News from the Studio – It’s Summer, so it’s Holiday time!

plein air painting in a group
Claude Monet painting from his boat, by E Manet 1874
Claude Monet painting from his boat, by E Manet 1874

For many busy families it is time to get away for a week or two, somewhere hot maybe? News from the studio

For this busy Artist though it’s time to assess what has been happening. In recent weeks I have had works in a few exhibitions, in Whitstable, Herne Bay, Broadstairs and Margate.
The Open Studio season is now over, and the Art on The Railings exhibitions are now finished. It is now time to put things away and get back to some normality again in the studio.
So what am I up to right now. I will shortly be giving an Oil painting workshop to some beginners. This will require some pre-planning.  I’m also giving a course on Learning to Sketch, in six sessions starting in October. This is the third presentation of this course, so with some careful thought and a few fresh ideas, I’m rather looking forward to it this year. 

My next exhibition in Ramsgate is with ‘Thanet Plein-Air Painters’ a small group of local artists who go out in varying weather conditions to capture the best of what our area has to offer. Full details are here

I will then be popping down to Cornwall for four days of painting at Newlyn, Lamorna Cove and the Lizard. On my return, it’s back to framing, labelling, mounting and varnishing works for my 3rd Exhibition at York Street Gallery in Ramsgate. So no holiday for me, but I’m doing what I love to do, and that’s nearly as good.

Painting a Series  
For a number of years I have wanted to paint a series of works with a single theme, much like Claude Monet, with his series of works based on Rouen Cathedral, Water lilies, or his Haystacks. In the past I have started by painting one or two, but I never persevered so the series never really developed. Well this year I have fared a little better starting with a Sunset series of 8 and a gardens series of 10 so far.

Painting in my garden
Painting in my garden

Here is a picture of me painting in my own garden. I invited some friends over to join me and some excellent work was created. I hope this will become an annual event in our local Art Group calendar.

These series paintings are certainly nowhere near Monet’s standard of work, but I’m glad I have made a start. Onwards and Upwards as they say!

If you’d like to learn how to sketch, from the beginning, click on the garden photo or fill in the details below.

Till the next time, make the most of this good weather!