Tuesday June 29, 2010
So, ten thirty this morning, after a splendid cup of Graham’s special coffee, I stood in the kitchen doorway and started in on thinking about painting. Of a sudden, I cast caution to the wind, utter a heart-felt “Oh, phu*k it!”, stalked into the study, picked up a brush, loaded it with a good fat indigo, and smacked out the outline of the first oil painting I’ve done in years. When I started my right hand got a fit of the trembles, which could have discouraged me, but another “Oh, phu*k it!” and the support of my good left hand held the brush relatively steady to finish the outline. By which time the tremble had gone and I had the strength to go ahead and block in the darks so that I can bring them to life with a nice juicy impasto later in the process. By gosh and golly I’d forgotten what fun oil paint can be!
House on hill -- stage 1
A short break, and I was back at the easel, blocking in the foreground and now, as the evening draws in, I’ve finished the sky and started on easing the features of the foreground. I’m having fun!
House on hill -- stage 2
Tomorrow the fun will continue…
whoa! I’m having fun, too, John! And I must confess I was almost about to lose heart and face the fact, (I thought) you wouldn’t follow up., but you HAVE and it’s looking wonderfully promising. Carry on!
I love that sky! I thought oils had to dry for some time.
It’s beautiful, John; please do let us follow along some more.
Sometimes it’s nice to be woefully ignorant about different styles–that way, I can just sit back and enjoy your results.
I like it! And I’m glad you’re having fun!
I do like that, I look forward to tomorrow
So that’s how to do it. You make it look so easy which I am sure it is not.
Do you have a good supply of waterlilies?
Looks good enough, from here, to hang on a gallery wall.
Hooray!!! Major cheers and a Happy Dance!!! Grand Start, and I’m sure it’ll be a good ‘un!!!
Hugs from ToedockSan, ~ Sil
Congratulations on the great start, John. Looking good, and the enjoyment along the way is what it’s all about…that and having the finished work to admire too.
Wonderful John! What a blessing to get fun -and joy- from a lost and found again hobby. Exciting for all of us to witness the process.
And I could get lost in that sky… Shades of Van Gogh in there, and he’s a favorite of mine.
It looks kind of … Hebridean.
But then I am just back from a tour of the inner islands.
Great stuff John, keep it up, it’s no doubt wonderfully therapeutic.
I’m jealous of Andrew – just toured the inner Hebrides? I agree, the painting could be there.
I probably will never achieve it, but my goal before I die has always been to set foot on the Outer Hebrides and see Callanais. It isn’t looking too promising at this point, but I can dream.
I love it already.Can’t wait for the next installment.How I wish I could paint but alas! that isn’t one of my talents.I make a mean apple pie though.
Oh, that looks like jolly good fun!
Oh just wonderful!! Love it, and all the fun. Is that a memory of a landscape or one you can see now?
I should say, “Oh, phu*k it!” more often. I am such a procrastinator that I never get anything started!
What a wonderful painting. You have so much artistic talent with your poetry and prose as well. How lucky you are.
That was me up there as anonymous.
What a lovely painting. I just love your blog. I first visited it about (ahem) two or three years ago, and somewhere along the way got caught up in other things and forgot about it. Having rediscovered it I don’t see how that was possible, but there it is.
I hope you keep on blogging for a good long while, and that my memory will kick in from time to time so I don’t forget to enter the wonderful world of your words.
I wonder if it’s finished yet?
I’m glad you said Oh Phug it and made a start. This is like your own foreign journey. Thanks so much for the pictures!
Love love love your colors, John!!!
Dear John….I worry. Not even a tweet for the last 6 days. I hope you are ok. Hugs.