Cat with a Christmas Bobble

I have been ill for the past week and a half... and still am to be honest. Caught a flu. The recovery is never quick with me. Especially sine my daughter id having it too. But life doesn't wait and Christmas is approaching fast and the Christmas spirit is setting upon us together with the flu epidemic, as usual! So today I have produced this little watercolour with a bit of a festive flare to it.

Tenderness

I did those cats yesterday during my art group session. It was a bit of an experiment with textures, but I am pleased with the results. I think I will explore this style further

Bare Tree In Bushy Park

Today I have been painting in Bushy Park near the Hampton Court gates. There is exquisite place there with a little pond and lots of birds around. This tree I spotted right by this pond although I didn't include water in this picture. I like this tree so much that I would like to come back there and paint it again some time. I wasn't happy with my new block of paper though. Not absorbent enough, not a good feeling when you apply the colour - a bit of a disappointment. But never mind, I am fairly pleased with the picture itself nevertheless.

Richmond Bridge

Here is the more up-to-date representation of Richmond Bridge. Cool shadows, crispy transparent air and lots of bird life.

Birman Cat in Golden Pendant

Birmans is one of my most favourite cats breeds. I felt like painting cats today so I produced this. I wonder where the fancy will take me tomorrow?

Richmond Hill from Petersham Meadows

Have been remembering summer today. It's particularly warming thing to do since the autumn is getting really cold over here. Will do the current one next for a contrast I think.

Boats on Thames from Richmond Bridge

Today I have finished the first painting of my Actors in Hampton Court series. This was an amazing history reenactment I have seen recently in the former residence of Henry VIII. It was a pleasure to paint all the details and costumes. People in the painting are supposed to be cardinal Wolsley and Thomas Cromwell. Not quite as they were portrayed in the famous "Tudors" TV series but nevertheless exciting to watch up-close. I have several more of those planned.

Staying with the nautical theme today's piece is similar to the yesterday's one but from a slightly different angle. Here seagulls are circling restlessly over the shallow coastal waters. The biggest challenge for me is always a repeating pattern with a rigid rhythm like the ripples on the damp sand in the foreground. I'm fairly satisfied with the result today but I feel I need to strech myself further and do more of those.

Today I was busy in my Art Group. Working from the reference picture I took very recently during a day trip to the south coast of Britain. It was an amazing blue dusk setting over the beach when took this picture and in today's watercolour I tried to recreate the magical calm freshness of that moment.