Making the news

My three minutes of fame took about an hour of filming to achieve. I was opening the start of my part in the mixed show at the Ackermann Modern Gallery in Knightsbridge, London on the 18th of May. I am sorry that it has taken me so long to post these images, but I have had a very busy week.  I know many of you saw my British news debut and have commented upon it. When I finally saw the segment on South East Today I thought it was weird seeing myself on the television screen.

I have to say a great deal of thanks to B.B.C.'s Claudia Sermbezis for instigating the interview, and Fiona for making me feel completely at ease during the filming part of proceedings.

The show itself has been well received with well over 130 people attending the preview evening and enjoying the artwork on offer, with several red dots appearing and that included my large Cheetah image. So I was a happy bunny for the rest of the evening. The show was well thought out and put to together with Camilla bearing the brunt of it. Thanks go to her and the staff members for making a good show great.

The show is on until the 2nd of June, so if you are in Knightsbridge, London, go have a look!

Best wishes as always Paul

Alla Prima #4

I am posting the latest in my still life series of Alla Prima studies. It was a study created as a 2 hour teaching demonstration on Monday. Oil on canvas panel 220 x 160. As usual painted in my Jullian Palm box, using just Cad Yellow Light, Alizarin Crimson, Phathalo Green, Ultramarine Blue, Cad Red Light and Titanium White.

I am enjoying painting these simple arrangements of fruit and will continue until my time allows me to do some En plein air studies. 

Hope that you like them so far.

Apple and Pears 2

Here is another small Alla Prima study of some fruit, same size as before and oil on linen covered panel. I changed the composition a little this time and as the day was full of interruptions I had little time to complete this study. It was done start to finish in 1 1/4 hours, after that my light had vanished.

I have enjoyed doing these small panels and they do break up the day in the studio rather well and freshen up my approach. They are great for seeing, drawing and creating values within the structure of the paint. Until I am able time wise to get back outside and paint some landscapes these studies will be a great substitute,though I have to say I have been missing out on some fantastic skies of late, but hey there are only so many hours in each day, and I have serious deadlines to adhere to for now.

All of these painting are for sale so please call me if one is of interest to you.

Best wishes

Paul

The Commission I spoke of

 I have had several people asking me when I was going to post the dog commission completed recently. I always feel that it is rude to show such a work before the client themselves have seen and approved it. Well I am happy to report that they have, and are seemingly delighted with the result

I have called it 'Beach Setters'. It is a 20" x 30" oil on canvas. As the title suggests it depicts three generations of Red Setters, chasing, well nearly all chasing, across the wide expanse of sand at Camber beach. They are Bracken the oldest far left game for everything, then centre stage is Brodie, a full of energy 18 month old! More sedate of them all is Ciarrai (Carey) She is a dog out on her own, with her own way of doing things, she will amble along as long as it suits her to do so.

I know I have managed to created an image that fully explores the character of each of the dogs concerned. I know that the owners feel the same way and it has been a delight to paint and a greater delight to watch their faces as I unveiled the painting.

They now have an image that is not just a series of portraits of their dogs, but a painting and statement of their dogs which I hope will be a treasured possession for them.

I hope that you enjoy this image,

Best wishes

Paul

Apple and Pears 1

I have been off line a few days and my main PC is still sick, so I am working off an old laptop for now. I am confined to the studio working on new paintings for shows later this year, namely the C.L.A. game fair and the Marwell International Art Show and finally the NEWA show. So I am very busy and sadly have little time to go and do some plein air painting. 

Not all is lost though as when I have great light in the studio I have been settling down to doing some simple Alla Prima still life images mainly of fruit for now. Of course in between painting studio images I have been doing some much needed gardening in my veggie plot.

I have already posted the image I completed in 2hrs on the 1st of May, this little study again 2hrs was painted on the 5th of May. 160 x 220mm an odd size due to my Julian palm box completed with Micheal Harding oil colour which I cannot recommend enough for its superior colour intensity and outstanding quality.

As always you can be the judge of my work. I do hope that you like it.

I am trying to set up a system on here so that I might start to sell or auction these small studies. I shall let you know my progress in this regard in due course.

Best wishes as always

Paul

Update on Show

The new show is being held at the Ackermann Modern, Ackermann Gallery, London SW1X 9HY and

 runs from the 19th of May until the 2nd of June 2010. It opens daily from 9.30 am to 5.30pm and 10.am to 2pm on Saturdays. All are welcome and please after you have been I would love to hear from each of you as to what you thought of the show.

I am one of seven participating artists who have been invited to exhibit at this esteemed gallery in Knightsbridge. I was originally showing just six paintings, but then the gallery called me and asked that a further three be included. I am delighted that between 8/9 images will be on show among the other great works being shown. This also includes my large Luangwa Courtship painting shown above. It will finally be getting a London premiere that it so richly deserves.

The preview evening is by invitation only. There are two evenings available 18th and the 20th of May 2010 between 6.00pm and 8.30pm . If you are interested in attending one of the preview dates then please let me know asap as available invitations will run out. I will be happy to forward both an invitation and newly printed catalogue to you by return.Or simply call Camilla Bowen at the Ackermann Modern on 020 7235 6464 for an invitation to be sent.

I hope as many of you as possible can attend.

Best wishes

Paul

New image studies

I have posted two images which are merely thumbnail sketches where I have worked out the idea, numbers of birds, position and placement. Some of the lighting issues have been examined as well. 

This is the first image showing the birds position in the design and the relative sizes etc. It also deals with some of the landscape issues with light and colours  being explored. I then became aware that it might be looking a little too much like a summer scene instead of a winters chilly morning with frost or snow.

Therefore I decided to photograph the study as is shown above in preparation to add further to it.

In the second I added some cloud forms and some snow colour into the corn stubble. I must add that these images have taken no longer than an hour and are merely to answer some of my questions as outlined above.

It really is a important part of any painting. After the initial idea has taken route, when you might only have a thumbnail in place, this stage is all part of planning a painting.

Without these first steps which are the synopsis to the main body of the work, we as artists so often end up with an overworked image that smacks of lack of planning.

I will now go on and resolve any issues relating to composition and start to plan the image in full size .

This study is oil on panel 6" x 8" The original will end up around 18" x 24".

I shall hopefully update the progress of this painting as it evolves.

Best wishes 

Paul

Little 2 hour study

This small Alla Prima study was painted as the sun was becoming lower in the sky and the light through my studio window intensified the contrast.. Using the beautiful oil colours of  Micheal Harding's paints, I limited the palette to Ultramarine Blue, Cerulean Blue, Cad Red Light, Cad Yellow Light, Naples Yellow Deep, Alizarin Crimson and Titanium White. I touched a hint of Phthalo Green at the very end to make a good black. It was completed in 2 hours on a gesso panel measuring 6" x 8".