I finished the charcoal stage of THE RETURN OF THE COUNTRY BOYS but spent the rest of this Sunday outside.

I did the drawing stage of three further small portraits.  They are provisionally entitled: MEGAN LETS HER HAIR DOWN, PORTRAIT OF PAM WITH A DYNAMIC REPRESENTATION OF RICK WAKEMAN and EMILY IN FRONT OF HER PORTRAIT.

After this I painted over the charcoal lines of BLUE SOCK LANDSCAPE NUMBER ONE with graphite acrylic paint.

I had a little time left in the day to tweak the drawings of THE ADVENTURES OF THE COUNTRY BOYS, THE RETURN OF THE COUNTRY BOYS.

 I spent today out with June.  However, I did some extra drawing on BLUE SOCK LANDSCAPE NUMBER ONE on my return home.

 I was out all day but I went over yesterday's work on BLUE SOCK LANDSCAPE NUMBER ONE with acrylic when I got in.

 I started painting BLUE SOCK LANDSCAPE NUMBER ONE after more amendments to the drawing.  Progress was quite slow - I'm not sure why.

I completed tha main painting stage of BLUE SOCK LANDSCAPE NUMBER ONE.  However, it is not really the painting I wanted it to be.  I will start version NUMBER TWO as soon as possible.  No time for anything else today though.

I started the drawing stage of BLUE SOCK LANDSCAPE NUMBER TWO.  Unfortunately I had a lot of other "Sunday" jobs to do so not much progress was made.

I completed the graphite pencil stage of BLUE SOCK LANDSCAPE NUMBER TWO and then went over this with acrylic paint.  I did not complete it until the evening.  I wont be able to get into my studio again until Thursday - which is a bit depressing!

I spent the day working on BLUE SOCK LANDSCAPE NUMBER TWO.  I almost completed the main painting stage - probably a couple of hours work left.

Friday the 13th!  I was out all day but I did a little more work on BLUE SOCK LANDSCAPE NUMBER TWO when I got in.  Still a bit to do though.

A couple of hours painting (still working on BLUE SOCK LANDSCAPE NUMBER TWO) before I went out into the garden.

A good part of the day was spent in the garden I am afraid.  When in my studio I completed the main painting stage of BLUE SOCK LANDSCAPE NUMBER TWO and then started detailing.  The work remained unfinished at the end of the day.

My second late start of the week!  I made a whole series of amendments to BLUE SOCK LANDSCAPE NUMBER TWO - mainly adding extra detailing.  I am out tomorrow but I hope to paint these on Thursday.

I completed BLUE SOCK LANDSCAPE NUMBER TWO and then returned to BLUE SOCK LANDSCAPE NUMBER ONE; I finished the margin and also repainted several sections  to make a more harmonious whole.  I will check tomorrow, but I feel I may have finished the work.

When I looked again at BLUE SOCK LANDSCAPE NUMBER ONE I found that I had more to do to complete the work than I thought last night.  I had to reinforce some of the lines and repaint some small sections.  This took most of the day.

When the natural light had failed I started five tiny pictures under artificial light.  These were directly painted using paint left over on my palette.  They have the working titles of HEAD IN PROFILE, ENDLESS SYMBOL (ONE & TWO), SHORT JOURNEY and STUDY FOR A NEW BEGINNINGS LANDSCAPE.

No time to work on Saturday but I spent some time in my studio today.  I painted in the main stage of HEAD IN PROFILE, ENDLESS SYMBOL (ONE & TWO), SHORT JOURNEY and STUDY FOR A NEW ERA LANDSCAPE.  I reached the same stage on two more small works (one 6"x4" and other 7"x5"): GIRL ON A SQUARE OF GRASS and GIRL WITH A FLOATING HEAD.

An unusual (for me!) early start.  I begun the graphite pencil stage of LANDSCAPE IN A MIRROR - this is one of my middle size landscapes (16"x20").

After this I did more of the small paintings; again a mix of 6"x4" and 7"x5".  Some were painted directly and some had some form of preliminary drawing.  I completed the main painting stage of two versions of GIRL'S HEAD and reached a similar position with MODEL LANDSCAPE and MODAL LANDSCAPE.  I did the drawing, in paint or charcoal, of four versions of DEATH OF A FISHERMAN, two versions of LINEAR LANDSCAPE, STRANDED LANDSCAPE and FIGURE IN A ROOM.

I also went over the charcoal drawing of the following works in acrylic: YOUNG PORTRAIT OF DOT, YOUNG PORTRAIT OF BETH, YOUNG PORTRAIT OF ALI, MEGAN LETS HER HAIR DOWN, PORTRAIT OF PAM WITH A DYNAMIC REPRESENTATION OF RICK WAKEMAN and EMILY IN FRONT OF HER PORTRAIT.

