Forth Rail Bridge Blossom

A wee reminder of home in Oils. I thought I'd mix my liking for Monochrome with colour.. does it work?? This composition is devised from 2 photographs and produced for a monthly inclusion on www.wetcanvas.com

I had this idea to use pastels on an oil board canvas. However, it wasn't quite working so I started to use acrylics on top of the pastel and then when the acrylic dried I used pastel on top of the acrylic. With the acrylic paint I started off with a brush but it wasn't getting the effect I wanted and I got so frustrated that I took my palette knife out and went went for it (at 1am in the morning!). I think it generally works..!!

In Loving Memory

This is my 3rd pastel painting. It was painted in the middle of the night after hearing of the passing of my sister-in-law, Margaret. She will be greatly missed.

Gemma - the finished pastel painting. I am now looking at the Internet at different tools to use to get the final effects I want to achieve. Am waiting for them to arrive so I can start "playing" with them..!!

My second attempt at a pastel portrait. Am not totally happy with the final result.. lots of practice required me thinks!! When I look at the photograph I can see the mistakes or the bits that need changed... !! Guess I have to think about this one!! :-)

This is my first ever pastel painting. I was inspired to try pastel by a fellow artist Alicia Sotherland who makes amazing pastel portraits. This particular portrait is from a photograph of an Irish fiddler taken by another artist friend Deborah O'Keefe - another very talented pastel artist.

New Painting

I started this painting this afternoon and painted solidly for 3 hours. I am quite pleased with the outcome so far. it is the largest painting I have ever done (36" x 24" ) and is on oil on black gesso board. Still along way to go to the finished piece but hope to have it finished by the end of the week.