A PAINTER’S PROGRESS
Its always a bit odd how I stick close to the photo and then the next day realize it isn’t what I am trying to do. I suppose its a case of you need to commit to something before you know if its right or not. A bit frustrating but part of the process. Reworked the sky taking out most of the warm light and now it is where I want it to be. The mountains are not far off so I can move forward with a bit more certainty. Liking the way things are looking.
Moon rising over mountains, Mexico. Day 3
I like the way the moon dominates the sky even though it is just a tiny dot. All due to the sky being the right tone to achieve this. I think the sky is there in its basic form. The foreground has a lot of warm light over a mostly green forest, I think the effect with the houses should be quite interesting.
Moon rising over the mountains, Mexico. Day 2
I think the mountains are going to feature in this trip. I like that kind of focus and as they are right on my doorstep then I should make use of what is close at hand. In this painting the mountains are prominent, as is the jungle, then you get a few houses emerging amongst all of this. I like that mix of vast nature and some human habitation.
Moon rising over mountains, Mexico. Day 1
I am quite tempted just to stay focussed on these mountains for the entire trip. Not obviously a Mexican theme, but maybe thats the appeal. It had never occurred to me that they should be a theme for me. The next painting is going to feature these mountains again but with a moon. This painting has turned out well and I think is finished or 95% there.
Rain clouds over the Sierra Madre, Mexico
Not easy to achieve but I think it is working. The centre and left of the painting is under dark cloud whilst a shaft of light is moving across the right of the picture. I like the light in this picture it fits the title and the clouds were really big and heavy on the horizon.
Rain clouds over the Sierra Madre, Mexico. Day 6
Not only am I trying to produce paintings to the best of my ability (that’s a struggle!) but also to photographically reproduce them as faithfully as possible. Previously I had used a basic version of Photoshop to do this which did a decent job. I have just started using a pro photo editing programme called Lightroom for my landscape photography. I thought why not try it for processing my paintings. Did it today, it has done a brilliant job. I can now adjust individual colours, the sky for instance up to now has been reproducing in too blue a tone, its more brown. This photo is probably the most faithful reproduction of any painting I have taken. Painting progressing well, I have some good photos lined up for new paintings, onwards and upwards.
Rain clouds over the Sierra Madre, Mexico Day 5
Or an English roll, take your pick, but the enthusiasm is back. I was genuinely thinking that my renewed interest in photography may occupy the entire trip. Truth is painting is the ultimate art form (biased view). There is something about the editing thought process and stylistic approach taken by each individual painter that truly sets it apart from photography. Every mark and shape is a conscious decision and it is in this process that I find the fascination. Good progress again, more work mostly on the sky. I think this will turn out to be another good painting trip.
Rain clouds over the Sierra Madre, Mexico Day 4
Will maintain a momentum and move you further down the road, it may not get you very far but it feels like progress. I have regained my UK practice of frequent short painting sessions, it seems to work for me. Long term gaps between painting is not good for me. I am really liking the way this is progressing. Most of all there seems to be a consistency in my approach which was lacking last year in Mexico. I might do a few views across this area, taking advantage of the fact that I have an elevated view point, up to the 12th floor of this condominium complex.
Rain clouds over the Sierra Madre, Mexico. Day 3
Painting in an apartment in Mexico does not come with all the conveniences of a separate UK studio. Anyway, after a new boiler installation and numerous comings and goings of people it seems I am now in the clear. A proper start with this painting, pleased with the way it has progressed and I have a good idea of the paintings I want to make whilst here. Calm has descended. Like the way the golf course is appearing and some of the roof tops of shops and apartments.
Rain clouds over the Sierra Madre, Mexico. Day 2
These are the storm clouds that were gathering last week. We are here in the dry season and I have never seen rain in 20 years of coming here but for about 20 minutes there was a torrential downpour. The scene is an interesting mixture of wild forest, mountains a golf course and random white buildings. I like this start, it is a continuation of the last painting and there is going to be a proper continuity of style and approach unlike last year in Mexico which was finding my way, I guess.
