Sketches and Works in Progress
In this section you will be able to see preparatory sketches, works in progress and other bits and bobs that add to the process of creating a piece of art.
September 2020
Crazy year in oh so many ways. This one will be ready very soon. Taken a lot of work and patience on this one. I have painted this in situ, en plein air over quite a few sittings, spanning a couple of years. This year I actually had the joy of capturing the King Fisher (because it was so quiet….) where I wanted him in sketches so, once in; along with a few more shadows, it’s time for glazing and holding, ready for a frame and sale in 2021…… all being well.
The Avon at Malmesbury
August 2019
A few on the easel: some in the early stages, one in particular becoming an extended labour of love. Just waiting for the King Fisher that I see when I’m walking the dogs, but never when I’m in situ painting and sketching……. one day!!!!!
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- The Avon at Malmesbury
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- Tuscany Sketch
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- Isle of Skye Plein Air
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- Westonbirt Sketch
December 2018
Some of the works for 2018 below. A few are drying, some waiting for framing, and, as usual a few updates on pieces currently on the easel. If you are interested in any of the unfinished works, please feel free to email me and I will notify you before they are posted on the website, so you get an early bird preview. As you will see from the works below, some never make it to the website as they are sold before posting.
February 2018
As promised, here are a few of the works that are underway. The first three are on the easel currently and receiving initial sketching and blocking out, with finishing now taking place.
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- Anglers on the Avon
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- Malmesbury on the Avon
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- Boating at Dartmouth
Another set of canvases are at sketch stage and yet another set are awaiting framing.
January 2018
Hopefully you will have checked out the latest blog update, if not, here you go: Click Me
I will be updating here again shortly, busily working through all the new work and getting pics and images ready to post here for you.
Speak soon,
Chris
A few new works are underway as you may have read on the blog.
Paintings from my trip to Greece are coming along nicely and there’s also a new one of my favourite Scottish Castle. I sketched the castle with an amazing sky and that is slowly becoming a larger, finished work. The paintings from Greece have centered around achieving a feeling of the heat in the atmosphere and, more especially with the beach scene, attempting to convey that along with the light in the work on the sky.
Greek Beach
Red Boats, Greece
The Castle, Scotland
I have also completed several smaller pieces from Dartmouth, Kingsbridge and a view to Vauxhall on the Thames.
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- Sail at Dartmouth
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- Dartmouth Sail
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- Kingsbridge Quay
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- Kingsbridge Quay
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- Dartmouth Sail
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- View to Vauxhall at the Thames
More on the easel to come, and I will be updating the ‘Paintings for sale’ page shortly.
Speak soon, Chris
April 2017
Over the last weeks and months new work has been coming together. I thought it worth updating this page with a few of the sketches and studies that have gone along with finished work, and provoked ideas for new work. The first is ‘The Morning After The Night Before’.
The morning after the night before
This one is a five minute challenge sketch in pastel. As you will see it is roughly blocked in with a very rough attempt to create the lines of perspective and create the bars through which the party goer rests.
The image is an attempt to create questions in the mind, perspective, colour, and form as quickly and naturally as possible.
Is the girl alone? Why the red dress? Has she dropped her shoes? Is she waiting for a lover to appear at the balcony?
I must admit, I enjoyed the challenge of creating it, and wonder if I should work up a full size piece, but at the same time, wonder if that would cost me the spontaneity that I feel shines through this rough pastel sketch.
The morning after the night before
I have also been considering form, movement and tone in my recent sketches. The black and white ‘Study for Salsa’ is simple white pastel on black card. I sketching highlights and leaving other surfaces blank, the eye is still able to complete the perceived image.
The couple perform Salsa, and as such the poses are are extremely technical, and even when still, are pregnant with expectation of impending, explosive movement. My attempt to capture this was done quickly, and as loosely as I could without real attention to detail.
The overall effect is what I hoped to achieve, and again, is under consideration for working into a finished, full size piece.
Study for Salsa
Couple in front of the Waterfall
Study of ballet students
Study for boats
Eye study, charcoal
The waterfall continues with the themes of form, tone and movement. Again, roughly sketched highlights and darks that attempt to capture the movement of the waterfall, the intimacy of the couple seated on the rocks in the foreground below the waterfall, while retaining the serenity and intimacy of the moment.
My sketch for ballet students is in charcoal and followed by one for boats and an eye. All of these exercises help develop the spontaneity involved in the creation of a feeling portrayed on paper or canvas, and provide reference for future projects.
I do hope you enjoy seeing these unfinished and rough glimpses into my world and I look forward to showing you the new pieces of work that arise from them.
Speak soon,
Chris (26/04/17)
Study Trip
I will be sharing stories about how pieces come in to being, the inspiration, flukes, and accidents that help in their creation, as well as giving you a window into my world from idea to finished, hanging painting. I’m also adding video in the near future, so, the window will be slightly larger đŸ™‚
More here soon. For now, I have popped a few current works in progress, obviously leading to finished articles on the ‘Paintings For Sale’ page.
This one is ‘Poppies at Tetbury’. Recently I was driving in to Tetbury to have some pieces framed for collectors, and, noticed the stunning colours of the poppy field on the way to the town. It’s a very traditional subject, but, one I simply couldn’t resist. I returned with oils and canvas, knocking up this oils sketch as quickly as I could. The finished piece will have the other little white flowers in near foreground, the spire finished, and, there’s even a figure (my daughter skipping through the poppies) in the field. Really excited to get this one finished.
The first steps, and the finished piece, on the studio easel, framed and ready to hang.
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- Poppy Field at Tetbury
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- Poppies at Tetbury, framed.
The next painting is a large oil, this is of one of my favourite views along the Kingsbridge Estuary in South Devon, looking towards Salcombe, as the estuary flows to the sea. On this outing my eye was drawn by the amazing light playing on the clouds above. There is much to do, as the picture is based on oil sketches made recently, so the estuary leading to Salcombe is packed with yachts and craft of all types, an exciting scene with lots to add. This one is now finished and sold. It hangs happily in its new owner’s home.
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- The Estuary in Summer
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- The Estuary in Summer, finished.
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- The Estuary in Summer, detail.