Yew

Hi all,
Hope you had a cracking Christmas. Mine was quiet and peaceful and, as usual, it shot by like a rat up a drain pipe. Every year s the same, I imagine that I'm going to have loads of free time for doing a bit of woodworking and some drawing but it never happens. Somehow the time just seems to get frittered away.

Before Christmas I managed few bits of wood turning that I did for presents, including 9 pens and the items below.

This was a small wood lidded box that I turned as an extra for my granddaughter.

This was a spinning top and base made for my grandson.
 For my wife I made a few things including thees pieces of fruit.

And a pen turned from a piece of yew.

They are all very nice and I really enjoyed turning them but I didn't have any time left over for drawing and painting. Ha well shouldn't moan, it's great to be creative no matter what the medium and I'm looking forward to 2017.

More Pens

Hi All
Just a quick one to let you know that I have added a couple of new pens to the pen's page. Hope you like them.

Free Book

Hi all,
Just a quick one so that you don't miss out. One of my books, "The Reluctant Pom will be free to download from amazon for the next three days. That is the 22nd until the 24th of November. To get a free copy just click on the books tab at the top of the page then click on the book cover.

In 1967 my father decided that life would be better for his wife and my five siblings if we moved to the other side of the world. I didn't want to go because I was moody 16 years old and desperately wanted to stay in England. However, I had little choice in matter and finished up being a reluctant pom in Melbourne. If you want to find out how I got on, please download the free book and have a good laugh.

On the art side, I'm still working on the illustration that I should be posting soon and I have just braved the cold in the workshop and turned a new style of pen from a wood called wild mango.

I will add this image to the other pens that can bee seen by clicking on the pen's tab.

A Doodle

Hi all,
I'm slowly getting back into doing a bit of art after spending the summer in the workshop playing with my lathe. I've been doing a bit of doodling to try and loosen up my style. Trying to do realistic drawings is all very well and I've done a few of those, but now it is the time to cut loose.

But why, you may ask? The thing is, my wife has written a book that needs illustrating. It is called The Whoots and is all about some tiny creatures, funnily enough called Whoots, that live in a large garden.

Anyway, the book was written for a bit of fun to see if she could make up a plot and deliver a good story. I'm pleased to say that she managed a very clever plot very well and came up with a great little story. Sometimes things work out better if they are done just for the sheer fun of it. The book was never about making any money, so when it came to the illustrations there was no way she was going to pay anybody proper to do the job. So now you know how I finished up with the task.

Having never illustrated a book before I didn't quite know where to start, so I read through the book and imagined which bits could do with an illustration to help the reader along. I now have a list of pictures that I need to draw. That was the easy bit, however, I have a feeling it will get harder once I get into trying to draw the actual Whoots.

To give you a taster here is the first sketch I have done. It is supposed to depict the place where the Whoots live, which is in an hestimonium bush at the bottom of the garden.

If you look closely you will see glimpses of wooden houses dotted through the bush because this is where the Whoots live, in tiny houses perched on branches within the bush. There is lift to the top where the chief Whoot and his family live in Plant Pot Hall.

This is just my first sketch done in pencil and then pen and ink on ordinary drawing paper. The next stage will be to transfer the image to some Bristol board so that I can do some watercolour painting on it.

In my next post I hope to show you my first finished illustration.

Hare

Hi all,
And the good news is, I've started drawing again and here is my first effort. Actually, I began this drawing of a hare about seven months ago, but spring came in earnest and the garden needed sorting etc. Then I went and bought a lathe and what spare time I had in the summer went on woodturning.
We've all got our excuses for not working on our art, but I thing the colder weather and the darker evenings will help, especially now that television programs have become so dire.

I haven't given up on the wood turning, but being in the house drawing is much preferred now that the colder weather is here. I've done a bit of woodturning in the workshop with the electric fire on, but it doesn't seem the same when you know how much the electricity is costing. We are on a pay as you go meter, inherited from the previous home owners. I's great in the summer but when winter arrives I seem to be in the newsagents every other day topping up.

