A rare Saturday in my studio.  I did the main painting stage of two works: GOLDFISH and THROUGH THE GARDEN IN A BLINK OF AN EYE.

I modified THROUGH THE GARDEN IN A BLINK OF AN EYE - by repainting the path which winds through the picture - but spent the rest of the morning working on the computer.

The afternoon was divided between dodging April showers in the garden, painting and paperwork.

A funny day which didn't feel very productive although I suppose it was.  I redefined the pencil lines in oil of four small pictures: LANDSCAPE IN A LANDSCAPE, LANDSCAPE IN A STILL LIFE, GIRL IN A FLOWER BED and GIRL IN A FLOWER GARDEN.

The evening was spent setting up my broadband connection.

Most of the day was spent finishing off AMENDED BAY and THREE BOATS NEAR THE RIVER'S EDGE.  I painted symbols and other images in the coloured blocks and then added detailing to the other areas.  Just before going out I noticed some changes which need doing on the the latter.  Hopefully I will have time for this tomorrow.

Out all day but I completed the alterations to THREE BOATS NEAR THE RIVER'S EDGE in the evening.

I didn't get into my studio very early but once there I worked on all four versions of GIRL IN A MEADOW:  painting in the main colour areas and also repainting some of the lines as I went along.

I didn't get into my studio yesterday as planned so today is the first day of painting for a little while.  I continued working on the GIRL IN A MEADOW paintings.  Two have all the main areas (background and thematic structures) painted in and the other two are almost at this stage.

Back in my studio!  I finished the main stage of all four versions of GIRL IN A MEADOW.

I then painted over the lines of VASE OF FLOWERS FLOATING ON A HEAD, YOUNG GIRL IN A SHOE, STILL LIFE ON A PIN HEAD and THE SOCK OR STILL LIFE ON A GIRL'S HEAD.

After this I did the pencil drawing stage of four very small landscapes (5x7) using a very spontaneous expressionistic style.  Finally, I did the charcoal stage for two works: GOLDFISH (second version) and CAROL IN THE GARDEN (or possibly: CAROL IN AN ANONYMOUS GARDEN).

At the end of the day I worked on my new web site.

I did the pencil drawing stage of two small landscapes entitled LANDSCAPE DEDICATED TO 1983 and LANDSCAPE DEDICATED TO FREEDOM - one of which I redid the lines with oil paint.

I did the charcoal drawing stage of four works: ALAN WITH A GOLDFISH ON HIS HEAD, PORTRAIT OF FRANCES  DONE AFTER THE ARTIST CAME BACK FROM A JOURNEY, THE PLACE WHERE FRED THE GHOST BECAME FRED THE ARTIST (the real version!) and SIDBURY HILL PAINTED FROM THE SAFETY OF A DREAM.

I then put a sienna wash over LANDSCAPE IN A LANDSCAPE, LANDSCAPE IN A STILL LIFE, GIRL IN A FLOWER BED and GIRL IN A FLOWER GARDEN and an extremely thin sienna scumble over VASE OF FLOWERS FLOATING ON A HEAD, YOUNG GIRL IN A SHOE, STILL LIFE ON A PIN HEAD and THE SOCK OR STILL LIFE ON A GIRL'S HEAD.

Good Friday.  I redefined the lines of the other very small landscape using oils before going out into the garden.

My wife and I spent the day out.  However, I started a series of small pencil drawings based on the concept of a landscape within a landscape.  I don't expect to get into my studio properly until Tuesday.

I went over the charcoal lines with oil on THE PLACE WHERE FRED THE GHOST BECAME FRED THE ARTIST and SIDBURY HILL PAINTED FROM THE SAFETY OF A DREAM - painting in the margin of both works too.  I also painted in the margin of GOLDFISH 2.  I then run out of time.

A good day in my studio!  I completed THROUGH THE GARDEN IN A BLINK OF AN EYE.  Very little needed doing - just the painting of symbols in the two blocks provided.

I also completed the first version of GOLDFISH by adding symbols into the linear strands.  After this I painted in the main colour areas of the second GOLDFISH - redoing the lines after I had finished this.

I completed the three FLOWER SPIRIT paintings, which I started some time ago, by adding symbols and other imagery.

Very late in the day I turned to working on THE PLACE WHERE FRED THE GHOST BECAME FRED THE ARTIST and SIDBURY HILL PAINTED FROM THE SAFETY OF A DREAM - not too much was done.

I finished the main painting stage of SIDBURY HILL PAINTED FROM THE SAFETY OF A DREAM and then went out into the garden for the rest of the day.

