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Message
Posted
A great thread Marjorie, and some excellent examples already. I think the main thing that appears in all the examples is confidence in the later ones.
I’m struggling to find anything earlier than 1987, too many house moves….
The first one is a thatched cottage in a Somerset village I visited on occasion, and I think the first building I painted, not that much of it is seen. Previous paintings were landscapes, flowers and birds really.
The latest painting that includes a building is one I did last year with home made inks. A similar subject in comparison.
The latest painting that includes a building is one I did last year with home made inks. A similar subject in comparison.
Posted
A very interesting thread with some admirable work on show. I don't have much actual 'old' stuff left, just the odd photo. The oldest of these date from the 1980's, when I was still attempting quite a lot in oils.
This one is entitled 'Potter-oil-about 1980'.
Another oil I remember painting was this French Cafe scene. I recall using a photo as a ref, but added my own people. My big problem with it was I hadn't made up my mind whether it was to be realistic or cartoony...it ended up neither. It was one of the larger paintings I'd done. Very disappointed with it. Soon after this I gave up on oils, and went with watercolour and gouache.
So these are 30-40 years old. My last oil was of my grandson done 9 years ago (although I did try oils recently)...it was a good likeness at the time. He was mad-keen on Einstein back then.
I don't think my style has changed at all.
Another oil I remember painting was this French Cafe scene. I recall using a photo as a ref, but added my own people. My big problem with it was I hadn't made up my mind whether it was to be realistic or cartoony...it ended up neither. It was one of the larger paintings I'd done. Very disappointed with it. Soon after this I gave up on oils, and went with watercolour and gouache.
So these are 30-40 years old. My last oil was of my grandson done 9 years ago (although I did try oils recently)...it was a good likeness at the time. He was mad-keen on Einstein back then.
I don't think my style has changed at all.
Posted
I can't go back a long way Marjorie but I think these two comparisons demonstrate how hundreds of hours of sketching, drawing and painting have certainly enhanced my abilities and skills. I don't have a particular style yet as I think I am still in an experimental stage. The first one is when I really first took up drawing and sketching. The second, I have much more experience and understanding of the whole process.
Posted
Interesting to see Denise’s progress in horse portraits. I’ve been around horses all my life and used to spend hours as a child drawing and painting them. This first one was done quite a few years ago and the second one very recently. (Not a subject I paint from choice these days - don’t enjoy painting from photos - it was done at the request of a friend.)
Edited
by Jenny Harris
Posted
Lewis, I found your early portrait very interesting and wonder why you gave up? You seemed to have worked out a lot at that early stage. I can see the difference Denise - it’s lovely to see progress. Jenny, I remember seeing your later horse on the gallery, excellent. Mine are so long ago I can see the mistakes in proportion but It still happens at times now😁
Edited
by Marjorie Firth
Posted
I find all of the above very interesting, it's a fascinating thread.
Here is one sketch of my youngest son done in 2003, and another done this year. Both fairly quick sketches, as he can't sit still for very long. He was 13 in the first sketch, and 34 now - I wish I had done more drawings of him and his brothers, growing up.
Posted
I suppose, Hilary, that we didn’t have the time. I didn’t start painting or drawing seriously until both children left home (30+ years ago). I always liked drawing but it was in the background. For more than 30 years now it has been at the forefront, I don’t know how I’d feel if I couldn’t draw/paint, it’s an important part of me. Your recent drawing Hilary seems altogether more effortless ( and I think I can see a resemblance to his younger self ).
Posted
An interesting thread and lovely to see how what you’ve drawn and painted has changed and improved over the years. I’ve always liked to draw especially more than paint, and like Marjorie Ive 
only had the time in later years- in my case since I retired. I feel I was lucky during lockdown as it gave me more time to work with pastels. These are two of the same subject, but before and after lockdown.
only had the time in later years- in my case since I retired. I feel I was lucky during lockdown as it gave me more time to work with pastels. These are two of the same subject, but before and after lockdown.