Anyway, here is the drawing of the hare, it is nothing exciting but it will do for a starter.

You can see in the picture that everything is realistic except for the hare, which is patterned. This is something I've decided to do more of, I'm going to forget trying to make my drawings realistic and just let my imagination flow. This will take some doing because abstract art has never been a favourite of mine. So if you want to see how I get on with a wacky drawing please watch this space.

By the way, with regards to my books, I keep getting asked the same questions, what's happened to Fred Tench and will there be another book in the Fishing Detectives Series? To be honest, I have no plans for another book at the moment although the outlines of a plot to enter my head from time to time. I guess I will have to see how it goes during the next 6 months, if I can't resist the urge I might do one more.

More Pens

Hi all,
I have been busy turning a few more pens and have added them to the "Pens" page if you would like to see them. The last one is made from a wood called mopane and it is a beauty. Here it is for a taster, but please take a look at my other pens.

So, the clocks have just gone back and the dark evenings are with us again. Not only has it got darker, but my workshop is now almost as cold as a polar bear's fridge,and because I' getting a bit nesh in my old age, I won't be out there so much.

I have already started to work on a drawing and will let you see it in my next post. Another strange think also happened a few days ago. I thought that now I'm getting older that perhaps I should take up electronic drawing on a tablet. It had it's attractions, I wouldn't have to buy any more artists materials and I could do it whilst  reclining in my armchair.

Anyway, I like my kindle and thought that if I upgraded to a 10inch model it would be just the thing for a bit of electronic art. This notion was soon knocked on the head when I realised that some of the most artistic apps and the artistic stylus were strangers to the kindle.

So I would have to forgo my Kindle upgrade and buy an ipad and an apple pencil if I wanted to make professional electronic art. I have watched a few youtube videos and it is amazing what can be done on an ipad. I was happy, it seemed like a great idea to spend a few extra bob and get an ipad and an apple pencil.

However, my dreams didn't last long after I did a bit more research. From what I can gather, the apple pencil will only work with the ipad pro and that version of the ipad costs some serious money. I'm an old skinflint and don't do serious money and after realising how much paint and paper I could get for the price of going electronic I have knocked the idea on the head.

Failed

Hi all,
Okay I've got to admit it, I failed miserably in my quest to be a good enough artist to get somebody to pay for one of my paintings. You may also be wondering where I've been and what I've been up to.

The truth of the matter is this. I was getting along well with my artwork and the challenge was going really well, but then something happened. Have you always had something you wanted to do before you kick the bucket, perhaps it's a bungy jump,a wing walk or to ride route 66 on a Harley. Well I always wanted to buy a lathe and have a go at wood turning, not exciting I know but we can't all be daredevils can we?

Anyway, I kept putting the buying of the lathe on the back burner. Part of me didn't want to spend the money, so I thought I'd leave it a bit longer. However, earlier this year I had a bit of a jolt because celebrities seemed to be dying all over place. Some of the deaths came out of the blue and it got me to thinking that it's getting later for me. This led me to fork out for the lathe and having a go at wood turning while I still can.

I am happy to report that it has been a great success, I've made a few lidded boxes like this one

and recently I've had a go at turning pens. If you would like to see the pens I've turned there is a tab at the top of this page that you can click on to the them in all their glory. here is a picture of one that was turned from a piece of paduk.

Regarding my art, I will be back to it soon, not least because my workshop is too cold to work in in the winter. Chisels and icicles are not good bed mates so I will come back inside and get my paint out for another 6 months. So please keep an eye on this space.

Buns for Easter

Hi all, I have just completed another realism challenge, but its is going to be my last for a while. I have been missing out on doing some proper painting, so I'm going back to that for a while. I'm not sure what I'm going to paint yet, but I'll think of something soon.

