On the side of a lane near Taunton in Somerset. 

Well this morning is Christmas Eve and it has been a monumentaly busy run up to the Christmas festivities. What with a new kitchen being enstalled, preparing for an exhibition and to top it all we have both had a few physical problems. However the turkey is smiling nicely and resting in the fridge, we think that the shopping is done. Arangments for Christmas and the new year are just about sorted; we hope. Now this morning is the big clean up time and the great earranging of the livingroom time, so we can fit in the large table for all the guests. Phew, we are nearly there.

Two things, firstly dont stop painting, even if it is tacktfull to do a little less, then secondly, dont forget to spend a few moments each day thanking God for this season and his love for us.

So have a fantastic Christmas and I hope that Santa leaves you a lovely toy.

Happy Christmas

 

 A little about a coment by a reader of this blog about my change of style.

A change has been noted by myself as well. The painting on my last blog has a clean crisp edge to it; that was all deiberate and planned, but in the past not easily done due to my eyesight. Following surgery I see colours much more brightly, everything has much more contrast to it and amazingly and this was not what I was not expecting at all, my periferal vision is also much improved.

With the above in mind, I worked for three or four days trying to show the cleandliness of clour which I could now see and that was the result. One of the pictures leading up to it was the above; it is of the west end of Beer Bay, a simple water colour; but, produce in plein air on a wet morning, in the drizzel.

At times painting "Plein Air", or in simple words painting outside, can in this country be a tad tough; the boats picture was produced on a freezing morning, sat on the shingle beach in the teeth of a howling gale, that was a bit tough to put it mildly. Wherea the above, a water colour, was produced on a wet morning, neither were ideal conditions. On a warm, sunny afternoon with a gentle breeze passing by, painting outside is a rather lovely relaxing pastime; oh  for the weather to be like that each time I go out to paint. So painting in this country can be challenging, but really good fun. So find your log johns, wrap up and have a go.

 Good morning and you might have noticed that I have not placed a blog for a couple of weeks, the reason is simple, it is because we were away; it has been a busy time! We had a new kitchen instaled, which meant, no electricity, no water, builders around, so our lovely small masionette was rather crowded, not very warm and with no area for food preparation.The answer is simple, go away and leave them to it, which we did. 

At the same time I recied new eyes!!!! Well I had my cataracts removed and new lenses placed in both eyes; they were both done at the same time and the result is staggering. Iam delighted with my new vision, I cann't remember seeing like this before. I was working on an ink drawing the following day; the improvment continued for about four days until they reached an anastounding clarity of vision.. Thank you everybody for my lovely new eyes.

We went to Sidmouth, our favorite happy place for a few days and as usual visited to sketch that fishing village called Beer, see above; it was a tad chilly sitting on the stoney beach painting, note the wind in the flags,but it was good fun and then on to Taunton where we stayed with friends, before winding our way home via Bridgewater; we will not dwell on that, but the hotel was nice.

So we are now home, have a lovely new kitchen and eyes, so we are both happy

Good morning and thanky you all for your get well wishes. My eyes are now truely amazing, I cannt remembers ever seeing so well. We have been away for a few days to South Devon and Somerset, having had a jolly good rest, lots of painting and a few adventures.

Exeter catederal was so special, we found several wonderful works of art:  The "Madonna and Child" by Raphel, a painting which I also knew about called the "Virgin on the Rocks" by Leonardo De Vince and this mrosaic whjich is above, there. I need time at home to scan all the paintings, so as yet I can only show you the photos. I will be home in a few hours.

We stayed in two hotels and were looked after very well. Also fiends were seen in Taunton, which was special.

We have had a good trip and now to be honest, I just want to get home. Will write again when I am sorted out.

 

 

We are all aware of the fortunate position we are in this part of the world. I am also very much aware of the economic problems facing us all during these moments and periods of Brexit, the pandemic and internation tension, resulting in national and indeed worldwide difficulties in food supply and economic chaos. Not a good picture. In these islands things may be very hard, but thankfully. although this may not seem to be the case to many of us, there are safety nets built into our national systems of support. Maybe not very good, maybe far from perfect and still very lacking; but they, limited as they are, do exist. I know that will seem as an understatment to many; I do not like persons being in that situation, let us hope that events and situations change for the better soon.

My first statment, as to how fortunate we are, may seem ridiculous.  so let me explain. We do have that marvelous instituaion  called the NHS;  rocking yes, wobbeling yes; but still there, despite goverment lack of realistic help. In the last week the health care which I have recieved has been wonderful. Without going into details, I am so grateful. So now I rest for a few days.

The above picture was finnished the day following bilateral eye surgery and other procedures.

 As an artist life never stands still, that statement applys equally to myself as well as to others. The tree project has now reached number eight hundred and thirty one images; during the production of these images many changes in style and thinking. have occured.  What have I learned?

