Welcome to our painting diary

We are two British artists living in south-west France. We paint on commission or according to our moods. We create paintings in watercolour, acrylic or pen and ink. Here you can see our work as it is completed.

Thursday 22 November 2012

Painting people in watercolour 2

Recently completed this painting of three men playing pétanque.


I'm not sure if I like all the empty space on the right of the painting and could crop it square to just focus on the players.

I like the crop but others have suggested that it would be best to leave it as it is with the empty space helping to show the field of play and the setting for the painting. Haven't decided yet.

This painting is the second I've done recently of pétanque players and I still prefer the first which is done in a much simpler style and is perhaps the direction I would like to go in, although I like the way I've done the figures in this latest one too!

Here's the first one from a few months ago.....


Friday 2 November 2012

Painting people in watercolour

I have been concentrating recently on paintings which include human figures - much more difficult than buildings!  I've done several portraits of individuals and some work with studies of single people incorporated but want to create more with crowds and groups of people.  I made this painting after a photograph which I have had for ages but never felt ready to do anything with. I was happy with the result and the painting was featured on the home page of Red Bubble which may not mean much to most but is an indication that at least somebody else liked it!

Sunny Café Terrace

On the strength of this and other paintings with people which are exhibited on our stand at the fairs and markets I have just received a commission to paint a local café. The photograph which I will be working from has an empty terrace so I will have to add the customers and will probably use this painting as a reference for some of the figures.
Currently working on a painting of some men playing boules which is also becoming a favourite subject! Must get back to that now.  The last brushstrokes will be dry and I can carry on.