Conor Wilsons world

Pipers Pool mural

2011-10-17T22:25:00.004+01:00

Just finished this new mural at a private residence near Mortehoe, North Devon.

Braunton Bowl Mural Timelapse video

2011-09-23T12:52:00.001+01:00

Please check out the timelapse video of the painting of the mural around the walls of Braunton Bowl, it's great!!

Community Arts mural at the Youth Club Braunton, Devon from wavedreamer on Vimeo.

Braunton Youth Club Mural - Finished

2011-08-03T18:42:00.004+01:00

The mural is now finished, there are many people to thank for seeing it done but firstly a bit about the project.... "The Museum of British Surfing" were the instigators of the project and got me involved, Pete Robinson from the Museum has put a great article about the project on the Museum website, click here to read more.

A big thanks to:
"Graffiti Magic" who very kindly sponsored us for the protective clearcoat.
"Brewers" (Barnstaple branch) who helped with trade prices on paints and free paint from their seconds department.
"T.F Witts & Sons" (painting contractors Woolacombe) who let me take any left over paint they had from previous jobs.
"Saltrock" who provided 2 large printed copies of the design for us to work from.
"Jeff Lawton" for lending the 2 overhead projectors.
"Redwood Surfshop" for lending the pressure washer.
"Wavedreamer" - Richard Gregory and Mikey Corker who are producing a time-lapse video of the whole painting from start to finish.
"Museum Of British Surfing" - for instigating the whole project
"The Youth Club, Braunton" - and especially Tom Mack, the youth club team leader, for his tireless enthusiasm, and dedication to the painting process.
"The Youth Club Users" - for all your ideas, and help with the painting.

AND last but not least all the people (young and old) who gave their time to prepare the walls, sketch out and paint the mural, i'm compiling a list of names at present.

The idea was always to try and create a piece of public art that would involve as many of the local youth as possible and also be enjoyed by the widest possible spectrum of people, young & old.

I believe wholeheartedly that public art can be a great benefit to communities, troubled or not.

Braunton Youth Club Mural - Clearcoating

2011-08-03T17:06:00.007+01:00

With the mural painting complete we had the final job of clear-coating the painting in a weather protective, anti-graffiti, clear coat called Graffiti Magic. Two coats were required, five of us with paint brushes and rollers sets had the job done faster than expected.

Tom Mack contemplates the size small latex gloves...

We wanted to ensure that the mural had protection from the elements, and protection from graffiti, i did my research, and Graffiti Magic seemed to me the best product on the market.

Many thanks to John Townsend from Graffiti magic for helping us out, to read more about this revolutionary coating click here: www.graffitimagic.com

Braunton Youth Club Mural - The Painting

2011-08-03T15:59:00.011+01:00

And so with the design all sketched out we got cracking with painting the beast. We were graced with great weather through out, in fact at times it was too hot. Looks a bit like Venice beach here..

Loads of people just turned up and helped out. Saltrock printed up some large inkjet prints of the design to help me see what was meant to go where.

Braunton youth club - Sketch out complete

2011-07-22T03:17:00.007+01:00

What a great evening/night, we started at about 10pm and finished at 1:30am, all in all 13 people were involved in the sketch out, 3 over head projectors, nine A4 acetates, 13 sharpie markers.....a few cups of tea......some chocolate....and plenty of positive vibes, this is going to be epic...I'll be down there tomorrow for a time but the main painting will start at 10am sharp Saturday morning, and continue all weekend.

Youth Center Mural Design

2011-07-19T21:45:00.006+01:00

The weather got in the way last weekend, so this weekend we are going to crack on with the project, lets hope that it doesnt rain.

If you are in Braunton 10am till 5pm this coming Sat 23rd July or Sunday 24th, then pop down, and check out the work in progress, the young folk who use the youth club are looking forward to painting.

I have reduced the artwork to paint by numbers, and we will be sketching it out using overhead projectors after dark (9pm) on Thursday night (21st), come down if you are about town, we'll be there till gone midnight.

Photo shows the visualization i have come up with from the meetings i have had with the kids and youth workers.

Braunton Youth Center Mural

2011-07-11T12:54:00.005+01:00

Planning for the Braunton Youth Center mural around the youth club in Braunton is going well.

Here's a sneak preview of part of the design (that has been worked out in conjunction with the young people who use the youth club).

