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Studio 2009

January 2010: 'Anna-May'

Influenced by Japanese animation (Anime) which at the moment seems to be in vogue, I sketched and painted this girl in simple stylized lines and brushstrokes-

'Anna-May' March 2010 Sold

Photo from my studio window, 5.15pm 21/2/2010

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February 2010: 'Mixed Media'

Took a rest from canvas painting this month to refresh and experiment in different media. Here are some new Life Studies painted with metallic's:

'Male Nude A' January 2010

'Sitting Nude C' January 2010

'Rivulet' January 2010

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March 2010: 'Mixed Media'

Began a number of sculptures over the last few weeks using various Craft Wires of Bronze, Copper, Steel and Aluminium which I hope to complete through the coming year. They are wrought with simple hand tools:

Here is a 'Swallow' which I have just finished. It is fashioned from bronze and set with two red semiprecious stones.

'Full Flight' February 2010

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April 2010: 'Carly 2010'

Here is a quick pencil sketch of my dog having a lazy day. Two paintings followed-

'Carly A' April 2010

'Carly B' April 2010

'A Dogs Life!'

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May 2010: 'West Coast, Sunset'

Working swiftly while my paint was still wet I completed this small canvas in one short sitting. I prepared my colourful palette in advance and working from the top of the canvas I placed my colour before spreading with large brushes from left to right. All begins to make sense as the painting progresses and some detail is added:

'West Coast, Sunset' May 2010 Sold

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June 2010: 'Homeward Bound'

Again working swiftly with a wet palette here's someone trotting home, past their curfew!

'Homeward Bound' June 2010 Sold

Sunset from my studio window, June & July 2010

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July 2010: 'Stuck On You!'

Keeping in touch this year with my Negatives, here is the first of 2010-

'Stuck On You!' July 2010

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August 2010: 'Delicious. Still'

Here's a new Canvas which began about two years ago with a lot of long nights and detailed drawings. I don't wish to expand on the thought behind this painting for fear I may tread on our new blasphemy laws! It depicts Adam expelled from 'Eden' yet still enjoying the apples!

Early sketches.

After a number of long sittings.

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September 2010: Update: 'Delicious. Still'

Continued working on Adam over the last month, painting little else. Coming along nicely. The layout of my composition is clearer now as more detail is added. I can now work in different layers jumping from background to foreground as I please.

Love the 'Red'

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October 2010: 'Triton'

A while back, I accepted a detailed commission, to capture the Merman? with the upper body of a human and the tail of a fish, skewering a Ship on a wild seascape. Along with the brief I received a quick sketch from the clients’ hand. First I had to clear up some confusion as to whether we spoke of ‘Poseidon’ (Greek), ‘Neptune’ (Roman), or ‘Triton’ as I wished my painting to be accurate to the mythology. After a little research and reading I sketched my own composition of ‘Triton’ the Greek God (son of Poseidon) along with a Greek Galley:

I again sketched out my drawing on a Landscape Canvas, 70cm x 100cm making some adjustments and corrections along the way before beginning to paint:

Charcoal Progression Painting Progression

After a number of sittings and nearing the finish I finally add details and sign off!

'Triton' March 2010 Sold

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November 2010: 'Lauderdale Terrace'

Here is a commission of a nice dwelling on an old street in Dublin’s city centre. After meeting my client and receiving my brief I made a trip to the house early on a Sunday morning to take some new photos and make some simple sketches while the street was less busy.

My final sketch and notes which I will use as a guide for the painting along with an image of one of my past paintings ‘Eventide, Anna Livia’ which my client had seen and admired and which led to his commission.

There are few things which I observed and considered from site and from photos that I have taken license to change:

1. I have lengthened the railings in front of the house in order to move the pillar further to the right of the canvas (out of the way). I wish to include the Gable and Chimney of the house and also part of the pillar and gate (which was suggested I exclude) to keep true to the streetscape, however the gate and Pillar will not be so prominent when painted as I wish to keep them fairly abstracted (a swath of black and brown colour from which the bright red/orange of the house will stand out from).

2. The main detail and focus of the painting will be the house (Gable). As the buildings move further back towards the cathedral they will fade in colour and detail. I would like to include a little section of the buildings on the left hand side as in the drawing as they really lend to the curve and sweep of the road. Again for similar reasons as above I will also keep this brushwork loose and abstracted.

3. For best effect and to take advantage of the large area of Sky I have decide to bring in the light from the Top Left corner of the canvas which will change in colour and intensity as it crosses the canvas towards the gable..

4. I have cut out one or two of the modern buildings which peep out at the back of the row of houses blocking parts of the cathedral, likewise the ramp and also the street light and lampposts which the client wished to exclude.

I will get some paint on to the canvas soon while all this is floating round my head!

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December 2010: Update: 'Delicious Still'

Put a lot into this painting over the last month adding finer detail and working on the figures. Will put this one away until the New year as I have a number of more urgent commissions to finish before the holidays!

Update: 'Lauderdale Terrace'

A. I sketched out my composition working from my drawing and photo which took a while to get right. Got there in the end’ and fits well with the dimensions of the canvas. B. Painting after first sitting, lost a lot of my pencil lines under the washes which I have to draw again when dry. C. Balancing act! My third sitting: working on road, paths and balancing the foreground with the background colours of the sky. D. First sitting and first washes of paint. E. After second sitting and detailed drawing. F. Painting which I am happy with so far. The sky is as I wanted with Light coming in from left side and fading to darker blues and greys on right side which will add a bit of drama to the finished painting. I have a nice sweep and bend to the road which will break and contrast the angles of the houses.

During our first meeting my client explained that one feature of the newly furbished house will be a Purple Door so at this early stage I have introduced a purple tint which will later compliment the door. (Which I hope is still going to be purple!)

Working on the house, taking shape with added detail.

'Lauderdale Terrace' December 2010 Sold

'December 2010'

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