Stacking them up .

At least you've been busy Paul, even if you haven't got anything finished.  I'm sure you'll get them done. I can't work that way, I like to finish whatever I'm working on, at most I might have two pics on the go at once.  For the last week I've done nothing.  Work in the house and garden has demanded attention.  I don't seem to have the energy to keep cracking on.  It's dismal and damp today so I've resorted to doing some little postcard size pics to try to wake up my brain artwise.  They don't take long because I can't do anything complicated in such a small size. This morning I did this pic, a copy of part of a favourite portrait by Singer Sergeant... ...it's painted with subtle colours and soft edges, not my way of working, but I've given it a shot.  Not a great photo, it's too yellow.  The actual picture is better.  I tried to adjust the colour in photoshop to make it look more like my picture, but it made things worse...so I've left it as scanned. I like to post four of these postcard size pics together, otherwise the graphics on POL make them look too big (and awful).  So my target today is to make four such pics, and post them tomorrow.  So far two and a half 6 x 4 inch pics done.  So I should be able to postsomething tomorrow. 

That’s a lot to have on the go Paul… all different subjects as well… I can’t offer any advice, but you have at least identified that it needs looking at.  I’ve generally got an oil on the easel, which I don’t rush, it sits there until I feel ready to progress to the next stage. I’ve always got a watercolour or drawing pad out on the desk, and I tend to start and finish any drawing in a couple of sessions at most, depending on the complexity of course! I tend to start and stick to a theme these days, rather than flitting from subject to subject… which I’ve done in the past. An example of this is the Thames wharf series, I completed something in the region of two dozen sketches, mainly pen and wash. I’m now working on a series of churches, starting locally with my own reference sketches etc. could develop into something worthwhile hopefully, could be churches within a landscape, or I quite like the idea of honing in on interesting architectural features, doorways and those beautiful windows…the possibilities are endless. I’ll be working predominantly with pen, watercolour and a selection of other materials, wax resist will play a part. I’ve been developing some ideas and styles, which I’m not particularly happy with yet… I’ve identified the problem and will be working on this… overworking a painting, that’s my problem, and knowing when to stop. At least I know what the issue is, so I can address it head on! I’ll be posting anything that I consider to be half decent of course… I’m really looking forward to the challenge! The watercolour below is one of a dozen that I did a while ago, a local church, but I’m looking for something quite a bit different in style in this new series 

Thanks Paul … the Thames series was so enjoyable to work on, and I had some great feedback from good many of you, always grateful! The church series is getting underway slowly… I’m working on a pen and watercolour as we speak, plus a touch of acrylic - but not overworking the composition this time around…more pen work on show which I prefer. So far so good, hopefully this will be the first of the series.

Really like the dark tones in your churches Alan. Looking forward to this series. Paul, hope you'll feel like completing yours soon, especially that superb looking boat. Haven't done much myself lately, the French film festival is taking up a lot of time. I've lost interest in one I had in mind, just have a colour layer down, will turn it into something else.