I was so thrilled to be given a new set of carving tools for Christmas - especially as they weren't even on my list. I have a set with a plastic handle and interchangeable heads but they wobble around a bit, and these are just b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l. I am a real process artist so the materials … Continue reading New Tools
Ringed Plover
I have painted two Ringed plovers but my first attempt got smudged (always a hazard with me...) so although it has been cleaned up in a scan so useable for digital items such as stickers and mini cards, the original original is stuck in my drawer waiting for me to decide what to do with … Continue reading Ringed Plover
Little Gouache Seabirds
Seabirds tend to have a lot of white on them, so the small squares of Khadi paper are perfect as they reflect the coastal palette with their stone-greys and slate-blues. The gouache responds really well to the absorbent, textured surface so it's great fun to work with. Although herring gulls are always really popular, I … Continue reading Little Gouache Seabirds
Pheasant Lino Print
Pheasants are all over the wheat fields behind my house at the moment enjoying the worms, and the males are posturing and sizing each other up while the females look on. They are really quite magnificent birds and seeing them on the short greenery and dark earth coupled with low winter sunlight can be a … Continue reading Pheasant Lino Print
New purchases
I really enjoyed looking through my previous paintings and reacquainting myself with the birds - some of which I painted a couple of years ago - and it was good to remind myself of why and how I painted them. Galvanised by this I took a virtual trip to Jackson's to inspire me. Lockdown has … Continue reading New purchases
Bird of the Day: Chiffchaff
I remember seeing a small group of these one autumn, and wondering what they were as they seemed to be so yellow. It is difficult to appreciate the changes in colour depending on light, and the changes in behaviour according to the time of year. I have always known chiffchaffs to be solitary and chiffchaffing … Continue reading Bird of the Day: Chiffchaff
Bird of the Day: Mistle Thrush
We only have song thrushes here through the year, so it's always a real treat to see and hear these large winter visitors chakka-chakka in the holly and hawthorn trees. I have a lot of windfall apples in my garden and I keep hoping the redwings and fieldfares will visit as well as the blackbirds … Continue reading Bird of the Day: Mistle Thrush
Bird of the Day: Long-tailed Tit
Long-tailed tits have surprisingly large personalities for such tiny birds. I see them frequently at this time of year in flocks of ten or more, twittering through the hedgerows looking for food. They eat small invertebrates, and eggs and caterpillars of moths and butterflies, so benefit from relaxed management. Many species of butterfly lay their … Continue reading Bird of the Day: Long-tailed Tit
