A late start because the hot weather has meant extra watering in the garden.  Once in my studio I went over the pencil lines with oils of THE GARDENERS HOUSE.  However, this took most of the remaining part of the day.

I am still in the process of adding extra structures and extra detailing to PORTRAIT OF BECKY - AMBIVALENT PASTORAL.
 

An exceptionally hot day!.  I added symbols to FRANCES TWO - these will need painting in at some point in the future.

I then started to paint THE GARDENER'S HOUSE - I did the drawing stage some weeks ago.

I completed the main painting stage of THE GARDENER'S HOUSE - after a slow start!

I then repainted the pencil lines of AN ARTIST AND A GHOST WATCH THE END OF THE WORLD in oils.

After this I started repainting the lines of MAN WAITING FOR A BUS SMOKING AN INVISIBLE PIPE.  I didn't get too far before going to the pub with a friend.

I finished painting the lines of MAN WAITING FOR A BUS SMOKING AN INVISIBLE PIPE by dinner.

After this I painted in the symbols of WOMAN STANDING ALONE and then painted in the lines of all the modifications of PORTRAIT OF BECKY - AMBIVALENT PASTORAL VERSION before finally starting to paint in AN ARTIST AND A GHOST WATCH THE END OF THE WORLD - the latter in the evening.

Wet first thing this Sunday; I finished the main stage of AN ARTIST AND A GHOST WATCH THE END OF THE WORLD before going out into the garden when the weather brightened.

I finished the main painting stage of MAN WAITING FOR A BUS SMOKING AN INVISIBLE PIPE - I planned to start some other works but didn't get round to it.

After this I completed WOMAN STANDING ALONE  and FRANCES TWO by colouring in the symbols.  Nothing further was done to these works.

I also did a little more work on PORTRAIT OF BECKY - AMBIVALENT PASTORAL VERSION.  I plan to do an "abstract" variant - which I may start tomorrow.

Today didn't go as envisaged.  Out of the blue I had to arrange a package of work for an internet gallery so only had an hour or two painting.  I should add that I spent the morning in the garden!  I completed the main painting stage of PANDORA and GIRL ON THE EDGE.

Out in the morning.  I painted the pencil lines of  THE REAL THINKER and started painting in LANDSCAPE ON A PEDESTAL once I got in.  I made some amendments to the drawing of the latter.

I also put a thin wash of indian red on THREE WOMEN and WOMEN IN A FIELD.

Plus the usual tweaking of  PORTRAIT OF BECKY - AMBIVALENT PASTORAL VERSION!

I completed repainting the pencil lines of LANDSCAPE ON A PEDESTAL in oils.  After this I went out in the garden for the rest of the day.  This is where I will probably spend most of tomorrow (Sunday)!

I painted the pencil lines with oils on A LANDSCAPE VIEWED FROM A CRAFT CALLED POLYPHEMUS and HOT LANDSCAPE ON A BLOCK OF ICE.  I then did the main panting stage of the latter.

I also did the charcoal pencil drawing stage for two small complex landscapes: BEYOND THIS POINT I FLEW and THE ARTIST STANDING ALONE THINKING OF HIS PARENTS.

Then I did the charcoal drawing stage of yet more small nudes: NUDE OUTDOORS and NUDE IN THE SUNSHINE.  I couldn't get on the computers in the late eveing so I went over the charcoal with water soluble oil.

I added the symbols to PANDORA - these will need painting in at a later date.

I also did the charcoal drawing, which I then repainted in oils, of PORTRAIT OF REBECCA: ABSTRACTED VERSION.  This work proved far more spontaneous than the first portrait variant.

Before going out in the evening I started planning the schematics of ECHOES: A BURIAL AT ORNANS - SYMPHONY IN ONE MOVEMENT.  I am not sure when I will actually commence work.

I added the finishing symbols to GIRL ON THE EDGE, NUDE WEARING A HAT and NUDE ON A CHAIR.  The latter two are the most successful.  All will need colour added when the paint is dry.

I started, but didn't finish, painting in HOT LANDSCAPE ON A BLOCK OF ICE.

I added all the symbols to PORTRAIT OF ALAN WITH A GOLDFISH ON HIS HEAD.  I hope to finish this painting next week.

I then completed the main painting stage of HOT LANDSCAPE ON A BLOCK OF ICE.

On the spur of the moment I did the drawing stage of another pair of condensed landscapes.  They are entitled: THE ARTIST AS A CHILD MAKES A STONE CIRCLE and IN THESE HILLS I HID MY CHILDHOOD SECRETS.

At the end of the day I started to paint PORTRAIT OF REBECCA: ABSTRACTED VERSION.

I had very little time to paint today.  I continued working on PORTRAIT OF REBECCA: ABSTRACTED VERSION.

I completed the main painting stage of PORTRAIT OF REBECCA: ABSTRACTED VERSION.

