It’s been wet, windy and miserable again here today so it’s been very easy to sit and paint all afternoon, especially with such colourful subjects. Somehow a couple of hours slipped away without me noticing and suddenly Flint was sitting beside me asking whether or not he was getting a walk today, it was 6.15pm!
I began with some Chinese painting practice and a page or two full of yellow roses – they’re still not quite coming together yet, I think I need to watch Maurice demonstrate again! However, it’s a good way to warm up and generally helps me to use the brush more confidently – you can’t hesitate when the paint soaks straight in.
Then it was on to the Lorikeet and some lovely bright colours. You’ll see he’s starting to display his character a bit more with preliminary washes all over using Phthalo Blue, Sap Green, Carmine and Indian Yellow… still a long way to go though. This is a new concept to embrace, not trying to finish in a single sitting, and it’s quite tough. I only stopped today because it started getting dark, but I know I was ready and would probably have messed it up if I’d continued any longer.
I’ve also disguised that stray leaf at the bottom, hiding it in a clump, and added some more foliage on the left. I might leave it there, not sure yet… the bottom corner looks a bit bare (inviting?) but I really need to walk away for a day and revisit it with fresh eyes.