Distraction and Abstraction

Trying to move house is very distracting and energy draining, and I seem to have lost inspiration, hence my lack of post writing.

Anyway, this was a little experiment. I've still got quite a bit of patterned paper stashed away from when I was into papercrafting.

I took a square of hardboard and stuck a piece of patterned paper onto it. I forgot to take a photo at this point to show the paper, but this is a leftover piece. It's from a Tim Holtz designed paper pad.

When it was completely dry - I left it 24 hours - I coated it with clear watercolour ground (the equivalent of acrylic clear gesso).

I then used 3 watercolour washes over it, with crumpled clingfilm (bottom left).

The watercolour ground provided a key for the paint, and also prevented the washes from soaking into the paper.

I painted some flower shapes in white gouache, and lastly added some gilding flakes.

It is important to let it dry completely between each layer.

I'm pleased with my floral abstract and the paper remains as smooth as when I first applied it. Clear watercolour ground is the way to go!

Sweet things!

Decided to do a surprise painting for a friend. I've been meaning to do this for a little while, so the subjects of the painting are now quite a bit bigger!

I'm using watercolour paper, and to start with I did a background using diluted acrylic inks, as I didn't want the background to move again.

I then drew the outline and built up the colours with watercolour paint. I photographed the kittens on their play equipment, but I decided not to include all of it in the painting.

For the detail I used a combination of wax pastels, watercolour pencils, and pen.

Introducing brother and sister Ziggy and Socks.

I met some friends for breakfast the other morning, and unusually for me I decided to try something completely different! I'm quite boring when it comes to food. Now, I don't normally write about food, but this was so unusual for me that I wanted to mark the event!!!

I had the American breakfast, which included pancakes and maple syrup, and I rather liked it! Particularly the mix of syrup with the bacon and sausage! Another of our party decided to try the vegetarian version, but he ate the savoury bits first and then the pancakes and syrup!

We're meeting again in November, so I may try something else ...

Postscript - as suggested by Bluebeard and Elizabeth (see comment below), I'm joining the T Stands for Tuesday (see here). Never joined in before but I always enjoy reading about their foodie exploits!

Finally ...

... I've finished all my unfinished projects! This last one I started a couple of months ago, but it kept getting pushed aside for something else.

I started with a watercolour background (I added a bit of granulation medium), but the main image is all acrylic paint. I do like the combination of the watercolour with acrylic.  I've put this one in my Etsy shop too.

I went to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition last week, on one of the hottest days! We went early, and changed our travel plans so we didn't spend too long on the Tube, and was that a good decision - unbearable but only for 2 stops. Just could not do that journey every day (though I used to in my youth!).

Anyway, enjoyed the exhibition but I don't think it was as good as some previous years.

Here are some of my favourite pieces ...

The Courtyard work is by Anish Kapoor
"Symphony for a Beloved Daughter 2018"

One of my favourite artists -
Barbara Rae
"Ice Floes - Peel Sound"
Mixed media on canvas

Timothy Blewitt
"Rufus 3rd"

Made from wood, metal and costume jewellery

Bill Jacklin
"Shooting Star"
Oil

Cathy de Monchaux
"Refuge"
Copper wire and mixed media

Another favourite artist, this piece is huge. I've seen her work in past exhibitions and there are always unicorns!

And yet another favourite!
Gular Ates
"Eton College Library and She IV"

Photograph/Archival Pigment Print

Yinka Shonibare
"Young Academician"
Fibreglass manniquin, Dutch wax printed cotton textile, books and globe















Good time, but arrived home feeling like a puddle, and collapsed on the sofa for the rest of the day!

Hazy lazy days ... mine and Monet's!

I'm slowing finishing the projects that have been around for some time! This one is a watercolour with collage.

I applied the collage pieces first and then drew the outline of the poppy seed heads and thistles.This was followed by a washed background with cling film, I also used some Brusho too.

I then painted the seed heads and thistles before using pen and ink for a little outlining.

This brings back childhood memories of hot summer meadow days - silent except for the buzzy bees!

I've put this one in my Etsy shop.

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day,

listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky,

is by no means a waste of time.

John Lubbock, The Use of Life

I recently saw the Monet & Architecture Exhibition at The National Gallery. What a joy that is, to see several series of paintings brought together. I loved the series of Rouen Cathedral, Venice, London, plus some I was unaware of, including earlier ones. I treated myself to the book of the Exhibition, and I really want to try painting with Monet's colour palette to see if I can come anywhere close to the way he depicts light.

Here are just a handful of my favourites from the exhibition.

Rouen Cathedral

The Church at Varengeville

The Grand Canal, Venice

Sailboat at Le Petite Gennevilliers

The Exhibition is on until 29 July, so go see it if you can.

