Saturday 29 December 2012

Trial run!


During one of my plein air walks in early summer, I took a photograph of this fabulous house. I was taken by the manicured lawns, the perfectly planted flower beds and borders, and the structural framework of the surrounding trees, especially the large Copper Beech tree.

It has been quite a while since I last used my brushes and I felt the need for a bit of a practice before painting anything proper, and when I flicked through my library of reference photo's this one jumped out at me. As a 'refresher' practice piece I wasn't too fussy about lines and colours but I really like the way it's come out and wish I'd made a greater effort. So, I will be doing this one again and hopefully benefiting from the trial-run.


33 comments:

  1. If this is just a trial run, I can't wait to see the 'real one'. It doesn't get any better than this.. the subject, colours, fresh. I especially like your greens.
    Very 'English watercolour'. An excellent effort ..
    BJ

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is definitely a beautiful watercolor, John. Wonderful details..I love the dark tree on the left...it brings everything else out. Nicely done!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Hilda. I agree with you about the dark tree but I'd like to make it less 'blobby' in the final version.

      Delete
  3. It's beautiful, John! There is always the danger that the trial one will better than the second one, that is what happens to me often. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I know what you mean Judy. Many times my 'final version' don't turn out as nice as my 'trial run'. Glad it's not just me. ;)

      Delete
  4. This is fab John. I love the strength of colour. The drawing is superb of course from you. Sometimes I do think we need to practice a piece to get to know the subject better to do it justice but as Judy said most of the time my first piece is the better one too. I think I lose spontaneity the more I do. The Group Santa Sleigh is looking great already. Can't wait to see it finished. Take care and Happy New Year. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You to!! LOL. I think you're right about the spontaneity. Yes, the Group Santa Sleigh is coming together very well. I was a bit late getting it started but we're getting there. Happy New Year.

      Delete
  5. Hi John.
    Lovely painting mate. I agree with Hilda above, the dark tree sets it all off nicely. Good drawing as usual as well. Nice one mate, keep them coming. All the best.
    Vic.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Looking forward to seeing more paintings now you've dusted off the brushes John.

    Wishing you and your family a happy New Year. May 2013 be happy and inspiring for you.

    ReplyDelete
  7. A beautyful painting! I really like the green. Beautyful soft green. And the dark tree is very good in the picture as well. I don´t think you need a second of this painting, because this one is allready very beautyful John! Take care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much Catharina, I really appreciate that. Greens has never been a strong point of mine, especially the darks. Take care.

      Delete
  8. A beautiful and fresh watercolor...and a very lovely subject !

    ReplyDelete
  9. Nice to see you painting again, John. And such a fresh invigorating painting it is, especially on such a black and gloomy day. Thought of you as we the train passed through Peterborough on Saturday!

    Have a great New Year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much John, I'm glad you like it. Happy New Year to you and yours.

      Delete
  10. Beautiful John! Sometimes first efforts are the best...enthusiasm plays a big role in painting. Your love of the subject shows here!

    ReplyDelete
  11. This is really lovely John! It's sometimes hard to get back in to painting when you haven't done it for a while isn't it? My NY Resolution - Don't allow any significant break, since I almost always regret it and struggle for a while! Luckily, it doesn't seem to have affected your own work :0)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sandra. I'm not getting a great deal of time for art but I also find the disciplines for detailed graphite work and for watercolours are often poles apart. I wonder if I'm wise to keep swapping from one to the other.

      Delete
  12. Hi John,

    I don't know what you are going to do for the second act. This is fantastic and a lovely setting.

    Happy New Year,
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much Sue. Happy New Year to you.

      Delete
  13. john, this is lovely! i can hear the birds singing and smell the freshly cut lawn. i'm sorry i haven't visited much, you've been in my thoughts.

    thank you too for your kind comments on my blog, i so appreciate your support through this most difficult year. i wish you a joyous and creatively successful new year my friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much Suzanne. It is always a pleasure to visit your blog and it warms my heart to see you doing so well.

      Delete
  14. John, I wanted to thank you for such a lovely comment left on my Gin Bottle. I really do appreciate your on going support and encouragement, so thank you!
    I can't seem to find an email address for you though and I'm trying to answer comments that way now :0)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not in the habit of leaving messages on Gin bottles, honest guv. Hic!
      Sent you an email so you have my address for next time Sandra. ;-)

      Delete
  15. This is a pretty little picture John - I will look forward to seeing the painting 'proper'!!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. lovely john ..... look foward to the version ...happy new year to you

    ReplyDelete
  17. look forward to the next version !

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are very much appreciated and I value every one. Thank you