“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” ....Oscar Wilde

Thursday 17 March 2016

Ahh ha Haar... PPF

To say I'm working in a fog today might mislead you.
It's not that I'm lost or having trouble in any way... it's literally that I'm IN a fog.
Because we had one beautiful spring day earlier in the week, we now have to pay the price here in this part of the UK.
It happens every year when the land temperature rises and meets the cooler air coming off the North Sea... the 'haar' (fog) rolls in and it hangs around for a few days.
For example, today we were only 7 degrees Celsius here, whilst if I'd have driven an hour inland then the temperature would have risen to 19 degrees Celsius!
What a difference the haar makes!
But I'm not letting it get to me (ha... who am I kidding) so I thought I'd carry on with the Spring theme. 
I need to work on my lettering, but I'm quite pleased with this work in progress.
Let's take a closer look...
I'm actually working on a project that's hush hush at the moment, but don't worry I will reveal all as soon as I can. But in the meantime I wanted to share something with you all, so I decided to do a quick tutorial.
I've been so impressed with Carrie's Watercolour Misfit online tutorials. 
I love Carrie's work and I can't believe just how much time and effort she must put into her video tutorials. She also provides free templates... so even if you have trouble drawing, you can still enjoy and take part. By the way I didn't us a template with this piece... I like to draw.

I'll be sure to let you see this WIP once I finish it, which hopefully will be tomorrow... especially if the fog lingers.
Talking of tutorials... as I mentioned last week I've enrolled in Tracey Fletcher King's Delicious Paint Classes even though I completed the classes last year. 
I learnt so much during that time and I know I will carry on building on those skills with Tracey's guidance.
(the under painting has opened up a whole new world to me... which by the way I'm using in the spring painting above) 
I thought I'd include some pages from the little booklet I created... for those who may not have seen the first time round. 
As usual I'm joining in with the Paint Party Friday link.
Click here if you'd like to see more art. 
Thanks Eva and Kristin for hosting once again.
I'm also linking up with Alexandra's  Sunday Sketches

Well that's it folks... it's time to party and enjoy the weekend. 
Have fun and I hope to see you again soon.


39 comments:

  1. All that fog sound deliciously creepy... OOOOooooooOOoooo.. :) Spring has definitely sprung here although things are cooling off the next few days... The sun has been shining and the windows have been open.... Love your drawing here. You are GOOD!! I've been sketching some buildings lately and made a postcard i'll post this next week on the blog. Around the house its been all about painting... taking foreverrrrrrr....I posted my bedroom paint colors if you want to look... Hugs! deb

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    1. It is pretty spectacular when it rolls in from the sea and comes creeping up the hill. It can take some time to reach us so at least you can get ready for it. Bringing in the washing and shutting windows etc. The trouble is it hangs around too long and makes the temperature drop sometimes by as much as 10 degrees.
      I can't believe that I've had the bedroom windows and garden door wide open earlier in the week.
      I can sympathize with your painting. We had every room painted when we first came back here and it certainly can test your patience. We need to paint the outside now.
      I'll be nipping across to see your colours. In the meantime have fun and enjoy your weekend.
      Hugs back to you

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  2. I love the Watercolour Misfit as well... those videos are amazing... make mine look dodgy in the extreme lol... thanks so much for the shout out again... you are a treasure... and the spring page is going to be amazing... seeing you underpaint makes me so happy and if your lettering needs work then mine needs critical attention!!!

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    1. They are good videos Trace, but let me tell you yours do NOT look dodgy. I have no idea how you manage to do them in the first place and I'm full of admiration... even for me to talk to the camera would be a major trauma for me.
      I can't imagine not underpainting now and that's totally thanks to you and your classes. I generally like to write, but it's something I don't do very often these days... so I need to practice and perfect.
      Have fun and I'll see you in all of the usual places plus the classroom. I'm going to need a good note to explain my lateness... I don't think I'll get away with the dog eating my homework somehow.
      Ciao for now

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  3. Love your sketches! Those flowers make me happy. I want spring flowers and green in the worst way. We had that fog yesterday too, and now they say the cold and snow are coming back. Ugh! Have a great weekend. Hope your spring weather makes a come back for you. :)

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    1. Aww thanks Erika, you're very kind. I'm quite pleased with it so far and like you flowers make me happy.
      I have no idea what spring is playing at... coming and going. It really isn't funny.
      I hope you don't get snow again... that really isn't fun now. We need warmth and all the goodies that spring brings.
      The fog has gone but we're still really cold and grey. No sun for us today. Hopefully it's with you!
      Have a great weekend.

