The beetlenut tree

I created this picture from a number of different pictures. Its not my usual style and preference of using a loose wet technique, but I thought I would push myself outside the box a little!. I remembered Ona's lesson about focusing on the COI, and thus have exaggerated the beetle nut tree a little as it has an interesting bark. I have also put more detail in the mustard fields in the background and used a fine brush to do so. Certainly a first for me as I much prefer a broader brush and a looser style. This is a very typical scene in rural Bengal!

More Practice!

What with going to work,  trying to finish bits of needlework I have started, and just regular everyday responsibilities, I never seem to get enough time to paint. However my new year resolution has been to paint a little bit everyday if I can. That one has already been broken as I don't seem to be able to do a painting everyday, but certainly some amount of regular painting is happening.

Happy New Year!

We're already into the 6th of January and I have only just had the time to look into my blog! So before anything else....a very very Happy New Year to everyone! I sketched this on a recent visit to Kalinpong. I was looking after Sufi as she slept and looking out of the window was thinking of yet another year ending and a new one starting, how I felt peaceful and content in this continuity, especially as I looked at our little grand daughter so fast asleep, another generation growing up! The view outside framed by the old wooden window made a lovely picture, and seemed apt and suited  my contemplative mood. So I post it here to say 'all the very best for a wonderful and fulfilling New Year!

The girls and their hubbies/ to be hubby and Sufi were all here for over 10 days! What a magical time it has been! So much laughter and fun and such precious memories! So although I have been doing some painting have not really had any time to post anything!

The following pictures were part of art class in early December. Finally I have a tutor who seems to understand what I want to do so has been encouraging me to practice practice practice!!!! I am beginning to realise this is the best way to get a better control of the medium and understand how to work with varying values of colour! These are just quick pictures, each has taken about a half hour, and the ideas were taken from pictures by other water colour artists.

The next 3 pictures were done in plein aire. The first is a tiny temple in the resort Anantara in Hua Hein in Thailand where we had gone for a few days to finalise Naeeda's wedding plans! The poinsettias  were painted during our recent visit to Kalinpong. Their colours were so bright that I tried to capture that brightness!