Cidre Fermier

Pastel Portrait. Now framed and ready for delivery. I hope he doesn't look at my blog it won't be a surprise for him.

He is a grand subject for a portrait. When he sat for a French Artist about 2 years ago, he painted him in Oils on a large Canvas. That picture became the property of the Artist not the sitter of course.
This one he can hang in his Cider outlet unless he hates it and frames me.

A Commission from a Railway Enthusiast who saw my Italian Harbour Watercolour.

He wants the abstract look combined with the detail in the Unit, I think that is the correct term for the Train.

This particular Class of Locomotive is being removed from Service. Apparently it was well loved.

I have been very busy and have not posted for a while. I have lots of work under way, not much complete.

Slightly abstract, bright and colourful this is something different for me. The medium is Watercolour I have been experimenting with methods. 24inches by 20 it is in a 33 x 23.5 Frame.

Italian Harbour

The sketch book is brimming with ideas from our France trip.

I like to sketch the scene in situ and back this up with a photograph or two for colour reference.
Often it is merely a feature like a lampost.

Often a more complete scene ready for the final pen and watercolour picture.

So much material in my sketch book and lots of photographs in the camera. Once we are fully unpacked, the house cleaned up, the washing all done etc. I am looking forward to working on some ideas.

One wonderful subject for a portrait is The Cider Producer from Normandy a grand fellow, we have stayed in his orchard several times. He has sat for a local artist in France and was happy to provide some photographs for me to work from.

Now mounted and framed the Commissioned Portrait is ready for delivery.

On Ingres paper the frame is 30 X 40cm. The Soft Pastels are Winsor and Newton and Sennelier. Faber Castell Pastel Pencils used for detail.

I have just stocked up on Portrait hues. I need around 150 different Pastels to achieve the desired results on all subjects.

Watercolour, mixed media Pen and Pastel.

Can you tell who it is yet?

No not Kate who has just just been fired from the apprentice. This is Cate with a C. Cate Blanchett. She has interesting bone structure, at this point I have laid down the basic shading.

A working boatyard Autumn 2006. Upton, on the Norfolk Broads.

A watercolour of a different subject matter from my usual.

This Pastel Portrait is now complete. Ready for mounting and framing.

I hope I have managed to depict the loneliness and sadness felt by a boy sold to a fisherman for child labour.