Mike's conservatory (3 Viewers)

colleenc · Apr 13, 2011

well you are a step ahead of me Mike, at least you know what "your kind" of work is and where home is, I still haven't found mine, and wandering in the wilderness also has it's blessings and gifts, go home when you need it but don't give up exploring.....every time you go back home it will be fresh again, like this one

nickderry · Apr 15, 2011

it's great when you do a picture that you recognise yourself in, it's great to explore other avenues but there's no place like home. This is a real tawny, exactly as seen (when lucky enough to see!) in a real place. I love it.

KathrinJ · Apr 15, 2011

That's a very lovely and natural painting. I like it very much. Great level of details with the large number of twigs and branches. That's exactly how I would imagine it to look in the field.

Best wishes,
Kathrin

RussB · Apr 16, 2011

A wonderful piece, Mike. It reminds me of a Chris Rose painting called 'Day Roost, which must have gone for several hundred quid at the time.

Russ

Woody · Apr 30, 2011

Nothing posted since mid April!

Ok so here's some sketches and bits from the last few weeks then.

I've not really done any worked up wildlife stuff for a while, just working away on the pheasant, but I've not been idle. Apologies for the non-wildlifeness, but the triple portrait is finally over and I feel the need to share it. It's been a struggle and a challenge but actually pretty good fun at the same time. The likenesses are good and I'm pretty pleased with it actually. Obviously the flash photo I had for reference wasn't ideal but, hey, what can you do?
These are my friends David and Denise with their son George. You've met David before, he has a great face for painting. These are the friends we'll be staying with in Singapore this summer and we felt we wanted to do something a bit personal as a thank-you so this is the result. I hope they like it and it doesn't get hung in the toilet!

Sketching's been a bit thin on the ground lately but hopefully that can change a bit now with decent weather and summer birds. I managed an hour out with the easel in the early morning a week or so ago before spending the entire day painting and decorating (a bedroom this time). The weather wasn't great but just standing in the corner of a field, painting the scene in front of me made for a great start to the day.

Mike

Woody · Apr 30, 2011

More bits.

Woody · Apr 30, 2011

Last of 'em for now!

colleenc · Apr 30, 2011

sketches of the songsters are so lively...the hardest for me in portraits is the skin tones, so much harder than it looks to create the translucent nature of skin and in the shadows not to get it muddy.

they are going to love it!

Andrew H · May 1, 2011

Outstanding Portrait, yet another 'string to the artistic bow'.....The landscape and the sketches are exceptional as always

mark richards · May 1, 2011

you done a great job on the portrait Mike..colours are fantastic!! mark..

timwootton · May 1, 2011

Outstanding portraits, Mike - lovely work. Fieldwork is still up there, even after a wee break.

clive2604 · May 1, 2011

well done on the portrait mike it looks great.the plein air landscape is smashing and so quick too!.your sketches are as always excellent

Apodemus · May 1, 2011

Great stuff but especially that plein air landscape - absolutely lovely

solitaryVSong · May 1, 2011

Apodemus said:
Great stuff but especially that plein air landscape - absolutely lovely

The field sketches are always a pleasure to see and I almost think that these seem better than ever, as though a hiatus just helped you out. But my favorite may be the landscape. It's strong, evocative and also subtle.

As for the portrait they've scared me off since I was a kid. So hats off to anyone who can actually portray people so that they look like live individuals and not stiff cardboard figures. That you've certainly done. They look real and I'm sure will be quite happy with their portrait.

Looks like time well spent on your 'wee break,' as Tim says!

Woody · May 1, 2011

Thanks all.

Off out to catch the sunrise this morning. Funton Brickworks, all shut down now....

Most of the morning's sketching was about the way the light was striking the avocets which have taken command of the scrape again this year. A quick couple of lapwings on the way back and then the bird of the day turns up; Merlin!

I hope to get out again on Thursday this week, I've got to take another day's holiday to take my son for a job interview (Hurray!).

Mike

Woody · May 1, 2011

Last ones.

solitaryVSong · May 1, 2011

Spectacular! I think you got just what you wanted with the light on the avocets.

timwootton · May 1, 2011

solitaryVSong said:
Spectacular! I think you got just what you wanted with the light on the avocets.

Exactly what I was going to say! And the head-on lapwing is a cracking drawing. Very successful session.

Birdspot · May 1, 2011

timwootton said:
And the head-on lapwing is a cracking drawing.

I'm having a look-through, and I couldn't agree with Tim more!

Best,
Catherine

Andrew H · May 2, 2011

Spot on Lappies....
and yes, I do feel bad at missing the Merlin...

Mike's conservatory (3 Viewers)

Well-known member

C'est pas ma faute, je suis anglais.

Active member

Going for Gold

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Similar threads

Users who are viewing this thread