Sunday Sketches

Hello and oh my I've made it to another Sunday Sketches post.  It's been a bit too long but let's not dwell on  that....at last I can unveil the finished Octonaut's Banner.

I decided not to paint 'Happy 4th Birthday Ollie' on it as after all the work that went into it, I thought that Ollie would like to hang it on his wall.....which he has done.  So lovely Jim found the Octonaut font and created a separate banner with the words on which I must say looked good.

This was a real challenge for me (a labour of love) as I've not painted such a huge long piece of work before and it was difficult to find places to lay it out.  I've certainly learned a lot from this should I ever be mad enough to offer to do this again (although I fear I already have....).

Above are some shots of each piece of the banner as it was over 6ft long.  I decided to scan in and print off the characters faces, logo's and the inside the Octopod and stuck those on to give a more realistic effect.  The rest was all painted in acrylic paint on wallpaper....a remnant of the cottage renovation.

 And here's the birthday boy himself!

Please join me in visiting the other Sunday Sketchers.....there is always such a variety of artwork to see.

Happy Sunday to you!

Helen xx

ps....I think if you click on the images you get a larger version which may help when viewing the banner.

Paint on my hands

It's been a while since I have posted and painted.  Both of which I have missed.  Let's just say that right now I have too many stressful things going on in my life and I am hoping that very soon they will come to an end.  It's affected my blogging but more importantly my painting time.

Little Ollie was 4 yesterday and I promised to create an Octonauts banner for his party this weekend.  As usual I have left things to the last minute so I am now frantically painting like mad in every spare moment.  The best thing is that I have had paint on my hands and felt it on my fingers which I find so comforting.  It's been just what my soul has needed.  Plus I have been listening to Absolute 80's as I paint and singing rather badly.  Why is it that belting out a great song that brings back great memories makes you feel so much better.  I apologise now to my lovely Jim.  He had to wear his headphones last night to block out the wailing noise coming from my studio.

I hope you are all having a good week and not letting the rain dampen your spirits.  Although right now as I type this, the sun is shining!

Take care ~ Helen

Forest Garden

Here's my finished painting. It's like nothing I have painted before and I have used lots of different techniques and methods and really enjoyed the process.

I used inks, pencil, acrylic, surgical spirit and lots of water. I let the paint run, drip and splash. I had no agenda as to how I wanted the final picture to end up.....all I knew was that I wanted to be guided by instinct and that is what happened.

Anyway, here it is and it's also in time for Paint Party Friday - yay!

I will be posting more on this making of this painting soon, but in the meantime, take care and have a wonderful Friday.

Helen x x

ps - click on the picture for a larger image

I just love this

I came across this dress on the make something blog. I love it....from the hand-dyed silk to the actual style of it. So simple but utterly wonderful.

For more pictures and information, please click here.

Hope you're having a good week. I attended my online Paint Free class last night and I really enjoyed myself. I'm looking forward to seeing where this course takes me and my art.

I have also finished my recent painting which I intend to call 'Forest Garden' and I will post pictures of that in the next day or so.

I wish I could paint all day....

xox

Hurrah for Fridays

I've noticed that when I am feeling overwhelmed with things then I tend to go quiet. And that is what is happening at the moment.

I hope that normal service will be resumed shortly.

In the meantime I started a painting last night which must surely be a positive thing and here's a picture of the paints and inks all lined up to be used.

I hope you have a fab weekend.

Helen

Karrie Evenson

This is a long video but if you get some time it's great to watch. Karrie has a really natural style and I love the freedom and ease at which she paints.....and such bold colours too!

Tim Gagnon

I like the ease at which Tim Gagnon paints. He just makes it look so easy.

Hope you have all had a good day!

Sneak Peek.....

I had a day off work today which meant I had time to be creative. Inspired by the wonderful Kelly Berkey, I had forgotten just how much I love using a palette knife (and only a palette knife) to create a painting. So today I dusted off my acrylics and started a painting. Here's a sneek peek! (more to follow in another post).

It's been so long since I have used a palette knife to paint and this is another painting I did a while ago with just the knife.

I love the textures it gives and I find myself getting covered in paint as I use my fingers to help the paint move on the canvas - and to me that is heaven. Which is probably why I don't mind using pastels.

You can click on the pictures for larger images.

Happy Tuesday everyone xx