We will start preparing the walls on Thursday 14th July, and actual painting will commence on the Saturday 16th, with all the young folk who use the youth club involved with painting the artwork, we'll be having a BBQ on the Sunday.

Wave dreamer will making a short film of the project for online distribution. It's going to be fun.

Would be great to see you all down there.

I'd like to thank Jessica Finson for giving us permission to use part of her illustration "The music playing in your head"in the mural design.....it's the black lady with headphones on, to see more of her vector artworks click here

"City of Murals"

2011-05-19T20:08:00.004+01:00

Jane Golden's work in America, second to none, an inspiration to so many. The link below tells of the efforts of the many artists and people who have been involved over the years, and how it has instigated positive change:
http://muralarts.org/
2000+ fabulous murals now grace the city of Philadelphia, USA.....you have to have a look!!!

The Devon 11 - Plein air painters out on the Coast: Painting outdoors on the Coast.

2011-04-29T11:00:00.000+01:00

The Devon 11 - Plein air painters out on the Coast: Painting outdoors on the Coast.: "The DEVON 11 from wavedreamer on Vimeo . Many thanks to Richard Gregory, our intrepid film maker for shooting and editing this lovely. ..."

Putsborough quick study

2011-04-28T11:17:00.005+01:00

And and about with the new outdoor set up, this was the trial study, quick hr and a bit, blazing hot day....new wet panel carry box is great! Thanks again Martin.
Oil on panel.

Logos & Lillies

2011-04-28T10:11:00.002+01:00

Working on some company branding at present as you can just about strain to see on the white pad....a dose of totally natural perfume for inspiration....

Bespoke Wooden crafts North Devon

2011-04-20T14:25:00.005+01:00

Spent the day last week with Master Craftsman Martin Edwards making a plein air collapsible easel set up, and wet panel carry box, it was a great collaboration and a fantastic way to spend a sunny friday up at Martin's workshop (I'll put a few more photo's of the finished set up tomorrow).
Martin specializes in traditional woodworking skills, from tree to finished piece of work he produces one-off, uniquely crafted items of extreme beauty.

He is currently under commission at Baggy Lodge, Croyde, producing bespoke inlaid flooring, hand carved hardwood beam's, and elegant work surfaces.

He can be contacted on 07787891874 or email:
d.whittlingwoodpecker@gmail.com

Photo, Martin's workshop.

Volkscafe trading on a beach near you

2011-04-16T01:25:00.004+01:00

Volkscafe is officially trading in North Devon; Freshly, expertly prepared coffee on the go, check out www.volkscafe.co.uk at any time to see if he's in your area.
A fine selection of sweet delights as well the finest teas from around the world.....

Drang gallery Launch party

2011-04-14T17:43:00.002+01:00

The Drang in Padstow has it official launch party this Saturday April 16th, they are selling my work. Pop your head in if you fancy a glass of wine and some eye candy.
Check out www.thedranggallery.com for details.

Hawthorne on painting

2011-04-08T08:59:00.005+01:00

This is an extract taken from Charles Hawthorne's book "Hawthorne on painting". The book is a gem, filled with accessible advice for the would be painter, i particularly like this page and am following his advice with the one hour studies i am doing...thicker paint, lots of starts, who cares if you finish, correct color notes, shapes not things, bigger brush, get out there have some fun, dont be so precious!!!
Superb!!!
Charles Webster Hawthorne 1872-1930
Copyright 1960 Dover Publications.

One Hour study - Baggy

2011-04-07T09:44:00.007+01:00

Now one hour may seem like a long time, depending upon what you are doing, but when you only have one of them in which to accurately see, mix the right colors and put them where they are meant to go i assure you it's not long enough!!!! This is another (there are a few other's) unfinished study on my 9" by 9" panels. It's such a challenge doing these 1hr studies, it's a steep learning curve that will eventually improve my painting skills but at present frustrates the hell out of me!!
When you're hours up you gotta stop!!

I'm using Griffin quick drying oil paint here.

The Devon 11 - Lynmouth painting Trip

2011-04-05T17:51:00.004+01:00

We had some stunning weather, and we now have an official blog for ya'll to check out : The Devon 11

Plein Air Painting Trip

2011-04-04T16:14:00.005+01:00

Had a great time this weekend painting outdoors in and around Lynmouth with 11 artists who surf from North Devon, the trip was planned by Steve PP, well known for his surf art, from Woolacombe, we stayed at Countisbury, and spent the weekend painting small landscape studies.

