Apologies, but I have a very good reason...

I apologise for being quiet over the passed wee while and not replying to comments. Something extraordinary has happened here, in Scotland - it's sunny!

 I'm making the most of the good weather by spending all my time outside as this could be 2016's summer.

Normal service will resume when the weather changes back to normal.

Until then, I'm out drawing in the SUN!!!

Butterflies I, Wildlife Painting

Butterflies I, oil on board

I wanted to see if I could paint butterflies in oil, and here's the result. I enjoyed doing it so much, I painted a second one. I'll pop it in my next post.

Out to Sea, Landscape Oil Paintings

Out to Sea, oil on canvas, 102 x 76 cm (40 x 30")

I painted this on a very large canvas, and had such fun doing it. I put on my favourite album - Kate Bush's The Kick Inside, and danced about with far too many paint brushes gripped in one hand while painting with the other. I had also just discovered the joys of Prussian Blue - there is a lot of it used.

The painting, a favourite of mine, hangs on the wall in my studio, and you can now but cards and prints through my shop. Visit here to find out more.

Wester Ross Lochan, Watercolour Landscape Painting

Wester Ross Lochan, watercolour and felt pen on watercolour paper

This is one of my favourite watercolours. I love the way the browns (my least favourite colour) worked and the way the felt pen spread when I wet it.

Oh, and if you're wondering how to pronounce lochan, it's that Scottish ch sound from the back of the throat, like loch - a lochan is a tiny wee loch, by the way.

Ancient Woods, Landscape Painting

Ancient Woods, chalk pastel on board

These redwoods are just north of San Francisco. I was there, at the Muir Woods National Monument,  a while back and took tonnes of photos. It really did feel as if you were back in time.

A wonderful ancient, peaceful place.