Anyway, here's a picture of my last effort in the realism challenge. The focus was to be on glass, so I set up the little scene with a letter opener, a ball point pen and a pair of glasses.

I'm reasonable pleased with it, although I did make a mistake with the legs of the glasses because they don't look symmetrical. It is great fun doing theses drawings because it really make you look at what you are doing.

By the way, the second book in my Fishing Detectives series is free to download today and tomorrow (24th and 25th March 2016) from Amazon.

To get your free download, just click on the books tab at the top of the page and then click on the books cover. I hope you enjoy it.

Free book and a botttle

Hi all,
I'm still working through my realism challenge to try and improve my drawing skills, so that I can can produce some cracking pieces of art before I shuffle off this mortal coil. Anyway, the next exercise in the book was to draw a glass bottle lying on its side.

Here is my effort.

Given that range of greys in coloured pencils only goes to 2, I don't think it is too bad.

By the way, "A Staffordshire Boy" is free to download from Amazon today and tomorrow (17th and 18th of March) please

grab a copy while you can. To get your free copy just click on the books tab at the top of the page and then the book's cover. Please enjoy.

Book and Glass

Hi all,
I'm still trying to improve my drawing skills in an attempt to make my next painting a really good one. I've done enough mediocre stuff in my life, so it's time for a leap forward. Having said that I might just well end up with something as crap as it ever was but there's no harm in trying.

In my bid for realism, I have been drawing all sorts of mundane stuff around the house and most of it has been fun. My latest effort was a cut glass tumbler and I'm quite pleased with the result considering it was my first effort regarding cut glass.

Okay, the top isn't straight enough and the shadow isn't too convincing either, but not a bad rendition of a difficult subject.

Just a quick note to tell you that "Carp Rustlers" the first book in "The Fishing Detectives" series is free for the next couple of days (10th and 11th of March) on Amazon kindle.

 Please grab a free download while you can. Just go to the books tab at the top of the page and click on the link for the book.

Toast

Hi all,
Just thought I'd give you a quick update regarding my rendering skills. I have been following a book by a great realism artist called, Mark Crilley because I want my painting to be grounded in realism. I've tried the slap dash, anything will go and hope for some happy accidents approach, but it doesn't give me any sense of satisfaction.

I'm following the exercises in the book and I'm pretty happy with my efforts. One of the exercises was to take a photo of a piece of toast with a dollop of jam on it. Now some people may think it silly to be painting everyday things like pieces of toast, but it doesn't half get the creative juices flowing.

Anyway, we don't have rasberry jam in our house, so I took a picture of my toast with a dollop of marmalade on it. I printed it out and over the next couple of days I painted it using the techniques in Mark's book. Here is the result.

I don't mind telling you that I'm pretty proud of my efforts and I'm looking forward to the next challenge.

By the way, I'm pleased to let my followers know that I have a free book offer on today and tomorrow (25th and 26th Feb 2016)

It is called, "No Fishing In Here" and is a collection of 12 short stories to stir up the emotions. Some of the stories are sad while some are very funny. If you look at the list of books I have written you will noticed that many of them have a fishing theme, this one doesn't but can still be enjoyed by anglers.

To get your free download, click on the books tab at the top of the page then click on the book cover.
I hope you enjoy it.

Damsel

Hi all,
It's been a  while since I did a post, but at last I have managed a painting that I am very pleased with. The painting is a watercolour of two yellow flag irises and a blue damsel fly. I have watched may of these wonderful creatures flitting between the reeds while I have been fishing, and I have always wanted to capture the essence in a painting.

I am really pleased with the way it came out and I'm giving it a score of 50 out of 100.

The bad bits.
I'm trying hard, but unlike the previous paintings I've display, I can't find anything bad to say about it. Of course, it isn't top gallery material, but given my experience I think it's a damn good effort.