The Red Barn Woolacombe Finished Mural

2011-02-09T20:08:00.004Z

2011-02-09T20:06:00.008Z

The new mural in the Red Barn Woolacombe is now complete, many thanks to all those who offered their support during the last few weeks of work, you know who you are and it was appreciated. I'm sure it will be received well by those who frequent this hallowed hall of surfing nostalgia. The refurb is looking absolutely fabulous, and the many different trades that have been involved should be justly proud of the final result.

Red Barn Mural

2011-02-03T12:25:00.004Z

My new mural in the Red Barn Woolacombe is progressing well, here's a shot of the work in progress.

Volkscafe commission.

2011-01-21T13:45:00.004Z

2011-01-21T13:43:00.001Z

The finished Volkscafe project. I was commissioned to design and paint a large canvas (2.0m by 0.65m) of the image that wraps between the wheel arches in the photo's above, the canvas was then photographed and produced as a vinyl wrap along with the logo by "The Signshop" (Barnstaple).

The client is setting up a mobile coffee shop that will service the beaches of North Devon with the finest expresso. The scene i designed is a stylized view of the Taw estuary, from Northam, overlooking the Burrows, with Lundy on the horizon, Hartland point to the left and the other major headlands to the right (Baggy point, and Downend Point), with the clients van perched admiring the sunset scene.

I'm so pleased with how it all worked out.

Check out www.volkscafe.co.uk for more info about Colin and his coffee business.

New Gallery Representation - Padstow

2011-01-19T14:04:00.009Z

The Drang Gallery Padstow will be representing me as of the end of January, so get down there to check out some high end contemporary artworks by an international stable of recognized and up and coming Artists.
www.thedranggallery.com

Along the East Lyn

2010-11-22T18:02:00.008Z

Along the East Lyn past Watersmeet, near Lynmouth, Autumn colors, Oil on panel 10in by 8in quick color study.

........

2010-10-25T14:23:00.005+01:00

Morte point, North Devon.

Vertigo

2010-10-24T13:21:00.010+01:00

A2 pencil sketch on paper.

The first in a series of pencil sketches that may become large paintings sometime in the future. I'm going to scan it in and work on the colors digitally and then paint the painting that results.

Working on a whole series that explores the feeling's of falling, flying, vertigo, gravity & weightlessness.

EBS Gallery Exhibition is Installed

2010-10-22T11:33:00.005+01:00

Originals and affordable prints are all installed, so get along there and have a look if you can.
Woolacombe, next to Gulfstream factory, open 7 days a week 10-4pm

Exhibition EBS Gallery Woolacombe

2010-10-12T10:28:00.004+01:00

Exhibition of Coastal Inspired Oil and Acrylic painting's.

I will be exhibiting my latest collection of North Devon coastal inspired oil and acrylic paintings at EBS Gallery, Woolacombe, from Friday 15^th October till the 31st October 2010.

“The North Devon coastline is absolutely stunning, I spend a lot of time in the water and on the beaches surfing, walking, and relaxing with friends. This collection is an attempt to capture, with colour, something of the majestic beauty of this wonderful area in which we live.”

This is a unique opportunity to purchase stunning original paintings and prints by a well established local artist with an international reputation. An affordable range of hand signed framed prints, and prints on canvas will also be available to buy.

“There is something for everyone in this eclectic collection so be sure to make the effort to get over to Woolacombe and have a look. EBS Gallery is at 12 South Street, Woolacombe, EX347BB, Just up the street from the Bay Hotel, and is open everyday of the week 10am-4pm

Coombesgate beach North Devon

2010-09-20T16:49:00.005+01:00

"Coombesgate beach" North Devon, oil on canvas, 100cms by 68cms.
Just finished.

Value Study - St Brannocks Braunton

2010-07-22T14:02:00.006+01:00

Another value study, this time St Brannocks church yard, Braunton. A peaceful and beautiful place. Again, bright sunshine which gives high value contrast.
I used copic markers C-1, C-3, C-5, C-7, i have wanted to do a painting based on the church yard for a while now. I walk through there every day! At last i have got off my ass and taken the first step. I love the shadows here, very dramatic. Dont hold your breath though lots of commissions on at present.