A reversal of Sunday.  I spent all morning and part of the afternoon in the garden and then started work on THE PLACE WHERE FRED THE GHOST BECAME FRED THE ARTIST.  However, I didn't get too far before deciding to work on my new web sites.  Consequently not a very productive day!

A late start but I finished the main stage of THE PLACE WHERE FRED THE GHOST BECAME FRED THE ARTIST.

I had a little time left so I started painting LANDSCAPE DEDICATED TO FREEDOM and to a lesser degree LANDSCAPE DEDICATED TO 1983.

Yet another late start although I had a good excuse today (it wasn't totally unproductive).  I subsequently finished LANDSCAPE DEDICATED TO FREEDOM and LANDSCAPE DEDICATED TO 1983.

I also started working out symbols for the three small "Ionist Portraits" I am currently working on and at the end of the day I began to go over the charcoal lines with water soluble oils.

The final weekday of an afternoon only week. I painted over (with water-soluble oils) the charcoal lines  of ALAN WITH A GOLDFISH H ON HIS HEAD and PORTRAIT OF FRANCES  DONE AFTER THE ARTIST CAME BACK FROM A JOURNEY.

I then redefined (with conventional oils) the pencil/charcoal pencil lines of the four small "spontaneous landscapes".

After this, and after dinner, I did some preliminary work on the symbols for GOLDFISH 2.

A Saturday home.  I finished the second version of GOLDFISH - by adding very simple symbols reflecting movement through substances and life. 

I spent the rest of the day in the garden!

Bank Holiday Monday so I was a bit lazier than usual.  However, I did the main painting stage of ALAN WITH A GOLDFISH ON HIS HEAD and CAROL IN THE GARDEN and then started PORTRAIT OF FRANCES  DONE AFTER THE ARTIST CAME BACK FROM A JOURNEY - I didn't get very far with the latter.

A day out with my wife.  Although when I got back I finished the main stage PORTRAIT OF FRANCES  DONE AFTER THE ARTIST CAME BACK FROM A JOURNEY.  All I have to do is add the thematic imagery of all three of these portraits.

I did the main painting stage (ie. Completely covered the canvas board with paint - filling in all the designated areas) of STILL LIFE ON A PIN HEAD and THE SOCK OR STILL LIFE ON A GIRL'S HEAD.

Like yesterday, I worked on very small paintings.  I completed the primary stage of VASE OF FLOWERS FLOATING ON A HEAD and YOUNG GIRL IN A SHOE.

I continued working out characterisation symbols for the small portraits (primarily while sitting in the dentist).

I did a little tweaking of the lines of STILL LIFE ON A PIN HEAD, THE SOCK OR STILL LIFE ON A GIRL'S HEAD, VASE OF FLOWERS FLOATING ON A HEAD and YOUNG GIRL IN A SHOE.  This only took an hour - I then spent the rest of the day in the garden.

I completed STILL LIFE ON A PIN HEAD, THE SOCK OR STILL LIFE ON A GIRL'S HEAD, VASE OF FLOWERS FLOATING ON A HEAD and YOUNG GIRL IN A SHOE in the morning (adding symbols and other detailing).

I then completed SIDBURY HILL PAINTED FROM THE SAFETY OF A DREAM and THE PLACE WHERE FRED THE GHOST BECAME FRED THE ARTIST in the afternoon.

Despite all I achieved, it was a stressful day.  I am not sure when I will be in my studio again.

No work other than more "Landscape In A Landscape drawings - done relatively late at night.

This week has turned out to be very badly disrupted.  I managed to spend a few hours in my studio today and did the main painting stage of GIRL IN A FLOWER BED and also made a tentative start on GIRL IN A FLOWER GARDEN.

I was out all morning - although I did have the opportunity of working on more "Figure In A Landscape" drawings.

In the afternoon I completed the main painting stage of GIRL IN A FLOWER GARDEN and started work on LANDSCAPE IN A LANDSCAPE  and LANDSCAPE IN A STILL LIFE.

A full day painting!  I completely finished LANDSCAPE IN A LANDSCAPE  and LANDSCAPE IN A STILL LIFE and then touched up the linear elements in GIRL IN A FLOWER BED and GIRL IN A FLOWER GARDEN.  Of the two former works: one is unusually mauve and the other predominantly khaki - strange colour schemes for me.  I am reasonably pleased with both.

Another full day painting (after watering the greenhouses of course!).  I completed GIRL IN A FLOWER BED and GIRL IN A FLOWER GARDEN - adding symbols and extra detailing.

I then started work on the four small landscapes - these still only have a generic name of "Spontaneous Landscape".