Rain clouds over the Sierra Madre, Mexico. Day 1
Be patient and don’t give up hope, normal service has resumed today. There is only so much time I can squander to photography and whale watching ( 2 spotted so far, not a great return on my efforts). Was wondering what to do to get me started and then I thought just start, I’ve got the big Mexican mountains behind our apartment, what more do I need?
The secret is to set your own deadlines and make them easy. Painting is as good as finished I may tweak it a little tomorrow but tomorrow is a packing suitcases day for my flight to Mexico on Thursday. Twelve prepared boards to carry on the good work, what is going on them I don’t know but there is no lack of subject matter out there. Last year in terms of painting style was a little bit experimental, I don’t expect that to be the case this time.
Bend in the river, Northumberland
What deadline? I thought I had 25 years left?. It would be nice to get this painting finished and I have 2 days left which includes packing suitcases. Its quite surprising but with this painting the unpainted white board was really killing this painting and damping my enthusiasm to continue. Now I have got it filled in I can see this painting has potential. Two days might be enough but even if its unfinished I think it looks quite decent in its current state. Really liking this marshmallow confection of a landscape.
Bend in the river, Northumberland. Day 5
Thats all that you can hope for really isn’t it? You can have wacky skies but there must be an underlying structure and logic and the space must work, that is beginning to happen. I like the richness and variation of colour in this painting, its better than the previous one. Clock is ticking but the aim is to do a bit each day before I fly off.
Bend in the river, Northumberland. Day 4
Another good chunk of the painting put down. The left side of the painting is the darkest but there is a lot of light coming through this area making it quite animated. This hasn’t come through yet but I like the effect of this. Wacky sky, which I like, needs quite a bit more work though.
Bend in the river, Northumberland. Day 3
If I don’t finish this by the 7th January then there will be a 3 month gap before I can resume again. Last time, in March 2025 after painting in Mexico for about 10 weeks I came back with a much more bolder style, especially colour. Not only has this stayed with me I have sought to boost it further. This painting has started very well and what is interesting is the left side which is in deep shadow in the photo, but I have given it a mid tone shadow and a mid tone across the painting. I like the effect and boldness of colour. Painting again in Mexico and I have still got to cut and prime all the boards!
Bend in the river, Northumberland. Day 2
Finally I have taken my opportunity to pay homage to Edward Burra and at the same time frustrate art historians and art sleuths, with my newly titled work ‘Bend in the river, Northumberland’. Edward Burras similarly titled ‘Valley and river, Northumberland’ has frustrated all of his admirers and no one knows its precise location. My only concession is to say if you stand in the precise place that I took the photo you will recognise the scene. Despite Xmas festivities I have managed to sneak away for a couple of hours without anyone noticing, that says a lot about me. New deadline to finish this January 7th, the following day I fly to Mexico for 3 months.
Bend in the river, Northumberland. Day 1
Nothing like an Xmas deadline to get things done. Wasn’t expecting to finish this today but with a little extra effort it wasn’t that difficult. Definitely the last finished painting of the year and it fills me with optimism for the coming year. Interesting to see that my treatment of the skies does vary from soft volumes to the more graphic treatment, not sure where this is going but not a concern. The adoption of a much stronger colour palette is here to stay as I am enjoying that. Roll on 2026.
Big clouds, sun setting
Not with quantity because that’s never been my style, but more with quality, and that’s never been my style until the last few years. Liking the look of this painting, I have continued to bash the sky around and I’m happy with it now. The landscape is really appearing and I am pleased with the way it is shaping up. This wont be finished by Xmas, I have only got some of tomorrow for that, but hopefully by the end of the year.
Big clouds, sun setting. Day 5
I will continue to make predictions about what direction I think I am heading in just because I liked to be proved wrong. That’s one thing I like about painting is that you cannot predict where things are going. Nearly always, things work out better than expected although it can be painful getting there. Despite the inevitable xmas slow down this painting is going well, reworked the sky a little and it has improved. Will probably get a bit more time on this before Xmas proper but then about a 7 day pause.
Big clouds, sun setting. Day 4