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  4. Oh so you live in an area like that too. The fog acts just like that here as well, and just a short trip by car and the weather is warm and beautiful. Oh well, nothing to do about it. Your work looks good, can't wait to see it done, and good luck with the hush hush thing you are doing.

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    1. It can be so frustrating can't it Laila? Thankfully it's lifted today but we're still cold and grey here.
      Thanks for your kind words. I'm enjoying learning these new techniques. Hehe... hush hush is coming along nicely and I'll be sure to share as soon as I can ;D
      Have a wonderful weekend.

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    1. Thanks Sirkkis... and happy PPF to you too.

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  6. Hello Treasure - I agree with Tracey, in fact you are both treasures! Haar Ha, don't talk to us about weather, we've had it all this week, hot & hard to sleep at night, through to cars skidding around on the Grand Prix tracks in a ferocious storm and I pity the poor stall holders at this weekend's Melbourne International Flower and Garden show unless they all planned water features! Love your spring flowers and optimism! May you have a brilliant and sunny weekend.
    Wren x

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    1. Treasure as in old relic? Well really Wren ;D
      My brother, SIL and niece is actually in Melbourne now, so I'm keeping a keen eye on the weather. I wish I'd stowed away in their luggage.
      I always feel for the garden shows when the weather doesn't play nice. A whole year of planning and incredibly hard work only to have it all dashed by the fickle weather.
      I've got to keep optimistic because if I don't I'd be packing a case!
      I hope you have a good weekend whatever the weather... have fun and enjoy

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  7. I think your work is absolutely stunning -- what a beautiful piece! As for needing to work on your lettering ... have another look, dear Nessie ... it's gorgeous! Hope you will show us the completed "Hello Spring" ... can't wait to see it. hugs, Donna

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    1. Haha oh Donna you make me laugh and say the nicest things.
      I will definitely show the finished hello spring and hopefully I'll have all of the windows wide open, the sun streaming in and everything full of springiness!
      Have a great weekend and hugs back to you

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  8. I am loving your spring flowers page and what a great idea to keep your painting class with Tracey in a book-it looks super! Happy PPF!

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    1. Thanks Linda, the booklet is part of the class tuition.
      You actually make it and attach your favourite pieces which you created during the classes.
      Have a wonderful weekend. Happy PPF

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  9. the fog yesterday was like pea soup, but there were small patches without any, was very odd

    nice colouful little book :D

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    1. There wasn't any break in our fog Jennifer, but thankfully it's disappeared now. Hopefully we can get back to spring soon. It's a tad too cold today for my liking.
      Thanks for your visit and comment.

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    2. gorgeous shining sunny day today :D spring seems to be showing up now

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    3. Nah... unfortunately it hasn't reached us yet.
      I'm hopeful for tomorrow though. Enjoy your sunshine ;D

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  10. I loved the little lesson about the weather in your parts...we had a bit of that in mid February.. Now it's Spring in the afternoon and winter at night!! Love all your artwork and look forward to seeing your other project! I know it will be spectacular like everything you do!

    Hugs Giggles

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    1. Did you really enjoy the weather report Giggles? hehe
      There seems to be a real battle between winter and spring at the moment. Winter just doesn't want to let go!
      I'll be sure to let you see my hush hush project as soon as I can, but it will probably take me some time. You just can't rush these things. Ooh it does sound awfully secretive.
      Thanks once again for your lovely kind words about my artwork. It is so encouraging and I really appreciate it.
      Have a wonderful weekend.

