Teatime - 44

Today's work was all about continuation of the steam engine...I'm fairly happy with the progress.It's funny really...I spend so much time getting the girl's right..all the detail and subtleties. But I push on with the locomotive without much care...but actually it's things like steam engines/planes etc that draw the most comments if the details are incorrect! I think I'll get lots of 'comments' about this engine as there are bound to be lots of inconsistencies...but I don't mind...a comment is a comment!

Teatime - 43

Work on the steam engine continues...I really enjoy working on machinery like this...it's relatively easy to make it look real'ish!The lining around the boiler required a steady hand and careful planning...but tomorrow I will be almost invisible after shading...!

Note to self..make smaller sized pictures from now on!

Teatime - 42

I couldn't resist! I had to start work on the steam engine!

Teatime - 41

Opps..sliding again! Having placed a basic layer of dots...IO begin to darken the stonework...it's in semi shadow without any direct sunlight...and is around 50 meters away from the girls so every detail would not be seen...also there is ( i hope) going to be mist towards the base of the bridge, so a fading will occur closer to the ground. Tomorrow, work will continue on the bridge, but I'm also keen to get to work on the steam engine.

Teatime - 40

Some careful work on the bridge see's the arrangement of the stonework tacking shape..Once I've layed down the basic layers of shade, I shall make individual pieces of stone work slightly darker or weathered..then there will probably be a need to deepen or extend the shadows.

Teatime - 39

Firstly...let me apologise for the sloping effect you see here with the train...it's distortion from the camera..honest! Spent the day preparing and refining the pencil work for the loco and carriages. Continuing my referencing Derby built steam locomotives, I've opted for a British Rail class 4MT (the 'MT' stands for 'Mixed Traffic, the engine could be utilised for passenger and freight use). An engine which to me had a look of power and beauty..instead of the regular tender which was pulled behind, the water tanks were placed each side of the boiler...coal was carried at the rear of the drivers cab.

I remember my Father pointing out these mighty engines when I was a child..he would take me down to the station and sometimes onto the engine sheds ( he worked in offices at the loco works!)..standing by these engines, I as a 7 year old thought they were enormous!!! Only a small number were built in Derby between 1951 - 1956. Of the 150 built..130 were built in Brighton, 15 in Derby and 10 in Doncaster. I will make sure the loco's number is from the Derby batch!

The bridge is based on the Dutton viaduct's design which is on the West coast mainline between Dutton and Acton Bridge in Cheshire. There is no significance to my choosing this design other than it pleased me.

Teatime - 38

Well...the girls are just about finished...but there's still so very much more to do....the background! Incidentally, I had an idea for a fabulous new composistion...sketches are being produced...I love it when inspiration strikes!

Teatime - 37

 To achieve a good texture on the stockings...I firstly lay down a basic overall layer of mid density dots (See above)..then begin to make darker areas by adding more dots...a strong outline is necessary, carefully attention to the area behind the knee is needed to create a natural looking effect.

Tea time - 36

Getting back into the swing of things today...it's time to resume working on my second 'maid'. although in essence a mirror image of the first Maid, I needed to make her sufficiently different...so I've made her a little more curvaceous and altered her stance slightly.

I had some encouraging news yesterday when I was asked by the official website of ex Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett for permission to publish one of my earlier pieces featuring Steve...I'm a massive fan of his music and playing style so count it as an absolute honour and pleasure to contribute with my artwork. the site can be viewed here:http://www.hackettsongs.com/ .....

I'd also like to take this opportunity to say "Hello and welcome" to visitors from 'Cancan Favourites'.

Back to work...Wilba goes for 'the chop'!

Hi everyone.Apologies for the non publication ( yet again) for developments of  'Teatime'. I've been experiencing a few difficulties with inspiration.As long time readers of this blog will know, the ups and downs and dry periods certainly affect me. But the period is over and i'm back to work...had some encouraging news this evening which if things go well, I'll tell you about at a later date.

In other news, our lovely cat Wilba has now been to the vets and has been neutered...it's taken a while...but ity's done now! See photo !

Photo shows Wilba on Monday evening looking appropriately freaky next to my copy of 'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus' ! 

Tea time - 35

Not a lot done today...sorted out the girl on the left's leg...and started work on the final girl...thought i'd remind you of the entire area that the picture will cover eventually!

Tea time - 34

Tea time - 33 Derriers and derniers.

This little group is starting to gel nicely...the only problem is since starting this picture I now look nothing like the me that I was!

Tea time - 32

Tea time - 31

I can see all the mistakes...so don't sorry, I'll sort them. It's been a difficult weekend with my daughter Annie being ill and I myself  being under the weather. I've not been able to get out and do any exercise until this morning.I went for a beautiful 5 mile walk by a local canal.However, it was only when I'd returned home, showered and sat to start work that school rang to say Annie had thrown up again and would I collect her?

Annie is much brighter this evening, I'm feeling incredibly frustrated at not being able to work for any length of time. Tomorrow, not only do I have Annie at home from school ( school policy is that any child who has vomited should remain at home until 24 hours have passed since the last bout of sickness!) I also have to help my other son Sam pack up his belongings at university and move him back home for the summer.

When I did the weekly shop yesterday, I bought no alcohol...I think if I were to have it around this week I'd quickly develop a dependence ...haha!

Closer...but not close enough.

Once again apologies for the non posting here over the last couple of days. I'm finding it progressively harder to order my time whilst I'm the sole one responsible for all that happens at home.To make things more difficult, Annie has been ill. I thought I was coming down with it too earlier, but I'm feeling fine now.

Jan is away working for ten days firstly in Singapore and then in Chennai, India.Whilst this pays the bills, I am finding as usual that managing the day to day lives of my kids, laundry, house, shopping and meals....not to mention my personal exercise programme quite a challenge. the last thing this leaves me wanting to do is settle for a few hours of dotting. I have no right to complain, I should be grateful and count my blessing I know.

So I'm going to leave you with my favourite musicians of the moment. Travis are a Scottish band who make intelligent thought provoking songs which touch the emotions and soul. I love lead singer Fran Healy's voice and manner, and this video for their song 'Closer' is taken from the 2007 release 'The Boy With No Name'...look out for Ben Stiller as the supermarket supervisor!

Dedicated to....