I more or less completed SPONTANEOUS LANDSCAPE 1 and SPONTANEOUS LANDSCAPE 2 - I don't think I will name them further.  All I may have to do is go over a few of the lines, although I did repaint some of them as I went along.  The first work I partially repainted; the second I made very few amendments to.

I completed (with the same proviso as the first works) SPONTANEOUS LANDSCAPE 3 and SPONTANEOUS LANDSCAPE 4.  Both were painted with little refining.

I totally finished all four of the SPONTANEOUS LANDSCAPE works.

After which I started priming the hardboard panels I cut some months ago.  I did two coats on about twenty before going outside.  I will probably put two coats on the smaller panels and three coats on the larger.

I did some more priming of panels (with acrylic gesso) - this takes a surprisingly long time; mainly because I have to keep stopping to remove cat and dog hairs!

I then added all the symbols etc. To PORTRAIT OF FRANCES  DONE AFTER THE ARTIST CAME BACK FROM A JOURNEY.  I may do a little further work later in the week - this is likely to be only adding the title and signature!

I finished two of the four GIRL IN A MEADOW PAINTINGS by adding symbols and other details.

I also completed the third coat of primer on some of the panels started over the weekend.

I finished the other two GIRL IN A MEADOW paintings.  By adding symbols and painting them in.

I then put the finishing touches to PORTRAIT OF FRANCES  DONE AFTER THE ARTIST CAME BACK FROM A JOURNEY.

In the late afternoon I did the drawing stage -  graphite pencil followed by oils - for FRANCES ( a reduced portrait with symbols in a simple shape) and GIRL IN A GARDEN PRETENDING TO BE A VALKYRIE (provisional title!).  I also painted the background layer of paint for the first work and started painting in the second.

A good day but unfortunately I may not be able to get into my studio for the rest of the week.

Hardly any time in my studio at all today.  However, I did complete the main painting stage of GIRL IN A GARDEN PRETENDING TO BE A VALKYRIE.

I  primed most of the remaining hardboard panels (with artist quality acrylic gesso) but unfortunately I didn't have time for anything else.

 primed the rest of the of hardboard panels - gardening between coats.

I primed all of the MDF panels today (again, gardening between coats).  I meant to put on three layers but I ruined my only two broad brushes over the holiday weekend so had to make do with two.

I did the drawing stage - charcoal followed by a oils - of two works: A PAINTING WITH A SECRET (SCYLLA AND CHARYBDIS IN CURVED SPACE) and THE LOVERS (a new version).  I had a fairly late start or I would have started two more.

I don't think this week will be very productive!

I had very little time to work today.  I started painting in A PAINTING WITH A SECRET (SCYLLA AND CHARYBDIS IN CURVED SPACE) but didn't get too far.

I also produced several pages of symbols for the above painting earlier in the day.

I completed the main painting stage of A PAINTING WITH A SECRET (SCYLLA AND CHARYBDIS IN CURVED SPACE) and THE LOVERS.

I wont be able to paint for a few days so I started a completely improvisational landscape to use up some paint.

I am not going to have any time to paint during the first part of the week.  I am, however, working on more of the anthropomorphic landscape drawings.

Back in my studio!  I started work on 7 fairly small scale works on acrylic primed hardboard (I will probably only use MDF in future) and worked further on the picture I begun on the 2nd.  I painted all the margins and completed the initial pencil drawing stage of three and did the bulk of the drawing of two more.  Few of the works have definitive titles: A MOTHER AND CHILDREN AS THE CIRCLE OF LIFE, A MAN AND A GHOST WATCH THE END OF THE WORLD, THE GARDENER'S HOUSE and MAN WAITING FOR A BUS SMOKING AN INVISIBLE PIPE are the very provisional titles for the four smaller paintings A LANDSCAPE VIEWED FROM A CRAFT CALLED POLYPHEMUS and HOT LANDSCAPE ON A BLOCK OF ICE are the only two titles for the four larger ones.

I finished the pencil drawing stage of MAN WAITING FOR A BUS SMOKING AN INVISIBLE PIPE plus LANDSCAPE ON A PEDESTAL and THE REAL THINKER.  These works are a cross between my simpler "Ionist Paintings"and smaller "Meditative Landscapes" - probably with an emphasis on the latter.

I then did the drawing stage (in charcoal) of six larger works:EIGHT AND A HALF EVENTS, SUPPORTED IMAGE - BROKEN LANDSCAPE, HOT LANDSCAPE - DANAE 20, INTERRUPTED SEQUENCE, DIVIDED HEAD and DIVIDING SEQUENCE.

Finally I did the drawing (using charcoal pencil) for two works on the primed back of clipboard frames: THREE WOMEN and WOMEN IN A FIELD.