I also did the drawing stage (using charcoal pencil) of four more small works on primed hardboard: SELF PORTRAIT STANDING ON STONES, SELF PORTRAIT STANDING IN A HOLE IN THE GROUND, LANDSCAPE AS A SMILE and LANDSCAPE AS A TEAR.

I repainted the charcoal pencil lines of SELF PORTRAIT STANDING ON STONES, SELF PORTRAIT STANDING IN A HOLE IN THE GROUND, LANDSCAPE AS A SMILE and LANDSCAPE AS A TEAR.

I also finished - by painting in the symbols - NUDE ON A CHAIR, NUDE WEARING A HAT and GIRL ON THE EDGE.  I then started PANDORA.

Not much time to work today.  I completed painting in the symbols of PANDORA.

I also did the some preliminary sketches for a new series of small portraits.

I completed NUDE OUTDOORS and NUDE IN THE SUNSHINE by adding and painting in symbols.

I then completed PORTRAIT OF ALAN WITH A GOLDFISH  ON  HIS HEAD by painting in the previously added symbols.

I started painting in SELF PORTRAIT STANDING IN A HOLE IN THE GROUND but didn't finish it before I had to go out.

I completed the main painting stage of SELF PORTRAIT STANDING IN A HOLE IN THE GROUND.

I also completed this stage of SELF PORTRAIT STANDING ON STONES , LANDSCAPE AS A SMILE and LANDSCAPE AS A TEAR.

Despite various plans, nothing else was done.

I am holiday this week, so June and I will be out and about quite a bit and I will not be able to get into my studio as much as usual.  That said, I finished today THE ARTIST STANDING IN A HOLE IN THE GROUND, THE ARTIST STANDING ON (A PILE OF) STONES, LANDSCAPE AS A TEAR and LANDSCAPE AS A SMILE - by adding symbols, words and numbers in the appropriate areas. The first two works have amended titles.

I then started work on THREE WOMEN and WOMEN IN A FIELD.

Hardly any time to work today.  I did a little more work on THREE WOMEN.

A very late start.  I completed the painting stage of THREE WOMEN and WOMEN IN A FIELD.

Out all day.  I spent what little time free I had making notes for a return to more serious picture making.

No time to work over the weekend.  Today I completed the main painting stage of LANDSCAPE ON A PEDESTAL and made a significant start on THE REAL THINKER.

I finished the first painting stage of THE REAL THINKER (while listening to the Test Match).

I then repainted the charcoal lines in oil of THE ARTIST AS A CHILD MAKES A STONE CIRCLE and IN THESE HILLS I HID MY CHILDHOOD SECRETS.

I had to create the next issue of the Free Painters & Sculptors (which took a lot of time) so I had no time for anything else.

I couldn't do any work at all yesterday - not even a sketch book drawing!  Today I repainted the pencil lines of BEYOND THIS POINT I FLEW and THE ARTIST STANDING ALONE THINKING OF HIS PARENTS in thinned oils.

At the end of the day I started the pencil stage of three portaits of friends: BETH, DOT and ALI.  I hurried these so I will probably redo them.

I redid the drawing stage of  BETH, DOT and ALI - I suspect I will still have to do additional versions!  I managed nothing else creative as I had to get work ready for an exhibition

I had to deliver paintings to a group exhibition in London.  Consequently, I only had a little time to work (I started the painting stage of BEYOND THIS POINT I FLEW).  I did have a look round Tate Modern though.

A showery Sunday, which I divided between getting wet in the garden and multifarious projects indoors.  I did an hour or two of painting; continuing to work on BEYOND THIS POINT I FLEW.

A reasonably good day.  I completed MOTHER AND CHILDREN AS THE CIRCLE OF LIFE and A MAN AND HIS PAST WATCH THE END OF THE WORLD (title change) by adding symbols and other detailing.

I then completed the main painting stage of BEYOND THIS POINT I FLEW - although I will probably alter one of the foreground areas.

I finished BEYOND THIS POINT I FLEW by adding detailing such as words, numerals and gestural symbols.

I completed the primary stage of THE ARTIST STANDING ALONE AND THINKING OF HIS PARENTS.

I also repainted part of THE ARTIST STANDING ON A PILE OF STONES - mainly to make a more "sensible" composition.

I added symbols and other details to THE ARTIST STANDING ALONE AND THINKING OF HIS PARENTS, thus completing the work  This is the the 70th titled work I have finished this year.

I, more or less, finished IN THESE HILLS I HID MY SECRETS - I may add other refinements.

I completed the main painting stage of THE ARTIST AS A CHILD MAKES A STONE CIRCLE - much simplified symbols need to be added.

I also touched up the lines of THE GARDENER'S HOUSE and MAN WAITING FOR A BUS SMOKING AN INVISIBLE PIPE - I added images and detailing to the former.