Value study - East street

2010-07-20T12:58:00.006+01:00

Thought i'd share a value study for a painting i intend to do of East street in Braunton. The sketch was done on site late afternoon, sunny day, love the shadow structure. If it looks good at this stage it will usually look good as a full colour painting, this is the underlying structure of the final painting, and a guide for my value mixing with colour.
Drawn in Copic markers, 3 shades. I have found the most useful to be C-1,C-3,C-5, don't really need the black, it's just to dark, and the C-7 is way dark enough, in fact i think the C-5 is dark enough, with the white of the paper you can do a 4-value sketch with just 3 markers.

Ooops

2010-07-20T12:52:00.008+01:00

Acrylic on canvas 100cms by 68cms. Part of a series of nudes i am working on, that have a flat graphical quality to them, and very strong value contrast, they are really more about pattern than the subject matter itself. Inspired by Roy Lichtenstein and his use of benday dots; I have used the dots to suggest a unified field of vision, Roy was more descriptive in his use of them, he suggested form and shadow with dots, just like a cartoon artist would. These paintings i limit to red, green, blue, black and purple, mostly pure colour.

Putsborough Beach Oil on Canvas

2010-07-15T17:43:00.003+01:00

Oil on canvas, 100cms by 68cms, the view is of Putsborough beach towards Baggy point, North Devon

Airbrushed, hand painted, customized, Chevy Camaro

2010-06-04T10:54:00.005+01:00

Airbrushed, hand painted, customized Chevy Camaro, commissioned by "Sand Creek Stud Devon", a stud farm here in Devon that breeds american paint horses.

Sand creek stud devon artwork

2010-06-04T10:47:00.004+01:00

Here is a close up of the handpainted artwork. The custom paint job was commissioned by Mr O'Rouke of Oakhampton. He and his wife breed american paint horses, these are your classic american indian horses, beautiful creatures, check out his website: www.americanpainthorses.co.uk for more details.
The airbrushed heads on the spoiler are portraits of actual horses that they own.

Beautiful Clear coat, sheet glass, flawless

2010-06-04T10:36:00.002+01:00

This shot shows the superb quality clear coat job, 6 coats of lacquer were carefully applied, then polished to a sheet glass, flawless finish. The clearcoat is so important and a real skill to get it right like this. I have Colin and the team at "The car body centre" llfracombe to thank for this, they do all my clearcoating for me, always to an exceptional standard. Contact Colin on 01271 862800 if you ever need a car re-sprayed, these guys are re-spray and body repair specialists.

Customized Camaro airbrushed rear spoiler

2010-06-04T10:20:00.002+01:00

The full view of the airbrushed artwork on the rear spoiler.

Detail of one of the horses

2010-06-04T10:15:00.003+01:00

Close up of one of the airbrushed horses heads (not the best photo, bit out of focus, never mind).

Camaro airbrushed rear end

2010-06-04T10:12:00.003+01:00

Here is a view of the rear end of the airbrushed customized car.

Chevy Camaro V6 with my logo

2010-06-04T10:03:00.003+01:00

Lovely bit of finishing and advertising, even if i do say so myself!

Cup cake

2010-05-17T21:41:00.002+01:00

Thanks to Emma and Mary for hosting a fabulous afternoon of homemade cake munching, this is one shot of many; They truly went to town, an epic spread of different cakes available for the connoisseurs that attended, all made by their fair hands.

© 2010 Conor Wilson

Dramatic light Devon

2010-05-16T14:16:00.005+01:00

There have been some dramatic sunsets and skies over the sea of late, took this whilst out walking last week. It is one in a set that i will paint in oil's soon. Got a real biblical feel to it this scene.

© 2010 Conor Wilson

Daffodills Hesket New Market

2010-05-10T13:25:00.007+01:00

I was up in the lake district a month ago visiting my sister, the full spring bloom was beginning and i took these shot's. I cant believe how colorful spring is this year, magical.

© 2010 Conor Wilson

Apple-door's

2010-05-10T11:31:00.014+01:00

They like their doors in Appledore. Headed over to Appledore last week in Captain Skelton's landyacht for a morning of visual feasting. The North Devon fishing village is famous for it's now redundant boatyard, Art's festival and general nautical ambiance. There are beautiful cottages, narrow lanes and as you can see above lovely door's. This image is available in print, on canvas, email me for more info.