Principally the main learning has been about myself,  as many of these later images took well over twenty hours to produce, much of the learning as been about patience and resilience. Often a work did not seem to be working at all, but sometimes with the attitude of just carying on and stayin in there the images changed and became some of my preffered images; such as the above.

At first many of the images were roughly A5 in size, now many are now A3, which for an ink is very large indeed, and also time consuming.

Confidence in drawing which was the impossible, has happened, such as looking through undergrowth, or the massed complexity of ground cover vegitation.

This project, with other work directions has helped me to grow in confidence as an artist. On the 10th of January, St. Columbas retreat, conference centre is giving me space to show some of my recent work, for which I am very gratefull.  I keep branching out innew directions, but more of that for another day.

Isn't life exciting

As we all grow a little longer in the tooth, life is supposed to slow down a little; but for Liz and myself we just get more and more busy. Many evening nowadays I enjoy a short nap before teatime, and when bedtime comes, I sleep like a log. But isn't life marvelous; 

I have to finnish this wordy ramble by saying, Thank You Jesus.

For those simply unaware, today is national "Stress Awarness Day".

Our day started with a trip into Guildford for Liz as she had an appointment at 9.00 in the morning; at which I groaned, being aware of the rush hour traffic in the morning around that town.

Slighty negative thoughts pervailed my thinking and the probability of ages sat in traffic jams were ever present in my mind; so we left home in good time at around 8 am.. The story developed. Two cars had been in an alternation on the A3 going eastwards and to compound the chaos, two cars had bumped on the A3 going westwards. Mayhem reigned; by 9.00 o'clock we were just approaching the A3 on the Wolphestone road. Liz telephoned her appointment venue, who were fine and cancelled the meeting; we then had to extract ourselves from all the mayhem. By nearly 10.00 o'clock, we had managed toget out as far as Sutton Green, where Liz bought me a coffee.

Yes, this morning I am aware of stress. Try hugging a tree! Nice one above.

Duncan

 

 Perhaps Autum is my favorite time of the year; it is still warm, but not to warm in which to walk. The sun is lower in the sky, now that helps in taking photographs and added to this, the autumnal colours are subline. Yesterday we drove to Polsden Lacey  and went for an exciting walk.  Occasionally it is right to change media, so although I did do a sketch, my main aim was with the camera.

In my opinion the best time to take photographic images is usually early in the morning or during the evening light at the end of the day; not a solid rule, but the light is usually more photogenic at those times. One way round that and take decent midday photographs is to avoid the great vista and get close in. Look for a leaf, or a toadstool, or some other detail. Normally the success of the image depends on waiting for the right light. The light might be there only for a brief second or two, so be ready. The above is prime example, my camera was set upbefore I began walking, Iso capture, aperture, exposure, appropiate focusing mode, as it happened in this case the light lasted about seven or eight seconds. but I antisipated the light coming onto that leaf and waited. The wait was only a moment or two, I was lucky. Shooting of three shots quickly; on all three shots the light was so different, this one I think worked best. Hope you like it. 

The experts say that the prime secret of landscape photography is waiting for the right light.

When I had finnished taking my photos, a couple of ladies passed, paused and then and asked me what I had taken a photograph of, as I was leaning into a bush. So I showed them, they liked it, we then chatted a while and then giving them my card; at which they began titering with quiet laughter. It turned out that they were highly amused that an artist called Twigg was studing trees. 

Don't take yourself to seriously.

 

Life is still manic, whilst at the same time being rewarding and exciting.

Having an exhibition coming up, the above painting is in it, the details of which you will recieve shortly. The big job of framing and mounting is finnished, most of the writing on the back of the pictures is done. So now the work on advertising, posters and all that sort of things starts; so there is lots still to do.

When in the studio I am using a new pen; a MUJI. It has a very fine ink line, and gives a lighter shade of dark grey, so in theary I should be able to create a greater range of tones.  Lets see what happens!

At the cinema the opera and ballet direct relays from the Opera House are getting better all the time. The other night with Liz, I saw Verdi's Aida, it was astounding; what a night out. Over the next few months the program looks so exciting.

We also attend a local cinema club, which shows arty and forign films, some are fantastic, others, awful, but thats what the arts are about. 

Art in all its forms is trully amazing and enriching: get involved.

Must go as work at St Peters Hospital calls, see you all soon.

The above image is of a fast disapearing footpath on Bisely Common which I saw the other week when out  walking with a friend called John,

Today I want to talk a little about art in general. Last night with my wife and a friend we went to see Puccinie's Opera, Madam Butterfly, which was being shown as a cinema live relay direct from Covent Garden. It is the forth time of my seeing this opera and each time it gets better. It was superb from many angles. Historically it was excellent, well researched. The stage set was so simple, yet wonderfully superb. The orchrestra and conductor were out of this world. Then we came to the singing and acting which left us speachless with admiration for such expressive skills. What a night.

