Getting down to it

Today was my first full day in the studio for a while. Was determined to start something new. Also thought I ought to focus on an East Lothian view (thinking about pictures for the 3 Harbours exhibition at the start of June). So I looked out this sketch that I did a couple of months ago.

Sketch of Bass Rock from Belhaven Beach.

I made a start to the picture by drawing with graphite and white conte then doing some rubbing out.

Emerging picture 1

I decided on a palette of prussian blue, ultramarine, allizarin crimson and white to start with.  Using the colours in a very restrained way it soon looked like this.

Emerging picture 2

Then added more of these colours along with some ochre (I had wanted to use naples yellow, but realised that I didn't have any in the studio...)

Emerging picture 3

Then more of the same, making up a little green

Emerging picture 4

But I wasn't happy with this (maybe it's just too colourful), so I decided to apply some white acrylic on the roller to knock it back.

Emerging picture 5

This was as far as I got - just left it like this in order to think what to do next....I think I'll need to re-think my approach.....Happy Days!

A few wee sketches

Such a beautiful day today.  Dragged Peter out for a walk.  Went down to Dunbar and West Barnes.  I think it must have been on my mind after working on that residency submission to North Light Arts this week.
 In any case, with the exhibition coming up in less than a week, I thought I ought to do some island sketches.  The Bass Rock was looking pretty good, so I had a go at that in pastel.

The Bass from Belhaven Sands

Had to use pastel because the scene was so colourful.  Also attempted a sketch of the surfers who were out in force.

Surfers, Belhaven Sands

In Dunbar, it was the boats that caught my eye.  Did this charcoal sketch of a red boat in Cromwell Haven. 

Big Red Boat

Glad I remembered to sketch in a bit of context.  Sometimes I forget and it's the context that makes the picture.  I really fancy painting this and have taken a photo for colour reference.