work in progress reflections

My work in progress on the 'river scene'. It is mid winter and the values of the sky and river are very close.  The day is still, no breeze to disturb the reflections in the water.

I will be tidying up the tree, finishing the distant trees. Giving more definition to the path along the river. Perhaps some hills if all goes well!

The canvas board is 16 x 20 inches and the painting is in oils.

January exercises

Some of the class work from the exercise set on a winter landscape at Tuesday afternoon's art class. Looking at how tonal values improve the landscape giving it shape.  Each has to decide where is the lightest and darkest area of their painting.

 Sandra's watercolour has good
light and dark areas. The work also has a nice atmosphere 
through good use of colour and tonal values.

 Alison's delicate work is nicely
composed, good feeling of distance and drawn
and painted well. 

 Pat's painting work in progress, already it has the 
appearance of a softly painted atmospheric
work. 

 Another work in progress shows
Susan's delicate watercolour work.
She has chosen to use different
colours and the result is very
attractive and gives the viewer a 
feeling that winter is here!

 Jean's work has a good understanding
of tonal values and the dark sky gives
the work a feeling of atmosphere.

 Alison Macdonald has captured
the cold wintery feeling of ice and extreme
weather conditions. Very nice attention
to the foreground.

 Carol presents us with a very cold
wintery scene full of atmosphere
made special with her beautiful
sky.

Geraldine learns how to use her
watercolours in a confident way. 
Nice loose work and use of colour.

Sad News

Dear Girls,

I am so sorry to bring you sad news today.  I received a phone call this morning from Anita to say that Gill who had recently been admitted to hospital has passed away peacefully in her sleep.

Gill joined the class from the very first day it started! and has during the many years shown her dedicated love of painting by creating many beautiful paintings.  I know she has been a great source of inspiration to you all.  She will be so sadly missed, yet her great spirit and love of painting will always remain with us.

For those who wish to attend Gill's funeral will be held at Watsons Elgin at 11 am. And then back to the Lhanbryde Community Centre afterwards for refreshments.

Winter trees and Monet

Monet's frosty cold winter landscape.

My sketch of the River Dee

Lilac tree in my garden, tapering and branches coming forwards and leaning away.

Norwegian maple at the end of the forest near my home.

Watercolour painting of the maple.

I used coloured pencils for this tree in the grounds of Leith Hall Castle.

I used oil paints on linen canvas to create atmosphere and texture on the main tree bark. 


Introducing winter trees. My work on trees here (apart from Monet!) shows how interesting it can be to explore the structure of a tree. By understanding how to taper trunks and branches, to give character to trees by focusing on certain parts of them and to use different mediums to express their texture and beauty.

A selection of past works

 Jackie's croft in watercolours

 Still life by Avril 
in pastels

 Scottish wildcat by Jane
in watercolours

 Kingfisher by Carole
in acrylics

 croft by Gill using 
the palette knife.

 Highland scene by Margaret
using acrylics

Delicate watercolour 
Snowscene by Yvonne

Textured acrylic by
Glynis

imaginative seascape
in acrylics by Ena

More class works

 Avril is quietly working away
building up her painting after a famous Scottish Painter. 
She is learning all about figure proportions, mixing skin tones, learning how to paint a sky in acrylics. There are lots of challenges in undertaking this complex scene, yet it is looking very nice at it's first stage. Looking forward to seeing Avril's painting finished during the New Year.

 Margaret has painted this fine festive plant and has enjoyed working in colour mixing and building up detailed drawing and painting skills.

Margaret has finished her bonny version of the croft in bright colours which was the class's challenge for November.  

November classes cottage

 Jean Wallace

 Jean Ward

Two watercolour studies of the croft exercise.

Alison experimenting with acrylics and the palette knife in the foreground.

Margaret leaves some areas smooth and creates texture in the foreground to bring energy into the work.

 Yvonne has some quiet areas of smooth paint and other lively areas with texture, the colour creates a strong dialogue with the viewer.

Angela's subtle yet effective use of the palette knife and brush. While the bright yellow creates light and interest, this is predominantly a moody scene.

Carole uses the palette knife boldly to create texture, the use of colour is very strong and works well with the texture. 

Ivan creates a strong painting with confident palette knife and brush work. The colours are nicely arranged and not over bright or too strong.

 Glynis creates plenty of interest in her painting with the carefully painted mountains, cottage and delightful flowers within the green grass area. Her sky is very dramatic and there are some nice touches of bold yellow and blue within the storm clouds coming in. 

 Gill creates a gentle landscape with a croft sitting happily within the sunny landscape, the use of colour works very nicely in this charming contemporary piece. 

 A new Alison ( we have three Alisons!) has joined our class and she is working away here on a small canvas.