I am an artist, also a musician, not quiet as good as the above and then, on occasion a poet; what I am trying to say is that art is good for you, it enriches life , expands your mind and is such good fun. I'm not talking about good or bad art today, that debate is for another time. Next week we are seeing another cinema relay, this time it will be a ballet. In the lightbox at the moment are some works by Canaletto the Venetian artist, go see them, they are superb.

Give art a little space in your lives. Art can be produced by yourself or enjoyed by seeing other peoples work. Either way it is healthy, go to a gallery, paint or listen to some music today; you might enjoy it.

To lighten up a little, today I am showing you the humorous side of my art. The above sculpture is made totally from waste paper, pva glue and acrylic paint. It shows a small holiday dingy for an avid bookworm. The process of building the above was very lengthy, it took nearly four months to make, but was such good fun. Out of interest, on its first public showing, it sold on the first day of the exhibition.

On this Saturday just gone I spent a lovey time with the Knaphill scouts who were camping and having a super time. Whilst with then I lead an art workshop; that was good fun as well. Much laughter and some pretty good art work was produced as well.

Why the above? With the death of our Queen, the last week has been terrible and yet in other ways wonderful; we must remember that Elizabeth would be the first to say, don't forget, we must keep our memories, yet move on, enjoy yourself's and lead a full life.

 

Father, 

Today as a nation we give thanks for the life of our beloved monarch Elizabeth the 11 as she now rests with You in Divine Heavenly Splendour.

We pray for ourselves as a people, to find fresh direction under Charles 111, in these difficult times.

Lastly we pray for the Royal family, give them comfort, strength and ability to follow the magnificent life of faith, which Elizabeth demonstrated so splendidly.

 

 Elizabeth rests and Lies in State, whilst her children stand around the coffin. in silence.

The public pass by sharing their grief.

A families private grief shared with the nation.

Never before have this nation and the Royal Family been so open about and shared their joint feelings

 

Yesterday Liz and myself went to Windsor to pay our respects and bid farewell to our Queen.

The feelings in Windsor were not deeply unhappy but rather being a little on the quiet and respectful side of the peoples mourning. It was good to go there and spend a few moments reading (on the flowers) how others felt of these sad events. We heard many differing languages, met all ages, saw no inappropriate behaviour. People were quietly sober and respectful.

It was raining and the two pencil sketches done very quickly whilst dodging the rain drops, show the crowds coming up from the station to the town and the second image shows where the flowers were being left at the gate to the great park.

A special day out, which is one that Liz and myself will remember.

As the second Elizabethan age finishes, let us for a moment or two stop and give thanks for such a remarkable women who has lead this Nation and the Commonwealth majestically for so many years.

I have two lovely memories of her. 

Firstly, when a certain Prime Minister consistently failed to answer my letters; I wrote to the Queen about his attitude towards democracy. I received a lovely letter from one of her equerries; and by return of post a letter arrived from Downing Street!

My second memory took place in Sheffield about twenty years ago when she was on an official visit. I was stood near the central library and as she walked past me, only about four feet away, she gave me a lovely smile.

So now as with such fond sadness we say farewell to this Commonwealths and Nations mother, let us pray for and support her son, Charles the Second.

Charles Duncan Twigg

Summer is moving on and now as we walk in the countryside or look around our gardens, we can see the autumnal browns and oranges appearing in the trees and shrubs. It is beautiful and this summer has been a marvelous summer (even if we could have done with a little more rain). Liz and myself have been outside enjoying the splendour of nature whenever possible.

We make simple picnics several times a week; a sandwich fits in nicely alongside my camera and pencil case, inside my shoulder bag. I also take an extremely lightweight A4 drawing board with me, which also fits neatly into my bag; in actual fact it lies rather comfortably against my back. Liz always carries the drinks, because liquid and cameras do not mix very well. The total weight is insignificant. 

Which brings me to the point of this blog, a quick sketch whilst you eat a picnic is good fun and helps us to see and become more aware of our surroundings. The above sketch was drawn whilst eating a picnic about two days ago. A very pleasant hour or so occurred; several walkers passed by, stopped to chat, cyclists even stopped. Art is such a universal communication tool, use it; as a result you will find that it is enjoyable meeting closely with nature, our surroundings and other people; most of whom are rather pleasant.

Shalford Mill

A couple of days ago we were walking below Shalford Mill on the river banks, It was lovely, a picnic and a good friend with us; just about perfect with hardly any mud at all to contend with.

