A quick dash of Spring - buds and blossoms from my studio window. Rather a lot of greens, maybe I'll do a bit more to it - and hope I don't spoil the freshness. Maybe I should just start another.

A long holiday from blogging but I want to get it lively again. Went to Bath a few weeks ago and had about 20 minutes free to draw so tried something architectural, the Pulteney Bridge - it is in a small Moleskin drawing book and done with chunky new propelling drawing impliment which doesn't smudge easily and which, I think, will prove really useful in time. Methinks the drawing looks rather unfinished on the right (where there was a scrawny spreading tree).

Feel this blog has gone slightly awry as it is meant to be about 'Painting' but glass and drawings are getting onboard. I'll try and rectify the situation soon.

Detail of the window below ...

BAPTISM WINDOW, St John's Church, Southwick, Trowbridge, Wilts.

Pressing stained glass deadlines have taken me away from my painting for a while but I am looking forward to getting back to it again soon. Here's a detail from the most recent window; the subject is 'St John Baptising Christ'. Basically I used a watery theme with fruit and foliage as a background to the figures, and wanted a feeling of an Oasis, richness and an abundance of life-giving water.

WINDSWEPT BUSH. (Autumn may not wait for us, but I'm waiting for Autumn)
A well weathered bush waiting for autumn on a hilltop at Nolton Haven, Pembrokeshire. On Friday I went to London to see the Velazquez exhibition and some other paintings - and the countryside from the train looked as green as late summer, with just a hint of autumn colours. I expect it will change fast now. (That Velazquez, he sure knew about painting).

POPLAR TREES (at Black Dog Crossroads, nr. Littleton Panell)
Painted this 2 weeks ago on a lovely Sunday morning. The poplar trees nearby were beginning to turn as things get cooler; changing quickly day by day and and crying out to be painted. Cycling to the spot and setting up the easel I realised I'd got my turps pot but had left the Linseed oil behind. Disaster threatened! "...... "But I have to try" I thought ....... it all got a bit odd and tricky with no oil to lubricate things - turps melts the under layers (those who use oils will understand). Finally I did a bit more from memory to rescue it, and I think it works OK.

.....the next stage..... With more build up of the 'shading' paint . This is shown here before 'firing' where the paint will typically fade about a tone lighter, then more paint may be added to create contrasts of shadow. THe window nearly finished but I have to fire the silver stain which produces yellows and golds. Then the glass is leaded together.

NEW WINDOW FOR MARKET LAVINGTON CHURCH
Very busy working on other things lately so the outdoor painting is held up. This photo shows the development of a new window as the painting is progressing. (The glass is adhered to the plate-glass easel with a drop of melted beeswax at the corner of each piece of glass - the process smells really good - honey like. Black lines are temporarily painted behind the plate glass to simulate the leadwork.)

Evening, towards Great Cheverell
My attempt to capture what seems like contradictory yet harmonious colours and light at sunset, where the sky goes from orange/gold through a pale green blue to a darker purer blue. The light changes so quickly.
Oil on Panel 30 x 23cm

Evening clouds over Cheverell
Had trouble deciding which direction to set up the easel, everything looked so interesting. Chose south west, a quick burst of painting as evening drew in. Got pretty cool in the wind and regretted wearing sandals! Then my bike had a puncture so had to walk home, lucky it wasn't far.
Oil on panel . 30 x 25cm.