UCS

CONTINUATION OF PAINTING

My constant fight to ‘go abstract’ has taken a different direction. Am sure it’s not new – nothing is….but I decided to work in stages. First very loosely drawing the composition, then blocking in flat colour shapes to cover the canvas. Next put the drawing back using a strong black line (in paint) correcting as I go. Then block in again but don’t completely cover the drawing.

I want to express the atmosphere of the place but retain the drawing from the sketches onsite. We’ll see if it works !! Influenced by looking at de Stael and Diebenkorn !!

LOOKING AT CHRISTMAS SKETCHES

Thank goodness the dissertation and hours bent over my laptop are over. Computers drive me mad and make my shoulders ache. Went swimming today which eased the pain. Just love swimming. So calming.

Started a new painting of de Stael’s house in Antibes. It’s 2 x 1.8 metres so nice and big. I’m using the sketches I did in France plus photos but only very loosely. Want to get at the feeling of the scene before I knew the tragic story. I’m sure there must have been some vibes left there which drew me in.