I have started another boat sculpture, this one is a fun one, and is an imaginary dingy which a young lady typist would have with her on holiday, that is if she found difficulty in leaving work behind. I have spent the last forty-eight hours or so making her typewriter out of paper; it is about an inch cubed in size and has been slightly challenging to construct. I did the typewriter first as I knew that it would be the most tricky part of the work to construct. It all sounds crazy and it is, but I was offered an exhibition in the new year a couple of days ago, with a particular request that I included a couple of my boat sculptures in it. So at least a fun one and a serious one must be exhibited.

So now I will undercoat (paint) the typewriter and then a terrible annual event will continue. Liz insists that the studio is spring cleaned at least once a year. Yesterday my desk was completely stripped naked, washed down and repainted. Today all my book shelves are being washed down. The studio being cleaned is one thing and that's ok, the hard bit is finding everything again. Everything is slightly out of place.

See you soon.

 

I was in Andy's cafe yesterday and got talking to a lady about drawing with ink. She told me about this tree, she was pleased when I told her that I knew about the tree which she was talking about. The tree in question is situated above the Silent Pool, near to Newlands Corner. So I am using it to illustrate a point.

Remember that it is all pure black line and that lighter strokes are produced by holding the pen lightly or at an angle to the paper; a little easier said than done, but with lots of practice it does work.The aim of this image is to show the dappled light moving across the picture, slightly problematic, as light areas in the image are produced by not placing any ink, or applying very controlled small amounts of ink there. Its all about very strictly controlled contrast in a disciplined manner, One way of keeping control over this contrast is to always work with light strokes and building contrast up slowly, with much crosshatching and plenty of constant thinking thrown in.

It all takes time and lots of practice, but when you can make it work, it is such fun; slightly challenging as well. It all keeps the mind working and keeping us young at heart. Incidentally with regards to the aging process, I live in a constant state of happy denial.

See you all soon Duncan

What a fortnight it has been, a wedding, a conference and a few days r and r, spent painting, with lots of adventures thrown in. A ten thousand word essay would not do the events justice, so I shan't bother to try. The few days r and r, were taken at Dungeness; we stayed in a super b and b, right on the shingle shores edge, the weather was perfect.With Liz's blessing most of each day was spent sitting on the shingle amongst the old decaying fishing boats, mainly doing watercolours paintings; but tonight I am showing you an ink drawing, which I love. Do you know; I actually relaxed!

I am aware that people like coloured work, to me that is fine and I can produce that work. But where my heart is, and my main thrust as an artist must remain, is lying in my hands with the pen and ink. Somehow this medium is so expressive, I can say how I feel, when holding a pen. It is me. So I will do other things and work in other mediums, but please allow me to return often to my pen.

 

Apparently for some of you my image of the other day did not show; sorry, IT can be a so and so on occasions.

The image today is a quick one, it took only about six or seven hours to produce, is a study of a bank side and is small, being only about four inch's square. It was a fill in piece, not being sure as to what I needed to create next, so the approach was a little relaxed, care free and to be honest it works better in the original form, the IT version is a little flat, but that doesn't matter. What does natter is that not all pieces are marvelous works of art, what matters is that your mind is working and creating, always looking for something new to explore and luxuriate in. 

I used the word luxuriate deliberately, as although the approach to this work was a little relaxed, once started, it sort of took hold of me and I was almost on that river bank, luxuriating and chilled out. It was a pleasant few hours being there in my mind and on the paper. Just out of interest the original version when not printed or digitalised works rather well. So it was time well spent. 

If you pop round, if you want to, you can see the original and have a coffee as well. have fun.

 

 It certainly is a little on the warm side at the moment and maybe we are all having to live with consideration for the heat; I for one have been just a little sensible and certainly slowed down a little.

This afternoon I wanted to go out to paint, but how could I do that responsibly, whilst not putting myself at risk from overheating. So I wandered down to the canal and stopped near by to the Bridge Barn, then sitting under the trees on the edge of the canal tow path; a pleasant cool breeze was running down the canal, which was just right and I had lots to drink with me. not a bad start. I kept the relaxed feeling gong by using the children's multi coloured biros which I bought for a song the other day. So, no expectations of fine art, just fun and relaxation.The result, maybe a little colourful, but I did enjoyed myself.

Believe it or not, but I am now seventy five years old: it was my birthday yesterday; so Liz as usual, gave me a super present. She scooted me off to Sidmouth and Beer in South Devon, with her in tow, for a few days. We were there for three nights at our favorite hotel, the Kingswood, right in the middle  of the Esplanade, on the sea front, it was all rather plush, polite, shiny and fancy; we had a lovely time. The food was rather splendid. On the first full day, Saturday, I was told to go away and sketch or paint in Sidmouth, before we went to the theatre in the evening, so being a good little boy that is what I did.

I thought how can this be a little different and still be good fun?  So. the usual paper, A3 sized was used, with the usual pen; the difference being to sketch very loosely using the whole A3 page, which is quite large for a sketch. 

