More attempts at rescuing

After rescuing the Moreton Bay fig tree, I was inspired to rescue the flamenco dancer (below the original).


Here is a close up. The problems with this painting in hind sight are: 1. Hands are too small. Common beginner mistake I was told. 2. Face too big and too many brushstrokes. 3. Scale of the painting is such that the face looked different when viewed from a distance from up close. This analysis was all very well but correction was fraught with difficulties. I repainted the hands no problem. But the face had me stumped. The photo I worked from was too flat to give clues. And on my first attempt the face was fine up close but really amateurish from a distance.


This is the second attempt. I know it is still imperfect but she doesn't look too bad from a distance. Up close she actually improves. So long as the face does not distract from the movement and colour!

Moreton bay fig tree

Those who follow my blog know the principle I follow in painting; if it doesn't look good after 8 hours of effort then it's time to discard and start again. On this principle I have abandoned about a quarter of projects. This painting, begun last year, should have been a casualty except for the fact that I loved the way the trees in the background came out. There is a feeling of warmth and a glow about it that made me think it worth rescuing.

What I was stuck on was the foreground. I tried painting a stream but that didn't work. I tried a road but that looked too flat. I stopped numerous times and contemplated taking the canvas off supports and cropping it. Then I stuck it at the back of the cupboard and forgot it for months.

In the new year, I felt like making some corrections to old work (believe me this is a rare feeling!) and pulled it out again. As foreground I decided that a road was ok but something had to lead the eye to the tree. Further, I borrowed a book on common oil painting mistakes and applied myself to the problem of the flat grass and road colours. That recommended the inclusion of different shades of green and gray to break up the expanse and create interest. A handy tip : I think I rescued this one! Mind you I would hate to think how much time I spent on it!

Study of colours

Last week I joined a women's art group which meets at Marrickville. It starts at 6:30pm on Friday nights and the others were mainly potters. The convenor Lisa used to run workshops but this term she was too busy and opted for a looser arrangement. I was the only painter last week.


This small painting was chosen as a starting point to see how the group went. I spotted this bather as she emerged from the rockpool at Wylies. The contrast between the sea water and the rockpool caught my eye. As the group is all about coiling and pinching pots, I thought that I should try this as well. But rather than making pots I think I'll try to make a torso of a big breasted woman next week.

Parsley Bay at sunset

The humid Jan and the even more humid and hot ( if history is anything to go by!) Feb is a real inhibitor to artistic efforts. All I want to do on a sweltering day is to dip in the ocean and make as little movement as possible to avoid heating up.

Consequently art has taken a backseat and this painting (one of the largest I've ever attempted) has languished incomplete in my studio. Finally a cool day turned up and I got going with this result.

This woman caught my eye as she read in the shade of the gum tree. Her companion cannot be seen, perhaps he has gone for a dip. The shadows are long but the water still glitters.


They have probably spent the day at Parsley, evidence: the deck chairs, bags and stuff. Catching the last bits of sun before heading home. Idyllic summer days to cherish.

Open day at Artest

Yesterday was the Open Day at Artest and for a change the weather was mild and delicious. Perfect for a visit. Plus it was an opportunity for my daughter to enter their free kids art competition; she has been nagging me to let her paint and this is a chance for me not to have to clean up!

Tanya is running a class on portraits and I thought I'd give it a go... especially since Miss was busy elsewhere. This is the result after 20 mins.

Location:Victoria St,Ashfield,Australia

Double model session

Went to a double model workshop yesterday which was a very steamy and warm summer's day. The models were Murtim (dark Turkish model with great body) and Kael (frail waif-like porcelain skin, bright red hair). Neither had done double modelling and had never worked together. Not that I've any prior experience but it was quite amazing how having two people suddenly creates a tension and drama. The negative space was also interesting because it related the two.


This pose is like a mirror image; ying and yang : male and female.


Murtim has lovely muscle tone and I enjoyed looking at him. In this one Kael is very much background as she is in the next which is painted.


I'm going to call this one "after the argument": each is brooding and unhappy.


This is an experiment on black paper: portrait of Kael.

Mangrove at Patonga

Sometime in Oct I thought I should organise our Jan vacations : I know it's extremely late and I had no chance of grabbing a good place for a reasonable price.... But only the super organised think of summer vacations a year ahead, right? I found this converted fisherman shack online located across the creek at Patonga. It had a great view and I guess it was still available because it was boat access only. In the spirit of adventure most unlike me, I decided if I couldn't get 5 star comfort, I'd settle for rustic.


Above: sketch of husband relaxing The instructions to get here were fairly detailed and involved locating a row boat on the banks of Patonga, ensuring the plug was on (handy reminder thanks Anthony!) before taking off. It didn't help that we've so much stuff. To launch the boat, wade through and hop on, all the time mindful that sudden moves may tip the boat.


The view at the house made up for the inconvenience. It was also quiet and whilst the composting loo and outdoor shower with spiders took a little getting used to, we had a great time. I did some sketches which then encouraged me to paint.


This painting was done in the lounge room, looking out at the big rock near the jetty.


I also wish to point out the trials we had to get my painting stuff over and back. The boat was ankle deep with water, it having rained two nights in a row and just imagine holding toolbox, shopping bag and an a2 canvas pad so that they don't get wet. Plus avoiding oar splash and swatting marsh flies... you get the picture.

Location:Bay St,Patonga,Australia