© 2010 Conor Wilson

Croyde bay Panorama, painting on canvas

2010-04-30T12:20:00.008+01:00

Croyde smok'in, painting is 122cms by 33cms, acrylic on canvas.The scene is Croyde, North Devon, firing set waves, sunset, lush, for sale, contact me if you are interested, prints are also available.
This photo, seems to display a little dull, the original is more brilliant.
www.conorwilson.co.uk

© 2010 Conor Wilson

Scribblings from the surf

2010-04-26T16:13:00.005+01:00

Barrister and writer Tim Kevan has written an article about me for his feature in "Devon Life" called "scribbling's from the surf". Over the past year he has featured interesting folk who live in North Devon and have a passion for surfing and the Ocean, see his Blog at http://timkevan.blogspot.com for the other articles.

Tim Kevan is the author of the comic novel ‘BabyBarista and the Art of War’ (Bloomsbury) and the co-author of ‘Why Lawyers Should Surf’ (with Dr Michelle Tempest). www.timkevan.com.

Muralled back drop

2010-04-24T15:42:00.005+01:00

Just looking through some old photo's and found this wee gem. I painted this backdrop for a musician friend of mine, called Stribbs of "Roof with a hole", about 3 years ago now, quite intense!
© 2010 Conor Wilson

New large Oil landscape of Croyde & Lundy

2010-04-15T13:03:00.006+01:00

It is called "Late in the day", painted in oil on wooden panel, varnished and beautifully framed by the wonderful ladies at "The Frame shop" Braunton: www.brauntonartandframing.co.uk/
A late summer sunset scene featuring Croyde village, Baggy point and lundy, stunning scenery, and a favourite place of mine. The panel size is 102cms wide by 63cms deep. Get down there and have a look! See www.the jcgallery.co.uk for opening times and contact details.

© 2010 Conor Wilson

"Imminent snow" framed & on display

2010-04-15T12:56:00.007+01:00

Framed and up for sale in the Jc Gallery Braunton, North Devon, see www.thejcgallery.co.uk for contact details.

© 2010 Conor Wilson

Oil paintings in the Jc gallery

2010-04-15T12:53:00.002+01:00

painting's on the wall in the Jc gallery Braunton North Devon

Oil painting's in The Jc gallery

2010-04-15T12:51:00.002+01:00

painting's on the wall in the Jc gallery Braunton North Devon

Funky abstract North Devon seascape

2010-04-15T09:46:00.008+01:00

Impasto Oil on wooden panel, framed and varnished, panel size 91.5cms by 30.5cms. A vibrant interpretation of the view from the path at Baggy point across to Down end point, Croyde, Devon. Going up for sale in The Jc gallery, Braunton today.

© 2010 Conor Wilson

Funky Devon Seascape

2010-04-14T18:27:00.008+01:00

New acrylic painting on wood panel, varnished and framed. Called "Lakalundy", painting size: 30cms by 23cms. Up for sale in JC gallery, Braunton, N.Devon, see www.thejcgallery.co.uk for opening times.
© 2010 Conor Wilson

Marisco Nightclub Mural, Step by step.

2010-03-27T16:59:00.008Z

Before i arrived the nightclub owners had put up some mdf board on the wall. Screw heads were visible, there were gaps around the edges and the wall. So the first job was to fill and sand these flat, they would have stuck out like a sore thumb when the final satin clearcoat was applied. I then boxed in the wires on the right (you can see the neat box in the first photo above the telephone).

Then 3 coats of Rosco tough prime was applied with brush and roller, it's not cheap but it is durable and can cover aluminum (the edges had aluminum strip down them). I need a durable finish on this job as the mural will see a lot of traffic.
Then any areas that are not to be sprayed needed to be masked off using making tape and newspaper.

Preparation is the key to a good finish, and it is all surprisingly time consuming. This is two and a half days work already.

2010-03-27T16:56:00.006Z

The surfaces are flat, the primer has dried hard, and now i can start painting. I start by using the Sata minijet 3 spray gun, and spray the whole surface Rosco Fluorescent red, leaving an hour between each coat (and heating with an electric convection heater to speed drying time), this paint is very transparent, and very, very difficult to get an even coat, so i have to apply 3 coats to get the desired coverage and flatness of finish. After it has all dried well i mix progressively darker tints, using the fluro red, createx acrylic's red, orange, and purple, and apply to create the graduated darkness to the left and right of the booth window.