So off I went with my stool and did four sketches; they were such fun to draw, working almost in a slap dashish manner; each drawing took about forty minuets to produce.. After drawing sketch number two I stopped for tea in a quaint old word tea room, before getting on with number three. People were so pleasant, the town center was busy and everybody was in  holiday mood, the sun was shining  and it was lovely and warm; lots of people stopped and chatted, and they were all respectful and enjoying nattering with me ( I think), so, all in all, it was a rather pleasant few hours.

I love being an art6ist.

 

 A few blogs back, it was mentioned that I had a clear out and offered a painting of Nigh Neb near Sheffield to a good home, well it was snapped up very quickly by an old student from Sheffield university. 

At the same time a large file (about forty) paintings of Filey, Yorkshire also appeared; Above is one of them. This is a lovely ink drawing and not necessarily looking for a good free home, of the Coble Landing. At Filey there is a long concrete ramp down to the beach and in the past this is where the fishing boats were dragged up on to, in order that they were safe from the sea. I was fortunate some years ago to be able to make friends with many of these fishermen, spending time on the Coble Landing (as they call this concrete ramp) in order to make a fairly comprehensive record of their work. I haven't been able to return to Filey for bout twenty years, but when I was last there, they were reaching the point when it would not be possible to operate boats from the Landing. I must try to get back there to see what is happening.

At the same time another file on Lincoln cathedral appeared. The scanning and digitalising of the Filey work is now done, next in line is to do the same to the new Lincoln file. Its a good job that I like what I do.

This morning iIwant to talk about not taking yourself to seriously.

Yesterday was great fun, as my wife and myself were working at a family weekend scout camp, of nealy two hundred persons in lovely wooded Surrey, at Beechmeer scout camp site.

Liz was providing drinks, whilst I was organising an all day art workshop.

I saw in an art shop the other day a packet of about sixty coloured biro type pens at a give away price and thought, "They look like good fun for some youngsters". As the workshop started several of the youngsters wanted to see me paint something. So I took the childrens pens (all were awfully bright and clashing colurs) and said what do you want me to draw; a surgestion of a boat was shouted back, so a boat it was to be. Then using the childrens gaudly coloured pens the above was created. I started with a gold pen, changing to other bright colours as it went on. Suprisingly the colours calmed down as the work progerssed.

Not a great work of art, but fun and the kids and families enjoyed it as well.  By not being pompous about correct materials and that sort of thing, everybody was very open to me and two things happened.

1   Everybody of all abilities had a good time, then amazingly;

2  Two adults who were present, showed remarkable artistic ability, which they were not previously aware of. Both intend to take up art as a future addition within their lives.

So don't be pompous, occasionally, when appropiate bcome a child again and enjoy playing. It is healthy and good for you.

 

Some days are better than others; today was better than most.

This morning was bits and bobs, work , then dashing here and there; we managed to be finnished by eleven thirty, so a picnic was quickly packed and off we went.

A favorite walk of ours is along Green Lane at Clandon, then going round in a circle to the north by Send prison so that we returned back actross the fields, see above; rather special. the flowere were beautuful, keeping the bees busy, the breeze warm, keeping Liz happy nd comfortableish logs were found to sit on, could have been better, for lunch. The best bit was seeing a kingfisher as we crossed over a small wooded stream, that was very special indeed.

Just short of three miles, Liz did well. After a rest I produced a chilli for supper, Liz said that it was a little on the hot side; oh dear! Still I fail to get everything right.
 

I hope that you all had as good a Jubilee extended weekend which we had. Each day involved at least two functions of some sort or other; meals out at friends, meals at home with friends, meals in a pub, trip to the cinema, beacons being lit, street parties and friends staying over, then being dropped at the staion by 7.30 am, they are off on a walking holiday; we are exhausted, but we did have a rather good time of it all. Then this morning one of our sons has turned up and is at this moment shampooing all our carpets for us; he has a big beast of a shampooer. In the midst all, time was found to paint; the above was finnish just an hour ago, it is of a hedgerow near Fairoaks airfield. So we had a super time, enjoyed friends, were thankfull for the Queen and appreciated having super sons. I even managed to fit in a letter to our local MP, lucky chappie.

I think my favorite bit of the festivities was her tea party with Paddington; that was inspirational.

So now, in a short while we will take Micheal out for lunch before he goes home. Then maybe nothing at all for a few days.

 

High Neb, the highest point of Stannage Edge in the Peak District.

Mixed Medial

by

Charles D Twigg

Charles is haveing a massive sort out, of years of work. The above work is going free to a good home.

