Red Roofs

Stunning sky Lionel and like the way you have managed to use the same bush strokes for the land as you have for the sky, and it works, really good colour choices

Thanks for comment,s Ros. Much appreciated. My fault, but I should have said that it is all done with a knife, apart from the buildings and the trees around them.

That sky is a winner...I love big skies. Lionel.....do you use diddly little brushes? Re your comments. If you do it's working.

Thanks for your comments, Sylvia. No, I used a palette knife throughout, except when I got stuck with the buildings and then I used a fiddly little brush!!

Hi Lionel, love this especially your sky very nice.

Yup - - another winner Lionel

Maybe use a larger painting knife - although I think this is fine; it has an interesting texture, and strong colour, depth, and scale.

Ach. Robert beat me to it! Larger knife, larger shapes? Having said that, I like it.

Thank you all very much for your kind comments and for your constructive advice. I am not sure a larger knife would help, although I am willing to give it a try. What I really lack is a certain bravura, a boldness to apply the paint in the style that I have in mind. I am off to Spain for a couple of months at the end of February. Perhaps I can get a breakthrough while I am there.

Lionel - take a drink before you start. A quick slug of gin and tonic can unleash the creative potential and dismiss inhibition. Mind you, you wouldn't want to get dependent on it - I don't want to be responsible for causing a decline into alcoholism......

By the way, remember that the English landscape doesn't always lend itself to bravura - when in Spain, visit the mountain areas, and the plains; when back in Britain, try a trip up to Glencoe. Snowden, Cader Idris, etc. I do know the problem - the landscape around me is interesting rather than dramatic, and now and then I yearn for drama.....

Thank you one and all for your comments which, as always, are very much appreciated. Hey, Robert! Strange you should mention the booze! I have, in fact, been toying with the idea of giving up on this painting lark and concentrating instead on my life long struggle to become an alcoholic. I'll let you know how things proceed...if I can!

On reflection; I now think this piece is so awful I've binned it.

Hello there Lionel, I hope you are well. I thought perhaps you may be away (out of the counrty) on holiday. I've only just managed to do a couple of paintings after the house move and haven't really been looking at POL either. Finding a little more time to put some paint on paper, how are you getting on looking for your paints in the garage??? Keep well, fond regards Fiona x

Hello Lionel, I'm sorry to hear you have been unwell. I hope your medical appointments won't be too much of a trial for you and you will soon be enjoying better health. I've just looked at your latest painting, what a wonderful tribute to your friend and what a wonderful result. The rocks are so well done, full of texture and solid! I am still decorating......but trying to find time to do something in the art department. I have an idea to do a copse of trees on a hill that I saw whilst out driving, it's all in my head, I mus get it down on paper before I lose the image altogether!! I hope you will keep going with your paints Lionel your paintings are always a step up from the ordinary. My very best wishes and good luck at the hospital. Fiona xxx

I've just read your comment about your wife Lionel, I'm sorry to hear it. I hope she will be okay pretty soon. Let us know how she fair's won't you, look after yourself too. Fondest regards Fiona x