Cross Country - 8

Back to work on this piece today thankfully...I've extended the hedging across the horizon and worked on the basic forms of the grasses...there's still a long way to go.

Cross Country - 7

Feeling much more myself now...my recovery from my week at work is shorter this time than it's been since I started. So was able to apply myself to my dotting...and as a muchly welcome bonus, I felt a return of my desire to run...I'm much lighter and fitter since I started work...and this showed in my running time. I managed to knock over 5 mins of my previous best time this year, I also took it easy not pushing myself, so I'll be potentially be able to go even faster next time...my body felt like a car that's had an mot and full service...now all i need is to be able to afford new tyres ( running shoes) and I'll be even faster!

Heres a photo of the progress today...I've begun work on the goldfish bowl too! Eagle eyed viewers will notice that the fish are now facing eachother...kissing fish!

Cross Country - 6

I'm currently working three days a week doing THE most physical job I've ever done. I work three ten hour shifts in a very busy ceramics factory, my main role (ahem) is to roll clay on a large manually powered roller...I make hundreds of sheets of clay each day...and they're weighty!! The down side has been that I'm exhausted most of the time...and recovery on my days off has been slow...but it's getting shorter and I'm getting fitter! Weight has dropped off replaced by muscle...and I'm now less tired. This has of course had a knock on effect with my artwork. The time I've felt able to work has decreased rather alarmingly. But I've always known this will be the case....I've always been aware that the level of energy I have was going to be low whilst I became used to the effort needed to fulfill my job.

Thi sis now happening and today I felt rather energized for the first time...hence I was able to get back to work on my picture...you'll probably be forgiven for asking what I've done. Well it's more work on the sky...not too difficult and it gives me time to get used to the delicacy of pen work I have to achieve...my hands feel clumsy and are scarred from my job.

I thought I'd just include a photo of the train I'm depicting in this picture. It's a Voyager class 220 built here in Derby, England. and it's aboard these trains that I travel to stay in York every other week. The journey fills me with utter joy!

Cross Country - 5

The upper picture shows work on the sky..the one below it shows how I'm gradually refining the depth of shade and picking out cloud shapes.,  I had originally thought that I'd fill the sky with stars similar to previous pieces, but I wanted to empaisie the nature of the windy weather and show whispy clouds being blown along.So I've opted for this sort of late evening type sky which I'm hoping will help to bring the figure and train out.

Cross Country - 4

I'm experiencing a time of change in my life...I'm still working away at my artwork, I'm still enjoying it...but I have to work. I've been very fortunate to find employment with Paul Cummins, a ceramic artist . I'm really looking forward to what is a great opportunity to  gain experience working not only with Paul, but the many other artists working on the project. I start next week.

Mean while, today I've begun work on the sky ...I'll fill in the blown leaves at another time.

Cross Country - 3

I've worked today on extending the basic structure of the windswept grasses...you could be forgiven for thinking this is a daylight scene...it's not, it will be much darker eventually...ideally I'd like to introduce a layer of mist between the girl and the tree which I hope will give an more dreamlike appearance.

Cross Country - 2

I've begun adding the grass to the foreground...I'm using a technique i've used many times before and it usually gives a good effect...I enjoy the apparently intricate appearance it gives whilst being relatively straightforward to achieve. I'm enjoying this piece.

Cross country - development and beginning.

Can't believe it's been so long since I last posted here.Ah the curse of Facebook. Of course, if you follow me on Facebook, you'll already be familiar with these images. If not, then you'll see condensed here the usual process of development i go through from thumbnail sketches to drawings then transfer to paper for dotting to begin.

The picture is loosely based symbolically on my regular trips to York. Events which feature amongst the most important and significant of my life. I'll explain further as the piece develops. I'll try to keep up to date with posts here...I'll try.