 

Today has been a truely busy day, It started with the putting up of a small exhibition of my work in the Ambrose Koffee Bar which can be found on Wych Hill just below the Co-op. It all went up well, everybody was pleased; with one reservation, it needed one more tree image in the quiet end of the cafe. So, of home to select, print, frame, mount and get it ready for hanging. At the same time take liz out for breakfast, get the car cleaned and remember to breath occasionally. Then hang out the washing (my job). I managed to get back to hang the last image about two o'clock, before returning home in time to help Liz interview a new cleaner at three, I made it with about ten minuets to spare. 

I like the idea of the exhibition; Shocker, the owner wanted a quiet reflective area at the deep end of the cafe, there we had tree images; then letting the mood become more relaxed as you moved up the room. So the main area of the cafe has happy colourfull seaside fishing boat pictures; lastly by the window and the entrance, a small area showing the Woking conection, so here are six small local ink prints of around the local canals. I think it works. Not bad coffee either.

Got the washing in, so now to collapse for a while seems a good idea.

 

When we were traveling a few weeks ago a fair amount of time was spent around Studland which lies between Swannage ad Poole. It is basically an isthmus of heath land and an area of outstanding beauty, stillness and calm. The Old Harry Roks lie to the south of this area and we had the opertunity to paint, draw, sketch and anything else of these cliffs and rocks from many view points. I think I painted this view from differing places about seven times. There is something rather special about sitting on a cliff top, with a piece of paper and a pen, with the sun beaming down on you, the wind ruffeling your hair; then just drawing what you see and feel.

Very special moments; trye it.

 

Just for today, lets leave the seaside and get back onto one of my favorite subjects and that is sketching. Now a sketch is not a rubishy, trashy image of n worth, but rather a complete piece of work produced in a rather special sort of way. The whole idea is simplicity and speed, adding in emotion and impression; keep complexity out of it. no use of rubbers or rulers (I would not be likely to use eithet of those, but you get the point) or any other measuring devices.

I use a drawing board simply because when out walking my A3, 3/16th MDF board is so light and comfortable to carry in my bag, against my back, that it is always with me. The other essential ingrediants are 1, a piece of paper, and 2, a pen or pencil, thats all; but to help the process along a flask of coffee and a picnic lunch is perfect. The above was produced whoilst I ate a corned beef and salad sandwhiche, followed by a pear and an orange. The whole process, including the eating, took about 30/35 minuets.

The location was at Polsden lacey, at the top of Woodlands Road; which in reality is a dirt farm track through the woods, but what a super location. We sat on a fallen log, it was lovely and warm, with dappled light flitting through the leaves, I sketched, Liz as reading her book and a few people passed whom we chatted with. All was just about perfect. Whilst the quick style of drawing captured the essence of the lane.

My A3 board is not at all essential, many people take a small A5 book with them and just a humble HB pencil, both fit easily in most pockets.. Never decry the pencil, remember my drawing of Cromer a few weeks ago.

Well must get on. Charles.

 

When people travel to the seaside, they charge head long for the beach, the boats and the ice cream; thats normal enough; I'm a bit like that as well. But this summer on your next jaunt to the coast, slow down a littlle and look around as you rush to the beach.

The above are fishermen's lockups at Beer in Devon. They are litterally ten yards off the shingle beach and they full to the brim with feelings, textures and what the seaside is all about. Looking at how doors are cared for and the fishing detritius lying aroud, tells you so much about the place.

Today is a big day as I have finnshed my latest maritime sculpture. The glass and frame has been attached to the work. So now it has to be left for the glue to dry for twentyfour hours, then comes the sanding and painting, which is followed by the attachment of the frame furnature {hooks, eyes and hanging cord), then comes the provonance certificate which has to be to glued on the rear. Picture will appear shartly.

See you soon. Charles

 

It is always nice and comfortable to be back home again, whilst at the same time travel is great fun. Image making in all media for me, expands the experience and gives me lasting aids to my memories. Beer in Devon is one of those places which I return to constantly in my mind.

Beer is a small fishing inlet, at the end of a steep narrow valley, this valley opens up as it reaches the sea into a wide sheltered stone beach; idealy suited to beach landing small fishing craft. The beaching and launching is aided by this tractor, which has added tyres on all axles to help give traction over the stones beach; it is altogether a bit of a beast and I love it.

 

We spent hours there the other week as the place has everything we needed, whilst remaining quiet and reserved. No Blackpoolitis thank goodness. A friendly pub, pleasant tea room, art gallery, a few shops, church and not much more; we love the place. Liz always wants to visit the galery for the crockery, she buys a couple of pieces on each visit. This time I produced six images of the same ilk as above; good fun, even if it was a little on the cool side. However wear a good jumper and that is no problem..

 Good morning one and all, as you may be aware I have been out of contact for nearly three weeks, the reason is because we were away whilst a new bathroom was fitted and it must be said that the bathroom is rather splendid; we are very pleased.

