So this is the first of my diary blogs about the journey to my solo show “Times of the Day.” The diary will aim to capture my thoughts and progress as I paint for the show and also include other process and key steps needed to put the show on.
The diary blog will be monthly and will be posted to my website, my YouTube channel. To be assured that you will get the diary blog then click here to receive my newsletter or here to subscribe to my YouTube Channel.
I can’t wait to have you all on my painting journey with me and I look forward to all your support along the way.
January has been a slow month. I always find the dark months with the low light hard. These days I have daylight bulbs all round my studio which helps. As I like to start early in the morning. It has also been so wet, it has been hard to get out and have the usual fun I have when painting en plein air. As an early bird, it is even harder!
In terms of actual painting this month, I have been around the South Coast and also had a few days in South Wales. It has been important to ‘turn the brush’ this month. To start getting focussed on the times of the day that I will be painting and thinking about the broader theme of the show.
In addition to keeping my usual sketchbook notes, I am being specific about when I paint each work as it will be important to have a record of that time when I come to put on the show itself. I also think that it will be interesting for viewers of my work to know what time of day it was painted. These times will feed into and be important when it comes to the show.
I can see already that as the days lengthen, the light at same time of day will be so different in terms of atmosphere, light and mood. I can’t wait to see the body of work develop and to draw out this kind of change.
i am also planning to add some show video clips alongside my monthly diary blog. They will include works on the pochade and will inevitably bring some of my process to life. I suspect that my video skills will get better as I discipline myself to capture works in progress each month. It will also give you a flavour of what I’ve been painting each month and the different places and weather I’ve been painting in. Here is my first one!
I am also thinking about the shape of the show, in terms of the paintings and times of the day. And with this comes thoughts around my palette and colours both in oil and watercolour. I do know already that I want the palette in both oil and watercolour paints to be similar. Always a challenge as those of you who paint in both mediums know that the names and colours vary across the two mediums. However, this is key to be thinking about at the outset and I will keep you informed as i go.
I am also thinking around size, surface and framing. Yes all those big key questions. However, at this point just thoughts.
I hope you return to follow me on my painting journey to the show! Of course, if you have already signed up for my Newsletter you will be getting these updates anyway.
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Location: Royal Watercolour Society Gallery, 3-5 Whitcomb Street, London
Show dates: 7th to 15th September 2024