26 Engineer Regiment, Sangin, Afghanistan

Great feeling of movement and action in this one Alix, I think you have done the Regiment proud.

I agree with Ian, superbly painted.

Dear Ian and Val (deux oiseaux etc!), Very many thanks for your comments. I have to admit that I really enjoyed working on this one. Something to do with a really limited amount of colour yet having to convey the heat and dust, plus the explosion. It is partly based on a picture taken, I think, on a soldier's mobile. There were other figures in it and slightly different positioning, but close to a perfect composition. When the Commanding Officer showed me the photo I said "this really conveys all we have been discussing. Do we need to go much further?" So I shifted the figures, took some out, added one and other bits and pieces. The plank-looking objects are bar mines (half a full length one used for blowing up tanks in conventional warfare). They have a fuse taped to them and are then propped up against a wall/door with a piece of wood from an ordinary wooden palette and this holds them in position at the right height. So one of the figures has the next one beside him, ready, and another has one in his pack. Thanks again.

You have certainly captured the moment here. The dust really does look very fine, so well done. I agree with Ian, you have done the regiment very proud.

Carole, Very kind of you. Many thanks for your comment. I've been looking at your work and, like me, you are clearly fascinated by everything and have several styles. I do find that, while I paint a picture, my mind is already moving on to thoughts of a different experimentation. Not good for the production rate..... or sanity!

Alix, thank you for taking time out to look at my work. Much appreciated.