Southwold Lighthouse

I think that sometimes it helps to break the routine of 'this is the way I always do it' mentality. This is much more formal and prescriptive which is fine because you perhaps are going back to basics...close observation and attention to detail. More studies like this may be a help when you relax into the way that you normally record the world. The paper looks gray, not white. So do my 'white' canvases..a glitch in uploading?

Thank you Roger for your interesting comment. The paper is pretty white actually, but it is a problem with photographing the work I think. I do try to adjust it in Photoshop, but some are more successful than others (and my skill level with the programme is a bit dire). My photographer husband tells me that the camera sees white in a very subjective way and compares it to the other colours it can see, which sometimes accounts for the whites coming out as greyish. I agree that the work is more formal than my usual as I have tried to get the perspective and drawing more accurate and less casual. As you say, you have to start somewhere with a change in style and this gradually refines down in time. For the moment I was concentrating on which parts of the drawing should have colour and which should not. That's enough for my tiny brain for the moment!!

hi thea its a very nice painting I like it very much , and I know it very well I have spent many happy holidays rambling around this area with my wife and little dog Charlie . and im behaving im keeping well away from that delete button . its a nice style of painting its line and wash ithink it has a nice fresh feel to it well done.

I rather like it too Thea. The palette is more limited and your line work is much more detailed, and it works with the limited palette. I love the central window, it's the high spot of the painting for me and the white areas give a space of quietness....does that make sense?

Thank you Fiona. Do you know what - I always prefer my paintings when they only partly done, so perhaps this is where this idea has come from. I often really love a painting I am doing and then, as I carry on, the painting seems to shut down and lose it's impact. You are right - it is the quietness of the unpainted parts that allows you to enjoy the coloured sections as your brain isn't overloaded. I am sure our brains are perfectly capable of filling in uncoloured sections of a painting and don't need to have everything spelled out for them. An interesting and information comment - so thank you again for that.

I like this new approach Thea! I agree that it is better to leave out some details as it makes for a more interesting painting. I like your other paintings too but you already know that to be the case :)

And it's a yes from err - Michael. Great style and so well executed as always

Thank you very much Sarah and Michael (or is it err-Michael, lol). A light change in style and a little experimentation to keep me on my toes.

Well done on the experimentation, Thea. Love it! Yes, the brains of the viewers can fill in the uncoloured sections very well and it challenges the imagination...

I think this style is good Thea. It is very much your own which is what painting should be all about. Do let us see the Tide Mill in the same vein.

This is super, Thea, clean, understated but very effective. However, I also love your riot of colors, so please experiment but also keep that lovely palette of yours!

Lovely artwork

And yes, I am pleased to see you experimenting if a little late in saying so! This one has a nice quiet feel to it and the colour that you have added is well balanced with the central white area. It's still obviously one of yours and I imagine it wasn't easy for you not to add more colour and stop when you did. Good cars/shadows as well! The good thing about experimenting is that feeling of creating something different. Quite exciting really! I'm tempted to ask what next, which I just have.lol

Super drawing and painting Thea! There is just the right amount of white paper left and the whole image looks very inviting and well composed. Love the cars too!