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From now on, I shall always feature a full photo of the entire picture as well as focusing on the work of the day. Quite a few people have suggested a time lapse animation showing the process from beginning to end. My technical abilities don't reach that far, but if someone knows how to do it, I'd be glad to let you have a go!

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Been off doing my other little job of role playing today so have not had the time to work my usual hours. However, work on the planets continues ...expect plenty more...!

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We have planets!

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Have begun work on the sky...detail on engine steam to be added later.Adjustments to skin tones/shadows also at a later date.

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I've had some absolutely wonderful comments about my work over the past few days.I've been through ( as most artists do) a period of self doubt and lack of motivation, so to have the encouragement of readers here has meant the earth to me. I know what I'm producing is probably not technically my best work, but the issues I'm addressing come from a depth of emotion and this means making myself vulnerable.

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It's my photograph that's sloping not the train! I'm enjoying work on this today...it's not as quick as I'd hope because of the research and attention to the carriages...I can't wait to work on the sky which will alter entire atmosphere and bring out the lightness of the tennis girls.

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Just passed 100 hours work on this piece. Slow going, but I still have a vision for the finished work! I find life in general tiresome and frustrating.

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Work continues on the train...you know, you wouldn't believe the level of attention a picture of a locomotive receives at an exhibition. Some railway enthusiasts will spend more time examining the pistons, brake pipes etc than my lovely ladies!! So I have to take great pains to make sure I try to get things right.

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At last I can begin work on the background. Here you can see one of my other recurring themes...A Black five British Rail steam engine of the sort manufactured in my home town!

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OK...so wonky legs happen...it actually didn't jump out at me until DM mentioned it...I've tried to alter it a little, but I've decided to leave it. It's funny, because for some unconscious reason, a lot of the women I draw are fairly slim...(although I like good womanly hips!) but I love women of all sizes and shapes...I think I should produce work showing more 'Rubenesque' females ?

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You're right DM..the wonky leg is funny...but it's not intentional, it's my lack of skill. I shall rectify it. I can't believe how awful it is !

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Thank you Julie and DM for your encouragement.You know, I think I might actually be going mad...imagine that !...how good it will be for you to tell others you're friends with a genuine 'Mad artist'?....I'm not averse to the idea but I draw the line at any amputations no matter how small!

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I feel I must make two apologies..the first with regards to my comments yesterday..it does sound as if i'm blaming my wife for the thwarting of my aspirations and ambitions...i'm not. I willingly give my time to supporting her. the second is to apologise to you dear reader that you have to gaze upon my awful deranged imaginings which have no place in today's art world...I like what I do...I hate what i do..but my dreams and my achievements are a million miles apart. Please try to reserve judgment until I finish this piece...it has far to go...as I'm sure some would wish I would do also.

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What can I say...I'm finding work incredibly hard at the moment...it's an act of effort to set aside the time to draw. I'm finding planning my time for exhibitions difficult. the main reason for this is that my wife works in professional acting and is increasingly called to work abroad...sometimes at relatively short notice..I can't plan to be away because there is child care at home to consider.So I often feel trapped...and an important part of my artistic and creative process which is actually showing my work and meeting people is very thin on the ground. so I tend therefore to develop self doubt and lack of confidence surrounding the reason and meaning to what I do.

I'm already committed to one exhibition this year at Willington...there are others I could apply for, But I feel it's vitally important to let you know that it's what I consider my job to support Jan in doing what she wants so that she might realise her dreams and aims.i'm here to make it easier for her and to look after the kids whilst she is away.

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I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things after my break...but I thought I probably owed you an explanation as to why I've been silent for so long. i have to check myself with regards to explanations as i'm acutely aware that we artistic types tend to get rather introspective and to be honest, boring when we try to analyze ourselves. So i'll forgive you if you lose interest and find something better to read.

Christmas time was such a mixture of emotions and practical problems for me. One good thing to come out of that time was the completion of  a commission to produce a book cover ( more information at a later date!). But the biggest influence on my time and feelings was the death of my friend Geoff...I mentioned it inn a previous post. The funeral and various gatherings to remember him amongst friends were often happy/sad times....and believe me, there were many.

To add to this, Jan my wife was away working in Singapore..this was the week before Christmas and during the time when the UK experienced an unprecedented amount of snow and ice with temperatures in some parts of the country dipping to minus 24 degrees. Heathrow airport was frozen and flights delayed and cancelled. Would Jan make it back for Christmas? It was touch and go at one point but she eventually made it back the day before Christmas Eve. The arrangements for Christmas were not only touched by the sadness of my friends death, but it was only year ago that Jan's mum had also died. It's not until family based events like Christmas that the absence of a loved one bites deepest. We also shared the sadness a very close friend felt facing her first Christmas with out her father.

I think basically my emotions were all over the place...my thinking was affected and I felt depressed. making artwork seemed the last thing I wanted to do...the more i looked upon what I had already created, the more it took on an air of irrelevance and self indulgent trivia. Long time readers of this blog will know that I often go through periods of self doubt and depression...and usually I pull through in the end.Well good news folks...I'm pulling through. Disillusioned and feeling rather empty I'm back with the pen in my hand and all being well...I'll get this piece finished.

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Hello...i'm back!.