'Quinag from Dhunan' by Fiona Phipps

Lots of movement in this Fiona, lovely seascape.

A beautiful seascape, great addition to your gallery

Ah, an oil painting which I hadn't realised was yours! Well done, it couldn't have been easy for someone used to watercolours. I know that I wouldn't have a clue where to start. You done good !! Did you enjoy using the oils?

Lovely splashy waves in this Fiona - I can hear the wonderful sound of the waves in my head.

Fiona, you have mastered the oils very well. The depth is there and so is the brightness in the foreground.

Many thanks ladies for your lovely comments, I have a long way to go to get the hang of oils (as I have watercolours too) but I have enjoyed the change. Louise, I think I have a go at oils about twice a year and by the time I think I might be getting the hang of it, I go back to watercolours....then have to start all over again trying to get the hang of them!!Lol! It keeps me off the streets! Thanks again for your comment.

Goodness Fiona I nearly missed this one. You have certainly got the hang of oils even though you say you don't use them very often. I really do like this- it is so realistic. I've a long way to go to catch up!!

Thank you Carol.

Lovely. When shall we en plein air with your pochade?

Well, we will 'en plein air' 1) when it stops raining 2) when I get the nerve to brave all the sniggering over my shoulder! I have used it but in the garden....does that count?! Lol! Thanks Gudrun.

How do, Fiona - as you know, I follow your work...... I like this oil, even though it's in watersoluble oils and thus, in my book, not really oil at all. I exaggerate there: they ARE oils but - they're different. Ask Martin Kinnear - but then, his views on oil and mine differ just a bit too. In short, shearing all the rubbish away - I do like this: you need to do more - but I like the sea, which is so hard to do, and I think you've really brought this off triumphantly. Why do you hesitate to paint in oil? Are you a bit nervous of it? You certainly don't need to be .... varying your work between oil, watercolour and acrylic is great fun, and it interacts - you can apply the learning from one to the other. All you need to do is paint more and more, in a variety of media - go on and do it!

Like this alot Fiona. Hope to see some more :)

Hello Robert, I'm not as nervous about using oils as I am watercolours, you can always cover up your mistakes to a point. If you look carefully at this one for example, you can see raised area's of texture, that's whats left of a flower painting....gone wrong! I should have sanded it down I suppose.....can you do that on canvas? At the moment I can only use the watersoluble oils as I use a bedroom for my art room, when I have a room seperate from the house or at least upstairs, I will use 'proper' oils. I've got a couple more oils Robert that I would like your opinion on, one, I wasn't even going to post, it's that awful but if I can learn something from it by posting it.....I'll post and be damned. Thank you for your encouragement.

Oh Sarah....there's more.....sorry but I will be inflicting them on the gallery!Lol. Thanks you for your comment.

Hi Fiona, I really like the movement here on the water, a good detail on the rocks as well, like it very well done you. Regards Chris

Dear Fiona, I was really delighted to receive your message saying you had missed me on P-O-L. It was so kind of you to take the time and trouble to "email" me. I haven't been too well and I have regular hospital appointments for check-ups; (monitor prostate cancer, vascular surgery to clean artery in neck, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, macular degeneration;......there! That will teach you to ask!!). I list these things so that you do not think I am a malingerer/hypochondriac. Nevertheless, I always watch for your postings and note that no sooner than one appears, you receive PAGES of comments. I love your work and the one above is truly great. The sea is just perfect and those rocks in the foreground make the picture for me. My paint and brushes have been put away as I head off to Spain, on Saturday, for a month, so no masterpiece just yet I'm afraid! BUT, please be assured I will be watching for your postings. So, keep up the good work, Fiona, and thanks again. x

Fiona! What another lovely post for me! You have a good memory; yes, I do have some painting gear in Spain so I will see what I can do. Your generous offer of the painting is really appreciated. My problem is that I have rooms filling up with my own pictures that I don't know what to do with. If you don't mind, I will have to refuse for the moment and hope you understand my dilemma! My PC in Spain is so slow that I may be incommunicado for a while. Till we speak again, sincere thanks again for all your kind comments and generous offer.

Quick comment - you CAN sand down oil, but of course if it's on canvas you have to be that much more careful; use a fine sandpaper, and go slowly. A bit of texture doesn't hurt, though: didn't do this one any harm. And Lionel, if you're looking - best wishes.

This is super, Fiona - love the vibrant brushwork and the atmosphere.