This morning I am sharing with you one of my favorite places on earth. It is the view of Stannage Edge, from the carpark above Ringinglow, on the Sheffield side of the Peak District. I have sat painting this view many times, in all weathers and in all of the four seasons. It is an oil pastel and hangs above my desk in my studio, I love it.

I was talking the other day about larger ink works; well the first one has been completed and it is an encouraging start to the project. Scanning to make the image digital is another problem as I have an excellent scanner, which sadly A4 sized and not A3 plus; however that is being worked on, my challenge for the week; lets see what transpires.

Another work in the ongoing tree project this morning, but this one is with a difference. My ink work is getting larger and this one is on A3 sized paper, the image being 16 inches by 9; which for a detailed ink work is massive in the amount of work involved; I did not count the hours it took to produce. For technical reasons the bigger the ink work gets, so, fresh unexpected problems keep appearing. But the process so far has worked and this piece has left a good feeling upon completion. Now this drawing was a step up towards an aim of mine which is to produce ink work twice that size!! Which I am now with trepidation undertaking. So lets see what happens. 

My art group at St Andrews restarts this Thursday at 1 pm after the Christmas break. Remember there is no charge, it is a good place to meet people, learn from one another and is a very pleasant and convivial art centered group. There are spare places in the group.

And a very happy, prosperous and peaceful New Year to you all.

The last year was a busy one; several projects, three exhibitions, as well as continuing with old themes, fresh ideas were accepted: by the years end I was tired.

So this year it starts a little slower paced with a small changing exhibition in the Ambrose Cafe, Hook Heath and a resolution, which we are all supposed to make at each years start. Mine is to continue with the tree work, although the direction could change a little and secondly to pay a little more attention to my water colour work. Personally I do not see myself as a watercolourist, but many of you like them, so I will continue in developing that side of my work alongside with the ongoing exploration of the use of pen and ink, where is where my principal thrust will continue.

Pictures usually have a story

Above is an ink which I drew over the Christmas period. The picture is situated in the fields behind Send, by a disused barn, which is skirted by a muddy path. The piece was produced from a photograph which I took a couple of years ago and as a point of interest it was very muddy indeed; we both had to  paddle and almost wade through the water to get there. It was good fun and we did laugh a lot.