Margaret Shaw - Artwork - My Blog

In between painting (doors and skirting boards) have spent some time on the pc developing some new bookmark designs from my artwork and photography.  Next step to do the physical printing.

A new laminator will help produce my new design of bookmarks.  A new pencil sharpener has given me some wonderfully sharp pencils - why haven’t I bought one of these before?  A new set of Faber Castell pastels has given me some wonderful colours including gold, silver and copper (I was looking for some olive shades and got tempted by the whole set).  Now all I’m waiting for is the credit card bill.

My drawing was inspired from a sketch that I did one morning on a field trip (literally) where I found the variety and shapes of the summer grasses quite enchanting.  It was interesting to study these and, if you get the opportunity, on a fine day, head for a grassy area and try this drawing from life.  Here’s the tutorial.

Moody Blues 3 has joined the sunset gallery.  You can see the artwork in progress here.

The floral colours from this weeks wanderings have taken a turn to the purples and pinks.

Went drawing outside (plein air) earlier this week down at Franks Bridge in my home town of Kirkby Stephen.  Took my monotone charcoal pencils with me.  Made quite a good start on the drawing but didn’t finish it.  Nor did I take any photos.  Went back later to get some photos and couldn’t get the whole scene onto one photo without stepping back into the river and getting wet.  Couldn’t remember how to get my camera to do a landscape wide shot, so took 2 pictures.  Onto photoshop at home and figured out how to do a photo merge panorama. Realised that my drawing isn’t proportionally accurate but to far along to change so went with what I’d done.  Artistic licence has removed the bungalows and added an extra tree.  Once the scene was in place got out the tinted charcoal - been ages since I’ve used that.  Ochres and greens gave a very subtle hint of colour.   

Paintings sent in for Picturing Kirkby Stephen.  Entries to be in by 27th June

Some June wildflowers from my daily lockdown wanderings near home.  Now all gathered together in a lockdown slideshow.  Plus a couple of a stormy looking Wild Boar Fell and a rock climbing lamb.

The next free one pencil tutorial - Pendragon Castle is complete and on the web site.

As its a bit cool and damp today I’m editing some of my flower shots from last week - complimentary purples and yellows.  Off to plantsnap next to identify those I don’t know.

I’ve been observing this patch of poppies for some weeks.  Watching the leaves appear and waiting for the buds.  There were two early openers last week.  Then in Mondays sunshine we got the full show.

One pencil only tutorial - Port Patrick Lighthouse.  Tutorial starts here.

Thinking about the next pastel to get underway, today I moved the sky whilst composition planning.

No 4 in the Moray Firth Sunset Series (had I been able to visit I would have been due home tomorrow).  Here’s the work in progress

Yesterday the neighbours were having quite a kerfuffle - lets hope they soon settle down.

Yesterdays exercise had a distinct colour theme.