Two cats by the window

Two cats, watercolour

I looked after these two cats for my son while they moved house and really enjoyed having them. They are two siblings, Athena (on the left) and Hercules.

They are still quite young and playful and enjoyed sitting on the window sill, catching insect (real and imaginary) and watching whatever was going on outside.

I painted this on khadi paper, mixing the black tones from ultramarine blue mixed with raw sienna and permanent crimson alizarin. The red tones on Athena were mostly pure burnt sienna.

Nene Valley Railways

On the day of the Royal Wedding, we went on a rail trip to the Nene Valley to celebrate my husband's birthday. Although we had expected a steam engine, our train was pulled by a vintage Diesel engine, which apparently is used once a month.

We had an hour's break in Peterborough, which had a Morris Dance event on. It was very enjoyable to see so many different styles of Morris Dancers. In the park in front of the Cathedral, a big screen was installed to broadcast the Royal Wedding and lots of people had set up for a picnic, some little girls dressed up as bridesmaids to celebrate the occasion.

I liked this little scene of the three people chatting, waiting for the departure of the train. The bright sunshine made for strong contrasts in tone.

View Towards Piccadilly

Piccadilly, Watercolour

Another watercolour of a wet day in London, based on a visit from last February. 

Painting rainy weather calls for softer edges and wet-in-wet passages; I also used greyer colours to express the dull light.

Château de Valère

Schloss Sion

This is one of four castles (a fortified church, really) we find in the Valais (Switzerland). I haven't seen this one personally but painted it from a photo taken by my husband, who went through the Rhone valley on a day trip.

In this painting, the sun is behind the castle, which makes parts of the roofs brighten up to near white.

Schloss Birseck

Birseck castle, watercolour

This castle lies on a small hill just outside Arlesheim, Switzerland and has always been shut when we were in the area in previous decades. 

It's part of the attractive view from my parents' house on the opposite side of the valley, and this April, we finally managed to visit the castle when it was open. 

It is mainly a ruin with a small chapel and one sparsely furnished room, which opens to views towards the dome of Arlesheim and further into the valley. The tower is only accessible half way.

It took us an hour to walk there in beautiful sunshine, but as soon as we arrived at the castle, the weather turned to rain and we took considerably less time to march back home soaked to the bones!

I think I have painted this castle in the past in summer foliage, while this time of year, the trees haven't grown their new leaves yet. I tried different mark making to get the textures for the trees and kept the colours autumnal.

Fourth Plinth, Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square, watercolour

This is the latest  in a  small series of watercolours of London in the rain, which is based on a visit back in February. This link tells you more about the sculpture which was installed on the Fourth Plinth at the time. I was quite taken aback, when I saw it!

Just recently, a new artwork has taken its place, one with a more political and humanitarian message. 

This watercolour is painted on an A3 block of Saunders Waterford paper. I am quite pleased with the transparent grey I achieved for the clouds, using Teal (Ken Bromley) and Permanent Alizarin Crimson (Winsor & Newton). 

The reference photo had a very close tonal range between background and foreground, so I planned to keep the background lighter in tone for the foreground to stand out.

Tulips and Elephant

Tulips and Elephant watercolour

I have painted this set-up before, about four years ago, and that painting is now in China. 

The ceramic elephant is a particular favourite of mine, made by my husband, when he learnt how to work with clay. For that project, they had to work with an oval mould, and while most chose to make a vase, he came up with the idea of an elephant. I love its colour and pretty shape.

I have painted the tulips in hope of spring arriving soon; the tulips in my garden are showing some flower buds but are not quite ready to bloom yet.