Whilst away we lived as nomads in four hotels along the south coast, from Southampton, all the way to our favorite, Sidmouth. We paid two trips to Beer (the location and not the beverage), that amazing fishing hamlet and above is an ink/water-colour produced plen-air.

Liz is always so very suportive with my artistic obsessions; but occasionally she does stamp her feet and lay down rules. This rule this trip was; "One water-colour a day", she likes my water-colours. I almost managed the challenge. Almost because water-colours in this country can be tricky. The above image took about 40 minuets in the open air, the work was finnished of in the bar of the hotel that night. However the open air bit was a tad rough because it was lovely and sunny, but and it was a big but, the wind was blowing and it was ever so cold. That morning I produced three images like the above, so you can imagine that I was slightly chilled when they were finnished.

The trip was a story about hotels, more about that in a few days.

As we were in Cromer the other day I thought that another image from Liz's home town would be nice. It is a view from above the cliffs at Overstrand a mile or two, to the east of the town. Although a very simple composition; note how the rope barrier leads the eye into the pictuer, where all the chaos of a typical seaside village pile of detritious lie, forming an interesting corner into a mish mash of all sorts of shapes and sises. Without that the picture would have been flat and uninteresting.

Very simple tricks like that help us to make an image work.

 

Given an oppertunity, always try something new, or go back to something which you have not done for a while. As many of you are aware last week Liz and myself attended a funeral in Cromer, Norfolk. A sad occasion, yes; however the lady who died was an inspiring person of great faith. The service was as a result a true thanksgiveing for a wondedrful life.

However when attending a srvice of that nature, to go tooled up for a photographic or painting trip would simply not be appropiate; although there is no reason why an A3 pad and a HB pencil should not be in the car. So having traveled a distance to be there, we were a little early, so a short wander around the back of the chuch and a quick pencil sketch appeared. The key to this kind of work is simplicity, 1 paper pad, 2 basic HB pencil, no rubber. or fancy H4 or B8 stuff, eep it simple, it works.

Working in this way, makes you work quickly, without to much carefull draughtmanship being used. The result is sadly sometimes a mess, but more often than not a freedom of expression evoplves, which says so much more than a crefully planned wonderfully finnished work.

 

Well it is time to unveil my latest paper sculpture, which is called "A jolly good read", because if you look carefully in the chaos of the fishing inlet sits a Sam Salt sort of individual, ignoring everything and being deeply engrossed in his book. The photograph was taken just before the glass was put over the frame and it was sealed.

The exhibition last Autumn in Guildford took most of my sculptures so now I have two works towards and exhibition, although another is in my mind! It is so exciting wanting to create all the time; it must be pointed out that I am aware that Liz is very patient.

Well must go as Liz wants dropping at Goldsworth Park and I need to pack as we are off to Norfolk in the morning to the funeral of a dear old lady whom I only meet once; she and her husband sort of held together and supported the youth in her home town church, a marvelous couple. You might think it strange to mention a funeral in an art blog; but people pass us by in this life and encourage us; they are important and are a part of our make up.

 This morning has been rather pleasant.

It started in the Lightbox gallery in Woking, where there is an exhibition of art about the Basingstoke Canal, which I am exhibiting in, see the above image.

The exhibition is in aid of a fund raising effort to finance the building of a new community trip boat as the old one is on its last legs. 

Present was our local MP J Lord, I write to him often, we have got to know each other fairly well through our communications, so it was good to meet him face to face and have a proper chat; we did not talk about politics. It is all right to disagree and say as such to a person, but manners, politeness and respect are always essential. We had a good chat.

Next a lady came up to me in the exhibition space whom I have not seen for a few years. I met her in a mental heath drop in session which as an artist I was leading, apparently I gave her a drawing pad and got her drawing. She is now very well and continues drawing, indeed selling a piece of her work the other day.

Next I walked into town to do a little essential shopping and met another friend. He is a pretty decent guitarist and was busking. That was a nice chat.

So it has been a people morning and I enjoyed it, this afternoon I am ensconced in the studio and I will enjoy that. This evening Liz and I are locking the door and we are having evening on our ow, we call them date nights.

So what a super day, life is good, even if a tad tough at times. 

 Just for one day a change of direction. I find variety withing my art work helpful and refreshing. As well as my conventional work which is progressing very well, I am still persevering with my sculpture. The above five boats are all inspired from trips to the Cornish peninsular over the years. From the left is firstly a lobster inshore fishing boat, which could well double as round the bay day trip vessel in summer. Then we have a small dingy, used for odd jobs around the harbour, possible owned by the local chandler as it is full of tools, obviously ready for a repair job somewhere. Next we have two double enders, these can take slightly heavier seas, so go further out, then finally we have a dingy which is being prepared for a days rod fishing, including a picnic. they aren't finished, details of the characters of each boat owner need adding, such as, what type of hat do they wear, which paper do they read, do they smoke a pipe. prefer tea or beer? Its good fun.