The good bits.
Firstly, I think the composition is very good. I suppose experts looking at this painting could ramble on for days, and perhaps even weeks, about the rule of thirds. Well I don't know much about that, if a painting is pleasing to the eye, then mathematical equations don't matter a tinker's cuss. I also like the colours, which are set off by the dark background. I think it s also clear, when looking at this painting, that I have used artist quality paints. If I'd done it in using El Cheapo watercolours it would have the the appearance of a old washed out dish rag.

Anyway, it has given me a lift regarding my paintings. The only downside is that I have now set myself a new level, one that I think may be hard to retain. I guess we will see in my next painting.

By the way, regarding my books. I am retiring in April so I am going to simplify life for myself. At the moment, my books a available through Amazon, Smashwords and Draft to Digital, but I'm going to knock the last two on the head and stick exclusively with Amazon.

Besides making life simpler, it will also give me chance to really see what difference enrolling all my books into Amazon's select program makes to sales. Currently 90% of my sales come via Amazon, so although I may be giving up 10% of my sales by giving up on Smashwords and Draft to Digital, I am hoping my overall sales levels will increase. I' a bit of an old wart really and keep a lot of detailed graphs about my sales, so in a few months I should have a good idea if my ploy works.

The upshot of all this is that I will be offering more free books on Amazon, which is good news for those of you who follow my post, because you will get to find out straight away when a free book is on offer.

To make a start, you will find that "Bossyboots" is free on Amazon on the 18th and 19th of February 2016.

If you want a free download of a book that will make you laugh out loud, click on the book's tab at the top of the page and follow the "Bossyboots Link.

Hares

Hi all,
I know that I should have knocked another painting out by now, but I've been having fun with the pen and ink. For a while now I've had this vision in my head that showed two hares relaxing in some long grass, so I decided to get it down on paper before it drove me mad.

Of course, the actual drawing didn't come out anything like the image that was floating around my brain because they never do, well not for me at any rate. Having said that, I'm quite pleased with the results and I'm now contemplating whether or not to give it a bit of a wash with some watercolour. My wife thinks this would be a good idea but I'm not so sure.

Anyway, here is the drawing.

I would love to know what you think of it.

By the way, I'm still working my way through Mark Crilley's realism challenge. The books is well worth getting if you want to improve your drawing skills. If you would like to see one of Mark's videos, please click here. I'm sure that watching him will get your creative juices going.

Pen and Ink

Hi all,
I haven't been doing a lot of painting recently, mostly because I'm finding it difficult to find any decent blocks of free time. Sure I could get the brushes out and knock something up quickly but that would be a waste of time seeing as I'm trying to improve my results.

However, I have been dabbling with the pen and ink when I've had a spare moment. Pen and ink is an easier discipline than watercolour painting because it is mostly repetitive marks. This means that you can pick it up and put it down at any time, which suits me at the moment.

Alfred Wainwright was good with the pen and ink, so I have been using some of the marks he made to depict boulders and stones.

Anyway, here is a drawing that I've just finished of Conniston Water. I drew it from a photograph that I took whilst on holiday there about 15 years ago.

I'm quite pleased with the results, but it does lack a bit of colour.

Part of the purpose of this post was to tell you that one on my books is free today and tomorrow on Amazon. It is called, "The Reluctant Pom" and follows 2 years of my life after my dad dragged me and my big sulk to the other side of the world.

 If you want a laugh, grab a free download by clicking on the books tab at the top of the page. The book link will than take you straight to Amazon for your freeebie.

Free Book

Hi all,
I mentioned that I had a book for Christmas that was about creating realism in drawing. The Author is Mark Crilley and I thought I'd just let you know how I'm getting on with it. Well, it's a matter of so far so good, the first couple of exercises didn't come out too good, but I think I'm getting there.

It's all about observation and how to put down on paper what you are actually seeing. I don't want to get too deep into hyper realism, but I do feel that the book is helping with my general drawing skills. It makes me draw things that, to be honest, are not that inspirational as subject, but doing them take you out of your comfort zone and makes you look and think.

