Diamond

Diamond
Graphite And Watercolour On Paper
15.3 x 18.7"

     Another experimental mixed media piece. I wanted to try and add some colour washes over graphite and gesso to see what would happen. The watercolour stay on the graphite but not on the gesso which makes for some interesting abstraction. Definitely something to explore further.

Weeping Angel Cosplay

Weeping Angel Cosplay
Wax On Watercolour Paper
18.3 x 11"

     A weeping angel cosplayer from the Dr Who TV series. I’ve never been able to get into Dr Who but I appreciate a well designed enemy and since any statue could potentially be a weeping angel that makes them pretty effective monsters.
     I tried to capture the grey colour of the outfit without making the piece too monotone so I took some liberties with this one but its the end image that’s important and I’m happy with the outcome

Furry Cosplay

Furry Cosplay
Acrylic And Gesso On Paper
16.2 x 11.5

     Admittedly I know nothing about the furry community. In fact my only experience of it is from a CSI episode I saw many years ago, which probably didn't present an accurate view of the community at all. But its the costume I'm interested in here. another one of my graphite and gesso pieces that seemed to work out well enough.

Pensive

Pensive
Graphite And Gesso On Paper
16.5 x 11.75

I'm trying out a new way of creating my drawings using gesso to free them up a bit. I have been inspired in this by the work of an artist called Derek Jones who seems to be a master of mixed media. Hopefully this will give them a bit more life and allow me to add some more abstract elements. Anyway this is a portrait of my sister.

Knots

Knots
Graphite And Acrylic On Paper
16.5 x 23.4"

     A diptych abstract representation of tree texture. I liked the Japan picture I made using this technique and wanted to use it again. I might try to use it in some figurative work later.

Abandoned Police Station

Abandoned Police Station
Graphite On Paper
11.75 x 16.5"

     A drawing of Conisbrough's old Police station. A relic from a time long past. Such a shame as it's a really solid building and quite unique looking. It's been a while since I have done any good drawings like this but I think I should try to do some more regularly. My heart is in painting but the fundamentals always need work. So I guess drawings are like vegetables :)

Sketching

Sketching
Drypoint
11.7 x 8.3"

     A drypoint of a good friend of mine sketching away. I used water soluble graphite again in place of ink.

Taking It Easy

Taking It Easy
Pastel On Watercolour Paper
14 x 17.5"

     I haven't used pastel in a long time. Mostly because I started using watersoluble wax and I find this more versatile as a bridge between drawing and painting. But I did decide to revisit this medium and make this black and white painting. I forgot how messy pastel can be.

Judgement

Judgement
Graphite On Paper
16.5 x 11.75"

     A dramatic self portrait. I was thinking about stage actors and the theatre when I made this. I sometimes wish I had taken up acting, that I might be more fearless. Another dream I suppose. I think we might need several lifetimes to achieve all our plans. So here is my interpretation of judgement and may I never be found wanting.

Motion

Motion
Graphite On Paper
11.75 x 6.5"

     Sometimes I think my paintings and drawings aren't free and loose enough so this is a good way to counter that.

Morning Coffee

Morning Coffee
Graphite On Paper
16.5 x 11.75"

     I went back to a more abstract way of working for this one, but still making it recognisable and representative. I wanted to show a lot of light in this drawing and how it bounces around to illuminate and create a silhouette. 

Stuart

Stuart
Wax On Watercolour Paper
14.8 x 9.8"

     Continuing my portraiture work, this time one of my Grandad. It's surprisingly hard to even get family members to agree to a portrait but I need the work and so I will take whoever agrees to it. Older faces are more interesting and more challenging though, with their folds and wrinkles. This is exactly the challenge I need if I am to make more progression with my portraiture.
     Next comes a full body portrait as a further challenge and I hope it will be as successful as my previous ones. Though most of the subjects may be me in the next lot I do, I'm sure others will be more agreeable to have theirs done when they see the results. I hope to do some more animals pictures too soon and at least they can't say no to it.
    

Charcoal Self Portrait II

Charcoal Self Portrait II
Charcoal On Watercolour Paper
16.9 x 12.6"

     As I mentioned in my previous post I am working on portraits and people right now. I will be doing several self portraits as well as works featuring family and friends as they are the people I have easiest access to. So here's another charcoal self portrait. This time of my face just to see if I could capture my likeness.
     I was quite happy how this one turned out and it does look like me. Its interesting when you have to examine yourself close up, all the lumps and bumps and curves that make up you. Its almost a spiritual experience or a frightening one. Anyway I now feel more confident about my portrait work so expect to see the results of this soon.

Wanderer

Wanderer
Graphite On Paper
11.75 x 16.5"

     I have the intention of drawing and painting more horses and maybe attending a race to get some good reference material one day. For now though I am committed to human portraits and will be so probably to the end of the year. So this will have to do for now but I think he has a lot of character compared to those race horses.

Self Portrait

Self Portrait
Charcoal On Paper
16.5 x 23.5"

     This is me happily painting away with my headphones on. I don't really paint people never mind self portraits but its always good to mix things up. I also wanted to get back into charcoal drawing. I'm no David Kassan but I do think I have captured a good likeness of myself.

Hills and Valleys

Hills and Valleys
Wax On Watercolour Paper
14 x 18"

     I wanted to create a sense of foreboding and loneliness in this paintings. The clouds are whipped up in the sky as a storm begins to form and a lone cow wanders across the scene. Its an isolated place to be and there is no protection from what's to come.

Cows

Cows
Graphite On Paper
11.75 x 16.5"

     I seem to have accidently stumbled upon a theme recently. I keep making art of animals in pairs. First there was the deer and now this. I'm also working on a collage right now of two sheep. It's nice to have theme that ties the artwork together even when working with different mediums.

Something Different

Master And Apprentice
Wax On Paper

     Something a little different. I don't think I will be doing any more sci-fi stuff but I really like Star Wars and wax bars.

Knight

Knight
Wax On Watercolour Paper
18.1 x 11.3"

     Another horse painting. I thought with just painting the head it looked like the chess piece, hence the title. Again its another black and white one because I have to keep trying to tackle those highlights that give me such a problem. It might not be the most accurate horse painting in the world but I'm happy with how it turned out. I'm no expert on the animals anyway but it makes a refreshing change from my usual work on buildings.

Market cafe

Market Cafe
Graphite On Paper
11.75 x 16.5"

     This is my final entry to the Derwent Art Prize this year. Now I have six entries which is three more then last year and I hope to have the same success. My drawings have become more figurative over the course of the year and much more like my paintings which is what I always wanted.
     Hopefully at least one of my entries will be accepted because after being rejected from the Ferens exhibition and the Ruskin Art Prize I could do with the morale boost.