I've just one one more project to finish, which I'm determined to do before I start anything else!

Happy lazy summer days!

I'll take water with that ...

I recently went on a short art break in Dorset. It was great fun with a lovely bunch of people, and the food was too delicious. A glass or three of wine with dinner too!

We were using watercolour (including Brushos) and mixed media - for me that was mainly collage. I learned about using watercolour ground not only to knock back the collage pieces, but also to enable me to paint on top of the collage too.

I also finally learned how to use a ruling pen with masking fluid - something I have struggled with, mostly ending up with a lot of blobs.

Another useful thing I did was to do three paintings together, so I wasn't too precious about it! After all, it is only a piece of paper!

So, I did 3 of these at the same time, all slightly different ...

I had to finish the sunflower at home, as I ran out of time, and I wasn't prepared to take a damp painting on the train!

The centre is textured, using tissue paper mixed with the watercolour ground. Also, rather than dry brushing, I used a piece of sandpaper to create a few subtle highlights on the centre.

I also added a bit of gold too, but that doesn't really show in the photo.











I had a really fabulous time; so good to get away from everything and just paint!

I've just started a 5 week course on portrait drawing. Something I've never tried and I'm finding it rather a challenge. We are using photos of famous people so it will be a test as to whether you recognise anyone!!

Our mini heatwave is over and we are back to April showers, but my wisteria is about to flower, and it is covered in blooms, must remember to take photo.

All things being equal ...

Today is the Autumn equinox when the day and night are nearly equal in length, apparently there is about a 10 minute difference in the UK. The days on which the length of day and night are exactly equal is called the equilux, and occurs a few days after the autumn equinox. This date will vary depending on where on Earth you are, and indeed equiluxes do not occur at all close to the equator. Mr Google can give more info!

So, I've nearly run out of time on this month's Craft Barn challenge. The next couplet is -

Warm September brings the fruit,

Sportsmen then begin to shoot.

There is an abundance of blackberries around at the moment - blackberry and apple crumble - yum - proper comfort food!

Anyway, I have done a quick watercolour of some blackberries.

Happy equinox - and if you are reading this on Monday/Tuesday - Happy equilux!

Bluebell the Third

Well, I've finally done it - opened an Etsy shop!

The house has become slightly crowded with all my artwork, so thought I would see if anyone else loves it enough to buy it!

Let me know what you think... I've put a link on my right side bar, or click through from here Art By Kaybee.

Just finished yet another bluebell painting! I've tried to analyse why I love bluebells so much, and I think it's because they are a sign of Spring, which always makes me happy.

This is semi abstract with a watercolour background and a touch of acrylic ink. The main bluebells are done in heavy body acrylic paint.

Starting to feel very autumnal, with chilly mornings, and lots of spiders' webs appearing!

I start another art course in a week's time - Intermediate Acrylics - should be fun.

Happy September!

Abstraction, Modernism and a pinch of Surrealism

I've just remember I haven't told you about the last 2 day workshop I did on encaustic collage.

This combined my love of collage with trying wax, so of course, I had to sign up!

I decided I would do an abstract using a beach sunset as inspiration. I also thought I would not use any paint (apart from a quick under painting), and all the collage pieces would be rectangular - I do like to challenge myself!

I used watercolour paper, which with hindsight is not really robust enough for adding a lot of wax. When I cut it off the support board it becomes quite difficult to handle. I need to think about what kind of frame to put it in.

The wax we used was a mix of beeswax and Damar resin, which strengthens the beeswax.

After doing a quick watercolour under painting, I started cutting up various bits and pieces, including speciality papers, cardboard, fabric, hessian, bookprint, and laid them out as my initial thoughts on construction.

As you can see, it is very rough at this stage, and I took a photo to remember placement, but I knew it wouldn't turn out like this!

Next, using wallpaper paste, I starting sticking everything down - quite tricky to get the order right!

I used the wax to stick the corrugated card and hessian, and started layering wax is a few places. I also spattered some wax for a bit of sea spray.












Finally, after several layers of wax, and a few more additions - including orange for the sunset reflection, and a rockpool (bottom left) using seed beads and abalone shell, I finished with some gold paint through a fossil fish stencil. You will have to enlarge the picture to see them properly.

I liked using the wax as it provides another dimension, but I need to get to grips with the technique a bit better!

This week I had a day trip to Charleston and Farley Farm - fabulous day!

Charleston, home from 1916 to Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, was the country retreat for the group of artists, writers and thinkers known as the Bloomsbury group.

I loved this house, and wanted to move in immediately. Every room was decorated by the artists, with murals on all the furniture, fireplaces and walls. It had a beautiful atmosphere, and the studio was to die for!







