Trial 1 by Lionel Simister

You know, you may well have found your perfect métier here - this is one of your very best paintings: the knife has encouraged you to take a broader approach and not worry over detail; and your colour scheme works very well. Keep those experiments going - take a look at the work of Amanda Bates (in oil, with painting knife) and Paul Beattie - who paints with spoons, of all things... you encourage me to use the knife with acrylics again myself.

Lionel I agree with Robert, I think this is one of your very best........it's beautifully painted. Love the sky and the way the yellow moves down through the painting and highlights the ground below, especially where it touches the hill in the distance. Excellent choice of colours they compliment each other well. Can't wait to see 'trial 2'.

Robert - thank you so much for your encouraging comments. I really was in two minds whether to post this or not. I am now so glad that I did. I now have the second one on the go but I dither a great deal. Lack of confidence, I think. I've completed the sky but I am not sure what to put underneath it !! That's how much planning I do. Thanks again, Robert.

Fiona - what can I say except thank you so much again for your support. Your comments are really so encouraging. Please see the remarks above to Robert re the next one - Trial 2.

Great. As the others have said, carry on with this style. I look forward to more. There seems to be more of yourself in this.

Many thanks for your good wishes Lionel, I return them to you and your family, with an extra hug for yourself! I hope 2013 will be full of good surprises and lots of inspiration, most of all, I hope that your health improves. Look forward to seeing your postings on POL and I hope you will remain my dearest critic. X

Your skies make your paintings Lionel, so bright and vivid and contrasting beautifully with the land here and separated by the tree line

The sky in this painting is really lovely; spot on!

Beautiful! The colours zing!