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29 January 2018

Sketchbook Notes: Merlins Racing Past the Venus Cafe

Merlins are by far the most exciting craft to grace the Salcombe Estuary. The excitement – and the beauty – when they hoist their spinnakers is breath-taking, and their races always promise thrills and spills.

I take hundreds of photographs in any one year, and many of these are of the Merlins. These snaps are sure to provide inspiration for a painting; the tricky part is choosing which photo to use.

The year before last, I painted one image of Merlins (featured above) and it sold within days of going on show at the 2016 Salcombe Art Club Summer Exhibition.

So I had to paint another, and have actually done three!

Merlins Racing Past the Venus Cafe

This is the photo I chose as my main source of inspiration for Merlins Racing Past the Venus Cafe. The boats consist of horizontal lines (the hull) and strong vertical lines (the masts and sails) and I find this combination pleasing. The composition is not perfect but I feel I have captured the excitement of the race.

The next step is to create a sketch, deciding which elements of the photo to keep and which to lose, and applying ‘rules’ such as the rule of thirds. This is my sketch.

Notice that I have placed only those Merlins in the foreground and that they create movement from right to left. My shoreline is positioned just below centre, and I have scaled the boats so as to include their full height as best I can.

In drawing this sketch, it became clear that the closeness of the two boats on the left hand side would only lead to confusion. So, while this sketch provided the outline for the composition, I knew that when I moved to the painting stage, I would need to tweak the composition even more.

So, having done my preparation and having a clear idea in my head of the main features of this painting, I move to the next stage, and this is where I’m at right now.

It was a sunny day, so I started with fairly pure colours and have yet to address shadows or indeed reflections in the water. I have also left the surface of the water and will at some point decide how rough to make it look.

I have also yet to decide whether to include additional craft, for example on the shoreline. Time will tell… I have much to think about before this painting is finished.

THE SKETCHBOOK NOTES SERIES

This is one of the Sketchbook Notes, a series of posts explaining what inspired me to produce a particular painting.

If you own one of my paintings, or are just curious about an image, let me know; I’ll then write a blog post especially for you!

22 January 2018

Postcard from Milton Keynes: Howe Park Woods

If you are near Milton Keynes – you don’t need to search out galleries or museums to see works of art. Many are on show, for free, in the countryside.

Milton Keynes – the frog band sculpture

These four frogs, called ‘the Frog Band Sculpture’, provide no sound but much entertainment for children. They are the work of American artist, Roland Lawar.

Donated by the community arts charity, Inter-Action MK, these four sculptures are situated conveniently close to a welcoming cafe in Howe Park Woods, Milton Keynes. For those used to the traffic system it’s easy to find: it lies between Chaffron Way H7 and Tattenhoe Street V2.

Milton Keynes community arts charity Inter-Action MK

According to their website: Inter-Action MK use the arts to bring joy and purpose to all communities and especially to improve the life chances of people with support needs or disabilities or in challenging or vulnerable circumstances. Their innovative programme of inclusive arts successfully brings people of all backgrounds together in shared creative activity. Their programme helps participants to develop creative, personal and social skills.

A good place for a muddy walk in Milton Keynes!

Anne and I visited this location one cold January morning, along with her son and his family. In the photo above are Charlotte and Edward, wearing full woodland walk kit.

And I was wrapped up warm too.

This post is one of my POSTCARD series, sharing all things ART with you when I go travelling.

15 January 2018

Post card from Chichester: Pallant House Gallery

This was my first visit to Pallant House Gallery; it won’t be my last!

Anne and I visited Chichester just before Christmas, to attend a funeral, and we had very little time to spare. But, on our last evening, at dinner, we fell into conversation with a charming lady who was dining alone at the next table. She insisted we make time, before heading back to Devon, to visit the Pallant House Gallery, and, in particular, to visit the Bomberg exhibition.

Where is Pallant House Gallery?

You will find the gallery tucked away down a side street just off the main pedestrian area of Chichester. It’s also only a short distance from the railway station – very convenient!

Apart from Mondays, it’s open from 10am (11am on Sundays and bank holidays) until 5pm (8pm on Thursdays).

There’s a cafe and restaurant, and numerous free-to-view areas as well as the various special exhibitions for which there is an entrance charge.

David Bomberg

2017 marks the 60th anniversary of his death and Bomberg was a much-neglected artist until recently.

His Jewish heritage and his contribution to pre-war British modernism was a path in history to lead him to being a war artist in both world wars.

His association with Whitechapel Art Gallery exposed him to radical changes in modern art over many years.

The Bomberg Exhibition

This exhibition runs in Chichester until 4 February 2018. The paintings and drawings all come from a single private collection and are housed in a number of adjoining rooms. As you walk from one room to he next, you see his life’s work, clearly illustrating how he developed as an artist.

Oil on canvas: Portrait of John Rodker (c.1931)

Commencing with early Cubist drawings, there are over 70 paintings from all periods of his artistic life.

Bomberg’s approach to portraiture

Oil on canvas: Kitty (1929)

Bomberg’s approach to portraiture shows the huge leaning to the expressionist attitude popular during his life time.

I particularly liked the one of John Rodker, and his portrayal of his sister Kitty.

Both are oil on canvas.

And then the landscapes …

His landscapes of Jerusalem and Spain are also magnificent.

Oil on canvas: Jerusalem City and Mount of Ascension (1929)

Oil on canvas: Cathedral, Toledo (1929)

The Bomberg Exhibition after 4 February

If you cannot get to Chichester ahead of 4 February, this exhibition is transferring to the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle. That Bomberg Exhibition will run from 17 February until 18 May.

This post is one of my POSTCARD series, sharing all things ART with you when I go travelling.