I haven't been able to paint this week, there has been a lot of work and then there has been a house guest...but I have certainly taken pictures in my mind. This is a great time as all the trees are flowering and the walk at RCGC today reinforced all the reasons why I do need to live near greenery when Viveck retires!

Its been a frustrating week in terms of my painting...haven't been able to wet my brushes at all this week or participate in any of the WC challenges! House guest and official parties, Sandhya and Inky in town...so much happening!!! But Viveck and I did manage an early morning visit to Tolly to see the trees...Its spring and all the trees are giving out new leaves...even my little ficus bonsoi! The course was empty as it was a Monday...so we had the club to ourselves. The mango trees are full of blossoms and as you walk around there is a strong smell of raw mangoes!
Not sure what the other tree is, but the leaves were so wonderful...almost on fire!

Drawing elephants!

Using charcoal is a great medium when I want to do a quick sketch! The right tusk hasn't come out too well...but on the whole I like it!

Tomatoes!

I think the colours are fascinating...again one of my Water Colour challenges. The reference photograph is from one of the hosts from Canada, who possibly have these growing in her garden! I think the painting has come out well...I love the greens and orangy reds and the glow in the picture. Still not quite what I want to achieve...which is more fluidity in the mixing of the colours and a looser style of painting. I have to learn to get the edges less rigid! The paper needs to be of better quality too. What I am using now doesn't really allow the paint to stay before you can put in the next wash and that is possibly be one of the reasons why my edges are so hard!

This is what I painted today... its for a Wet Canvas challenge where the picture has to be painted in 2 hours. The reference is given by the host. I enjoyed doing it, but realise that i haven't quite got the look of it, as I want it. The perspective and depth of it hasn't come out as I wanted it to...the colours are nice. I realise I have a lot of practice to do. Having my own little painting corner, with the easel set up all the time has definitely helped! But a long way to go!!!

We went to the flower show this morning...7 am is a good time to visit, there are such few people.
Ever since I started painting, I seem to look more closely at things, consciously find shadows and lights, how colours flow and so on. Certainly the flower show was an amazing experience this morning. Such clear colours!
The orchids were is so many colours, but I thought these were perfect.


The poppies had translucent delicate leaves. I am definitely going to try and capture the colours and the pure transparency in paint!

I became 57 on the 1st....getting closer to 60 now! There is a feeling that I need to get things done and completed...I think for the first time there is a slight feeling of falability...if there is such a word. So I have planned to keep a journal and paint something into it everyday, record a thought for everyday...However today is the 3rd and I have been looking around for a journal, but no luck...so instead of putting off the painting have painted the lily on an ordinary bit of paper...and will use the blog as a journal till I can get or have made an art journal!
These were part of my birthday flowers! Not sure its a good painting, but I have got the colour. Need to practice so much more. I really have to get the depth right.
My problem is I'm impatient. I need to learn to wait between washes, and not want to finish in a hurry!The stemuns have become almost invisible! Will do another I think. I find it easier to paint from a reference photograph, when it comes to things like flowers. This was an attempt from real life!