It has been a washing, ironing and cleaning day.
I ordered a palette attachment for my easel for my paints and brushes. It came today. It's very flexible,so useless, which is not the best for oil paints. I can imagine an unintentional Pollock creation. Shame as it was under a tenner and the others I have been looking at are over £300 which is ridiculous. Tim and I are going to invent one.
I started on a linocut. It may end up in a frame or the bin.
I have lost a big filling in a back tooth. The thought of having it investigated sent my heart thumping. My wonderful dentist was very kind and gentle when he saw me quivering at his door. I go back on Monday to have it fixed. I came home to be greeted with healing hugs from my grandchildren. Tim had fed them with toasted sandwiches. I spent the afternoon catching up with Harriet's news while all three children read. I took photos of my adorable grandchildren and used them to do three charming drawing to add to my sketchbook.
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| Hetty and a Novel |
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| Herbie and a Beano |
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| Raffy and a Book |
My plans changed today twice today. My afternoon was spent listening to my audio book digging out weeds while the sun was shining.
Bayliss & Co in Tenterden sell my tiny pictures. Run by Beth it is wonderful shop that sells local artists creations. I am in the process of making a new collection. Today's watercolour of a blue tit with eggs is the first step in the plan for a linocut. I wanted to see if the composition worked. It's a work in progress it looks a bit 'stiff'.
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Blue tit and Flower Pot Pen and Watercolour |
After many mugs of tea I braved the garden. Oh and a coffee. It was very very chilly out amongst the weeds and worms. I picked primroses and snowdrops and made a tiny posy. We took it to Si and Lesley's. Over soup, tapas and nectarine cobbler we hatched a plan to take a train trip to Spain. Nick and Alli were there and in on the plan.
I went back into my studio to repeat my oil painting lesson. I had much more success using the proper board and mineral spirit. Here it is.
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| Sphere in oil |
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Catkins for Divine Inspiration Watercolour |
We have had a quiet day. Tim has been mending the electric fence that rusted through its wires. The foxes will not be having a chicken banquet tonight.
I have eventually packed up the Christmas decorations. I look forward to getting them out in ten months time.
The afternoon I spent in my studio following an oil painting course by Lacey Lewis. The first lesson was creating a sphere using the imprimatura method. I lost myself in concentration.
I reduced our mountain of eggs making omelettes with homemade chips. It was a comforting meal on a chilly day.
I added to my sketchbook with a sketch of rose wine and Herbie's pink poinsettia.
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Pink Wine and Poinsettia Pen and Ink |
We have had a lovely evening. Lindsey hosted us with Tony and Wendy.The food was delicious, The company entertaining and informatiive. Thank you for a lovely friday night.
I practised my lino cutting skills making a card for Tim for Valentine's day. I have found by not pressing so hard or digging so deep into lino I can get finer lines.
I have been sorting out the WOKAS programme. Arty Wendy and I have lost of exciting things up our sleeves for members. It is strange to be booking painting sessions for 2026.
Gardening Wendy came to my door with two cornflower plants. They will be perfect for putting in the gap that Tim has reclaimed from the bamboo. We might need a few more plants as it's a rather large piece of bare land. Tony joined us and we went for a long walk through Hemsted forest. It was very wise that we wore wellies slurping through the mud.
I am thoroughly enjoying my evenings watching Grantchester. Murder, mystery and a bit of steamy action. Fabulous. I can paint and watch at the same time.
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Orange Trees in Hemsted Watercolour |