I felt extremely tired today (even more than normal! - I don't know why), hence I wasn't too productive.  I finished IN THESE HILLS I HID MY SECRETS and THE ARTIST AS A CHILD MAKES A STONE CIRCLE.

I then returned to THE GARDENER'S HOUSE and completed that.  I started work again on MAN WAITING FOR A BUS SMOKING AN INVISIBLE PIPE but there is a great deal of material to be added to this - I haven't even worked out what it will be yet. 

I completed MAN WAITING FOR A BUS SMOKING AN INVISIBLE PIPE - very easily as it turned out.  I added simplified figurative imagery (based around time pieces) and a mix of informal and organised symbol arrangements.

I then painted the perimeter margin of the three paintings with the provisional titles of ALI, BETH and DOT respectively - to use the paint up! (only I went and squeezed more out!).

At the end of the day I did the initial charcoal drawing stage of a work based on a music group still image entitled THE BOONDOGGLES.  Two of the members of the group are friends of mine.

Back to work in my studio all day.  I went over the charcoal lines of THE BOONDOGGLES in oil.

I then went over the pencil lines (again in watersoluble oils) of THE ALISON TOWERS, DOROTHY COMES OF AGE and BETTY AS THE QUEEN - new titles.

I only got into my studio around midday.  I did the painting in of THE BOONDOGGLES before going out in the evening.

Bank Holiday Monday but I managed to spend some time in my studio.  I did the drawing stage of three small versions of the ALI, BETH and DOT paintings - probably entitled: SMALL ALISON, SMALL ELIZABETH and MICRO DOT.

I also did the pencil stage of a second THE BOONDOGGLES.  This version is more spontaneous and less geometric than the first version, with "characterisation blocks" emanting from the core imagery.

Late start (blame the garden!).  Firstly, I went over the pencil lines of the second version of THE BOONDOGGLES with water soluble oils.

After this I similarly redefined in watersoluble oils all three of the recent small portraits: SMALL ALISON, SMALL BETH and MICRO DOT.

Lastly, I started to put in the preliminary lines of ECHOES: A BURIAL AT ORNANS - SYMPHONY IN ONE MOVEMENT.

Out and about in the morning.  In the afternoon I started the main painting stage of the second version of THE BOONDOGGLES.  A little more remains to be done.

I worked on both versions of THE BOONDOGGLES today.  I completed the painting in stage of the second version and then added some detailing.  Aftere this I repainted part of the first version and then added elements representing musical sounds to the first blocks surrounding the figures.

I worked a little more on ECHOES: A BURIAL AT ORNANS - SYMPHONY IN ONE MOVEMENT.  I am still at the first pencil/charcoal stage, putting in the main block arrangements

I tried to spend as much of the day as possible in my studio as I wont have much time to paint this coming week.  I started to paint DOROTHY COMES OF AGE - however, most of the time was taken up working on my new reference web site.

No painting although I did manage several hours on the computer adding pictures to the "Reference Site".

I was home all day but had to catch up on odd jobs - consequently, very little painting was done.  I completed the main stage of DOROTHY COMES OF AGE and started ALISON TOWERS.

I haven't been able to work for a couple of days so I tried to spend as much time as possible in my studio today. I more or less finished the main stage of both ALISON TOWERS and QUEEN BETTY.

Sunday, so much of my time was spent in the garden although I did finish painting in ALISON TOWERS and QUEEN BETTY.  I still have to add detailing and thematic material however.

I also made a start on the painting of MICRODOT.

I completed the main stage of MICRODOT - however, I then decided to draw extra elements into the wet paint which I hope to paint tomorrow.

I also did most of SMALL ELIZABETH and SMALL ALISON.

I felt very lethargic today although I managed (slowly!) to do a fair bit of work.

I completed the first painting stage of SMALL ELIZABETH and TINY ALISON (the titles are still very provisional!).  I will add the final detailing and thematic symbols in due course.  I left the proposed amendments to MICRODOT until Thursday.

I then started three more of this series on slightly larger canvas boards.  They will probably be called YOUNG PORTRAIT OF DOT, YOUNG PORTRAIT OF BETH and YOUNG PORTRAIT OF ALI.  I did the initial charcoal/graphite pencil drawing stage on all three works.

After this I did the drawing stage of two versions of EMILY AT PLAY.  These are reduced portraist with sequences of squares containing gestural marks representing aspects of the sitter's character.

I also did the drawing stage of an experimental work on a piece of scrap wood I found in the shed.  The work is entitled: HORIZONTAL: MR SMITH REACHES MIDDLE AGE - VERTICAL: CLEOPATRA SPIED IN HYPER SPACE.

I wasted a lot of time clearing one wall of my studio and attempting to provide the means to hang larger paintings - rather than using an easel.  I currently only have two sketching easels and a fabricated drawing easel that attaches to chairs etc.

