In the style of A.J Casson ... part two ..

I took the time this morning to finish the last of the three paintings from my workshop.

While working on this highly stylized, almost abstract watercolour I felt that I was beginning to understand what Casson was trying to say.

"You look like you are having fun" was Nan's comment as she walked by, and yes I was!

This is my favourite from the weekend.

Workshop - In the style of A.J Casson..

I spent the 'long weekend' at Nan Hogg's watercolour workshop studying the art and style of one of my favourite artists, AJ Casson.

Moving so far away from what is normal for me and trying to imagine how Mr Casson would see a particular scene really was hard work!

Below are two of the three watercolours I worked on over the weekend; these are BIG this one is on a half sheet of Arches 300lb cold pressed!

This one was painted en plein aire otherwise known as "outside"  ;-) on a hot windy day, on of those days when washes dry so fast (that's my excuse and I am sticking to it!)

This is on Saunders Waterford 140lb 12 x 16 paper, a bit smaller but still big (for me)

Anyway these are 'finished' or so I was told!

As I said it was really difficult for a detail oriented painter like me to paint in an almost abstract style.
Difficult but lots of fun.

All in all I learned a great deal

Thanks Nan ;-)

Bunch of Keys

Sometimes the mundane can take on a life of its own..

Just a bunch of keys that caught my attention while reading Barrington Barbers book
"The Fundamentals of Drawing Still Life"

Kissing Bridge.

Larger size here .. https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajn_photography/19015248265/in/dateposted-public/

Yesterday I decided to visit the West Montrose covered bridge. I had an image in mind for a watercolour, so off I went.
It was a perfect morning, just warm enough to sit in the shade and cool enough to keep the bugs asleep.
I sat by the river for I don't know how long, as usually happens when one is drawing or sketching.
. I was brought back to the present time when a Mennonite Lady approached to see what I was doing, after all I was sitting on her property .. oops.

A short but genial conversation followed and I continued with my painting, here is the result.

A two page spread in my Moleskin Watercolour sketchbook given to me by Constance ..

Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads out there :-)

Alan

Another 'Oldie'

Last week Patrick and I talked about stippling while waiting for Doug at a local restaurant. 

I mentioned that I used to do some on larger works, and although it's a tricky method I usually liked the result

This one was is from 1993, we were on vacation with the kids and I was sick ;-p

We had a howling, overnight wind storm that took down a lot of branches and the morning found me sitting on the deck drawing while the kids helped the clean up crews.

The subject for this sketch was on the deck all I had to do was pick it up :-)

Alan

Apples ..

Thinking about the bowl of apples on the counter...
Thinking 'I should draw those'
Thinking, thinking, thinking...

Then I watched a youtube video on drawing (yes, apples) with water soluble graphite pencils.
So that was it, decision made !

A bowl of apples drawn with Graphite sticks and water soluble graphite.

Black and White ..oh yeah ..

Comments and critique always welcome.

Alan

Lilacs in the Spring

A few weeks ago my friend Vickie offered me some watercolour pencils.
Today I sat in the soft morning light on this holiday Monday and tried them out, after cutting the grass which was my chore for today...

This was taken with my cell phone and the low morning sun didn't help as it emphasized the grain of the paper..
Daler Rowney "The Langton" 140 lb Not 7" x 5"
Derwent Watercolour Pencils