Palette Knife. Oil on board. 4 x 10 inches

I am very proud to be showing with the NEAC again this year.  I have shown in this prestigious exhibition for the last 6 years. This year, for the first time, I sent in some little still life paintings to show that I do occasionally paint subjects other than my plein air landscapes.  I was delighted that the judges liked them.

The day I painted these pictures I had gone in to my studio to paint a large picture from one of my location studies.  But, as I looked at the dipper sitting on my palette I became intrigued by the way it seemed to blend in with it’s surroundings.  Layers of old paint have built up over the years creating a patina-like finish on both the palette and the dipper.  I realised that it could be painted by reproducing the colour, tone and shape of each mark.

These paintings and many of the others in the show can now be seen and purchased here.

New English Art Club.
Mall Galleries, London SW1.
26 November – 5 December 2010

I always use the best quality materials when I am painting.  Here is a list of my favourite suppliers and what I buy from them:

Bird and Davis The UK’s oldest artists’ stretcher frame manufacturers and suppliers of best quality linen canvas.

C Roberson and Co High quality oil painting mediums and gilding supplies.  Founded in 1810 – past customers include Turner, Whistler and Sargent!

Cornelissen and Sons Artist’s Colourmen since 1855.  The best looking art shop in london. Brushes, goldleaf and other bits and pieces.

Gold Leaf Supplies Online seller of gold leaf and gilding supplies

Michael Harding Handmade artists’ oil colours

Old Holland Highly pigmented oil paints made to traditional formulas

Rosemary and Co High quality handmade brushes from Yorkshire

Winsor and Newton Professional quality artists’ oil colour

I spent the yesterday painting the snow at Harefield, Great Missenden and  somewhere in the Chilterns (above) – warming up in the car as I travelled between locations.

The wet snow was mixing with the paint on my palette.  Titanium white soon resembled ice cream and my brushes froze but it was a good day.

I will post some photos of the paintings later.

The plan was to paint in Trafalgar Square at night after the rain.

The rain stopped for just long enough for me to set up and start painting.  But, 25 minutes into the picture the rain became so heavy I had to pack up.  You can see how far I got in the picture above.

Above: Rain water on my palette.

Raindrops on my palette

This evening I found myself rushing to try and finish a picture before the rain started.  I was set up on a hill and could see the rain sweeping towards me across the valley.