Trees

It's officially winter and pretty wet and cold but I guess the trees haven't caught up with the season. Everywhere I go there's still autumn leaves. One evening I was popping by our music teacher's place when I was struck by the street scene.


Shadows are long even at 3:30pm and the sun sets before 5.



I found time to paint these gum trees using watercolour. The wax crayon makes a great effect of the tree trunk. This is the view looking up at the trees.

Last lesson of term

Sadly today's the last lesson of the term. I've had a ball - Susie is just such an inspiring teacher. Today we get to paint landscapes or flowers.


Robyn brought a photograph of these gum trees taken during her trip to the Kimberleys. Some wax resist later, here is the result.


We also attempted to paint this church building- located in UK I'm sure.


Here are my poppies but the following is Susie's. Don't you simply love the delicate petals? Absolutely stunning!


Having eaten far too much cake (thank you Rowena!) I said goodbye. Unfortunately I can't return next term due to work. Bummer but I think I'm ready for a break anyway- it's been so frantic recently. But I will miss the company and Susie's effervescence.

Life drawing and painting

By luck we have an intern at ArtEst Catherine from Texas. She agreed to be our model (clothed). I much rather have a clothed model than nudes as these are so much more acceptable to hang!



We start off with a seated pose. Love the angles created by the crossed legs.


This other one is less natural.


And finally a pose with her chin in her hands. It was pretty difficult to draw this one. Never mind that I tried twice.

Spoleto in Umbria

Last year we went on a family holiday to Europe and rented this amazing farmhouse in Spoleto Umbria. The views were truly stunning looking past the olive groves down the valley with the mountain range of the Monto Sibillini in the background.


I finally found the time and inspiration to paint it. In acrylics as I made a mess of the watercolour attempt. I'm giving this to my sister who shared our holiday to remind her of good times.

Negative spaces and upside down

This week Susie revived her galloping cowboy on horse picture to force us to draw negative spaces upside down. It was as arduous as the last time. But effective in getting a good likeness, especially for difficult subjects.



Then we had a choice of scenes to do the same. I have always found buildings difficult but done the same way it wasn't too bad. Naturally the picture I copied was much simplified already... Much easier. Rowena thinks that we will all have to be bats if painting plein air.