preparation sketches/paintings for November/December Exhibitions

Hard to imagine, but Christmas is not that far away.  This year's Christmas card has a very local theme, Brighton Beach huts and seagulls!  The finished product is at the printers at the moment, but don't have a copy to show as yet.

Allotment holding in Steyning thrives and continues to provide some wonderful sketching opportunities.  I am especially fascinated by old sheds and have produced the following quick sketches:

 and below is the watercolour I have made of my sketch, interpreting freely those things I remember being there and putting in, naturally, items which seem to go well just to enhance the composition:

I am working on another very small picture of a simple stable door.  There were chickens roaming around but I did not have time to sketch them, or in reality, they did not stay still long enough.  The old stable is one of several old stone/brick buildings which make up Saddlescombe Farm near Devil's Dyke in East Sussex, which is a National Trust Property (you can be a member or pay to go in).





I haven't finished the painting yet, but have photocopied it and done preliminary colours for the door and chickens - this is how I do most of my watercolours, useful when sorting out complementary colours and possible clashes of colour:

Rough draft 1 - with greenish door

Rough draft 2 - with blue/grey door

This is the original piece of work.  I may blend a few more colours into the door, but the real stars are the chickens I suppose so I do not want the door to be overpowering.  I will put in the finished piece next time.