I have almost finished the preliminary stage of my web reference site.  Further paintings will be added to galleries over the next few months. 

Practically all of my work time was spent drawing in the main structures of ECHOES: A BURIAL AT ORNANS - SYMPHONY IN ONE MOVEMENT.  The geometric structures were drawn with a graphite pencil and the organic ones with charcoal.  I hardly picked up a paint brush at all today.  However, I did  do a bit of writing - further clarifying my artistic philosophy and working out new projects.

I had meant to deliver work to a Marlborough Artists Exhibition today (plus help with the setting up) - unfortunately, the bus didn't turn up!

I completed HORIZONTAL: MR SMITH REACHES MIDDLE AGE - VERTICAL: CLEOPATRA SPIED IN HYPER SPACE and did a partner work on a similar scrap piece of wood entitled BIRTH OF VENUS: MOLECULAR VARIATIONS.  This was a completely improvisational work.

At the end of the day I finished my Ionist Art Reference web site - stage one at least.

I spent the first part of the day painting the lines of the five most recent portraits (YOUNG PORTRAIT OF DOT, YOUNG PORTRAIT OF BETH and YOUNG PORTRAIT OF ALI. And the two versions of EMILY AT PLAY) with graphite acrylic paint.

The afternoon was less productive.  Hwever, I completed the main painting stage of the first version of EMILY AT PLAY.

In the evening I uploaded all the files of the Ionist Art Reference site.

I finished the main stage of the second version of EMILY AT PLAY and then went out in the garden.  As it turned out I had no time for anything else.

A frustratingly unproductive day!  I refined some of the lines of the three smallest portraits (SMALL ELIZABETH, TINY ALISON and MICRODOT) but most of the day was spent in the garden.  A number of jobs had to finished before the chance of bad weather.

In the evening I merged my two original web sites (Ionist Art Meditations and Ionist Art Group) and edited them.  I am not what I want to do with this now.  The original sites are still functioning on the web even though I using broadband now.

I painted all day but seem to have very little to show for it.  I tidied up the lines of ALISON TOWERS, DOROTHY COMES OF AGE  and BETH: HISTORICAL REALISATION (another new title).  I then added detailing and symbols to all three works.  A lot still needs to be done however.

I also partially repainted TREE IN A BOX again.  I think it is now at a stage where I can leave it alone.

I altered the drawing of YOUNG PORTRAIT OF ALI , did a little tweaking to both web sites - but very little else.

I was late starting work as I had a doctor's appointment and for some reason I got forgotten; only being seen after over an hour - My blood pressure was then so high my doctor increased the strength of my tablets!  When I finally got in my studio I did the main painting stage of YOUNG PORTRAIT OF ALI and YOUNG PORTRAIT OF BETH and almost completed YOUNG PORTRAIT OF DOT.

I was out in the early morning but I still completed the main stage of YOUNG PORTRAIT OF DOT by midday.

In the afternoon I completed MICRODOT, SMALL ALI and TINY BETH - by adding symbols and extra detailing.

I did very little in the evening save look at all the pictures I have to complete.

Unfortunately, I have had no time to work for a couple of days.  Back in my studio today (although not for as long as I would have liked!) and I completed both versions of EMILY AT PLAY - by adding gestural marks that allude to the sitters personality or have evolved from them.

I started work again on DOROTHY COMES OF AGE but very little was done.  I also made a tentative start to a slightly larger painting entitled THE ADVENTURES OF THE COUNTRY BOYS - which is intended as a wedding present - although I will probably do a partner work, just in case.

A reasonably busy day.  I finished DOROTHY COMES OF AGE, ALISON TOWERS and BETH: HISTORICAL REALISATION.  All I had to do was paint symbols and other imagery in the necessary structures and then add extra detailing.  However, this took most of the day.

I started two pictures of girls in yellow dresses (untitled at the moment).  There was no preliminary drawing; I painted the colour blocks directly and added some thematic detailing.

I also started the charcoal stage of the final set of three pictures of young girls and, last thing, did a little more very basic work on THE ADVENTURES OF THE COUNTRY BOYS and THE RETURN OF THE COUNTRY BOYS.

I completed the charcoal drawing stage for the final set of young girl portraits.

After this I did the graphite pencil stage of eight small landscapes; two series of four - the first series is collectively entitled MAGICAL LANDSCAPE and the second SUPERNATURAL LANDSCAPE.

I then returned to the drawing stage of THE ADVENTURES OF THE COUNTRY BOYS but a lot remains to be done.

I completed the drawing stage of THE ADVENTURES OF THE COUNTRY BOYS and also worked on THE RETURN OF THE COUNTRY BOYS.

In between I did the charcoal drawing stage of a new Wing work entitled BLUE SOCK LANDSCAPE NUMBER ONE.

And so ends the summer.