Not allowed to take any photos inside so if you want to explore further I'm sure Google will help.

The gardens were stunning too.

















Then on to Farley Farm, which in 1949 became home to Roland Penrose, Surrealised artist, and Lee Miller, American model, photographer and WW2 correspondence.

Another stunning home, full of artworks ... many created by their friends and visitors, including Pablo Picasso, Man Ray, and Max Ernst.

You may recognise this one by Roger Penrose, of his first wife Valentine, entitled Winged Domino.

The gardens were extensive ...

... and full of  modern sculpture.

I was quite taken with this one - Sky Seed
by Mark and Rebecca Ford (2017).

I bought a couple of books and some postcards.













I was fascinated by the stories regarding the Bloomsbury Group, so I'm going to get some books from the Library and have a good read!

Pieces of silver ...

I started this painting about 3 months ago, and then lost my way. I've gone back to it about half a dozen times, and finally finished it last week.

As usual, I was experimenting! I drew the outline of the trees then covered them with tissue paper, wrinkling it as I stuck it down. I then wondered if I could get away with covering the tissue with masking fluid while I did the background, and then get the masking fluid off successfully.

You don't know unless you try! So that is what I did, painting the background with a dark blue watercolour mix - I did about 4 watercolour washes.

The masking fluid had been on for about 48 hours, and now was the time to try and get it off without ruining the tissue paper. I rubbed it off very slowly and ... it worked!

The Autumn foliage is done with gouache, which was not intense enough for me, so I then resorted to heavy body acrylics - much better. I think there also may be a bit of oil pastel in there too!

I used texture paste for the grass area, and then watercolour,  also some gouache - oh and - heavy body acrylics!

Finally, added the dark patches on the trunks, using the tissue wrinkles as a guide.

Since I've been doing all those art courses (it has been 2 years now), I've learnt that most times when I begin something it looks awful, and I'm tempted to bin it, but it is only once I've been working on something for some time (like this one), that eventually it may come together (probably!). So not so much goes in the bin now. I'm also quite happy to use any combination of media to get the result I want.

I'm entering this for the current Paper Artsy challenge, which is all about dark to light (contrast).

Having finally finished the painting, I was inspired to write another Haiku ...

Gold red cloaks falling

Pale figures reaching skyward

Ere long silent ghosts

Unmasked ... and a revelation!

The last exercise on my watercolour and mixed media course involving using masking fluid in several different ways, when we were asked to do a bit of experimentation!

We were given a reference of blue poppies to work with, so firstly I made an outline drawing, then I completely masked out the poppy heads with neat masking fluid.

The background is created in several layers, using diluted masking fluid 50/50 with water (I use Pebeo Drawing Gum).

The dilute masking fluid can be applied by brush or by spattering, but I decided to try it in a spray bottle.

The several background layers are made up of various watercolour washes, spraying the masking fluid at various points between the washes, so I could build up different densities/colours of wash. Once I thought the background was complete I removed all the masking fluid. In some areas I applied further washes until I was happy.

I also used some masking fluid on the stems and leaves too. Most of the stems and leaves were painted with my Inktense pencils and water.

I removed the masking fluid from the flower heads, and then added more masking fluid for the stamens before I painted the flowers, wet on dry in several layers. Finally, I painted the stamens.

Using dilute masking fluid was a revelation, and I so love the sprayed effect, but although I tried to thorough wash and rinse out the spray bottle, it did gum up the works, so I need to find very cheap spray bottles!

I've been taking my art courses for nearly 2 years now, so I'm taking a break from them while I consolidate what I've learned - which is an awful lot! But ... I've already signed up for a short course in May!

Hello Spring!

Another month has passed and its time for the Craft Barn challenge, using the third couplet in the poem by Sara Coleridge The Months of the Year.

March brings breezes, loud and shrill,
Stirs the dancing daffodil.

And the extras to include this time are daffodils and hares.

I'm finding my choice of a postcard format quite restricting, especially with the specific additions that need to be included. Anyway, this is supposed to be a challenge, so I press on  - I can only get better ...

I drew some daffs in pen before doing a quick background watercolour wash, then coloured the flowers with Inktense pencils.

Surprisingly I found a hare stamp!

I love this time of year, especially with the warm sunny days we are having. I just love to see the yellow daffodils with the pink cherry blossoms against a brilliant blue sky. Such a joyous sight!

Introducing Molly ...

You may recall I did a portrait of a friend's dog called Tia (see here).  I thought I would have a go at a cat, so this is Molly, sadly no longer with us.

I was asked to use pastel colours, so I did the background with very dilute acrylic inks, wet on wet, and just let them mingle.

