Schomberg Agricultural Fair

John's Comment
Schomberg Fair Ground 22x28 , acrylic on canvas.
For this painting I used several photos I took of the Schomberg Agricultural Fair last May.
There is far more going on than any other painting I have ever done, and the whole process seemed to be working from the top left hand corner of the action and then clock wise all the way round till back to the start, with an occasional foray into the background trees for a bit of a rest.
It took a long time to get it where it is today!
One of the problems caused by so much going on is that I worry about the composition, there doesn’t seem to be a focal point, or is there?
I had hoped that the tractors in the foreground would lead the eye into the picture and then we could follow the girl on the right hand path walking towards the trailers.
One of the problems was when I thought it finished and hung it on our “But Wall” ( it looks OK But...) it had looked so dead and after discussion and advice I worked on the grass at the front and the sky at the top to give it more sparkle.
I think it works... But?
Prints can be purchased here: Fine Art America

Babs Comments:
Mr J, I have lived with this painting on the "but" wall for sometime, conclusion is the amount of detail and care you have managed to give the picture is quite incredible, I think the key has been a lot of patience and the ability to stick with it. Having been to the fair many times I think it gives the flavor of Old Schomberg, a scene close to our hearts with so many changes that will affect this unique little town, I think we were lucky to have lived here when things hadn't changed too much. It captures the Fair beautifully.
Babs

Jo’s Comments:
Lots to look at, something I would run away screaming from if I had to paint it! Fascinating to wander around. My eyes go directly to the striped merry go rounds then slide down onto the foreground to examine the tractors before heading off to mingle with the Schombergundians, then browse along the side shows and look up at the other attractions. The trees provide a welcome calmness from the vibrant fairground where the observer can imagine sitting away from the noonday sun and relish a cooling ice-cream!
A thoughtful, well considered example of social history, providing plenty to contemplate and enjoy.
Jo

Ready to Go!

"Ready to Go!" Painting by Jo

This is Millie in her usual position when visiting me! She bounds through the house jumps into the chair and takes up her 'on guard' position looking out onto the garden.

It is mainly from a photo for basic layout, using a grid, but real life for details, painted in acrylic onto an 8x8 inch canvas board.

Once the background was done I worked on Millie herself, I am lucky to see her often and so could check out the way her rough coat lays. I think it is that and her typical stance that makes her recognisable? The window sill and net curtain was the last touch. I tried 'glazing' with diluted paint to deepen the background.

Started off with my lovely size 8 filbert and 12 flat bright W&N Galeria brushes, then finished with size 00 for eyes and lace etc.


Babs Comment:

I like this picture because it show's it's English character the details are incredible doing this type of painting on an 8x8 canvas needs a lot of patience and fortitude.
The muted colours make the painting in a way quite Victorian English, it has a story which I like very much Millie the pooch really looks like she is waiting at the ready to go out and play, she's just has her ears up for the signal to go.
I have never painted in acrylic, so will have to try as the details on the chair and curtains really are very good. So there are advantages in this medium.
Thanks for the info re paint brushes and material. Being a Wannabe it all helps to know other methods.

John’s Comment

A painting any dog lover can enjoy for ever!
The feeling of the setting is so English I can smell the aroma of toasted crumpets.
The very detailed finish doesn’t  distract from the mood but enhances it.
I could live with this little gem on our Parlour wall
Magnificent.

The White Challenge

Original Photo

We participated in the "The Color of White Challenge" put out by the Daily Paintworks,  organised by Carol Marine

And this was the photo we took ourselves to use as a subject:

Babs' Experience:

Babs Painting 6x6 oil

Carol had decided to have a challenge that would need reflections on a container to paint. After quite a few attempts using different ideas we had a solution with the rainbow plate and white mug, we took photo's and managed the reflections quite nicely, thinking the project would be easy! trying to match the stripes.

For me it turned out to be a sort of nightmare, especially painting wet on wet trying desperately not to bleed one colour into another. It must have been a good day,although frustrating after a fashion it sort of worked.I decided to leave well enough alone, I think Carol must have red ears with a few of my under the breathe comments, she certainly pushes the untrained eye of untrained wanna be's. I find each Challenge an horrendous feat of patience,frustration and determination and think I will give up,but, the next one pops up and off I go again grumbling usually and can't get to the canvas quick enough, saying O.K I'll have one more go!

Jo's Experience

Jo's Painting 6x6 acrylic

When I received the photo from my sister, over the net, I thought it looked simple enough!! A few stripes and  a White mug, how hard could that be? Well, it fair drove me mad - matching up the background, bearing in mind changes in shade and shadow, the mug itself - innocently not noticing  the reflections at first, now their importance dawned on me, and I  realised what the Challenge was all about. Driven by sibling rivalry  I needed to get my painting submitted before my sister and  brother-in-law. Can't now remember who tipped who at the tape,  but it was very pleasurable seeing the three of us displayed on the  Daily Paintwork Challenge.

And Jo got lots of comments full of Praise!

John's Version

The challenge for me was painting with a limited palette, no earth colours, plus I challenged myself to paint with a 1/2 inch wide brush and thick paint. Plus for some reason when I paint on these small panels I have to rush, I actually did it twice in the time the others did one, but each of mine looked the same in the end, I don't know which looked the most attractive the painting (no) or the mess on my face and hands (yes).

John's painting 6x6 oil

I didn't capture the essence of the subject ie the delicate reflections but it was fun and I learned something, Oil paint washes off eventually.

The Daily Paintworks can be found here: Daily Paintworks

Life's Challenges of Now And Then

Galloping in Unison by Babs

Going through life and interests is a background to who we are, in the life we live today the pleasure and hobbies get lost, we have taken our brains and fixed it on T.V waiting for something interesting but there is too much news gossip and advertising, it takes your brain and scrambles it.

Times are definitely changing, it's not the fancy holidays that satisfies our souls. We look forward to a two week break away and find the weather wasn't right, the food could have been better and two weeks have past you have a tan and you try to be content.

I really feel the days are going to change we need more to express ourselves as individuals and think about turning off the drone of TV and being creative. Do something that we feel we've have missed out on, play in effect by having a brain holiday.

Our minds were made to use and be creative, express ourselves and enjoy our own passion.

What were your cherished hobbies, left behind when you were young? They can be rekindled: painting, reading, writing anything that takes your fancy.
WHAT ABOUT YOU.?
Enjoy the moment. be creative!
Babs