Colbalt Blue, touches of rawsienna were used too.
Then the trees in the background were added with various mixes of Cadmium Yellow, Virdian Green, Ultramarine and just a hint of Alizarine Crimson. These were mixed on the page wet-into-wet. This help keeps the colours fresh and lively.
Then I built up the forground adding extra detail using a warmer mix of greens. The porch on the small cottage was added with a loose mix of Burnt Sienna and colbalt blue, I wanted to retain a feeling of luminosity.
Again extra detail was addend to the background trees using a stronger mix of Cad Yellow, Virdian, Ultramarine, and touches of Crimson
More detail was added to the forground using various mixes of warm greens.
On the final stage I painted in the windows and added the shawdow under the guttering using various mixes of Colbalt Blue, Rose Madder, and Raw Sienna. The shadow on the path was put in using the same colours as the shadow for under the gutter.
This months painting is an Acrylic on gesso primed board. The draw will take place on the 29th February. All those that have subscribed to my painting updates will be automatically be re-enterd.
If you haev any questions about the draw or paintng just leave comments and I will do my best to answer any queries.
My first watercolour draw has gone ahead and we have a winner from Stevenage. I had a total of 49 subcribers to my watercolour updates and hopfully that number will steadly grow!!
I have emailed the winner and I will be sending the painting my Recorded delivery today.
Hopefully the winner will be happy to post a comment to a speical page I am going to dedicate to watercolour draw winners.
The next painting will be posted later today, so check back to see what you might win this month!
Why Give Art Work Away!!
People have emailed and asked me why I'm giving away paintings away, so here is my answer.
As a full time artist it is really important to know that people are interested in your work in a general sense. Selling on the internet is an impersonal business so to counteract this I enjoy the thought that I can create some form of rapport with my customers. My watercolour draw is a way of doing this. Rather than just bombarding the internet with images on a daily basis and expecting viewers to buy, I can involve people in my art and offer something back because actually, although this is my business, it is so much more satisfying to receive feedback as well as an income.
My philosophy and overall work ethic is that my art is intended to be decorative and should above all else be purchased in order to give pleasure to the owner. I am not really much of a believer in the ownership of art works for their investment value. I would like to think my paintings will be looked at and generally appreciated because they are interesting and pleasing to the eye.
I also believe art is often tremendously over priced, especially when it is purchased through a gallery. I have a small gallery here at my home in the Isles of Scilly which I open through the summer months. The most expensive painting on the wall is around £100 - £150 which includes a quality double mount and frame. I have original work starting from as little as £5 so anyone who comes in can afford to buy something if they want to. If it makes people feel better go to and spend hundreds of pounds on art work then good luck to them, but spending large amounts doesn't necessarily mean better work.
Of course the other reason I like to keep my art resonably priced is that it produces a much higher turnover of work, which in turn means I have to paint more, keeping me on the ball and stimulated. If I get bored then that is reflected in my work - as history will confirm painting is all about mood. One of my favourite periods in art is impressionism, and whilst I am not intending to portray myself as an idealist, slaving away against all the odds, I do agree with their belief that art is about ordinary people living ordinary lives ... and I want to be able to reach today's ordinary people. The internet is a fantastic vehicle for someone in a business such as mine, but the main disadvantage is that my audience is totally remote, which brings me back to the reason why I am offrering work for free.
I hope this helps to explain my motives and thank you to everyone who has spent time looking at my site.
This Acrylic painting was taken from a watercolour I painted of Kynance Cornwall. It worked well as a watercolour but I wanted to have a go at painting it in Acrylic. I painted directly onto primed hardboard, if your ever thinking of trying Acrylics use hardboard is a great support to work on and cheap. Just give it 2/3 coats of Acrylic primer and start painting.
At this stage of the painting I wasn't sure how much I wanted to refine the work I was thinking of leaving it quite blocky with bold brush strokes showing as in pic 1.
I decided to go on and refine the work further and I am pleased I did the scan below shows the natural texture that the hardboard gave the painting
Sold I was really pleased with the finished painting the result was a bit unexpected but thats the beauty of painting you often never know what your going to end up with!!
Don't forget to check your email tomorrow as the result of my first watercolour monthly draw will be known!!
This watercolour demo will help the beginner or more advanced painter. It shows how to paint a summers day with blue sky and white clouds. How to give your clouds depth, shape and form.
If you want to ask any questions feel free to do so, I will try to reply within 24hrs...happy painting!!
Today I was holding a painting class today for students with little experience. They wanted to paint a sunset so I started the session with a simple demo of a sunset. I thought it might be useful to post it here on my blog as it might interest here. If there are any points you want to disscuss leave your message and I will reply within 24hrs.
A bit a about the painting , the materials I used were....
Rough 300 lb Arche Watercolour paper
Cadmimum Red Cadmium Orange French Ultramarine Alizarine Crimson Cadmium Yellow
As you can see by the demo the painting was worked wet-in-wet and the total painting time was about 20 mins.
