Day 38

Didnt get out to paint today..had a family day, went for a walk in woods and had nice sunday lunch and shandy in pub. Got back and spent last two hours doing mediocre still life. Chris lent me his lustre jug to paint.. I know why now, setting me a challenge..what a difficult subject! I just stuck it on the table with my new book ..The biography of William Nicholson by his third wfe/partner Margeurite Stein. Well results are below. Hopefully paint outside tomorrow!

Chis's lustre jug and Nicholson 12 x 16 oil on board

PD 37 Bad painting day :-)

Having had the day offf yesterday I was very happy to get out painting this afternoon. Whilst I really enjoyed myself I just couldnt get in the groove today and it was one of those days where painting feels impossible. I went to Rock Channel in Rye and spent nearly 2 hours labouring a way on a painting I should have given up on after half an hour..complete rubbish. I then drove back to the levels and started an 8 x 10 of the sun going down which I scrubbed out after 25 mins. Finally I did alittel 15 m 6 x 8 study..again not my best! I did say it was a warts and all blog so I will post both, but not proud :-) Maybe tomorrow I will do better. Certainly hope so.

12 x 16 Red  & blue boat Rock Channel

15min study on the levels  6 x 8

Day 36

Well for the first time since New Years Day I didnt paint..failure:-)
I had all good intentions, had my box ready, but just didnt find the time. I could have cheated and held back paintings when I have done more than one a day but it doesnt really matter does it. Hopefully Ill get something done today after I have done all my chores. Lots of DIY to do for my wife:-) Thats it for now

Day 35

Just a very quick sketch today. Small 6 x 8 of Rye Fish market. Nearly lost the light before I even started but that in a way makes things easier as it simplifies everything. Only one more day and then the weekend. Then a week at work and then a week off split between Suffolk and South of France. Cant wait!

Last Light Rye Fish Market 6 x 8

Day 34

Well went to Dungeness after work and bought some fish for tea. Ive been reading a fantastic book about the life of William Nicholson..boy was he a good painter. He was a master at still life and its not until you have a go at something as simple as a fish that realise just how good he was! Inspired by Nicholson I bought the most exotic fish on display a Jon Dory and some half a dozen fresh Rye Bay scallops that my 7 year old son adores. I painted this 12 x 16 study before eating it ..yum!
Thanks for everybodys comments greatly appreciated. I understand your message Rene, but I love painting and if I sound frustrated its because I cant do more of it. I dont think Im doing any harm or diminshing my enthusiasm for trying todo something everyday. I dont see it as any different to someone carrying a sketch book!
Thats it for today hope weater is better tommorrow oterwise I will have to think of another still life subject.

Jon Dory and Scallop 12 x 16 oil on board

Day 33

Well as much as I really want to paint one a day its really proving difficult! Im so busy at work its proving nearly impossible to find the time every day, and Ive been getting up early. Yesterday doesnt really count although I did post an apple! Tonight I spent an hour on a small 6 x 8 study of wallnuts and a nut cracker. Not very good but actually very challenging as I just layed them out randomly on my oak table. Everything very close in colour and tone, which made it a real struggle! Painting isnt supposed to be easy so I guess it was good practice. No laughing or rude comments please. Lets hope Ican paint in the landscape somewhere tomorrow. Apologies for poor photo tonight taken on my blackberry and emailed to computer. I really couldnt be bothered to go to hassle of photographing with camera and uploading to computer!

day 32

Well today i just about failed .. I tried to make time but was just too busy to paint. I got home had my dinner and just wasnt in the mood. I set up a still life, spent an hour painting which I enjoyed but it looked like crap..so I scrubbed it all out.. i was going to try again but have had enough and am going to watch telly..so that I can post something I did a sketch which sums it up today.. lets hope I can do something tomorrow!