I am rapidly accumulating lots and lots of bits of paper. And half-finished cups of tea. I was originally working on using Amazon's self-publishing (Kindle Direct Publishing) facility but as my book really needs to be printed - it's a logbook so you record your sightings - and it needs to be smaller than the … Continue reading Book Planning and a New Bird
New Project
I taught myself to paint with gouache when my son gave me a Windsor & Newton starter set for my birthday in 2017. I was kindly given a large roll of paper offcuts when I visited Jealous Gallery in Shoreditch, and because it was the cut end of their screen printing paper 29cm wide, I … Continue reading New Project
More Catkins
I adore willow catkins, and on my dog walks it's great to see the bright lemon yellows stand out against the ubiquitous grey. I noticed a fiery variant on one tree: it reminded me of a firecrest, with the bright orange and yellow: The pewter grey is stunning - I've never seen catkins like it, … Continue reading More Catkins
Blue Tits and Hazel Catkins
We have had snow here in Sussex, which is actually quite rare; I think 2009 was the last proper snowfall. There has been enough for it to settle, but not in any quantity and the temperature has now dropped crystallising what is already there which looks very pretty, if a little stark. I found a … Continue reading Blue Tits and Hazel Catkins
Oak and Ash
For these two I have tried to be a little more gestural in my technique. I am self-taught with gouache (all painting actually) but the sable brush I'm using is so delightfully precise and sensitive, I wanted to attempt a more subtle drawing. Oak twigs are a warm grey-brown, and the clusters of buds a … Continue reading Oak and Ash
Horse-chestnut
I collected some twigs to paint on my walk, and the first one I tackled was the horse-chestnut, or conker tree. These buds are gloriously fat and glossy, covered in a sticky sap which honey bees collect to make propolis, a sticky glue which lines the hive, making it draught- and water-proof as well as … Continue reading Horse-chestnut
Lime buds
I'm watching out for 'budburst', that magical time when as the name suggests, the leaves burst from the bud and spring (for me at least) officially starts. These past 11 months have involved a deep and through scrutiny of the plants and animals I have in my immediate surroundings, hence my journalling and drawing practise. … Continue reading Lime buds
Nature Notebook II
For this journal entry, I decided to draw a bullfinch and some more alder twigs. I copied a male bullfinch from an Instagram account @mmerryts and painted him in gouache. I have my aunt's original typewriter, which I used to create some text about the bird, copied from my Illustrated Book of Birds. I mixed … Continue reading Nature Notebook II
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
