Working plein air

The weather was so nice this afternoon, so I decided to work outdoors.  I finished this painting of racehorses then caught up with two caricature commissions that I had been putting off.  Got some odd looks from passers by.
Working down in Northumberland and Co Durham, Friday, Saturday, and I have around eight hours to spare between jobs, so I plan to take my paints and paper with me.  Probably will get more puzzled looks as I sit in my car painting.  But if the weather is as warm as it was today, I will be doing the old plein air once more.

Siobhan

Silhouettes

I work away at my new passion, watercolours.  Trying to be as loose as possible.  My caricatures have also been executed in a loose style for years.  There is another art that I am deeply involved in.  An art that is so removed from my usual loose style.  Cutting silhouettes is a very exact art.  These profiles are cut freehand from black paper in about two minutes.  I do walkabout at corporate events or weddings, cutting silhouettes on the move.  Sometimes it becomes difficult, especially in low light function rooms.  It is also quite tricky in crowded areas.  I haven't stabbed anyone yet though.
This silhouette is of my daughter.  I mounted it between two pieces of glass.  This allows a shadow to fall on to the white background.  What is achieved is a floating profile.  Still not getting enough gigs doing this.  People are generally ignorant of this French art, but when they see it they love it.

Back to watercolours.

Another wedding yesterday, doing loose impressionistic caricatures.  Now today I painted a very noble looking lioness resting in the sun.  Continuing with my loose style.  It is just as well that I don't cut silhouettes in this way.  They would look like confetti!

Resting in the sun