Art for art's sake

That's a lovely image. Thanks for posting it. Rainie x

I have had a go at a Cornwall coast picture.

I enjoyed painting g it in acrylic but nit that pleased with the result 

Hi Ruth, The important thing is that you have begun and you have made a picture - and the most important thing is that you enjoyed the process. 

If you are going to try this more representational approach, remember that smaller and smoother marks take the eye away, and larger, thicker marks bring things forward. If you're not happy don't be afraid to re-work bits of it. But before you do just have a good sit down and look at it. What strikes you as 'not working'?

You have a nice interesting set of colours here. The only thing that strikes me is that the headland might benefit from toning down a bit and 'anchoring' into the sea as it appears to lift up somewhat. The good thing with acrylics is that they dry quickly, so you can re-work things as you see fit.

I have loads of 'work in progress' which I continually go back to and tweak before I'm satisfied. So pop it on the mantlepiece and keep looking at it before you do anything.

I'm so pleased you have produced this charming study. It's a really good beginning and I hope you managed to lose yourself in the colours and the making of it.  Rainie x

Hi Youngman

Had no idea you were in Wiltshire we are south of Salisbury.  Maybe we could catch up at some point if that's allowed.  I seem to recall seeing somewhere on the forum that there was a group of members that used to catch up from time to time....

Thank you for the feedback 

I did enjoy doing it especially the sea and waves. I think the picture looks better from the distance. 
you’re right the headland isn’t right and I will have another go later.

you did encourage me to start by the idea of painting the sea xx

I'm popping on some more pictures for you all to contemplate. These are by the British artist Paul Nash, who was also an official war artist during WW2. You can see the influences of his time reflected in his work - new modernist movements were taking off, as was easier access to photography - something he embraced, especially towards the end of his life when health issues made sitting outside sketching stressful and painful. I certainly followed his example and use my cameras and now my phone to record the outside and then bring it into my nice warm studio!

I hope you find them interesting and evocative. I'm very fond of them.  Rainie x

  'Battle of Britain'

 'The Shore' (Dymchurch area)

 'Summer Garden'

 'Winter Sea'

Hi  what a set of pictures that is, wonderful. My brother paints too and has some in a few select galleries in Northern Ireland. 

Art was not a favourite subject of mine at school in Belfast, not helped by the art teacher's willingness to cane people at the earliest opportunity. He called his cane "Mr Presents" , he was sadistic and wouldn't get away with that these days. I dropped Art as soon as I could and I think I chose to continue with German. Languages were my top subjects at school. The closest I have come since leaving school to art was making my wife an easel about a year ago. I had started a new thread about making stuff whether it was woodwork or making cushions etc. When you started your art thread, I meant to let you know about it but forgot. 

I also made a bird feeder which I made for a select few, mainly family. When I put it on the forum it was admired greatly and there was one lady in our group, unfortunately now deceased, who asked me privately if I would make one for her sister who had a few in her garden. I decided I would make one and that would be all because it was time consuming. I also wouldn't take payment at all, how could I charge a cancer sufferer? Ok it was her sister but they were very close, I asked her if she wanted to make me something, that would be all. She sent me a lovely thank you card that she had made herself. 

A couple of my brother's paintings are below, one if I can't find both!

Take care Rainie and stay safe

Tvman xx

Your brother s pictures are very nice xx

Lovely vibrant pictures, thanks for sharing them x

Thank you so much Ruth and Sal, that means a lot to me. I'm proud of my big brother, I'm his last blood relative so I don't want to bale out of this life too soon. 

As Covid came our way, we weren't able to see each other which was tough. Of course we kept in touch, I notified him of my latest blood picture every six weeks or so. Then of course I was seriously ill with neutropenic sepsis which could have gone either way, I'm indebted to the great work of the medical staff at the Ulster hospital.

Keep up the good work ladies

Tvman xx