Saturday: I went over the charcoal lines of five of the the new works with oil paint - and then went out in the garden!

Sunday: I redid the charcoal drawing of the last of the new works in oil paint - and again, went out in the garden!!

I then started painting in SUPPORTED IMAGE - BROKEN LANDSCAPE.

A day spent on family and domestic affairs.  I completed the main painting stage of SUPPORTED IMAGE - BROKEN LANDSCAPE but managed nothing else.  I will be out all day tomorrow.

I did the primary painting  stage of two works: HOT LANDSCAPE - DANAE 20 and EIGHT AND A HALF EVENTS.  However, I didn't feel I had a particularly productive day.

A bit of a late start.  I did the charcoal drawing stage on primed MDF for a work entitled PORTRAIT OF BECKY - AMBIVALENT PASTORAL VERSION.  This is actually based on a picture of a tractor I did to commission last year.  Another lethargic day!

I did the charcoal drawing stage of two other works based on the IAN'S TRACTOR commission.  One is entitled MOTHER WITH CHILD and the other MARS AND VENUS.

I then did the charcoal drawing for the main shapes of two small simple works: NUDE IN A CHAIR and NUDE WEARING A HAT.

Incidentally the hardboard I bought from the builders merchant is very poor quality - extremely soft and fragile.  From now on I will use hardboard only for sketches and quick works.

In the morning I painted the main stage of INTERRUPTED SEQUENCE - I suspect I will have to amend this.

I also altered slightly the charcoal drawing of NUDE ON A CHAIR and NUDE WEARING A HAT.

In the afternoon my wife and I went to a barbecue.

As expected I significantly modified INTERRUPTED SEQUENCE; repainting it several times before I  was reasonably satisfied.

I then did the charcoal drawing stage of six more works (all with longish titles!):SELF PORTRAIT ON THE BEACH AT MUDEFORD (CAN WE BE IN TWO TIMES AT ONCE?), A DAY IN MY LIFE AS A SCENE FROM THE TROJAN WAR - OR HOW TO BE YOURSELF AND YOUR ENEMY, PORTRAIT DUET - JUNE AND I TRANSFIXED BY THE TAIL LIGHTS OF TIME, THE CROSS ROADS, HOW TO SEE A THOUSAND DAYS and finally INTERRUPTED SEQUENCE - THE FIRST VERSION PAINTED LAST.  Phew!

I completed the painting stage of DIVIDED HEAD and DIVIDING SEQUENCE.  I also did a bit of tweaking of other works and general fiddling around.

I decided to try and get my smaller works scanned for the forthcoming web gallery this afternoon which diminished my productivity.  I painted the main stage of NUDE ON A CHAIR and NUDE WEARING A HAT.

I then repainted the pencil lines of A MOTHER AND CHILDREN AS THE CIRCLE OF LIFE.

Finally I started painting in PORTRAIT OF BECKY - AMBIVALENT PASTORAL VERSION.  Unfortunately I am out most of tomorrow so may not get much further with this work until next week.

I was out most of the day.  I got back in the late afternoon and I spent the rest of the day preparing images and text for the Web Gallery Project.

I spent half an hour painting (working on PORTRAIT OF BECKY - AMBIVALENT PASTORAL) and then went out in the garden.
 

I completed the first painting stage of PORTRAIT OF BECKY - AMBIVALENT PASTORAL.

I also painted the symbols in CAROL IN A GARDEN.  I may possibly at some colour to this at a later stage.

I added the symbols to FRANCES ONE and GIRL IN A GARDEN PRETENDING TO BE A VALKYRIE.  Both sets of imagery will need a little painting in.

I modified (to a small degree) parts of PORTRAIT OF BECKY - AMBIVALENT PASTORAL.  I left it without being totally happy with the result.

After this I did the rough charcoal drawing for another two small portraits: FRANCES TWO  and WOMAN STANDING ALONE.

Towards the end of the day I  partially redrew and then painted in oil the charcoal lines of FRANCES TWO  and WOMAN STANDING ALONE.  I didn't have time for anything else - apart from writing this!

I finished CAROL IN A GARDEN, FRANCES ONE and GIRL IN A GARDEN PRETENDING TO BE A VALKYRIE by adding colour (where appropriate) to the symbol sequences.

I also adding more details to PORTRAIT OF BECKY - AMBIVALENT PASTORAL.  These were mainly additional structures rather than modifications to existing shapes.

I continued with the modifications to the main paint stage of  PORTRAIT OF BECKY - AMBIVALENT PASTORAL.  Further work may need to be done.

I then painted the main panting stage of A MOTHER AND CHILDREN AS THE CIRCLE OF LIFE.  I had no time to start work on any other pictures in this series.