Not much time to paint today.  I completed the small painting FIGURE IN A ROOM.  I then went over the charcoal lines of the four DEATH OF A FISHERMAN and finally painted in (ready for adding final details) the two LINEAR LANDSCAPE pictures and STRANDED LANDSCAPE.

Out yesterday and I had a rather unproductive time in my studio today.  I went over the backs of all the recent MDF panels with ordinary household vinyl paint - the ones I had started and the ones still blank.

I then painted over the charcoal lines of THE ADVENTURES OF THE COUNTRY BOYS with acrylic paint.

I invented another pseudonym - derived from two temporary ones I created in 1990 for a group show - and assigned his style and associated works.  He is a minimalist painter,sculptor/environment maker.  I also did a bit of work on my web sites.  But nothing much else!

A funny day, taken up with a multitude of tasks.  However, I did manage to paint over the charcoal lines of THE RETURN OF THE COUNTRY BOYS - again with graphite acrylic paint.  Unfortunately there was not time for any other work.

I spent all day cleaning my studio.  The second time this year!

Did some gardening, started cleaning my library and got up to date with my paperwork.  However, I did find time to go over the pencil lines of LANDSCAPE IN A MIRROR with acrylic paint.

I did a little painting on LANDSCAPE IN A MIRROR, THE ADVENTURES OF THE COUNTRY BOYS and THE RETURN OF THE COUNTRY BOYS - basically just the margin and image containing sections.

I did the main painting stage of MEGAN LETS HER HAIR DOWN and started several others in the series.

I completed the main painting stage of YOUNG PORTRAIT OF ALI, YOUNG PORTRAIT OF DOT and almost finished this stage of YOUNG PORTRAIT OF BETH.

I also worked on PORTRAIT OF PAM WITH A DYNAMIC REPRESENTATION OF RICK WAKEMAN and EMILY IN FRONT OF HER PORTRAIT.  I only have to paint one more section in each work but, unfortunately, I am unlikely to find much time to paint now until Saturday.

I framed the two BLUE SOCK LANDSCAPES. 

Unfortunately, I was out all day but I did a little work on the four DEATH OF A FISHERMAN  paintings in the evening

A repeat of yesterday, with only a bit of painting in the evening.

Again I was out all day, however I did finish the main painting stage of all four versions of DEATH OF A FISHERMAN.

I also did the drawing stage (graphite pencil) of three small works - which I started on a whim.  They have the probable titles of: PORTRAIT OF A GIRL WITH INTERRUPTED DEVELOPMENT, PORTRAIT OF A GIRL WITH OBSTRUCTED DEVELOPMENT and PORTRAIT OF A GIRL WITH A TIED UP DEVELOPMENT.

I got into my studio by midday, which is a bit of an achievement at the moment.  I completed all four paintings entitled DEATH OF A FISHERMAN.  I added detailing and repainted some of the linear elements.

I then went over the drawings I started yesterday with raw umber oil paint.  I had to make major amendments to the drawing of PORTRAIT OF A GIRL WITH A TIED UP DEVELOPMENT before I could get to this stage.
 

I did a little work in my studio this Sunday and then went out into the garden.  I went over the pencil lines with oils on all four variants of SUPERNATURAL LANDSCAPE and all four variants of MAGICAL LANDSCAPE.

I thought I would finish as many small paintings as possible this week to get them out of the way.  All that needs doing on most of them is to add thematic material, symbols and a little extra detailing.  I was in my studio much of today and I managed to complete STRANDED LANDSCAPE, SERIAL LANDSCAPE ONE & TWO, MODAL LANDSCAPE, MODEL LANDSCAPE, SHORT JOURNEY and STUDY FOR A NEW BEGINNINGS LANDSCAPE.

More work on very small paintings.  Today I completed: two versions of ENDLESS SYMBOL, HEAD IN PROFILE, GIRL ON A GRASS MAT, GIRL WITH A FLOATING HEAD and two MAGIC LANDSCAPE PAINTINGS.

Another day working on tiny pictures.  I finished the remaining two versions of MAGIC LANDSCAPE  and started work on the two GIRL'S HEAD pictures (these are more complex with facial feature variation sequences) and one of the SUPERNATURAL LANDSCAPE works.

I finished the present series of small paintings today.  I have another series to complete on canvas board but I have no plans to start any more on hardboard.  I completed four versions of SUPERNATURAL LANDSCAPE  and two versions of GIRL'S HEAD.

I am not going to have much time to paint this week.  Consequently, I tried to do as much as possible today.  I completed the main painting stage of PORTRAIT OF JENNIE - INTERRUPTED DEVELOPMENT, PORTRAIT OF JENNIE - OBSTRUCTED DEVELOPMENT and PORTRAIT OF JENNIE - TIED UP DEVELOPMENT.

