Paint Party Friday... How Now Brown Cow

Hellooo...

I haven't been partying with the PPF gang lately, but I thought it was time to get my act together and link up. 

I've been very busy, but I have managed to produce some art.

This highland cow has been evolving for quite some time now.

He/she has highlights, so I thought he/she should join in the Paint Party Friday too.

It's a practice piece before I start a serious commission.

I've bought new paints and been having a great time getting to know them.

I've had music blasting out and dancing whilst splashing about with a paintbrush. 

It's been very liberating! 

I've also been working away on my @Makeartthatsells assignment.

We are currently completing the final month of Bootcamp.

I will really be sorry to finish this class.

I think I'll be signing up for more, as there are lots to chose from throughout the year.

The sketch below was a personal one.

It's 'Ernest' my Great Granddad who was born in 1867.

As I sketched, I was lost in my thoughts about my family and it's history... 

a little like 'Who Do You Think You Are?'

For those who might not be familiar with that tv programme... it's where a celebrity traces their family roots back through the years.

I find it fascinating.

I also thought I'd use this sketch to practice my very weak lettering.

I fear now that I've plastered poor 'Ernest' on a 'WANTED' poster!

One fact that I did come across from my research notes, was that he was a 'Tole Dealer'

I had no idea what this might be... so after more delving, I found that it involves ornately decorated trays or chandeliers etc!

Who knew?

How strange especially after painting precisely that in last months assignment. 

Who knows, Ernest might have been a painter too!

I had many thoughts on how his life might had been back then. 

He actually married Mary, the daughter of a Scottish farmer, when they were both 31 years old.

I'm thinking that this was rather old for marriage back then.
Maybe that's why he is wearing a tartan tie... to impress Mary?

I also wonder why this photo was taken... was it for some special occasion?

I haven't done much lettering, but now I know that I've obviously got a lot more practising to do!

Thanks for visiting and I hope you'll join my over at the Paint Party Friday.

Eva and Kristin do an amazing job of sharing everyone's great artwork.

Have a great weekend.

A Meeting Of The Clan... PPF

This is how I left my studio on Wednesday morning... I'm missing it, but there's work to be done. 

My daughter is flying from one nest to another within Edinburgh, so the Clan is meeting up to give her a hand!

As you can see I decided to revisit painting the wildflower meadow with acrylic paints before I left.

I feel much happier with this one, especially with a few more little additions, but I've still got a lot to learn.

Because I've been hanging on to summer for as long as I possibly could, I thought I'd include a butterfly and swallows.

Autumn has arrived... so now on to the glorious autumnal colour display.
Before I go Muffin wanted you to see her on holiday.
I think she's totally confused with what's happening, but coping.

Enjoy your weekend everyone and I hope to see you back at the studio again soon.
As usual I'm linking up with Paint Party Friday.

Wildflower Meadow and Doves...PPF and Sunday Sketches

Morning everyone... or whatever salutation is appropriate for you at this particular moment.

It's Friday once again which means it's time to party! 

Yesterday I decided as well as working on my other 'project' (to be revealed at a later date) I'd have a play on a new canvas. 

Firstly, I need to explain that I haven't really used acrylic paints before... so as the photos show... I need help!

As you can see from the view from the studio window, it was a great day for playing indoors.

I decided to revisit the wildflower meadow experiment that I'd had fun with a few weeks back.

Perhaps it's my last attempt to cling on to summer, because I distinctly heard the robins twittering and felt a rather chilly feel to this mornings air.

Needless to say I dashed straight away for a thick warm cozy jumper.

I'm taking no chances.

Who knows I could self-combust by lunchtime... with any luck!

So on to the painting...

Now in my defence it isn't finished and I intend to knock back the sky and yellow later. 

I'm not sure that 'knock back' is the correct term, but I think it's too bright and needs to be toned down.

I like the grass and flowers, although I will have a further fiddle with these no doubt before I'm done.

If you have any tips or advice I'd certainly love to hear from you.

My quick sketch today was inspired after visiting Alexandra's blog post over at Bluechairdiary.

I had a good chuckle reading about the pigeon cooing away every morning and it reminded me of the doves that come to visit me each day. I have no idea where they come from, but they seem very happy to stay, resting on our chimney pots. 

I know when they arrive, because they coo loudly which reverberates down the chimney!

They know me so well now that they have actually started to come onto the decking and peer in the patio window where I am working. 

It's we're here, waiting and why aren't you feeding us!

I will be linking up with Alexandra for the Sunday Sketch on Sunday, but if you would like to visit her before then just click on the Sunday Sketch logo in my sidebar.

Before I leave you this morning, I would like to say that I really would love to visit each and every entry for the Paint Party Friday and Sunday Sketches, but unfortunately, I have only managed that for one week...so far. I have the best intentions, but time is just whipped away from me. 

If you visit and comment here, I always try to return the compliment.

I also answer your comment here and try to copy it to your email account, but many have a no-reply comment address... so in that case the reply is only on my blog. 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone and I hope to see you again soon.

xoxo