Ferryside from Llansteffan Beach

Here is another commission I have finished. It shows Ferryside across the Towy from Llansteffan Beach.

I have been pretty busy the last couple of months with commissions maybe it will ease off a bit now?

I note I have only 4 thousand something views of my google images to pass one million views. No great thing in itself but my Internet presence has kept me going with work around the country and the rest of the world. So although the internet can be a bit of a pain to someone who would rather read a book it has been a very effective marketing tool (to date anyway!).

Alex is busy mounting prints and cards currently. I am now carefully examining my Jullian easel and measuring weighing and making new parts.

Rhossili Sunset

Here is one of the commissions I have been working on of a sunset at Rhossili. I have one more commission to finish at present.

I am now planning for next year and my outside work. I have several options in terms of equipment and none are ideal. I have a pochade box and tripod which work ok but only for small canvases or boards. I have a Julian Easel which is heavy but portable and can taken larger canvas or boards but is not the right height (ie. maximum height is not high enough). I am over 6ft and Iike the middle of my work to be at eye height. Standing painting all day with a stoop is a good recipe for a bad back.
The Jullian is a good design but obviously designed for smaller artists than me.

I could take a seperate easel or make another pochade box to fit on a photographic easel. I could also alter my Jullian Easel. There is no ideal answer everything is a compromise and I am starting to weigh items and consider the best options.

Christmas Window Origin

The painting I did for the Origin Christmas Window was put up yesterday. They have done a great job making a set for a fireside setting with armchair, chimney breast, tree, presents, and the outside scene through the window. Don't take my word for it have a look if you are in King Street, Carmarthen.

Talking of sets (yes you heard me right), one of our nephews is a very talented award winning set designer. He went to Cardiff and studied art and design and is now travelling around the world designing the sets for London and Broadway plays. A note for budding artists a practical outcome is always a helpful aim if you are wanting to make a good living from your creativity. Of course many people just wish to be creative for the sake of it which is fine too.

What a wonderful World

Well this morning was wet and miserable but nevertheless it was as always, worth it. Getting up before 7am and climbing up throught the woods and then plugging through the sodden fields gives you a view to start the day. Even if it does mean fighting the fields to retain your wellingtons. Since the cows have decided they don't like Jac I refrain from going through the fields with him if they are out.
The last few weeks however have been so wet they are in all the time, a result!

Anyway walking down Penlanffoss you get the view over the valley. Even when it is shrouded in mist it is worth standing and watching, listening. The water of the Towy breaking its banks spilling over the fields at Green Castle Corner. The mist hugging Merlin's Hill. The red light standing bright over Police Headquarters. The sounds of the blackbirds down in Bluebell Woods.

Anyhow nuff of this must get on I have a commission to finish.

Link  As you say it Louis

Studio v. Plein Air

For the most part I work in the studio. There are good practical reasons for this. I generally work off sketches or a  photograph if necessary. I occasionally work outside, "en plein air" but not as much as I should.

There is a huge difference in painting inside to painting on site.

Firstly to paint from nature you have to simplify the scene before you. In the studio this has already been done by making a 2d image either a sketch or photograph.
Secondly you have to work very quickly because the light is continually changing. This is obviously not the case when working from a photograph.
Thirdly you are working with a minimum of materials with nature to contend with (wind, cold,rain etc.).
Different working methods are required when working en plein air. Large brushes to work quickly and in my case generally no preliminary drawing. Detail also moves back a place to become subservient to the general theme of the painting.

I have decided that I have been neglecting this part of my work and next year I have booked no exhibitions and fully intend to spend more of my time working outdoors from nature.
I will still do some work in the studio ie. for commissions etc.

Talking of which I must get back to work on one and I have another waiting.

Tenby

The walk over the top this morning before breakfast was nothing like the above. Jac and I disappeared in to the mist and came down looking over a damp dark Towy Valley.

I have a new commission to start today. First job is to sort out a good primed board of the right size.
Time is short so I can't afford to mess about. Paintings dry a bit slower this time of the year and Christmas is coming.

Irish Sail Training Vessel

I post this for Dai Rees. It is the sail training vessel Dunbrody a replica of the ship that took Irish emigrants to Nova Scotia. The painting sold a few years ago.

I mentioned to our son the other day when he was on about coffee. I have never had a Latte or an Americana or any other form of the drink that is supplied in cardboard cartons these days. There are quite a few things I haven't done. I have never been to the Ballet despite having been to St Petersburg.
I have  never watched the Sound of Music I started to watch Les Miserables and gave up.

On the other hand I have done pretty much all I have wanted to do many I wouldn't repeat. I have gone scuba diving, jumped from a bi-plan having climbed out on the wing, sailed in the arctic, motorcycled over Europe,  and many other things so not much of a bucket list left  really.

I am content painting and learning the piano and watching the grandchildren grow up. (Sorry one  too many ands there.). Talking of which I have the grandchildren to pick up today.

My exhibition in Origin finishes on 5pm on Thursday so if you want to get a look please be quick. I will have a selection of paintings left there afterwards and I can be contacted through my email in any case. One of the 35 + paintings on display.