Once this is done and again has dried thoroughly i can start sketching out the complex hexagonal web pattern i use an old school overhead projector as the pattern is just too complex to sketch by hand. The pattern has to seamlessly continue round the recessed area on the right of the wall, i have to trace the design from the wall on the left flip the image and line it up on the right then trace it on to the wall as i cannot project on to this area. Time consuming work!

It is all sketched out and i can begin painting the blue hexagonal structure, starting with the lightest colour, i have 16 different shades to carefully mix and paint, getting progressively darker. I soon realize i am going to have to mask of each different shade in order to complete the job before the nightclub opens, doing it freehand would have taken too long, i need to spray 3 coats of each shade to get the coverage needed, this is just too fiddly freehand, but then masking every shape is not exactly a walk in the park.....i am wondering what i have gotten myself into! Again!! I have to choose a method and see it through. This all takes two long days of work.

2010-03-27T16:53:00.004Z

The next morning i continue to paint the different shades of blue, getting progressively darker, drying with a hairdryer between shades to force dry as i have to mask over the top and masking tape has a habit of removing the nicely painted area underneath....unbelievably annoying. When i have painted cars in the past i have used an intercoat clear lacquer to protect the artwork from this, but i just dont have time to do this and the paint should have decent enough bond strength......luckily it has (just about), but the tape (low tack) does pull small amount off in places; I will have to touch these areas up when i have finished so am sure to save a small amount of each color in labeled pots for this purpose. Progress is slow, careful masking is not a speedy job. These two photo's show 25 hours work.

Marisco Nighclub Mural complete

2010-03-27T16:30:00.015Z

I continue to work through the shades in the same way, eventually reaching no.16 and sighing with relief, the club opens tomorrow pm so i have to get moving. I still have to go over the whole mural erasing any visible pencil lines and touching up any areas were the tape has pulled the paint off, then dust off the area and apply 2 coats of Rosco colorcoat clear satin acrylic enamel varnish, leaving a minimum 4hrs cure between coats.

And the final result, the payment booth of Marisco Disco has it's face lift complete.

Marisco is located in Woolacombe, North Devon, and is open from this Friday the 26th onwards till October, get those dancing shoes on and pop along.

Painted with Iwata airbrushes and Sata minijet 3 spray gun.

Primer used: Rosco tough prime

Red paint: Rosco Fluorescent red, UV reactive, intense color under normal light, even more so under black or UV light

All other colors: Createx classic acrylic airbrush ready paint.

Finished: Rosco Colorcoat satin, a very durable clear Acrylic Enamel protective coating, 2 coats.

Inspired by Vasarely.

New murals in Blue Groove Restaurant Bar, Croyde, North Devon, UK

2010-02-27T21:30:00.018Z

This how the toilet looked before i got my hands on them, very white.

2010-02-27T21:29:00.010Z

2010-02-27T21:28:00.004Z

2010-02-27T21:26:00.002Z

2010-02-27T21:19:00.006Z

2010-02-27T21:18:00.005Z

Still life - "Neti pot"

2010-02-09T15:17:00.008Z

Another quick study from life, this time a neti pot, 9" by 7" on canvas panel, again using a limited pallete of Cad yellow light, Cad red light, Alizarin crimson, Ultramarine (green shade) and titanium white, and a no.5 long flat.

Still life - "The besotted banana"

2010-01-30T22:52:00.010Z

Oil on canvas, painted from life, 9" by 7", had fun painting this, really enjoyed the direct seeing that comes when sitting in front of what you are painting as opposed to working from a photo. Can't say i've ever painted a banana, or a bottle for that matter, certainly not a banana hugging a bottle....
© 2010 Conor Wilson

Imminent Snow

2010-01-20T14:37:00.005Z

Oil on canvas 122cms by 63cms
It does'nt often snow in North Devon. I painted this from a photo that i took whilst walking/playing in the snow with some friends a couple of weeks ago. The clouds were majestic and snow was imminent, there was this feeling of awe and claustrophobia that the sky induced that afternoon, the sun was setting and everything was bathed in a eerie blue/blue purple, with subtle orange touches behind the clouds. The painting does'nt do the day justice, i can but try.

Sketch book

2010-01-07T15:43:00.004Z

A sketch a day, did'nt get this one finished, time to move on.

