Serenity

I've had some projects on the back burner and today I've managed to complete a couple of them. Next month I'll be introducing some panoramic canvases to my beginner's oil painting workshops. Here's the AyoubArt project for Capel St Mary on 6th July - a gentle seascape called 'Serenity'. This is for absolute beginners and is an ideal painting subject to hang in your own home or give as a gift. It's hard to see in the small image, but the sky has some twinkling stars, theres some gentle water movement and a couple of gulls checking out the lonesome yacht.

The Crossing

This Bank Holiday weekend has been spent painting. On Saturday I enjoyed the day in my studio and worked on this bridge scene 'The Crossing'. I got quite carried away with this and took a lot of time tickling in some really fine details. It's put me in good stead for including a bridge in future painting projects, which was the main aim of the exercise. Now I need to develop a painting, with this stone bridge, that can be taught in an oil painting class in the 5 hour time slot.

Smokey

Some exciting new tuitional DVD's have just been released in the UK. Portrait Artist Valerie Stewart, from the USA, had recorded several pet portrait projects. A 10 disc DVD set is available which gives you 4 DVD's on preparing your canvas, under painting your project, expanding your portrait and finishing touches. A further 6 painting projects are included with step by step guides showing you a variety of cats, dogs and a pony. They are on promotional offer for just £67.50 including postage and packing HERE: http://www.ayoubart.co.uk/121.html On May 10th the offer ends and the price will go up to £83. Alternatively you can purchase single DVD projects at just £13.50.

One of the DVD projects is a lovely cat 'Smokey'. The composition is an extreme close up, which really appeals to me. I have a kitten very similar to the one in the project and thought I'd give it a go. Above you can see step 1, step 2 and my finished result. As it's painted in 3 stages it is an ideal project to do if you only have an hour or so to paint.