Doocot by Fiona Phipps

A really good style, some good tones going on here as well, love the solid black areas. It looks a very tranquil spot also. Is this the Rotring pen that you purchased recently Fiona? I like it...

Thank you Alan, I thought you might have picked me up about the building being in the centre of the composition, had my reply rehearsed and ready...lol. I forgot all about the Rotring pen, I especially got it to use white ink (because I really like the effect it has in your paintings) I had intended using it on the dark areas of ink in this one to highlight stone work and grasses etc......and forgot! <br />The pen I use is my old dip pen from school, for the heavier marks I turn it over and use the flat surface of it. <br />

Two words lovely painting

Beautiful work Fiona, love it.

Thanks for that Fiona, gosh, it must be an old pen! still working well though. It was on my mind to mention it but it looks like you&#39;ve got away with it being central, the tree to the right of it saved the day... balanced it out nicely.

Interesting about the building being in the centre of the page - it&#39; one of the first &#39;rules&#39; which I would put in the bin if only I could. after all when we do a portait the subject is nearly always in the centre and none the worse for that. So why not when we paint buildings etc. As Alan says it&#39;s all about composition and providing it&#39;s balanced then what are the problems? Same goes when the subject isn&#39;t in the centre. As for this painting it&#39;s a delightful study and done with such confidence.

Really like that pen work Fiona, you are so good at these now.

A magical mastery of the medium and beautiful scenery Fiona. Terrific

Lovely ink work here Fiona, you can&#39;t beat the old dip pen for variety of marks obtainable. I &#39;m going to join the Manchester Urban Sketching group later for the first time (ulp!), so will have do with A Rapido type pen.

Many thanks Dennis, Glennis for your lind comments.<br /><br />Alan, it&#39;s absolutely ancient!!Lol. Old fashioned schooling and I was probably the fourth generation to use it. It&#39;s perhaps a little more advanced than what you would have used though.......chalk &amp; slate!!!lol<br /><br />Michael, I tend to agree with you regarding binning this particular &#39;rule&#39;, if it looks right and feels right....why not. Thank you for your feedback, much appreciated.<br /><br />Carole, Dennis, Stephen thank you very much. Stephen, how exciting, I hope you have a wonderful time and go home with lots of material to work from....good luck!

Love the pen work in this Fiona and the composition is spot on!

I always love your pen things. Your colours re particularly nice in this one and I like the thick black at the front.

Oooooooohhhh! Thats what I want to do with my pen+wash, Fiona. Its lovely.

Christine, Gudrun, Jennifer thank you all for your lovely comments.<br /><br /> Jenny, have a go, concentrate on not being too precious about the result and whether your lines are straight or meet.

I just love your penwork - so dynamic and energetic and then you add your lovely subtle washes and hey presto - a wonderful pen and wash painting emerges.

You combine dip pen and watercolour so well Fiona. Super pen marks and loose washes, it looks an interesting place.

Gorgeous painting Fiona! The brush strokes combined with the pen marks are superb. I love the colours too!

Thea, Val, Satu....you are very kind to say such complimentary things about my scribbles, thank you very much.