Next stage is building the harbour wall and then the water; remember everything is approximately 85% paper, 10% PVA glue and 1% from the kitchen bin and 4% acrylic paint and other glues! I think that adds up to 100. A little ingenuity is called for at times. Then lastly comes the framing and that is a nightmare. This piece is going to take a while to complete, but it is good fun: now that is the important part.

Please enjoy your art.

Today Liz and myself went for a walk in the woods; and this is remarkable that she, that is Liz managed to cover one and a half miles' She is doing so very well!

Half way through the walk, on a foot path to the west of the Polseden Lacey house we heard a distinctive loud, shrill, high pitched bird call. Looking up and only a few yards away was a red kite. We could see every feather and even the slight shading between the feathers.  Every detail of this bird was clear to view, it seems as if we could almost touch the thing. The call was almost as if he/she was talking to me. Amazing. now that is the closes t which I have been to one of these superb birds.

The picture above is also from Polseden Lacey, but from the south going up towards Ranook Moor, near to the YMCA Hostel. Notice that it is almost two pictures. Firstly the light foreground and then secondly the darker, shadowed background.

Life is just super (a tad hard yes, but still super) I love being an artist, looking at and being aware of things like the image and events of above is such a privilege. After the woods when we are home, it is into the room where I create and my thoughts are moved to a tiny Cornish fishing village; but more of that another day.

You will have heard of the old saying, that a change is as good as a rest, well just once in a while we all need a change, it is refreshing and it does you good. Well I arrived at St. Andrews art club last week and I just did not want to do my usual ink. So I took out of my bag a sea shell, to be exact a mussel covered in barnacles and sea weed, then turned towards it in a lets see what happens sort of way.

Starting with a piece of heavy duty water-color paper, then taking a pencil, a very loose and faint sketch was the starting point, followed by a faint water-fast ink drawing. When the ink was properly dry a few layers of watercolor were applied. The work then received a water soluble ink drawing over some of areas of the work to produce feelings of depth sand contrast. After which, to finish it all of a very fine mist of water was squired over it all, this softens the edges, created a small amount of ink bleed and gave a feeling of looseness to it all. I like it.

Try something a little different occasionally, you will have fun.

Wells next to the Sea is just a few miles eastwards along the coats from Hunstanton (which we visited a few weeks ago) on the south shore of the Wash; it is the kind of place which you could wander around for hours, despite its small size. We found a friendly cafe, which was a little pricey. Lots of crafty shops and an ancient harbor, which is slowly silting up. Commercially, not really a working port now, but full of weekend sailors. One super shop was the chandlers on the harbor wall, amazing jumpers at realy reasonably prices.

I miss travel, role on when it is responsible to get off on our adventures again. 

We are back at home now and being busy doing all sorts of things. I have started a new maritime sculpture, which is challenging, but more of that at a later date. Ink work is progressing and also very important, maybe more-so, Liz is progressing and getting stronger by the day. The highlight of the day is going to be a trip to the pharmacists at Horsell for my prescription, good grief!

 

One in a while, take a step back and think, what have you passed, forgotten or neglected over the past few months or longer. For me the neglect part must be black and white photography; which my father gave me a great love of so many years ago. He took photographs in the glass plate era, sadly non of them have survived, but I have managed to keep a small album of contact prints from a scout camp in the 1930's

Monochromatic and black and white photography, does not work in all situations, however when given an understanding free reign on the right subject, it gives such a depth of tone and texture, which other photographic styles just cannot capture; I feel that textural images in particular work particularly well, of which woodland images and portraiture are prime examples. Look at the depth and texture in the  above image

Most modern digital cameras have a B/W setting. Give it a go.

The above photograph was taken on Horsell Common not long ago.

 

 

Well we are now home, Epiphany is past, so we are well into the new year, festivities were enjoyed and now life continues and moves on at a gathering pace, as new experiences and challenges appear.

Our stay in Hunstanton was lovely, to be honest there is not very much to do there; it is such a pleasant quiet place nestling gently by the coast. We wanted to relax and relax we did, the hotel had only a few guests, the lounges were spacious, everybody polite and pleasant, a few characters were present, but that makes it more fun. The last few months have been tough for Liz, as a result she was tired and slept a great deal. Each day we went for a drive, so Liz did see the surrounding countryside. For myself, when she was sleeping I went for a couple of walks on the beach and most of the rest of the time I spent painting and reading (at the moment it is all about the Viking travels to Byzantium in the 8th and 9th century's). The above is one of the paintings, the location is just below the hotel.

Lots to tell you all, but it can wait until next time.