The book is also a great motivational aid when it comes to painter's block. If you are anything like me, you will have several images rotating around your mind just waiting to be painted, but when you finally get five minutes to settle down with your brushes and paint, they don't appear so brightly or you feel spoilt for choice and can't decide which one to do first. When this happens to me now I've always got another exercise to turn to in Mark's book. I have only done 5 exercises so far but I can say that it is well worth the money and one of the better gifts that I received this Christmas. Mind you that shouldn't be a shock because I bought if for myself as a little treat.
 
Here is my attempt at a couple of mushroom slices.

Talking of books. The second book in my Fishing Detectives series, "Bun In The Oven" is free on here on smashwords until the 2nd of February. Why not grab a copy while you can, just enter code UM95J at the checkout to receive you free download.

Its Now Or Never

Hi all,
I mentioned some time ago that I had joined the SAA, no not the SAS that's a different kettle of fish altogether. The SAA is the Society for All Artists, and I'm very pleased with my membership. I get web space to display my paintings, free postage and a catalogue full of lovely arty things at fantastic prices. I also get a free by-monthly magazine which is full of inspiration. They have a couple of challenges each month so last month I decided to entered two.

The first was a photo that had to be turned into a painting. The image was of a boat sitting at a jetty on a lake so I thought I'd have a go.

I didn't want to spend too much time on, it but it came out as well as I could have hoped. Painting water and boats aren't subjects that I have painted before so I was happy with my efforts. The people at the magazine print a selection of the paintings in the next issue of the magazine, but sadly mine wasn't included.

However all was not lost. Another challenge in the magazine was for the reader to do a painting just based on a theme. The last theme was "It's Now or Never" which I gave a bit of thought to and came up with the following painting.

I think it fitted the theme wonderfully even if the execution could have been better. The combine harvester looks menacing in red, while the faceless driver and the black smoke coming from the chimney give the rabbit a reason to run.

On the critical side, the corn is too long and perhaps I should have shown a hint of the rabbit's body sticking through the corn. Having said that, the people at the magazine must have thought it decent enough because they printed it in January's edition. I was very pleased because the inspiration obviously worked and it gave me a chance to paint something completely from my imagination.

By the way, one of my books "Bossyboots" is free on amazon today, click on the books tab at the top of the page and grab a copy if you like a good laugh. It's a book for the boys, but open minded ladies will also be able to see the funny side.

Painting Number 11

Hi all,
Following on from the drawing I did of the dog roses, pictured below for a reminder,

I went on to paint it using a negative painting technique for the small leaves in the background. The process went like this.
I transferred part of the image onto the paper, leaving the smaller leaves out. Then I masked off the roses and the bigger leaves in the foreground and then after wetting the paper all over, I covered it with sap green lemon yellow and quinacridone gold of varying strengths. These colours would go on to be the colours of the smaller leaves in the background.

After waiting for it to dry I transferred the smaller leaves onto the paper with a pencil. I then whetted small areas of the paper and painted around the leaves with sap green, payne's grey and lemon yellow.

I have to say that this was the most enjoyable part of the process. Watching the leaves appear out of the background was great.

Once that was done I went on the paint the foreground leaves in similar colours and the dog roses with a mixture of pink, white and magenta.

 To make sense of my description above you might want to pop along and see this video clip which explains it simply and shows you where my inspiration came from. I only wish I could paint as well.
Here's my effort and I would have to say that I'm not impressed.

Score for this painting 18/20
Bad bits,
The background is too busy; should have been fewer leaves but bigger.
The main problem is the colour, it's just to bloody green. I think I might have to hide my tube of sap green or throw it out of the window and use something else.
Good bits
Some of the background and foreground leaves look quite good and would look even better if they weren't painted the same colour as the background
Oh well, on wards and upwards, well see what the next one looks like.