Back in my studio again!  I did the main painting stage of LANDSCAPE IN A MIRROR - for no other reason that I had paint going hard on my brushes (as I normally try to paint everyday I rarely clean my brushes).

I then started work on the drawing stage of a series of complex works (done under the "Advanced Art research" banner).  None have titles yet although I have been making notes for several months.

After this I started the drawing stage of two companion paintings to LANDSCAPE IN A MIRROR.  These have the working titles of LANDSCAPE IN A TREE and LANDSCAPES HIDDEN WITHIN LANDSCAPES.

Surprisingly, not an especially productive day.  I worked on all three versions of the Jennie Portraits - I almost finished two.

I also did some more work on LANDSCAPE IN A TREE and LANDSCAPES HIDDEN WITHIN LANDSCAPES and started more of the "new" works.

I am still trying to get as much done as possible.  However, being Sunday I didn't do as much as I would have liked.  I did the charcoal stage of three more "New" works and started a fourth.  There are ten of these works all together: six are 18"x24" and four are 12"x28".

I finished the charcoal drawing stage of the work I commenced yesterday and then started the pencil stage of two others.  These latter works are much more complex; one extremely so!  This took all day but I have (probably) finished the drawing stage of all ten works.

I finished the three small pictures now entitled JENNIE - AMENDED DEVELOPMENT.  I added symbols based on facial features plus other detailing.

Towards the end of the day I did the pencil drawing stage of two versions of CHRIS THE BARBER on deep edge canvas.

I was out all day.  When I got in I made some alterations to to the background of LANDSCAPE REFLECTED IN A MIRROR,  but nothing else - except write this!

Out all day again.  During the evening I did a little work on EMILY IN FRONT OF HER PORTRAIT (adding gestural symbols to the portrait element) - not very much though.

Out all day for the final time this week.  In the evening I completed the adding of symbols and other detailing to EMILY IN FRONT OF HER PORTRAIT.

More time to paint today.  I added the thematic symbols to PORTRAIT OF PAM WITH A DYNAMIC REPRESENTATION OF RICK WAKEMAN and MEGAN LETS HER HAIR DOWN.

I meant to paint all day today - however, I started to write a new resume of my work over breakfast and didn't stop writing until well after dinner.  When I finally started painting I completed EMILY IN FRONT OF HER PORTRAIT, PORTRAIT OF PAM WITH A DYNAMIC REPRESENTATION OF RICK WAKEMAN and almost finished MEGAN LETS HER HAIR DOWN.

A more normal day.  I completed  MEGAN LETS HER HAIR DOWN. 

I then started to add thematic material to the other six young girl portraits - completing YOUNG ELIZABETH and almost completing BETH - FLORAL PORTRAIT (title changes from previous entries).

I had to go out unexpectedly so work done today was less than expected.  I completed BETH - FLORAL PORTRAIT filling the symbols painted in yesterday.

I also painted in the thematic elements of PORTRAIT OF DOT and YOUNG PORTRAIT OF DOT (title changes).  I had already worked out the character symbols so it was only a matter of arranging them in the allocated spaces.

Out all day but I manged to finish PORTRAIT OF DOT and YOUNG PORTRAIT OF DOT in the evening.

I was out shopping with June all day.  When I got in I went over the charcoal drawing (with acrylic medium) of LANDSCAPE IN A TREE, LANDSCAPES WITHIN LANDSCAPES and an, as yet, unnamed work.  I didn't have time to do anything else.

I got into my studio late again - this seems to be becoming a habit! - however, I managed to add all the thematic imagery to ALI AS EGYPTIAN PRINCESS and ALISON: BUBBLE PORTRAIT (more title changes!).  These were more complex than in the earlier works in the series, and needed a bit of reworking.

I completed ALI AS EGYPTIAN PRINCESS and ALISON: BUBBLE PORTRAIT, which took longer than expected - partly because I did some radical repainting of the last named work.  I spent the rest of the day in the garden.

I had to go out first thing in the morning but got back to my studio as soon as I could.  I then added the imagery to the first version of THE BOONDOGGLES (they will need painting in). 

After this I went over the charcoal with acrylic medium on two more of the 18x24 new works.

More time in my studio today.  I added the thematic imagery to the other THE BOONDOGGLES and then painted them on both versions - thus completing the works.

Once this was finished I painted over the charcoal lines of one more of the 18x24 works - the last of the charcoal drawn ones.