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  11. I am STILL in love with the "nose" of your lemon. I'm totally looking forward to perusing the videos you mentioned and BTW, can you print out two tardy slips, one for you, one for me?? I've been in a total art quandary lately, not being able to choose what to paint and feeling overwhelmed when I want to paint something waaaayyyy to complicated that would take me a week! I feel over scheduled but I'm doing nothing about it! Your drawing is spectacular and I can't wait to see it finished. If you had a picture from where you're paint, I'd also love to see it, I have trouble finding such great "just right" subjects. Much love my friend. (And If I had a dog I'd totally try the "dog ate my homework" thing!!)

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    1. Haha I've had to go back to check my nose! I haven't started to revisit TFK's classes yet because I'm working on a few other things at the moment, but I'm looking forward to it.
      I learnt so much last time plus it's lovely to have a chat with Trace... even if it is only one way.
      I feel just the same as you at times Jenn, but I've started to just try to draw/paint something to enter into the PPF link. Sometimes I don't even start it until Friday morning which is a bit of a skutter, but that's good for me.
      The more involved work takes a back seat for a time... until I can focus and give it the time and effort it needs.
      I'm completing far more art this year than I have done previously, so I'm happy. I'd still like to do nothing but draw and paint though.
      If my dog doesn't eat this piece then I'll be sure to show it... hopefully by next week.
      Maybe take a look into Carrie's Watercolour Misfit (link details in above post) she might have some inspiration for you.
      There's always the templates too, but I know you can draw so that's not what you need.
      Just pick up the pencil and let it take you for a walk... you never know where it will lead... but tell yourself it's just a fun piece so you can rattle something off quickly. It'll probably be a masterpiece ;D

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  12. beautiful work! glad you are enjoying all your classes and learning a lot.

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    1. I love to learn Christine... but there's still so much I need to know. I think it'll be all about the journey and not necessarily about the destination.

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  13. I love fog! And I love all the images this week! xo

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    1. Well I do too... for the first hour perhaps Dea, but when it's still hanging around on day three I get a little twitchy.
      Thankfully it's lifted today, but it's still rather chilly.
      Thanks for your kind comment

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  14. oh I absolutely love your drawings this week! So amazing! Lovely and happy PPF! :)

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    1. Thanks for your lovely kind words... I appreciate the positive feedback. Happy PPF to you too

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  15. What a gorgeous spring illustration, so delicate and beautiful! I love the others as well.

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    1. I'm trying a different technique with the watercolours, which I'm enjoying. So far I'm pleased with the results.
      Now I'd just like spring to arrive!

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  16. Ohh sorry about the fog. Ours comes in but usually burns off every day. We too can drive inland just a few miles and have sunshine. Your spring flowers are lovely and I am going to check out the watercolor misfit. I just got a set of water colors.
    Have a great weekend. Wishing you some sunshine.

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    1. Thankfully it's burnt away after three days Nicole. I have heard a whisper that the sun might even shine tomorrow! (woohoo)
      I'm thrilled you have a new set of watercolours... how exciting and that you'll take a look at the watercolour misfit. I hope you like it and I'd be interested to hear what you think of it and see any results if you try the tutorials.
      Have a great weekend too and your wish for me to have some sunshine might just come true... oh I hope so!

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  17. Love your creations! Especially the spring flowers. I think your lettering is really pretty, and I can't wait to see the finished coloring.

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  18. Neesie ~ 'looking good' ~ wonderful creative and colorful spring like art ~

    Happy Week to you ~ ^_^

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  19. Your fruit sketches make me think of summer. Not too far off now, although we kind of missed a winter here in Los Angeles.

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  20. Lovely paintings, Denise. I could almost reach through and eat those! :)

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  21. I don't have to use my imagination too much because I live by the coast and get costal fog even when it is nice and sunny inland. I love your watercolors. I just watched Traceys little youtube tutorial with 3 tips when using watercolors. I can imagine how helpful she is in an actual class. I will sign up when I have more free time. Lovely post today!
    ~~ Irene

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