I then used a photo as a reference. The outline is drawn in acrylic ink, and then I've used a combination of watercolour, Neocolor II crayons and coloured pencils. Quite tricky getting the fur colours and patterns!

This formed part of a birthday present to Molly's owner, who now has a black cat - which could be a little trickier to paint methinks!

Whiskers and tails

And thousands of frails

Lion-like nose

With an angelesque pose

Silky pattern'd fur

O'er heart-touching purr.

Terri Guillemets

Mix it up!

Following the experimentation with textures in my art class (see here), we spent a couple of weeks on a project using textures and mixed media.

This project had many layers, and I luckily remembered to take stage photos!

Stage one was drawing the outline and laying down some tissue paper pieces with PVA glue and resin sand (a gel medium with sand).

When dry I then did a pale all over wash.

Light coloured oil pastels were used next in some of the foreground areas and over the resin sand on the tree and shrubby areas. This was followed by background watercolour washes. The oil pastels act as a resist.

Then I concentrated on the tree using watercolour.

Next I strengthened some areas of the watercolour background, and added some gouache (greens and purples).












Finally, I used more oil pastels in the foreground and on the tree, Neocolor II pastels in the background, and acrylic inks and watercolour pencils for the extra twiggy bits.

This combination of almost every media I own made me realise even more that anything and everything can work together.

This project has taught me so much, that I'll no longer be afraid to use something if I think it will give me the effect I'm after.

I encourage everyone to have a go with paint, pencils, inks - whatever you've got!

Disaster alert ...

My art class session on mixing greens and using gouache allowed me time to have a go at another painting, which turned into a bit of a disaster.

I finished it at home, but I found it a bit boring. I had read about a technique of putting an extremely dilute colour wash over the whole painting to provide some unity, so decided to do a dilute pink wash.

What I didn't know was that gouache is very readily reactivated with water.  I carefully put the wash on and then before my very eyes the whole thing started to run! Shock, horror, and a bit of panic ensued ... I quickly mopped everything up and was left with a bit of a washed out picture.

Never daunted I tried to rescue it by redoing some areas, including the gouache ones.

I decided to let you see the finished item, so you can learn what I've learned - don't re-wet gouache and a rescue job isn't going to really work!

Though I'm quite pleased with my (albeit rescued) clouds!

A pinch of salt and the sublime Monet

At the moment I am into a 3 week art class project using textures. In the past I have tried many texture techniques, but with acrylic paint; I have not considered using textures with watercolour.

Our first exercise was to try several different textures, and this is the result.

If you click on the picture you can enlarge it. Starting at top left and moving down the columns -

Pieces of tissue paper with starch based glue (e.g. wallpaper paste).

Pieces of tissue paper with PVA glue (acts as a bit of a resist compared with starch based glue).

PVA glue dribbled in a pattern and left to dry before covering with paint.

Resin sand - a gel medium with sand.

Glass beads - a gel medium with glass beads; a strong resist.

Salt sprinkled into wet paint, and let dry before brushing the salt away (rice will also work).

Clingfilm - in two layers. Let the first layer dry before removing the cling film, then apply more paint and cover with film again.

Using watercolour paint mixed with wallpaper paste, which enables patterns to be drawn into it whilst it is wet (also known as glue painting).

So now we are working on a painting using texture and watercolour with other media, but there are 2 more weeks to go before I finish it.

This year I have a National Art Pass which allows free entry to many museums, galleries, stately homes and castles, or a reduced price entry to special exhibitions.

Used it for the first time this week, when we visited The Courtauld Gallery in Somerset House (on The Strand in London). The Gallery has a fabulous collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings, as well as from the Renaissance.

These are some of my favourites:

Frank Auerbach
Carreras Factory, Mornington Crescent 1961

Loved the very thick textured oil paint and monotone.

Paul Cezanne
The Lac d'Annecy 1896

Limited colour palette and the lines drew me to this. Very atmospheric.

Claude Monet
Antibes, 1898

Still my most favourite Impressionist! His work is instantly recognizable and they way he paints light is breathtaking.

There were some very small sketches by Georges Seurat, known for his development of pointillism. I was very struck by how good they looked grouped together.




So I'm going to collect some small ornate frames for my own (yet to create!) paintings, which I can hang on my wall.  Probably a very long term project!

We just had to visit the shop (well it would be rude not to!) - lots of lovely stuff; could have spent a fortune but restrained myself, and bought this fabulous book ...

well, it was on special offer!

I want the unobtainable. Other artists paint a bridge, a house, a boat, and that's the end. They are finished. I want to paint the air which surrounds the bridge, the house, the boat, the beauty of the air in which these objects are located, and that is nothing short of impossible.
Claude Monet