Will come back and finish it another time i think.

Nude sketch

2010-01-06T18:08:00.006Z

From my sketch book, quicker, looser, freer style

Moleskin sketch book - shell

2010-01-06T17:43:00.007Z

Pencil drawing from my moleskin sketch book, slow, deliberate, observation

Acrylic on canvas

2009-12-17T14:08:00.004Z

Part of a series of sensual paintings i have been working on.
Acrylic on canvas, all hand painted (no airbrush with this one)
Canvas 100cms by 68cms
Inspired by Roy Lichtenstein work

New commissioned portrait

2009-12-17T13:57:00.005Z

Acrylic airbrush on canvas 60cms by 42cms approx

Painted from the source photo on the left of the painting.

Abstract oil painting

2009-12-17T13:50:00.004Z

Thick abstract oil on small box canvas.

Stormy pm quick study

2009-12-07T15:59:00.005Z

Quick color study (8" by 6") of Baggy point from Marine drive Woolacombe on a stormy, wild and windy afternoon.

Great field and Hartland

2009-12-04T17:35:00.008Z

Quick Plein air study, 8" by 6"

This is The Great field as viewed from above Braunton.

The obvious sandy colored lump is a large prominent sand dune that graces the Burrows.

This is about my 3rd attempt at painting outdoors, it's hard, conditions change so quickly and there is such a lot of visual info to simplify, color notes to mix accurately and composition to think of. I'm not happy with any of these but enjoyed the process....practice, practice, practice needed.

2009-12-04T17:21:00.010Z

Same size panel 8" by 6" painted in oils.

The scene is located at the Great field, Braunton, North Devon,

where i live.

Painted from a photo i took a while back.

Still life number 2

2009-12-02T11:00:00.003Z

Well this is my second effort with the oil's, bit disappointing really, the composition i had in mind did not work well and i took too much time towards the end fussing around attempting to capture detail (just not possible as i am limiting myself to using only one brush long flat no. 6)....exactly what i want to get away from doing, old habit's die hard though. Going to use liquin instead of sansodor to loosen the paint on the next one, and hopefully build more texture.

Painted using, alizarin crimson, cadmium yellow medium, french ultramarine, and titanium white; With a long flat no 6 hog hair brush.

Still life in oil

2009-11-30T14:16:00.004Z

Well it's my first go at painting a still life in oil paints, i'm going to try to paint at least one a day and post them here. I am keen to learn to use oil paints wet on wet and in a loose style but as you can see it will take time. I've made up 100 of these small canvas panels (8" by 6") and hope to have all 100 painted within the next 100 days, and i'm going to post all of them. Even the really crap ones!

Any advice will be welcomed.

It's time to learn a new skill.

Cheers Conor

Charlie Don't surf

2009-11-25T12:55:00.004Z

Acrylic airbrush and hand painted sections on canvas.

size: 100cms by 68cms

Bit of cartoony surfy fun. There is plenty of surf related art featuring palm trees and a tropical feel, i wanted to play on that a little but for the scene to be based in England, hence the cows and the lighthouse.

North Devon Surf panorama painting 2

2009-11-25T12:36:00.003Z

Well I decided to continue with the painting, same size but with the hand painted custom car and the sea gulls, both painted with acrylic and brush. I wanted to make it look as if it was cut and paste, perhaps even produced on the computer, two worlds meeting perhaps.

This way i can also produce two different prints.

North Devon Surf panorama painting

2009-11-25T12:13:00.009Z

Acrylic painting on canvas, chiefly using airbrush
canvas size: 127cms by 33cms

The painting is based on a stylized view of The North Devon coast around where i live, Lundy Island in the distance, Hartland point is to the left in the distance, with the headlands of the area all in view, from the far left we have Down End point, then Baggy point, and Morte point far right.

Time to make some changes

2009-11-25T11:42:00.000Z

I'm new to blogger. I have become some what inspired of late by the "painting a day" artists i have seen on the internet. I have been working for years with acrylics, airbrush, pen/paper and pencils but have never tried oils. The time has come to give it a go, and this is where i shall share my progress, and hopefully get some feed back from those who know more than i do.
I'm going to try to add at least something (oil painting related) a couple of times a week initially and then as i get better i'll update daily.
I'll also be adding the other acrylics and commissions i am working on.
So that is my mission statement. I'd best get to it!!