This little study was made in a small sketchbook (A5) on the spot in this spectacular location. I used it for the oIl-bar, dye and stitch piece I have recently shared on this blog. I knew straight away that I wanted to draw when I saw this and sat down with my pencil and pastels The cover from my pastels box blew away and there was a hairy moment when I had to retrieve it from near the edge of the cliff. All was good though, and my friends who went walking whilst I drew found me again and we were all happy to return to our holiday cottage to exchange stories.

I am now on with another dip-tich in the same media of another sketch I made at this location. I won’t share the sketch yet as there is a very real danger that I stop working on it if I share such things too soon. The stitching itself doesn’t seem to mind being shared, and I will continue to do so as I go along as with previous work. Onward and upward. This is a super slow process and will keep me going for quite some time I think.

Well, l I have started this new diptych on dyed stretched rough canvas. It’s the last of the canvas that came from my dad. I had just enough to stretch onto two little wooden rectangles. I sized them and dyed them with my pebeo dyes. Then I started stitching from a little sketch made on the spot at Yesnaby cliffs Orkney. The stitching is taking ages as it is so slow but I quite like that. I also like separating the strands of thread to different thicknesses. It is drawing, but meditatively and super slowly! Time takes on a new dimension! Will post the sketches for this and the last piece when I am ready which isn’t yet…

I’ve been stitching into this and adding more oil-bar marks. Am nearing a point where I will leave it alone I think but maybe not just yet!

This is a dye, oil-bar and stitch response to the cliffs in Orkney done from a sketch made on the spot, my memory and some photos for reference. It was spectacular and I knew straight away when I stood there that I needed to make a drawing. My friend was concerned I would fall off the edge! A metaphor for so many things in my life. I am sharing this now, not sure if I am done, not quite I think. I am letting it settle awhile. I don’t usually share before a work is ‘done’ whatever that is. You just stop at an interesting point! Stitch doesn’t seem to mind being shared so much it seems. Not sharing the sketch yet, may later! We’ll see.

I have been adding some stitch elements to this oil-bar on handmade paper piece. Don’t know if I am done we’ll see. I need to let it sit with me awhile. I have shown this one this blog in a previous post if you would like to know more, just scroll down!

Here is today’s oil-bar on canvas with stitch element. I made this final little response to the garden I visited the other week where I did a sketch on the spot as shared on this blog. I am stopping a bit sooner than usual as I can overdo things if I’m not careful! Enjoyed the lush oil-bars  immensely!  Onto  pastures  new  now….

Oil-bar study I made yesterday on a small canvas the same size as the previous one I shared. I am referencing the sketch I made at the garden where I do a little tidying. I was unsure if I was going to use the sketch for further work but it seems that I am! The whole process is so organic, so I stay open to where it all takes me. I tried using paper masks on top of some of the marks I made, but didn’t really like it so just worked in further with the oil bars and feel more on track again. Don’t know if it is finished yet! Watch this space…

I made this small oil bar and stitch piece over the past week based on a sketch made at the garden I visit as shared on my previous post. It is on a small canvas gifted by my son. I have two more of these to go at so may make a little series of studies. I’m really enjoying the oil bars at the moment as they are a halfway house between drawing and painting. I have been looking a Joan Mitchell garden paintings too and include a little sketch I made in front of one of her pieces here too.

Here is the little drawing I made of the magnolia tree from the visit to the garden. It was made in the afternoon when the sun had moved onto the little terraced garden.  Click to enlarge as usual.

I went back to the garden I help tidy and do a little light pruning for the first time this year. It surprises me how much I have missed it and I had to keep pinching myself that I really was there. It’s in the Lake District here in the UK. The rhodies are not really out yet, but the heathers are and I did a sketch with my oil-bars in my new sketchbook with the wonderful hand made paper that is really bumpy and textured. It was the light on the lawn that was the key this time. Later it was the magnolia tree on the terraced little lawn. The garden is just waking up. We made a fire on the beach and my gloves ended up smelling of wood smoke and still do! A very special day where the lake was like a mirror early on. I saw a swan flying low over it perfectly reflected so it looked like one was flying upside down as well.