Not a  huge amount of time to devote to painting.  However, I did add all the symbols and images to SELF PORTRAIT AS THE WOLFMAN (to be finished tomorrow - hopefully!).  I am now trying to finish off a number of the works I started some time ago.  The images used on this work mark a return to the iconography of the Eighties, with a combination of figurative and symbol based imagery.

A reasonably busy day in my studio (with the usual domestic distractions).  I completed SELF PORTRAIT AS THE WOLFMAN by the early afternoon.

After looking at a number of other half finished works I decided to go over the pencil lines of the last two "New" works with graphite acrylic paint.  I probably wont make any further progress with these works until the New Year.

I decided to return to LANDSCAPE REFLECTED IN A MIRROR as I didn't have enough time to commence a bigger painting project.  I added symbols (representing life forces) to the double strand sets.

My plans for the day went awry again as I had to go out at short notice.  When I got back I worked  on LANDSCAPE REFLECTED IN A MIRROR - however I did not quite finish it.

I spent the whole day in my studio, although work went at a relatively slow pace.  I completed LANDSCAPE REFLECTED IN A MIRROR by midday.  This works stands out from all the others completed this year.

I then went over the pencil lines with acrylic paint on both versions of CHRIS THE BARBER.

At the end of th day I did more work on LANDSCAPES WITHIN LANDSCAPES; drawing in the small scale landscapes (with charcoal) within the larger scale structures.

I was out all day yesterday and spent most of today out with my sister.  I got into my studio in the late afternoon and went over the charcoal lines of LANDSCAPES WITHIN LANDSCAPES (yesterday's work) with acrylic paint.

In my studio by late morning.  I returned to two pictures begun at the beginning of the year: A LANDSCAPE YOU CAN DANCE TO and A LANDSCAPE THAT CAN BE PLAYED AS MUSIC.  I added all the figurative imagery, symbols and other detailing to the first named and started to do likewise to the second.
 

I completed A LANDSCAPE YOU CAN DANCE TO and A LANDSCAPE THAT CAN BE PLAYED AS MUSIC.  I finished adding the thematic imagery to the latter and then painted all the images in.

Spent much of the day writing Christmas cards and sundry domestic duties.  However I did tinker with the pictures I (ostensibly) finished yesterday and I also made some amendments to PORTRAIT OF PAM WITH A DYNAMIC REPRESENTATION OF RICK WAKEMAN after a moment of illumination.

Like the previous week, I returned to works I actually begun much earlier in the year;  On this occasion I went over the charcoal lines with acrylic medium on six pictures started in the middle of the year: MOTHER WITH CHILD, MARS AND VENUS, 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 and THE CROSS ROADS.  The first two are some of the variations on IAN'S TRACTOR - I plan to paint these first.

I went over the charcoal lines (with acrylic medium) on two more works: HOW TO SEE A THOUSAND DAYS and INTERRUPTED SEQUENCE - THE FIRST VERSION PAINTED LAST.  These are the last two of a batch of six, previous to these there is a another batch of six which I have already painted - although, sequences of figurative imagery need to be added to bring them to completion.

In the afternoon I painted the main stage of MARS AND VENUS.

I didn't have any time to paint today, although I did frame four paintings ready for delivery.

Not a very productive day - blame the time of year.  I completed the main painting stage of MOTHER WITH CHILD.

Out Christmas shopping most of the day.  I did paint the margins of MARS AND VENUS and MOTHER WITH CHILD.

I also framed three more pictures ready for delivery.

I bought myself a graphics tablet for Christmas.  I am hoping it will work adequately on my old work computer.  Obviously I did no painting today.

Got back into my studio after Christmas.  Decided to work again on THE ADVENTURES OF THE COUNTRY BOYS.  I am not sure if I concentrated properly (I listened to some of my Christmas presents!) but I made good progress.

I continued where I left off after yesterday and completed the main painting stage of THE ADVENTURES OF THE COUNTRY BOYS.  Some amendments and extra detailing will be needed.  I also have to add imagery to the four character blocks.

I also started the pencil stage of another version of THE ARTIST'S WIFE IN A GARDEN.  It's a bit of a mess at the moment however.

In my studio, off and on, all day.  I started work on painting in THE RETURN OF THE COUNTRY BOYS.  Because of numerous interruptions I made rather slow progress.

I also went over the pencil lines of THE ARTIST'S WIFE IN A GARDEN (expect a title change!) with black acrylic paint.  I may schedule this painting to be completed immediately after the two "Country Boys" works.

Not much time to paint.  I continued working on THE RETURN OF THE COUNTRY BOYS.

I completed the main stage of THE RETURN OF THE COUNTRY BOYS.  More detailing will be required plus the addition of imagery in the characterisation sequence.

I then started painting THE ARTIST'S WIFE IN A GARDEN as the light was fading.