Work in Progress - Graphite study of a monkey.

The work of Terry Miller has inspired me to go back to graphite again. I had forgotten how interesting it can be. This study is of a small black monkey seen at Colchester Zoo, very stupidly I did not make a note of the species at the time, so if anyone knows the name please feel free to get in touch. This study is on Bristol Board done with a range of Faber-Castell pencils. I will post another picture in a day or so when this study is completed.

Mall Gallery Exhibition

Fellow artists and I had a wonderful day out on Monday at the preview of the Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers (RMS) held in the Mall Gallery in London. (Glad I tried painting one a couple of weeks ago so I could really appreciate the skill that goes into creating these beautiful little 'jewels'.) Lovely friendly people and wonderful work, I thoroughly recommend this Exhibition. Tracy Hall a friend from the Scottish Islands won the Llewellyn Alexander Gallery Award ('The Sentry' Meercat) and also the premier prize for Best in Show ('Red Admiral and Rook'). Here is Tracy with the president of the show Elizabeth R Meek PRMS PPSWA HS FRSA and the Earl of Glasgow who officially opened the Exhibition. Well done Tracy!

Coat Colours

In the absence of progress on the cabin (still raining) and no work actually completed here is a study of 'Leo' a young horse painted in pastel some time ago. He was in a relaxed pose and I wanted to show the lovely softness and sheen of his coat. In the brown/bay coat are many shades of umber and various browns, blues, greys and a lovely purple brown. If you study the coat of a horse, or any animal, you will see many subtle shades which make up the overall colour. It takes some years to train your eye to see all of them - artists learn all their lives! We look at things differently and that is part of the fun and challenge of painting.