Desertscapes again

My artist friend Catherine generously gave me a few tips on painting deserts. This is what she said "...it is the density of the dark shadows that define the reds - think abstract shapes for the shadows. I think you've got alizarin crimson and pthalo blue in the shadows - more intensity." With her advice in mind, I decided to have another go at the King's Canyon painting. Here is what it looked like before I started experimenting.


It was fine but lacking in impact. Not memorable as the desert is in reality. I re-coloured the rocks to pure pigment and resisted adding white. That was quite a discipline for me! I added pthalo blue to the shadows which immediately darkened them.


And here is the result after. As Catherine said, it packs more of a punch. It captures more of the harshness and vitality of the desert.

Mother's group revisited

As my friends will attest I'm a prolific painter with a huge output. When I reach a quota of paintings that can fit on my walls I look at the ones that can be improved. Sometimes they can't be made better and I gesso it and paint over.

One that caught my eye was the one of the mother's group at Wylie's. This is what it looked like:

I thought the colours were a bit off and I decided to introduce violet, yellow and blue to the orange green scheme. The result is less abstract and I think the effect of shadows from the stairs is better rendered.

Life drawing w Elly

The weather on Sunday was strange; just as we got ready to go to the beach the sun went behind a cloud and it got cold. So instead we went for pho and I went life drawing.



Elly our ex dancer is very graceful. I like drawing her as she looks good despite the fact that she is middle aged. The muscle tone still going strong - quite an inspiration.



I tried to use pastels in a painterly fashion for this pose. I like the way the colours are muted.


Life drawing is quite refreshing- especially when done occasionally. I left feeling like I'd exercised my artistic 'muscles' - a bit like the high one gets after exercise.

Swimmer emerging from water

After the last painting I rediscovered my painting mojo and enjoyed painting this one of a swimmer climbing out of Wylie's. It was very high tide which made Wylie like a washing machine. The few brave souls like this lady who attempted a swim, quickly gave up and climbed up the ladder back to dry land. The water was swirling everywhere and sparkling in the sun. Alas no swimming could be done!

Rocks at Coogee

Apologies for the long absence but I've been distracted due to child swimming prowess requiring presence at various carnivals. This has taken chunks of time away from painting.


I finally completed this painting of waves crashing on rocks at Coogee. I've always loved the beauty of Wylie's and this is a picture of the north side of the rockpool. Sometimes there are explorers on these rocks but not at high tide when there is a risk of being washed away. Moss grows alongside oysters making it even more dangerous.